Welcome to 8th Grade at Boise State University: Curriculum and Classroom Expectations

1. Welcome to Boise State University Please sign in at the back tables and find your child’s seat. We will begin shortly =) Miss Mary Kathryn Gottbrecht 8th Grade Professor

2. Agenda • Introduction • School Wide Policies • 8th Grade Curriculum • Classroom Expectations • Parent Volunteer

3. About Me

4. School Wide Policies

5. Homework • 60-90 minutes each night • 20-30 minutes of reading on top of assigned homework • Graded on completion and effort • Meant to reinforce skills taught that day in class • Long-term projects meant to be spread out over the days, not crammed into the night before • Use of Agenda

6. Homework Grade • 1st offense: Warning… Note sent home • Grade A • Not eligible for the trimester Prep award • 2nd offense: Note sent home • Grade B • 3rd offense: Parent and teacher conference for homework strategies • Grade C • 4th offense: Mandatory conference for “Success Plan” • Grade D

7. Grading • 90-100% = A • 89-80% = B • 79-70% = C • 69-60% = D • <59% = F • Subject grades are compromised of tests, quizzes, classwork and project. • Take-Home Tuesday – Tests/work from previous week sent home. Parent signature required • Online grade book • Aeries

8. School Wide Policies cont. • BOTH parents must be present during parent conferences • 4 annual parties • Literature Day, Winter Holiday, Valentine’s Day, End of the Year • No treats for birthday • Antecedents of Excellence expected from students • Pick up and Drop Off

9. 8th Grade Curriculum

10. Language Arts • Reading Comprehension is taught through Social Studies & Science. • Response to Literature is taught through works of fiction. • Written Conventions (includes spelling and vocabulary) will be taught an assessed every week. • Writing Strategies will continue to be developed with opinion paragraphs and essays.

11. Science • Physical Science • Motion • Energy • Periodic Table of Elements • Chemistry • Physics

12. History • American History • Declaration of Independence • Constitution • Founding of our Government • Industrial Revolution

13. Math • Algebra will be taught in the classroom during the school day • With Miss Gottbrecht • Geometry will be taught during the school day for those who qualify • With Mr. Shipes • This year only • An enrichment option in the areas of Geometry, Algebra 2, etc. is available through BYU Independent Study

14. CNN Student News • Morning work will consist of CNN Student News clip that is produced by CNN • appropriate for Middle School – High School students • 10 minute video on current events • Response questions and/or activities

15. EurOPA 2014-2015 • Our 8th graders will have the opportunity to travel to Europe this year!! • Look forward to a Trips meeting in the near future to discuss travel dates, cost, fundraising and much more!

16. 8th Grade Non-Core Classes • Physical Education with Coach B • Tuesdays • Science Lab with Mrs. Jones • Mondays • Computers with Ms. Mota • Mondays • Band with Mr. T • Mondays and Wednesdays • Library with Mrs. Gamache • Thursdays • Choir with Mrs. Madott • Thursdays • French with Mr. Lehjika • Tae Kwon Do

17. Classroom Expectations

18. Classroom Management • Learnball • Positive behavior system • Class Split into teams • Can earn points and Bronco Cards • Firm, Fair, Consistent • Grade entered daily

19. Classroom Rules • Take care of yourself • Take care of others • Take care of BSU

20. Classroom Rewards • Learnball Points • Bronco Cards • Boise Cash • Periodic Table Bingo

21. Classroom Consequences • Verbal/non-verbal warning (-2%) • Making Better Choice (-3%) • Behavior Essay • Behavior Contract • Office Referral (trimester grade D)

22. Parent Volunteers

23. Involvement • University Parent • 2 Art Master Parents • Photography • Classroom/At-Home Prep • MAJORS • Graduation • EurOPA Fundraising All volunteers must attend a parent volunteer meeting

24. Questions?? Thank you for coming! I look forward to working with you and your children