WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!!

1. WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!! Teacher: Mrs. Wynne Math & Earth Science *Please be sure to sign in at the back of the room!*

2. Introducing Mrs. Wynne • This is the start of my 14th year as a teacher • National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence Mathematics • B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA • Master’s degree in Education from Pace University in New York City. • Alumni of the Teach For America program. • Began my career teaching eighth grade math in the South Bronx, New York for two years. • I have a clear multiple subject credential and a middle school math supplemental credential

3. Grades • Every 5 weeks your child will receive a Portola progress report with all of their grades. This should be signed and brought back to the students’ homeroom teachers the next day as proof that they have shown you their grades. • Progress reports go out during the 5th, 10th, & 15th week of each semester. • The 20th week is their official report card which goes into their transcript.

4. Jupiter Grades • www.jupitergrades.com • You can access your child’s grades at any time from anywhere that has Internet. • If you haven’t already, log onto the JupiterGrades website!  • You can set up how often you want JupiterGrades to e-mail you about your child’s progress.

5. Homework • Homework is given every school day (including Fridays). • Expect it to take them about an hour to complete all math and/or science homework. Sometimes, it will take much less than an hour and sometimes slightly longer. If it’s often taking more than an hour, please let me know! • I try my best to give a reasonable amount of homework while also assuring that students are getting the necessary practice that they need to succeed on their state exams, and more importantly, in life!

6. AgendaBook • This is where students write down their homework everyday. • I will stamp the agenda each day to verify that it was written correctly. • Please check the agenda daily and sign your name at the bottom. • Please keep track of the time your child spends on their homework at the bottom of the agenda. This will help us monitor if the amount of homework given is appropriate.

7. Late Work • Only accepted THREE school days after it was due • Will have 25% deducted from their score. • If the late assignment is not complete, it will not be accepted. • To receive a “C” (100% - 25%) it must be done to “A” standards, otherwise the student will not receive credit for the late assignment.

8. Science Homework • For all questions being answered, students must write in complete sentences and restate the question when answering the question. They should not copy down the question. • They don’t need to have the perfect answer (just like real scientists don’t always have the “right” answer), but I do want to see that the students have thought logically about their answers, rather than just writing something random down.

9. Science Projects • This year, I am trying to cut back on the amount of “store bought” supplies for projects. Please encourage your child to try to repurpose materials found around the home before purchasing supplies. • I hope to encourage imagination and innovation, in addition to studying important concepts.

10. Earth Science Curriculum • Plate tectonics (earthquakes, volcanoes, movement of Earth’s plates, convection) • Earth’s systems • Resources • Erosion and weathering • Ecology • Earth’s oceans and atmosphere • Some time in the next two years, California will be rolling out new science standards

11. Math Homework • Students must show all work in order to receive credit. • If a student is confused about a question, just have them try their best. Effort counts as credit! • I grade homework based on completion, not “correctness”. Tests and quizzes are where having the right answer counts! • We go over the homework so students can see and correct their mistakes, and (most importantly) ASK QUESTIONS!

12. Math Quizzes and Tests • Quizzes will be given periodically. • Questions are taken directly from the homework assignments they have completed and we have gone over in class. • Students must ask questions if they are unsure about why they missed certain homework questions so that they will do well on the quiz. • Tests are usually given at the end of each unit we complete.

13. Math Curriculum Major topics include: • Ratio and proportional relationships • The number system (division, decimals, fractions, integers, inequalities, etc.) • Expressions and equations • Geometry • Statistics and Probability

14. Common Core Standards • Drafted by experts and teachers from across the country. • Designed to ensure students are prepared for today’s entry-level careers, freshman-level college courses, and workforce training programs • Many similarities between the old CA math standards and the CCSS for math • Fewer standards in each grade, but each standard goes MUCH more in depth. • Moves beyond memorizing a bunch of steps to get to an answer. Asks students to think critically about math. • Students will discuss, argue, defend their solutions to math problems.

15. Classroom Website • www.portolams.org • This is our school website. • Students and parents can check homework here every day. • You are able to download some of the worksheets and handouts given in class.

20. Getting Help • Have students make an appointment during class to see me after school. • Encourage your child to ASK QUESTIONS in class. • I work hard to ensure that my classroom is a safe environment where students feel comfortable to take risks and make mistakes.

21. Friends of Portola • FOP is our parent support group which exists to provide financial and volunteer support to the faculty, administration, and student body. • FOB helps pay for supplies, equipment, and even salaries! (Suzy Miller) • Help keep programs such as ALEKS, • Vantage, theatre, etc. • They usually pay for field trips! • They’re here to make Portola better • THEY NEED YOUR HELP

22. How to contact me: *The fastest way to reach me is through email* • karen.wynne@lausd.net  • You can also email me from the school website: www.portolams.org • Or, call the main office and leave a message: • (818) 654-3300 • I can meet for conferences after school (by appointment) and at different times during the school day during my conference period.

23. Emailing the Teacher… • I welcome email from parents at anytime • For questions about assignments I recommend having your child email me personally • I will be discussing guidelines for emailing me with the students in class.

24. Teacher Wish List? • Paper, paper, and more paper • White board markers • Tissues • Table wipes (Green Works, unscented bsby wipes, etc.) • Safety scissors • Small boxes of colored pencils • Rolls of scotch tape

25. Thank You for Coming to Back to School Night!!! If you haven’t already, please sign the sign-in sheet before leaving!