Expectations, Policies, & Procedures
7th Grade with Leily Abbassi & Michael Vasquez
High Tech Middle
2011-2012
Welcome! This year is guaranteed to be full of growth, excitement, hard work, and a lot of success. We are expecting for you to have more fun than in any other year and to learn more about yourself as a student and about
the content covered in classes, than you ever thought possible. Use this syllabus to guide you as you begin your adventure in the seventh grade (and remember you will get the opportunity to contribute your ideas and expertise all along the way).
Expectations
Each student has the right to learn in an environment conducive to academic, social, and emotional progress and growth. Our school is a safe environment for all kinds of people and beliefs. Mutual respect should be the guiding principle during our time together.
Students
• We will not compare you with other students; avoid comparing yourself with other students.
• All that is required of you is your best effort on a daily basis.
Parents
• We would like to see your child be successful and confident in our classes and I am looking forward to working with you to make this happen. Your child will be learning many new concepts and skills; they will be asked to show me their understanding frequently. Please ask your child what they have learned each day. You will be able to check grades online and verify that work is being completed and that your child is understanding the content covered.
• We would like to keep you well informed of the successes and struggles that your child experiences
in our classes.
oYou can expect that we will contact you by phone or email to update you on your child’s
progress throughout the semester.
oCall or Email us with any concerns or question you have regarding your child or the class.
oPlease come visit our classroom on Back to School Night, Sept. 15th, from 6:00 till 7:00 pm.
• Reminder: Parent Teacher Conferences are Oct. 11th through the 13th.
Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have. The best
way to reach me is by email but feel free to call me at my office if you would prefer.
• Email: mvasquez@hightechhigh.org and labbassi@hightechhigh.org
• Office Phone: (619) 630 - 4596 (Mike Vasquez)
• Office Phone: (619) 814 - 5067 (Leily Abbassi)
• Web: http://dp.hightechhigh.org/~mvasquez/
• Web: http://dp.hightechhigh.org/~labbassi/
(you may also link from the HTM webpage)
Course Objectives
Math/Science
This year, as a 7th grade student, you will explore the science of life (a.k.a. biology). We will cover topics including:cell biology, the structure and function of living systems, genetics, and ecology. In projects and labs you will be required to learn how to use the tools of a scientist in order to investigate and conduct experiments; as a result you
will become a good scientist yourself and you will be able to apply what you have learned in the real world.
In addition, you will build on the math skills which you developed last year, and become an even better mathematician. In order to explore the processes of life in greater detail you will apply your knowledge of algebra,geometry and trigonometry. While it is important to attain mastery of the core curriculum (math & science), all of the work we do in class will also help to ensure students acquire problem-solving, communication, collaboration, planning and self-evaluation skills.
Humanities
In Humanities this year we will be exploring world history, geography, literature, and the writing process. Through projects (large and small), you will be creators of a wide variety of products: writing pieces, performances,exhibitions, demonstrations, visuals, and publications. You will be expected to work hard, take some risks, help each other improve, work together, produce beautiful work, and hopefully laugh a lot and occasionally get a bit goofy.
In addition to reading independently-chosen books, students will be taking part in “book clubs” and enjoying novels read by the entire class. We will be using Writer’s Workshop to produce work in a wide variety of formats (memoir,historical writing, and creative pieces) and will always seek to find new audiences for our work.
Student Support Plan
Students learn content and skills at different speeds and in a variety of ways. In some cases, students may need extra help; at other times, they may be ready for more advanced challenges. Students are always able to ask for extra help sessions, after school tutoring, peer tutoring, or a family conference to develop an action plan specific to the student's needs. In the case that a student feels he or she needs extra help, We encourage students to meet with us as soon as possible to discuss their questions or concerns.
If Homework Seems Too Hard and You Cannot Complete It On Time
All of the work you do should be challenging, but if you have given your best effort and you are still having a lot of trouble (i.e. you have been working for hours on end), then you are in your “Anxiety Zone.” Remember you aren’t learning when you are in your “Anxiety Zone,” so do not stress over completing your assignment for the following day; try your best and do what you can.
You will need to email or phone me the answers to the following questions, before the assignment is due, in order to prevent it from being counted as late or incomplete:
1) What specifically are you struggling with?
2) What other resources have you used to try and find a solution to your problem?
3) When can you meet, so we can get you up to speed? (specify a date and time, either before or after school)
Example Email
Mr. Mike,
I am having trouble multiplying decimals, I looked online at one of your resource pages but I still do not get it. Can you meet with me after school on Wednesday Sept. 23, to help me to better understand this concept?
Thanks,
Confused in Coronado
Grading Policy
Grades are updated and posted regularly through Powerschool. You will receive one letter grade for math/science and one letter grade for humanities. Grades are cumulative and a standard A through F grade scale applies.Students must receive a 70% or higher to pass the course.
The semester grade for both Math/Science and Humanities courses will constructed as follows: 75% content knowledge and 25% Habits of Scholarship and Conduct.
Reassessing Content Knowledge
Grades will reflect the trend in most recent achievement (i.e. new information showing additional progress will replace old information in Powerschool). You may re-attempt tasks/assessments provided that you have made an effort to engage in additional learning (e.g., tutoring, additional practice, test corrections, etc.). The general deadline for
reassessment is two weeks following the initial assessment.
Habits of Scholarship and Conduct
• Successful learners exhibit certain qualities (Habits of Scholarship and Conduct) which we will assess using the
following scale:
• “Proficient” is considered advanced or meeting expectations with a high level of excellence.
• “Developing” is considered partially proficient or meeting expectations in some instances but not consistently.
• “Beginning” is considered inadequate progress toward meeting expectations and increased effort is needed for
proficiency to be attained.
The “Habits of Scholarship and Conduct” are as follows:
• Compassion: Being kind, honest and confronting issues.
• Responsibility: Being punctual, coming prepared and looking good.
• Perseverance: Working hard and not giving up.
• Refinement: Admitting mistakes and learning from them, and being open to change.
• Cooperation: Working together and sharing as much as possible.
Late Work Policy:
Students will have sufficient time, instruction and guidance to complete their work in a timely manner. All work is due on the assigned due date unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher. Content and Habits of Scholarship/Conduct (i.e. lateness) will be assessed separately.
Math/Science Content Knowledge
• Content in math and science will be organized into
standards-based categories; the mark “proficient”
indicates mastery of a learning goal within a category
and full credit is awarded. For example: student is able
to add fractions with different denominators.
• The mark “beginning” on a task/assessment is
considered inadequate progress toward learning-goal
and the assessment/task must be reworked/improved
until proficiency is attained in order to receive any
credit.
• A “No Basis” on a task/assessment signifies that a
learner did not submit a task/assignment for review;
learner should submit work as soon as possible.
Humanities Content Knowledge
• Assessment of student understanding will vary through
the use of rubrics, critique, and self-reflection.
Students will be expected to apply a wide variety of
reading and writing skills throughout the year in the
context of classroom activities, writing pieces, and
projects – each of which will have their own criteria and
learning goals.
Powerschool
It is the responsibility of both the student and parents to regularly check the student’s grade. Grades will be updated frequently and are available at http://powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public. A student’s grade sheet will show a blank space for assignments which I have not yet entered into Powerschool. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have a question or concern about a grade.
No Name = “Whose work is this?” = No Basis for Assessment
Absence Policy
Students will be given extra time to complete work assigned during an absence (extra time equaling the number of days the student was absent). In the case of a planned absence (family vacation, dentist appointment, etc.) the student should notify the teacher and Mrs. Ruiz beforehand and request assignments prior to the absence.
When a student is absent it is always his or her responsibility to:
1.Turn in all assignments assigned prior to absence upon his or her return.
2. Find out what assignments and information were missed during the absence by checking-in with peers and teachers.
***If you know you will be absent for longer than 4 consecutive days please contact Mrs. Ruiz to arrange a contract for independent
study to be completed at least 2 weeks before your planned absence.
