For the 2023 - 2024 school year I have a 7/8 homeroom and will be teaching Math and Science to all of the 7/8 classes.
In Math, we will continue to develop an in-depth understanding of the concepts through problem solving, thinking tasks and real world projects. The students will further develop the skills of collaboration, risk taking and perseverance. The strands (number sense, number operations, patterns and relations, shape and space) are spiraled so the students have opportunities to revisit concepts throughout the year to solidify their understanding. Please see the year plan below for the units of study and a tentative timeline.
As we explore the world through a scientific lens, the students will refine their observation, classification, prediction, interpretation, and communication skills. Through experiments, hands-on activities and projects, the students will learn about geology, architecture and design, physics, biology, and environmental sciences. Please see the course outline below for a tentative timeline.
Assessment of/for Learning: Grade 7/8 students will be assessed through anecdotal observations, conversations, and formative and summative assessments. Feedback in the form of marks, indicators and comments will be regularly updated and posted on PowerSchool (https://ps.rockyview.ab.ca/public/home.html).
Please have your student head to Google Classroom for updates, along with important week to week information.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations you would like to share at jfortmuller@rockyview.ab.ca
]]>General Information:
During grade 7 & 8, we are trying to transition our students to taking more ownership for their learning; this should have the students using an agenda (of some type) to track their assignments, checking their Powerschool to see marks and feedback and using the Google Calendar to stay up to date on their work. We encourage the students to chat with us as much as possible if they have any concerns, or even send us an e-mail. Learning how to take ownership of their learning, and develop strong relationships with their teachers, will help them in the future. Lastly, students should always have some homework – whether it is reading, practicing their instrument, working on their math questions or a social studies or science project….so, the question is not, “Do you have homework?”, but rather, “How are you using your homework time?”.
This year in social studies, students will participate in a variety of independent and group projects that bring history to life. Learning will be assessed through quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, observation and conversations; students will be given a rubric to help guide their work; they are taught that a rubric is the “target” that they are aiming for.
If you are curious about the specifics of the courses, the course outlines are posted on Google Classroom...in fact, pretty much everything you could ever want to know about what is happening in the classroom is posted online. If you haven't been invited to the Google Classrooms, just ask your child to show you their "Classrooms".
If students are absent this year, going to Google Classroom is a "must". We will be posting all assignments and required materials there.
Thank you for reading this far, here's to a great year!
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