DECEMBER NEWSLETTER& SYLLABUS December 9, 2013 It’s not your aptitude, but your attitude that determines your altitude. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS 1. Ms. Bates Dear Parents/Guardians and Students: I am Ms. Bates and I am your child’s new 6th grade social studies teacher! I have a B.A. degree in Middle Grades Education: English and history as concentrations from UNC Charlotte. I have worked with children and adolescents for over five years, and love being able to empower students to succeed. I am elated to meet your child and also ecstatic to help foster their academic, social, and emotional growth this school year. It takes a village to raise a child, which is why I strongly condone parent involvement. Ask your child to read to you. Ask them to disclose information that they learned in class, and encourage them to talk about their day in general. This is a pivotal moment in your adolescent’s life and if we all work together we can corral your child to a road of success. I will be sending out a newsletter every month via email. The newsletter will consist of upcoming quizzes, tests, projects, and major activities that will be occurring in my class and at James Martin Middle School. If you ever need to contact me, please email me at reniau.bates@cms.k12.nc.us Students are expected to be prepared for every class. Everyday students are required to bring in a journal, social studies 3 ring binder, agenda, pencils, and paper. Other materials that will be needed for projects will be requested in advance. 2. Students are expected to turn in all of their assignments on time. 3. Students are expected to be prideful of any work they present. I set high expectations for each student, regardless of their ethnicity, social class, religion, etc…. I expect every work they give me to reflect their competence and confidence in the associated assignment. 4. I will offer tutoring once or twice a week (depending on requests). It is the responsibility of your child to attend tutoring sessions, or arrange a time to meet with me if they are having trouble with an assignment or concept. Please contact me if transportation will be an issue. CLASSROOM GUIDELINES 1. Respect yourself 2. Respect your teacher 3. Respect your peers 4. Respect your school CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES 1. Verbal warning 2. Reflective essay 3. Parent contact (e-mail or phone call) 4. Detention 5. Referral PARENT INVOLVEMENT Edmodo I will be using Edmodo to upload all of the assignments for my classes. You will have access to your parent code when you log on to your child’s Edmodo page. I will still send home tangible copies of the assignment for students who do not have internet access at home. PowerSchool Grades will be submitted to PowerSchool every Friday by 5p.m. Most of you should already have access to PowerSchool but if you do not, here is the link: http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/jamesmartinMS/Docu ments/Parent%20Portal%20Registration.pdf Behavior I have set up a Class Dojo account. I will be using this system to inform you on how your child is behaving in my class. I will send out the permission form along with your parent code on December 10th. This link can help you discover how to gain access to your child’s dojo account. https://classdojo.s3.amazonaws.com/share/Parent accounts101.pdf Positive dojo points are given to students if they are: Helping others On task Participating Prepared for class Teamwork Working hard Quality work Negative dojo points are given to students when they are: Bullying Disrespectful Not completing homework/assignments Off task Talking out of turn Unprepared Class Dojo is a great resource that helps to build positive skills and learning habits in the classroom. CURRICULUM This year, the topics we will be studying include the following: First Quarter: Early Humanity, Mesopotamia, Judaism, Ancient Egypt Second Quarter: Ancient India/Hinduism, Ancient China/Buddhism, Ancient Japan, Islam, Australia Third Quarter: North American & Latin American Civilizations, African Civilizations Fourth Quarter: Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance ASSIGNMENTS Formal written assignments may be typed or written in blue or black ink. All handwriting must be legible. In class, assignments will be placed in a binder that stays in the classroom. All answers must be written in complete sentences, unless otherwise told by the teacher. Late assignments will be docked 10% of the value of the assignment. GRADING Tests, Projects, Quizzes: 60% In-class assignments, notebook grades: 30% Homework: 10% MAKEUP WORK Students are responsible for all assignments missed during an absence. Due dates will be determined by the teacher, depending on the length of the absence. Wiki: http://ssbates.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ WHEN WILL GRADES BE OUT? Note: These are approximate dates and subject to change. 1st Quarter Progress Report: September 27, 2013 1st Quarter Report Cards: Week ending November 8, 2013 2nd Quarter Progress Report: December 13, 2013 2nd Quarter Report Cards: Week ending January 31, 2014 3rd Quarter Progress Report: February 21, 2014 3rd Quarter Report Cards: Week ending April 4, 2014 4th Quarter Progress Report: May 9, 2014 4th Quarter Report Cards: After June 13, 2014 *All financial obligations (cafeteria debts, textbooks, library books, etc.) must be met before report cards are mailed home.* The mandatory Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools grading scale is as follows: A: 93-100% B: 85-92% C: 78-84% D: 70-77% F: 0-69% Again, I am truly excited to build a relationship with you and your child. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Below is the sheet I will need you to return back to me by December 13th. Please read carefully over this syllabus with your child and then sign and leave your email address and phone number. Sincerely, Ms. Bates TEAR OUT and TURN IN THIS PAGE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Student Name: _________________________________ I _________________________________ understand and will follow all classroom rules and procedures listed above. I also will follow all Charlotte-Mecklenburg and James Martin rules and regulations. I have discussed and read over this packet with my parent or guardian and am fully aware of what I need to do to be successful in this class. I promise to try my best and strive for excellence in this class. Student Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________________ Parents: please read over this packet with your child and fill out the information below and sign at the bottom. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at reniau.bates@cms.k12.nc.us Parent/Guardian name(s): ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Cell phone number: _____________________________________________________ Home phone number: ____________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________ Parent Signature:________________________________________________________