Welcome to Mrs. Cox’s
Classroom
Back to School Night
Garnet Valley
Middle School
Homebase
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Morning Meeting Place
Pledge of Allegiance
Attendance
Field Trip Information
School News-Announcements
Team Business
Science
Education/Background
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University of Pittsburgh
West Chester University
Masters Degree in Education-Wilkes University
Masters Degree (+30)
8th year at GVMS
6th Grade Science and Social Studies
Contact Information
• Phone number: 610.579.5140
• Email: coxj@garnetvalleyschools.com
• Best times to reach me:
• 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone)
• 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone)
• Email (anytime)
Communication
• Powerschool is our online grading and
communication system
• Powerschool is a great tool for students, parent,
and teacher
• Upcoming assignments, up-to-date grades,
assignment descriptions, and comments
• I encourage students and parents to use
Powerschool to view upcoming assignments and
personal comments
• For parents-this is a great way to stay informed
Web Page
My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be
adding useful links and assignments to help your students
with different concepts in our curriculum.
*This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference
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Science Syllabus
Discipline Plan
Homework Policy
Extra Credit Assignments
www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/cox
Materials Needed
(most students already have these materials)
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3 inch binder (used for all subjects)
1 section in binder designated for science
dividers
Colored pencils
Glue
Pencils
Sheet protectors
Grading System
Point system
• Assignments weighted by points possible
• Students final grade is calculated by:
Total points earned X 100
Total points possible
Late Work Policy
• Students will earn half credit for late
homework assignments
• 5 points will be deducted a day from
late projects and larger assignments
• Students’ grades are based on total
points earned-late work is better than
no work
Science Grades
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Students can earn points from the following
assignments:
Homework
Classwork
Quizzes
Tests
Blog Posts
Technology Assignments
Lab Investigations
Lab Reports
Notebook Checks
Projects
Extra Help Opportunities
I am available to offer extra help,
clarification of assignments/labs , and
study help for quizzes/test to students
during:
• After school until 3:00
• During 3rd period- Study Hall
• Lunch (if not at Lunch Duty)
Homework
• HOMEWORK HOTLINE- 610. 579. 5140
• Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week
• Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in
class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall
• Late homework-half credit
• More than 1 day late-no credit
• LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO
HOMEWORK!
Extra Credit Opportunities
• The Healthy Classroom-an opportunity in the
FIRST MARKING PERIOD to donate items to
the classroom to keep it clean and healthy.
• For example: tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes,
cleaning products, and hand soap
• Students have the opportunity to earn up to 5
bonus points for donations.
• Other extra credit assignments are posted on
my website throughout the course of the year.
Science Overview
• Science classes in 6th grade are not leveled
• Leveling begins in the 7th grade-Academic and Enrichment
level-there is information about this class on my website
• We begin the year with lab safety, the scientific method,
and process skills
• Focus on the “Scientific Process Skills” throughout the
course of the school year (observation, making inferences,
experimenting, measuring, communicating, etc)
• Curriculum based on state standards
• Incorporates the use of Science and Technology Concepts
for Middle School Kits
• The kits compliment the textbooks used in class
Major Units of Study
Catastrophic Events
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Earth’s interior
Plate Tectonics
The Rock Cycle
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Ocean Currents
Winds
Weather Fronts
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Storms
Major Units of Study
Matter and Energy
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Introduction to Matter and Energy
Properties of matter
Density
This introduction to Matter and Energy is
designed to provide a base for the 8th grade
curriculum
Major Units of Study
Earth in Space
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Time
Sun-Earth-Moon system
Rotation, Revolution, and Tilt
Seasons
Moon Phases
Eclipses
Tides
Planets and the Solar System
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
Major Units of Study
Earth Science
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The Water Cycle
Soil
Erosion
Water Health
Environmental Awareness
Textbooks
• Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Inside Earth”
• Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Astronomy”
• National Resources: Smithsonian
“Catastrophic Events”
• National Resources: Smithsonian “Earth in
Space”
Enrichment Opportunities
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Inquiry Investigations
Connections to Real life science
Enrichment homework assignments
Post-lab Enrichment
Problem Solving
Cooperative learning experiences
Leadership opportunities
Thank You so much for coming
tonight
I anticipate a great school year!
Feel free to contact me with any
concerns or questions
Social Studies
Education/Background
•
•
•
•
•
•
University of Pittsburgh
West Chester University
Masters Degree in Education-Wilkes University
Masters Degree (+30)
8th year at GVMS
6th Grade Science and Social Studies
Contact Information
• Phone number: 610.579.5140
• Email: coxj@garnetvalleyschools.com
• Best times to reach me:
• 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone)
• 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone)
• Email (anytime)
Communication
• Powerschool is our online grading and
communication system
• Powerschool is a great tool for students, parent,
and teacher
• Upcoming assignments, up-to-date grades,
assignment descriptions, and comments
• I encourage students and parents to use
Powerschool to view upcoming assignments and
personal comments
• For parents-this is a great way to stay informed
Web Page
My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be
adding useful links and assignments to help your students
with different concepts in our curriculum.
*This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference
•
•
•
•
Social Studies Syllabus
Discipline Plan
Homework Policy
Extra Credit Assignments
www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/cox
Social Studies
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•
Foundations of Geography
Themes of Geography
Map Skills
Geographic Tools
Physical Characteristics of Place
Human Characteristics of Place
Patterns of World Settlement
Social Studies
World Cultures
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Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Mesoamerican Civilizations-Olmec, Aztec,
Mayan Civilizations
• South American Civilizations-The Incas and The
Andes
Materials Needed
(most students already have these materials)
• 3 inch binder (used for all subjects)
• 1 section in binder designated for social
studies
• Colored pencils
• Glue
• Pencils
• Sheet protectors
Social Studies Textbooks
• Prentice Hall: “World Studies:
Foundations of Geography”
• Pearson: “My World History:
Early Ages”
Homework
• HOMEWORK HOTLINE 610. 579. 5140
• Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week
• Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in
class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall
• Late homework-half credit
• More than 1 day late-no credit
• LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO
HOMEWORK!
Extra Credit Opportunities
• The Healthy Classroom-an opportunity in the
FIRST MARKING PERIOD to donate items to
the classroom to keep it clean and healthy.
• For example: tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes,
cleaning products, and hand soap
• Students have the opportunity to earn up to 5
bonus points for donations.
• Other extra credit assignments are posted on
my website throughout the course of the year.
Grading System
Point system
• Assignments weighted by points possible
• Students final grade is calculated by:
Total points earned X 100
Total points possible
Late Work Policy
• Students will earn half credit for late
homework assignments
• 5 points will be deducted a day from
late projects and larger assignments
• Students’ grades are based on total
points earned-late work is better than
no work
Social Studies Grades
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Students can earn points from the following
assignments:
Homework
Classwork
Blog Posts
Technology Assignments
Quizzes
Tests
Projects
Group Projects
Extra Help Opportunities
I am available to offer extra help, clarification of
assignments, and study help for quizzes/test
to students during:
• Lunch (if not at Lunch Duty)
• After school until 3:00
• During 3rd Period- Study Hall
Thank You so much for coming
tonight
I anticipate a great school year!
Feel free to contact me with any
concerns or questions