Change in lesson plans for Thursday, Nov. 12

Hello everyone,

If you have been following my lesson plans on my web site you will be expecting your child to have some homework today, but they will NOT.  I have changed my lesson plans.  We didn’t quite get as far as I thought we would yesterday so today we are going to finish up discussing yesterday’s lab, put page numbers in our notebooks (and take out the pages I will not be using) and hand out some papers that I need to give back.  We will also be discussing goggles for Mixtures and Solutions and some other issues that students need to be aware of.  So, bottom line – no homework today!!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Hello parents and guardians:

This is short notice, but I wanted you to know that parent/teacher conferences are happening today (Tuesday, November 10) and Thursday (November 12).  They will be held from 5-8 p.m. each evening in the large gym at West Middle School.  This year is different than past years in that there are NO appointments.  You will simply walk in and find the teachers you wish to talk.  You may have to wait until those teachers are free, however, so please be patient.

Also, this year at conferences you will be able to go to the library and view a short video about our new Power School Parent Portal.  You will then be able to view your child’s grades as often as you would like.  If you can’t make it to conferences you will be able to view the video online later on, but will still have to come to the school to get your letter.

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Worksheet for Today

Hello,

Students in ALL classes today will have a worksheet titled “Mixtures and Solutions.”   This will be due tomorrow, November 11.  We read the story in class today that goes with the assignment.  Tomorrow we will actually begin the labs in our mixtures and solutions kit!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Classroom News – November

Hello everyone,

OK, I admit it – I’ve done a HORRIBLE job keeping up on my blog.  I promise to try and do better.  I will begin by posting this news article.  Then from now on I will try to remember to post when student’s have assignments, tests, quizzes, etc. Also, parent teacher conference are next Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8 p.m.  I hope to see many of you there!  If you are unable to make those dates or times and want to see me please contact  me and we can set up an alternative time.  If you make it to conferences you can also get your password for the new parent portal and will be able to check you child’s grades on the web 24/7!

So, on to the news.  We are finishing up our unit on Cells, the Brain and the Eye.  In fact, we reviewed today and students will be taking the test tomorrow.  Then, beginning Monday, we will begin our next unit on Mixtures and Solutions.  This unit is one of our three FOSS kits for the year.  This means there will NOT be a book at all for this unit.  However, students are expected to keep a notebook.  I will be giving them all the handouts for the entire unit either Friday or Monday for sure.  They will put these in their three ring notebook and work on them with the class.  When they have homework they may either take home the entire notebook OR they may remove the homework page, complete it and return the assignment.  After the assignment is graded students nee to make sure it gets back into the notebook.  This way,t hey have a complete notebook that they may take home at any time to study for quizzes and the unit test.

Speaking of tests, we are piloting a new assessment system along with FOSS this year.  It is know as the “Benchmark Assessments” and will consist of a “Survey” when we being the unit.  This is what you may know as a pre-test.  It will NOT be graded, but will serve as a road map for me.  I will be able to find out what students already know and what  items I need to spend a little more time on. I will also be giving some assignments that will not be graded, but are known as “Formative Assessments”.  The purpose of these is to “inform” the student and myself of how they are progressing.  So, don’t be surprised if students come home with pages in their notebook that have just  a check mark that they were looked at or that students helped “grade” themselves by marking in different colors what they got correct, almost correct, or didn’t have on their paper at all.  It is my hope that by doing frequent “formative assessments” that students will learn more and become more responsible for their own learning.

Well, that about sums up what’s going on this month in Mr. Yerington’s Room.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me!!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington