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Parents
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Dear Parents,
Here are some tips on how you can help your child be successful in science this year.
Help your child become an advocate for themselves
As parents we often want to help our children solve their problems. One effective way to do this is to give them guidance on how to solve the problem themselves. One trait that I want your child to further develop is this year is self-advocacy. If your child is struggling with an assignment or problem have them email me, write me a note, or talk to me one-on-one.
Make sure students are prepared for tests and quizzes
Tests and quizzes count for 40% of a students science grade. For each test a review sheet is available on my webpage. These review sheets are posted at the beginning of each chapter. Students should download and complete the review sheet a few days before the test, so they are able to ask questions if they are having trouble. Using this review sheet as a study guide is the best way to help your child prepare for the test. Once your child has gotten their test back, ask to see their "Test Corrections" so you can review with them what problems they missed. Please wait until your child has received their graded the test and their test corrections back before contacting your child's teacher with questions.
Help them keep their notebook is organized
If you look in your child's backpack and papers are spilling out everywhere it is time for them to get organized. Organization is something that most middle school students struggle with. My class keeps an interactive spiral notebook. An interactive notebook makes it easy for all students to stay organized. All of the work we do in class is assigned an assignment number and gets stapled into their notebook in numerical order. At the beginning of each chapter we create a table of contents which tells them where each assignment goes. A blank table of contents will be posted for each unit so students may print this template and staple it into their notebooks. Students complete a notebook quiz once a quarter to check that their notebook is organized. The notebook check is worth 10% of their final grade.
Visit the class website
This website will help you and your child to keep up with what is going on in class. I post the studyguides for each chapter test and quiz and you will find extra copies of worksheets and project directions here also.
Textbook website
The student's textbooks have great website resources to help understand and review the curriculum. Use the links below to access your child's textbooks online by using BEEP.
Check that their planner is filled out daily
Students should have something written in their planner EVERYDAY for science.
Make sure they have an SSR book
Each Wednesday in science we have Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) for 20 minutes. Students are given points for having an SSR book and for progressing through the book each week. SSR/Homework counts for 15% of the student's final grade. Make sure your child has an SSR book each week by taking them to the book store or library.
Emailing
The fastest way for me to communicate with you is through email. Always put your child's first and last name in the subject of the email so I know it is not spam.
Check Pinnacle
Use Pinnacle to keep track of the your child's grades. Pinnacle allows you to view all of your child's grades for each class. If you have a question about a grade please consult with your child first. Your child should be able to explain the grade to you since I go over graded work with them. If they are unable to explain the grade to you please help to promote self-advocacy in your child and have them ask me for a further explanation and let them get back to you. If you still have a question about a grade then contact me at jamie.luft@browardschools.com
http://gradebook.browardschools.com/piv Sign and return interim reports promptly
Interim reports go out four times a year. They need to be signed and returned to school.
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Hopefully you found these tips helpful and you now have a better understanding of how my classroom operates. Feel free to access this page at any time during the year. I wish all my students success throughout the school year.
Sincerely,
Jamie Luft
Mrs. Luft
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