|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
Parents
|
|
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.
Help them keep their spiral 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 a page number and gets stapled onto that page in their spiral. At the beginning of each chapter we create a table of contents which tells them where each assignment goes.
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 textbook website.
Holt Textbook
This website can be used for average science classes. You can view the textbook online, have the book read to you, and see concepts presented visually.
Log-in: Luft Password: Science
McDougal Littel
This is the website for the advanced textbook. Click on "Student Tools" then "Florida Review" then select our textbook. Here you can see practice test questions, chapter outlines, key concepts for the chapter.
Check that their planner is filled out daily
Students should have something written in their planner for science everyday.
Help them study for tests and quizzes
Before each test students copy a study guide into their spiral. The student's are then given time to complete the study guide and to ask questions about it before the test. A copy of the study guide is also uploaded onto the website. You may wish to use this study guide 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.
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.
Email me so I have your email address on file
The fastest way for me to communicate with you is through email. Feel free to email me so I have your email address on file. 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 their science teacher. Returning the signed interim report promptly is a grade in my class.
________________________________________________________________
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
 |
|
|
|
