First Day

August 27th and 28th (Day 1 Homework included in this post)

Welcome to the first day(s) of school and more importantly...you're first day in 7th Grade Science. I am eager to get to know you all as well as enjoying the many wonderful activities and lessons ahead. Please feel free to contact me regarding anything you need to discuss anytime you need.


First Homework assignment: Due at the second class meeting.
With your parents, read our class syllabus below so that you are aware of everything related to science this year. When you are finished, answer a few questions (At end of Syllabus)  on a sheet of paper, and have a parent/guardian sign it.

2012-13 7th Grade Science Syllabus

About Me:

       My name is Rob Naylor and this will be my 11^th year teaching science. I graduated from U of D in 2001 and earned a degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Science Certification. I earned a Masters Degree in Educational Technology at UD a few years later. I spent my first five years of teaching at Gauger Cobbs Middle School and five years ago I made the transition to Conrad when I learned it would be a school featuring a science and technology background. My five years here at Conrad have been great and I only anticipate that it gets better in the coming years. Aside from teaching science, I also direct the school play, teach a 21^st century skills course for our high school upperclassmen, and am the Class of 2013 Student Advisor. Needless to say, I am pretty busy around here, but it does allow me to work with our students in many venues and help them find success in other areas of interest.

7^th Grade Science Curriculum:

-    Simple Machines

-    Forces and Motion

-    Electricity and Magnetism

-    Properties of Matter

-    Transformation of Energy

Expectations:

-    Students and Teacher will be ON TIME.

-    Students will be in seats and working on the Do Now when late bell rings.

-    Teacher will have homework and important info posted on front board.

-    Students will remain in assigned area/seat during class.

-    Students will raise hands instead of calling out.

-    Students and Teacher encourage and support others.

-    Students and Teacher will think outside the box

-    Students and Teacher will be creative, both mentally and constructively.

-    Students and Teacher will respect personal property of others and classroom property.

-    Students and Teacher will always do his/her best.

I promote a safe and comfortable atmosphere for our students to learn science. Any student that disrupts the normal flow of our class by not following expectations will be warned once. If the disruption continues, a phone call or email message will be made to make parents aware of the disruption.

Lab Safety:

       Our first week of science will consist of team building, ice breakers, and more importantly…LAB SAFETY. Lab Safety procedures, routines, and expectations are extremely important in fostering a safe learning environment. Failure to follow safety expectations in the lab may result in that student being removed from the lab or the classroom.

Grading:

       I use a variety of assignments each marking period for students to earn their marking period grade. Below is a list of what the students will be graded on, as well as the typical amount of points they are worth.

Classwork – 10pts

Homework – 10pts

Labs – 15 – 30pts

Quizzes – 30pts

Tests – 60pts

Project – 30pts

Class Participation - 10pts

       I am usually not in the habit of assigning extra credit work. Students always have an opportunity to improve their grades by being more consistent in class.

Makeup or Missing Assignments:

       If a student has a zero for an assignment for any reason, they may make it up and turn it in for credit. For absences, the student will have until the next class to complete the assignment and turn it in for full credit. For a multiple day absence or a major medical situation, the student will have four school days to complete and turn in all assignments missed for full credit. For those students who were in class, but did not have the assignment ready to turn in, will receive partial credit. Each day that passes (excluding weekends) that the assignment is late, the maximum grade that can be earned drops a letter grade.

Grading Scale:

       I follow the district grading scale listed below.

      

-    93 – 100% A

-    85 – 92% B

-    77 – 84% C

-    70 – 76% D

-    69% and less – F

Technology:

       Being an educational technology guy, I try to incorporate as much technology into everyday classes as much as possible. Our class will use a smartboard on a daily basis, but will also try to use some other 21^st century tools to assist in our science education. These tools may include:

-    Podcasts

-    Movie Making

-    Voicethreads

-    Photography

-    Blogs

-    Wikis

-    Webinars

-    Classroom remotes

-    Airliner (tool that works along with smartboard)

The use of technology is a privilege and must be used responsibly. To ensure the safety of all our students, a media consent form must be completed before a student may use some of the abovementioned items. Students are required to only use first names and to share no other personal information about themselves should they use any of the tools.

Materials:

       Below is a list of materials your child should have for science.

-    Textbook – 7^th Grade students will purchase the textbook from me for $5.00. Textbooks will not be given to the students until the payment is made.

-    Binder (Doesn’t matter which size or color) or Composition book

-    Pencil or pen on daily basis

I provide the following materials in class on a daily basis. The students may use these materials as long as they are returned in the condition they were borrowed.

       - calculators (cell phones are not acceptable for calculation)

       - rulers

       - glue sticks

       - scissors

       - protractors

       - highlighters

       - whiteboard
       - colored pencils

Again, I am looking forward to meeting my new 7^th grade students and having a successful year in science. If you have any questions or concerns at any time this year, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached….

By email: Robert.naylor@redclay.k12.de.us

Or

By phone: 302-992-5545 x. 320

 Homework Questions: Please make sure these answers are on a sheet of paper with your name, date, and class period. Once finished, please have a parent/guardian sign it. Be prepared to turn it in at our next class meeting.

1. How many years has Mr. Naylor been teaching at Conrad?

2. What is the most important topic we discuss the first week of school?

3. How many points are quizzes and tests usually worth?

4. When are late assignments due?

5. What is technology and how should it be used?

6. What is a goal you have for yourself in science class this year?

Thank you very much! See you next class!

-Mr. Naylor