1. Open House 2015-16 Mrs. Brenneman rbrenneman@ldsd.org

2. Earth and Space Science Course Description- Our science program focuses on six units:  Characteristics of Science  Water  Astronomy  Resources (Renewable and Non-Renewable)  Geology  Meteorology This will be a challenging class! I will give your child everything he/she needs to be successful but the class will require study time, continual review of topics, and vocabulary practice. Study guides are provided one week prior to testing, online support resources, quizlet, youtube videos, hands-on lessons) REMIND App : To participate to be sent reminders for upcoming tests (optional) or visit this link www.remind.com/join/ece4c

3. Units of Study  Characteristics of Science (metric, lab safety, scientific method)  Environmental Science (renewable and nonrenewable resources  Geology (layers of Earth, rock cycle, constructive and destructive forces, plate tectonics)  Meteorology (layers of atmosphere, clouds, weather and climate, air masses, tools for forecasting)  Water (water cycle, wetlands, ground water, freshwater systems, oceanography)  Astronomy ( structure of the universe, past, present and future)

4. You should know… I love my job, most especially the teaching of science. It is exciting to teach children the marvels of this world. I am in constant awe as to how this planet operates. Concepts from the decomposition cycle to symmetry in nature convince me that science is everywhere. Generally, I find most students excited already about the world and how it relates to science. Students are armed with inquisitive questions and have made numerous observations. The fun part of my job is helping them make these connections, to see the world in whatever they are learning. I am a big believer in taking the real world into the classroom and taking the classroom out into the real world. On a daily basis, I encourage questioning, taking risks in learning ideas, and the connecting of old ideas with new ones. Science offers us a way to solve most problems that may stand in our way. I hope to encourage my students to keep their eyes and ears open and to develop good stewardship towards taking care of this wonderful planet.

5. Science – Mrs. Brenneman rbrenneman@ldsd.org Four Classes  Period 1 @ 8:04 -10:45  Period 2 @ 8:50 - 9:31  Period 4 @ 10:24 – 11:03  Period 6/7 @ 11:38 - 12:20

6. GRADING Major grades include 1. Tests (50 pts.)  a. Comprehensive summative assessments that cover significant amounts of information  b. Formal classroom study guides are provided ahead of time  c. Given on an as-appropriate basis (several days in advance)  d. A retest will be offered but student will have to put in work to prepare for it 2. Projects (50 pts. or less) 3. Labs (25 pts or less) 4. In-Class Assignments (15 pts. or less) 5. Common Assessments (50 pts.)

7. You should also know… MAKE-UP WORK  1. Make-up work is the responsibility of the student. Copies of assignments and handouts can be found for each class in the labeled period drawers. After missing a class, it is the student's responsibility to retrieve the necessary write up/work from the appropriate drawer. It is also the student's responsibility to turn in the completed work the next school day along with the original write up sheet to the instructor for credit. Failure to do so will result in a missed or late assignment. If you have a lab to make up, you are expected to make it up no later than three days after returning to school. The lab will not be set up indefinitely.  2. In general, one day for each day absent will be given for make-up assignments. If a student is out for several days, he/she will have that number of days to have all the assignments made up but must show effort being made for each day, such as each day he/she should have evidence of completing at least one make-up assignment each day.  3. Resource Period (If you participate in other activities you may not always have this time available to make up work). You may have to make-up a lab or other during morning homeroom. Please keep in mind that this instructor teaches two major subjects and may not be available to given one on one attention to a student. Some support systems will have to be established at home as well.  4. The class website also has many of the assignments or support materials for student access.  5. The student may have to watch a video clip on-line if he/she missed it in class. Usually the instructor is able to upload or link it to her school webpage. The student may watch it at home. If you do not have the capability to view it at home, then you may have to attend arrange with the instructor for computer time during the resource period.

8. Projects Your child will have at least two projects to complete this year outside of the classroom. I encourage an effort to create the project out of recycled or recyclable materials. We should not be generating more trash for the planet. Water Cycle Presentation (poster, multimedia, etc.) Student’s Option

11. Customized Learning Generally, most of the information covered in this class is NEW to most of my students. In the event that I find a student who has already mastered the content, he/she will have an opportunity to participate in a related area of study but on a much higher level. This year, I plan to implement a customized approach for the unit on Resources and most likely constructive and destructive forces.

12. Canoe Trip – water quality study Traveling by canoe on local creeks, rivers, or lakes, students investigate the ecology, history, and geography of the Susquehanna watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. These hands- on adventures introduce participants to the complex relationship between land use and aquatic habitats, local water quality, and the health of the Bay. They promote a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and motivate future leaders to take action to improve the water in their communities and beyond.

14. More Info  4-5 Trips occur during Spring or Fall  22 students + teacher for each trip along with CBF environmental educators $220 fee for each trip = $10 per student  Please let me know ahead of time of any hardship cases – we receive small stipend from our PTO to spend on our students; in some cases I was able to use this money for students who could not afford the trip. Also let me know (ahead of time) if your child needs a bagged lunch provided by the school (FARM participants)  Fees must be paid one month prior to trip. I will shut down sign-ups for the trip before this time so if your child wants to participate then he /she needs to sign up, pay for the trip, and bring the necessary paperwork in by the due date. If I am unable to fill the trip then the trip may have to be cancelled due to lack of funds.  Medical form must be filled out along with permission slips for CBF and the district (in some cases, a substitute nurse may need to attend – new requirement)  We go rain or shine! Your child must come prepared for the weather. He/She will not be forced to go but most likely will not receive the opportunity to go again.

18. I look forward to working with you and your child!  Questions?

19. Math Periods 8/9 and 10 Textbook: The Big Ideas Math Textbook March 16, 2012 - named the recipient of the Texty award (excellence in newly copyrighted textbooks) in the K-12 mathematics category by the Text and Academic Authors Association for the second time in three years. Big Ideas textbook uses a balanced instructional approach through use of inquiry and direct instruction. REMIND App : To participate for being sent reminders for upcoming tests (optional) visit this link www.remind.com/join/eb86d7

20. Challenge: Transition to PA Common Core Focus: more rigorous, strong emphasis on 21 st century skills : creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration Big Ideas website http://www.bigideasmath.com/  Students and Parents can access textbook online along with tutorials, quizzes and additional resources (no need to cart heavy textbook back and forth)  Moby Max accounts parent letter and log-in to be sent home. Parents may sign up to view progress also.  Three times per cycle – small group instruction based on ongoing assessment along with opportunities to deepen understanding through the use of illumination stations and projects

21. Minds-On Math  Goal: In a Minds-On Math workshop, the teacher will apprentice young mathematicians by modeling thinking, immersing students in challenging tasks, and providing ample time for learners’ creative work within a community of support  Focus: Not on following a serious of steps to determine the correct answer(algorithm) but instead on fluency, modeling, error analysis, and real-life applications

22. Math Minded Math Evidence of effort is essential in a Minds-On Math class:  1. Neatness (legibility)  2. One is able to easily follow the method being used to solve a problem  3. Every problem is at least attempted  4. The student is an active participant (even though the answer may not be correct)  5. The process is very important in a Minds-On Math classroom. Usually, the students will not be handed the correct answers. They must collaborate to determine the accuracy of their guesses and a reflect on the differing strategies for getting the correct answer

23. Grading  Major grades include:  1. Tests (50 pts.)  If possible practice tests or practice problems are often used as a way to assist a student preparing for a test. Most likely, one per marking period. The majority of assessments will be quizzes instead of major tests. A pre-course test was given at the start of the year(doesn’t count as grade at this time) to determine strengths and needs for prerequisite skills for this course. Students are required to fix their errors on the first assessment. There will be an opportunity to retest. Additional work may be required to prepare.  2. Quizzes (10-15 pts)  3. Graded Class Work (10 pts. or less)Includes test corrections  4. Common Assessment (50 pts.) 2 required of the 6 units for PA Core  5. Possible Project (25-50 pts)

24. I look forward to working with you and your child!  Questions?