Parents please have a seat Welcome Parents Erin Hurguy 7th and 8th Grade Science Parents please have a seat

Welcome Parents My name is Erin Hurguy. This is my 11th year teaching middle school science, and my first full year here at Wilson. Science will be hands-on as much as possible. Science investigations always start with inquiry. Science and engineering practices will coincide and overlap (STEM focus). Science class should be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but I will do my best to make sure that it will also be fascinating and enjoyable.

7th Grade Curriculum Environmental Science Space Science Earth Science Biomes, food chains and webs, interactions of organisms in an ecosystem, interactions of humans, hazards, and the environment Space Science Moon phases, tides and the moon, eclipses, reason for seasons, identifying major constellations Earth Science Identifying minerals/rocks, properties of layers of the earth, explain erosion, deposition, plate tectonics, volcanism, rock cycle, plate tectonics, earth quakes

8th Grade Curriculum Chemistry -Atomic Structure, Periodic table, States of matter, Properties and Changes of Matter. Physics -Motion and Momentum, Force and Newton’s Laws and Work and Simple machines. Life Science -Cells, Cell Reproduction, Heredity and Adaptations. Integration of the Common Core Standards & STEM activities

Goals for Middle School Science High School, College and Career Readiness Familiarizing students with the following process: 1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information 9. Integrating STEM activities into the class.

Expect the following this year: Some homework that will require computer use (creating documents using excel, word, Prezi, etc.) Science Fair – Required. Will work on in class partially Information coming this Fall (final projects due early February) Science or Engineering Project options May work in groups Enrichment opportunities (STEM projects, competitions, etc.) Have students see me for more information

AFT: A teacher advocate for EVERY student! Goals: To build relationships with students, develop positive peer relationships, encourage good character, and promote school success. Activities: will include team building, Reading fluency, STEM activities and one on one conferencing.

Grades Grades are calculated by points earned divided by points possible, Check grades online. I update grades at least once a week. Sometimes more often. Assignments are due the next day unless otherwise noted. All late work is worth a maximum of 50%. Projects are reduced 1 letter grade or about 11% per day late.

Web Site Please visit my web site. Go to the Wilson Website, click on Staff and then click my name. It has the text book Chapters as PDF files, documents and homework.

Teacher Philosophy I believe it is my job to teach your child. Students who pay attention in class, can never ask too many times for me to explain a concept. I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement to shape student behavior. Often a warning will be enough to stop a negative behavior. For repeated behavior issues the student may be removed from the classroom to fill out a disciplinary action referral form, safety referral, the parent notified, or office referrals may result.

Parent Involvement Parent contact: E-mail me at ehurguy@amphi.com or call me at 696-5885. I can respond more quickly to questions via email than the phone. My web page has homework info, due dates, a grades link and book worksheets. I have a new web page. It is linked to my school web page. Please consider the one time donation to the PTO.

PTO Please sign up to make Chili for the Chili cook off. Are you receiving electronic Notes from the PTO? If not please give us your email. Would you like to help out with the Spring Festival? Please sign up! Have you made your donation to the PTO yet? It will only improve your child’s quality of education. The PTO helps out many ways to help student learning. FILL THE BOOT!!!