1. Welcome to Mrs. Cox’s Classroom Back to School Night Garnet Valley Middle School

2. Homebase Morning Meeting Place Pledge of Allegiance Attendance Field Trip Information School News-Announcements Team Business

3. Science

4. Education/Background University of Pittsburgh West Chester University Masters Degree in Education-Wilkes University Masters Degree (+30) 8 th year at GVMS 6 th Grade Science and Social Studies

5. Contact Information Phone number: 610.579.5140 Email: coxj@garnetvalleyschools.com Best times to reach me: 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone) 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone) Email (anytime)

6. Communication Powerschool is our online grading and communication system Powerschool is a great tool for students, parent, and teacher Upcoming assignments, up-to-date grades, assignment descriptions, and comments I encourage students and parents to use Powerschool to view upcoming assignments and personal comments For parents-this is a great way to stay informed

7. Web Page My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be adding useful links and assignments to help your students with different concepts in our curriculum. *This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference Science Syllabus Discipline Plan Homework Policy Extra Credit Assignments www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/cox

8. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) 3 inch binder (used for all subjects) 1 section in binder designated for science dividers Colored pencils Glue Pencils Sheet protectors

9. Grading System Point system Assignments weighted by points possible Students final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

10. Late Work Policy Students will earn half credit for late homework assignments 5 points will be deducted a day from late projects and larger assignments Students’ grades are based on total points earned-late work is better than no work

11. Science Grades Students can earn points from the following assignments: Homework Classwork Quizzes Tests Blog Posts Technology Assignments Lab Investigations Lab Reports Notebook Checks Projects

12. Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments/labs, and study help for quizzes/test to students during: After school until 3:00 During 3 rd period- Study Hall Lunch (if not at Lunch Duty)

13. Homework HOMEWORK HOTLINE- 610. 579. 5140 Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall Late homework-half credit More than 1 day late-no credit LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO HOMEWORK!

14. Extra Credit Opportunities The Healthy Classroom-an opportunity in the FIRST MARKING PERIOD to donate items to the classroom to keep it clean and healthy. For example: tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes, cleaning products, and hand soap Students have the opportunity to earn up to 5 bonus points for donations. Other extra credit assignments are posted on my website throughout the course of the year.

15. Science Overview Science classes in 6 th grade are not leveled Leveling begins in the 7 th grade-Academic and Enrichment level-there is information about this class on my website We begin the year with lab safety, the scientific method, and process skills Focus on the “Scientific Process Skills” throughout the course of the school year (observation, making inferences, experimenting, measuring, communicating, etc) Curriculum based on state standards Incorporates the use of Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School Kits The kits compliment the textbooks used in class

16. Major Units of Study Catastrophic Events Earth’s interior Plate Tectonics The Rock Cycle Earthquakes Volcanoes Ocean Currents Winds Weather Fronts Hurricanes Tornadoes Storms

17. Major Units of Study Matter and Energy Introduction to Matter and Energy Properties of matter Density This introduction to Matter and Energy is designed to provide a base for the 8 th grade curriculum

18. Major Units of Study Earth in Space Time Sun-Earth-Moon system Rotation, Revolution, and Tilt Seasons Moon Phases Eclipses Tides Planets and the Solar System Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

19. Major Units of Study Earth Science The Water Cycle Soil Erosion Water Health Environmental Awareness

20. Textbooks “Inside Earth” Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Inside Earth” Astronomy” Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Astronomy” “Catastrophic Events” National Resources: Smithsonian “Catastrophic Events” “Earth in Space” National Resources: Smithsonian “Earth in Space”

21. Enrichment Opportunities Inquiry Investigations Connections to Real life science Enrichment homework assignments Post-lab Enrichment Problem Solving Cooperative learning experiences Leadership opportunities

22. Thank You so much for coming tonight I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions

23. Social Studies

24. Education/Background University of Pittsburgh West Chester University Masters Degree in Education-Wilkes University Masters Degree (+30) 8 th year at GVMS 6 th Grade Science and Social Studies

25. Contact Information Phone number: 610.579.5140 Email: coxj@garnetvalleyschools.com Best times to reach me: 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone) 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone) Email (anytime)

26. Communication Powerschool is our online grading and communication system Powerschool is a great tool for students, parent, and teacher Upcoming assignments, up-to-date grades, assignment descriptions, and comments I encourage students and parents to use Powerschool to view upcoming assignments and personal comments For parents-this is a great way to stay informed

27. Web Page My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be adding useful links and assignments to help your students with different concepts in our curriculum. *This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference Social Studies Syllabus Discipline Plan Homework Policy Extra Credit Assignments www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/cox

28. Social Studies Foundations of Geography Themes of Geography Map Skills Geographic Tools Physical Characteristics of Place Human Characteristics of Place Patterns of World Settlement

29. Social Studies World Cultures Mesopotamia Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Mesoamerican Civilizations-Olmec, Aztec, Mayan Civilizations South American Civilizations-The Incas and The Andes

30. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) 3 inch binder (used for all subjects) 1 section in binder designated for social studies Colored pencils Glue Pencils Sheet protectors

31. Social Studies Textbooks “World Studies: Foundations of Geography” Prentice Hall: “World Studies: Foundations of Geography” “My World History: Early Ages” Pearson: “My World History: Early Ages”

32. Homework HOMEWORK HOTLINE 610. 579. 5140 Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall Late homework-half credit More than 1 day late-no credit LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO HOMEWORK!

33. Extra Credit Opportunities The Healthy Classroom-an opportunity in the FIRST MARKING PERIOD to donate items to the classroom to keep it clean and healthy. For example: tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes, cleaning products, and hand soap Students have the opportunity to earn up to 5 bonus points for donations. Other extra credit assignments are posted on my website throughout the course of the year.

34. Grading System Point system Assignments weighted by points possible Students final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

35. Late Work Policy Students will earn half credit for late homework assignments 5 points will be deducted a day from late projects and larger assignments Students’ grades are based on total points earned-late work is better than no work

36. Social Studies Grades Students can earn points from the following assignments: Homework Classwork Blog Posts Technology Assignments Quizzes Tests Projects Group Projects

37. Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments, and study help for quizzes/test to students during: Lunch (if not at Lunch Duty) After school until 3:00 During 3 rd Period- Study Hall

38. Thank You so much for coming tonight I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions