1. Los Nietos Middle School Back To School Night 2014-2015 8th Grade Math & Science Mrs. Chavez Mrs. Ramirez Mrs. Sanchez

2. What is Common Core? Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have taken the place of California Standards 43 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 territories have adopted these standards Key shifts in math: –Greater focus on fewer topics –Coherence – linking topics across grades –Rigor – including conceptual understanding and application 40% of former CST Algebra 1 standards are now 8 th Grade math CCSS Exam given is called the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) Students are given 8 th grade math exam no matter what math class they are enrolled in Exam is completely online Last year was the pilot year, this year will be the “Baseline” year As of this year, only Language Arts and Math will be assessed

3. Required Materials Backpack 3 ring binder Pencils and Pens Notebook with dividers Spiral bound notebooks Scientific Calculator Graph paper College rule loose leaf paper Colored pencils/markers (at home for projects)

4. 8 th Grade Math Students enrolled in 8 th grade math will be learning Common Core 8 th Grade Math standards Students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) at the end of the school year. Students will be expected to complete notes, vocabulary, classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, and unit tests. Assessments including quizzes, tests, performance tasks, and unit tests will be given once a week. Calculators will be used in class. Students will be working out of the McGraw Hill text. All work must be completed in pencil.

5. Algebra 1 Students enrolled in Algebra will be focusing on Algebra 1 Common Core Standards Students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for 8 th Grade Math at the end of the year. Students will be expected to complete notes, vocabulary, classwork, homework, and assessments. Assessments including quizzes, tests, performance tasks, and unit tests will be given once a week. A scientific calculator is highly recommended Textbook – McGraw Hill Algebra 1 All work must be done in pencil

6. Weekly Plans Weekly plans are handed out every Monday All work is listed on them for the week Students fill them out every day Homework is checked and stamped on a daily basis All work is attached to the weekly plan and turned in every Friday Plans count for 40% of the grade

7. Grading Policy - Math 40% of the grade is based on the Weekly Plans (all work for the week) 60% of the grade is based on assessments (quizzes, tests, performance tasks, and unit tests)

8. Science Every 8th grade student is enrolled in Physical Science Topics include motion, forces, buoyancy, chemistry, and space science Most chapters will include a project Projects can be made from household materials Projects are expected to be completed at home

9. Grading Policy - Science 40% of the grade is based on Weekly Plans (all the work for the week) 30% of the grade is based on projects 30% of the grade is based on assessments

10. Progress Reports Grades are updated every week. New grades are handed out every Monday. Also updated on the Parent Portal.

11. School Website Every week new weekly plans are posted online. In case a student has lost their weekly plan or they didn’t get one, they can access all weekly plans online. All project descriptions and rubrics are also posted. www.lnsd.net

12. Parent Portal Get access to your child’s grades and attendance online. Get login information from front office. Last year’s login information will work this year. https://losnietos.powerschool.com/publi c/home.html https://losnietos.powerschool.com/publi c/home.html or www.lnsd.netwww.lnsd.net

13. Cel.ly App available for Android, iPhone, or iPad Also available through the web Allows safe 2-way communication between students or parents and myself Comes through as a text, so response is quick Reminders are sent by me Students or parents can use it for help on homework, questions about grades, etc.

14. Contacting Us The best way to contact me is through Cel.ly Email: desiree_chavez@lnsd.net michelle_sanchez@lnsd.net jacqueline_ramirez@lnsd.net You can also call the school and leave a message at (562) 695-0637.

15. Questions or Concerns?