Dear Parents,
Wow!!!!!!!! School is already back in session!!!! I am so excited to have your children in my class. It is a great honor to have the privilege of working with you this year. Cross Timbers has wonderful kids and that is a direct result of the job that our parents do with their children. It is always fun to see the new faces and many of the siblings of kids I have taught in the past. This year I am so fortunate to have an intern. Her name is Lauren Pendergrass. She is going to be with us on and off throughout the schoolyear. She will be helping me with the class during this time. Lauren is currently going to school at UNT and will finish her classes at the end of the May. Her and her husband Wes both reside in the area. I am so happy to have her with us this year.
Lauren and I are looking to change the make-up of our classroom. Since I started using video segment for discussions in class I have always wanted to turn our classroom into a science theatre. Hopefully this year will be the year this becomes possible.I envision this science theatre consisting of several things you would find in our area theatre (i.e. vintage science movie posters, theatre curtains, front door decorated like a door leading into a theatre.....etc.). If you are interested in helping us please let me know. I would like to put together a group of people and have this completed ASAP. UPDATE: There will be an organizational meeting on Wednesday September 24th from
1:45-2:15 in Room C-4. If you can not make the meeting but still want to help please email me. Thank you in advance for your support this year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Langley
PAP 7th grade Science Instructor
Cross Timbers Middle School
GO TEXAS TECH !!!!
***** A copy of the classroom rules and frequently asked questions are listed below.
7TH GRADE SCIENCE
Mr. Langley Room C4
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
Objective of this class- Provide quality instruction in science in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Also students will learn to apply critical thinking skills when utilizing scientific principles. Students will be challenged in this class and therefore maximum effort is required.
1. All students are expected to come to class with materials including their binder, pen and pencil, paper, book, and notes.
2. Each student will be expected to be in their assigned seats when the tardy bell rings. If a student is not in their assigned seat they will be counted tardy.
3. Bathroom privileges will be allowed in case of an emergency. Please use the restroom before coming to class each day.
4. Cheating, profanity, derogatory comments towards other classmates/teacher and horseplay will not be tolerated.
5. You are here to learn therefore the noise in the classroom and the lab will be kept at a low level.
6. Most importantly do only those things that bring honor to you, your family, classmates and your school.
Consequences
1) Warning 4) Referral to the office
2) Conference with Teacher
3) Detention and parent phone call
*More extreme behaviors may result in removal from class, immediate conference with an administrator, ISS or OSS.
Grading:
Most of the grading will be done as objectively as possible. Students will do some “self-grading” which will allow them to reinforce the correct information. Grades will be broken down into three categories with each category representing a percentage of your child’s grade.
CATERGORIES AND PERCENTAGES:
MAJOR TEST AND QUIZZES- 40%
LABS AND PROJECTS- 30%
PARTICIPATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY-(P&A GRADE)- 30%
PARTICIPATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Participation and accountability, P & A, is assigned to benefit each student. Each student is expected to participate in class and is responsible for completing his/her science work. Students are held responsible for completing their work and turning it in on time. Science work is intended to enrich subject matter and/or practice concepts covered in class. This leads to better retention of knowledge and overall preparation at test time. Every student starts with a 100% for a P and A grade. Five points will be deducted from the P and A each time an assignment is not turned in on time, or when an assignment is not done satisfactorily (80% for the PAP students). For example a student who has turned in all assignments at 80% or above in a six weeks grading period would have a P and A grade of a 100%. On the other
hand, if a student does not meet the minimum requirement of 80% seven times during the grading period he/she would receive a P and A grade of 65% for that category. There will be times during each grading period where a regular grade may be taken on an assignment. In that case the grade would be entered along with the P and A grade. Remember you may use a homework pass but the assignment must be COMPLETED and TURNED IN no later than 24 hours after the due date. No exceptions will be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mission For The Class
Allow students the opportunity to utilize scientific principles that require
critical thinking skills. As a result, students will learn to apply the
principles in a safe and practical environment.
Will the 7th grade PAP classes have homework?
Homework will be given 3-4 times a week. All work must be turned in on the
day it is due.
Is there any way my student can bring up their grade for P and A?
Each student will be given the opportunity to raise their grade a maximum
of 10 points a six weeks by doing a 2 page review (typed) of a science
article approved by the teacher. Each student is allowed to do two reviews a six weeks for a total of 5 points each.
Will test grades be curved at any point during the year?
Test grades will not be curved during the year. However there are extra
credit opportunities to enhance the P and A grade.
Are the students notified in class about any homework, projects or test?
At the beginning of each week the students are asked to take their planners out and the work (test, projects, and labs) are discussed. All due dates are given at that time.
How can the students access the textbook on-line?
Look under links and the instructions are listed there.
Will there be opportunity to turn in late work?
A student can use a homework pass once every six weeks for late work.
The homework pass can be used on anything except test, warm-ups and projects. If a student is absent they will have one class period for each day they are absent.
What are warm-up grades?
Almost every day the students will be responsible for a warm-up activities found either on the board or overhead at the beginning of the class period. After 10 warm-ups a grade will be taken. If the students keep up with the 10 warm-ups then they will receive a 100 for that warm-up grade.
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