Tasha Kirby

6TH AND 7TH GRADE

EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE

About Me

•University of Washington- both BA

and MA

•12th year teaching, 2nd year at BLMS

• National Board certified

•8 years at Discovery Elementary and

2 years in Bozeman, MT

•Family- 2 children, Paige- 6 and Nash-

4, husband- Justin and dog- Trevor

About Mrs. Kirby

Earth Science Topics of Study

•CATASTROPHIC EVENTS•Storms, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

•EARTH IN SPACE•Earth-Moon-Sun System

* Some Light concepts will also be taught.

Grades

•45%- Assessments (showing what you know on grade level learning standards)•25%- Notebook•20%- Labs•10%- Daily Work- Science Starters, home practice, and other “little things”

Grading Continued…I will use a standards-based grading system:

• 4- shows full understanding of concepts- A

• 3.4- mostly shows understanding of concepts- B

• 3- shows some understanding of concepts- C

• 2.5- shows a little understanding of concepts- D

• 2- has not yet shown understanding of concepts- F

• No effort shown

Issaquah teachers are required to update grades 6X a year in Skyward; I will strive to enter grades much more often!

Late Work

• The majority of your child’s grade in this class comes from showing understanding of grade-level learning standards.

• Zeroes only appear in the grade book if no effort is shown or an assignment in not turned in at all.

• Missing work can be submitted up to the final turn-in date each trimester for credit.

Home Practice

• Science is lab-based. Investigations are done in class.•Most home practice is practice or reflection for students and informal assessment for me.•Non-fiction, scientific reading following lab investigations.• Questions will be on Student Access• Minimum 3 nights to complete to allow for any tech issues

• Reflection questions following lab investigations.•Unfinished class work - handouts, reflection questions, lab write-ups• Students who use their time wisely in-class will have little or none most nights.

Due dates will be posted on the classroom website; however, Home Practice Board/Planners are most

current!http://kirbys28.weebly.com/

Extend Your Learning Activities

•Students may earn up to 20 points per trimester (applied to the “Daily Work” portion of the grade) by completing activities that extend the learning taking place in the classroom.•ALL assigned work must be turned in, including late work that earned 0 points, in order for Extend Your Learning Activity points to be applied.•Activities are available in the classroom and posted on the classroom website.•DUE 2-3 weeks prior to the end of the trimester•Due dates will be announced in class, posted on the Home Practice Board in class, and posted on our calendar on the website.

Lab Make-Up Options

• If your child is absent on a lab day, s/he will have to come in before or after school upon return to discuss what was missed.

•Working Wednesdays- every Wednesday, students will have time IN CLASS to make-up missed labs and assignments. If the amount of work is greater than one class period, a student will need to come in before/after school to complete assignments.

ABSENCES

•Home Practice is not given ahead of time for vacations. • For vacations that are 3 or more school days, a Pre-Arranged Absence form is required. •Pick up from Attendance Office•Handouts are placed in the folders outside the classroom door.•Students may use the classroom Science Notebook or a group member’s notebook to copy notes.•Students should plan to meet with me BEFORE/AFTER school--not before, during, or after class--for clarification, help and/or to complete a missed lab.

Communication & Wish List

• I will use the message center in Skyward (Family Access) to communicate class news; please make sure you have a current email in Family Access.

• Email is the best way to reach to me- kirbyt@issaquah.wednet.edu

• I will also use REMIND frequently. If you haven’t already signed up a cell phone or email address, I strongly encourage you to do so.

•Disinfectant wipes

Thank you!