together we can make a difference!. meet our team mr. talbot- social studies mr. conway- writing...
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WELCOME TO OPEN HOUSE! 8 ORANGE TEAM
2013-2014
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Meet our Team
Mr. Talbot-Social Studies
Mr. Conway-Writing
Mrs. Lowry-Science
Mrs. Bertando-Math
Mr. Cragin-Learning Specialist
Keeping in Touch
The quickest and most efficient way to communicate with us is through e-mail.Our e-mails are listed on the NFMS website:
www.newfairfieldschools.org/subsite/nfmThe format for email is: firstinitiallastname@new-
fairfield.k12.ct.us(ex. [email protected])
8th grade phone: 203-312-5893
Homework Posted daily on the Middle School web page on
the 8 Orange Homework sitehttp://www.teacherweb.com/CT/NewFairfield/8orangeteam
Homework will be practice of a skill learned in class or extension of concepts covered in class
Students should spend a daily maximum of 60-90 min. doing HW during school (PLC) and at home. Contact us if consistently otherwise.
Academic Communication
Check your child’s grades on Infinite Campus (IC) regularly. Download the IC App to your electronic device
for continuous updates.○ Use itunes, google play or amazon.com to
downloadLook for emails from us via IC Messenger
Mark your calendar for Parent/Teacher Conferences: Nov. 12th(AM), 13th (PM), 14th (EVE), &15th (AM).
Appointments will be made a few weeks prior.
Costs for 8th grade
Field Trips: Connecticut Science Center-Potential
Field Trip this fall (approx. $35)
Holiday Hill- This is an 8th Grade trip in June (Cheshire, CT). It costs approx. $60.00 per student. (paperwork comes home in Feb./March)
Costs For 8th Grade
YEARBOOK Yearbook is mostly made by 8th grade
students so it has a lot about their year. A pre-sale usually starts in October and then
again in February. The last sale is in June. Cost is anywhere from $26-30.
It is cheapest during the 1st sale and most expensive in June.
Yearbook Parent Ads will be for sale as well (winter)
Costs for 8th Grade8th Grade Semi-formal Dance--June Tickets generally cost around $20
Gowns for the Graduation Ceremony--June These can be purchased from the school (information
will come home with students in Feb.) or borrow one from a brother/sister or previous student.
The gowns cost approx. $16.
Grand TOTAL of costs for 8th grade is about $155
New Schedule Terminology Language Arts: Combined Reading and Writing Class
Core 21- The class combines core subject curriculum through Project Based Learning and 21st Century skills.
EXCEL (XL): A 40-minute intervention and extension period of a class the child already has. The aim with EXCEL period is to give extra support to students or to provide additional, advanced instruction.
Personal Learning Community (PLC): Students with the assistance of teachers schedule this time to address their personal learning needs. It is a structured, individualized time where all students have access to: grade level, core teachers special education services band lessons and grade level band practices enrichment activities such as technology workshops research lessons virtual field trips
New Schedule Academic Classes are every other day 8th Grade Day-all blocks are 75 min except Excel and
lunch
Block 1-World Language, Phys. Ed. Or a rotating Encore class
Block 2-Academics (2A/C and 2B/D)Block 3-Excel (XL) Rotation of all classes 1 every
8 daysBlock 4-Core 21 or PLC LunchBlock 4-Core 21 or PLC Block 6-Academic Class (6A/C and 6B/D)
Science Integrated Science Curriculum
Kate Lowry: [email protected] Physical Science— Forces and Motion. Topics
include speed, acceleration, net force, Newton’s laws.
Life Science—Heredity: how traits are passed through generations. Topics include chromosomes, DNA, dominant and recessive genes, mitosis, meiosis.
Earth Science—Earth in the Solar System. Topics include tides, seasons, moon phases eclipses.
Please plan to volunteer to help construct and launch model rockets in June!
Core 21-Science
Project Based Learning Topic: Human Impacts on the Environment
Research News Articles about an environmental issue (individual)
Research and present a multi-media project to class about an environmental issue with a group
Research, plan and present a “green solution” for the local community or schools with a group
Language Arts
Keith Conway- [email protected] Our curriculum will center around the Common Core State
Standards The following skills will be taught in 3 new common core
units centered around the theme of social injustice: Grammar Vocabulary Reading Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Writing Listening and Speaking
Core 21: Language Arts
Project Based Learning Students will read a classic novel and do
a multimedia marketing presentation with a group
Write and present an individual persuasive speech
Social Studies
Brendan Talbot: [email protected] U.S. History from colonization to Civil War (part
1 of 2). There are 4 units: Colonization, Revolution,
Sectionalism & Westward Expansion and Civil War.
Reconstruction to WWII is the 10th / 11th grade curriculum (part 2 of 2).
Livebinders.com
Core 21-Social Studies
Project Based Learning
Principles of the Constitution and civics
Students will create a multi-media project with a group
8th Grade Math
Deanna Bertando: [email protected]
Curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards
Some examples of units:Unit 1: Expressions and EquationsUnit 2: Linear RelationshipsUnit 3: Functions and Systems of EquationsUnit 4: GeometryUnit 5: Statistics and Probability
Algebra 1 Deanna Bertando: [email protected]
Curriculum is based on Common Core High School criteria
Some of the topics to be covered:Patterns Equations and InequalitiesLinear Equations and FunctionsLinear SystemsQuadratic Functions and FactoringScatter Plots and Trend LinesIntro. to Exponential Functions
Core 21-Math
Project Based Learning Students will research educational paths
after high school. Will decide a career, salary and create
annual budget based on those decisions.
Students will choose to work either in a group or individually.
Present multi-media project
Learning Specialist
Brian Cragin: [email protected]
Co-teach some math sectionsSupport in some science sectionsAvailable for extra help and enrichment
beginning at 7:15 AMRoom 105
Extra Help Math/Bertando: M,T,W,F after school until
4pm Language Arts/Conway: By appt. starting
at 7:30 AM Science/Lowry: Thursday AM or by appt--
both 7:30AM Social Studies/Talbot: M,T, W. after
school until 3:30 Learning Specialist/Cragin: mornings
starting at 7:15AM
Volunteers
If you plan to volunteer with us this year please pick up a form upon leaving.
Fingerprinting appointment at Police Station is required.Only applies to situations in which
volunteers will be with groups of children without staff present.
Parent Assignment In a 1,000,000 words or less…
Tell the orange team what you think we should know about your child/loved one. You know your child best!
This will help us to better understand your child/loved one and the unique and special people they are.
Please hand in to homeroom teacher
or email to Mrs. Lowry at
By September 30th, or as soon as you can.
THANK YOU!!
Closing We look forward to working with your child and
you this year. Please take a pamphlet home with you. We
hope that you find it a useful reference. Next: Spend last minutes of Open House in the
8th grade wing exploring our classroomsSocial Studies-room 109Science-room 102Language Arts-room 111Math-room-101Mr. Cragin-105
STAY IN TOUCH!