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Welcome to Mr. Costill’s

Navigator Team Classroom

Back to School NightBack to School Night2015-20162015-2016

Garnet Valley Middle Garnet Valley Middle SchoolSchool

Education/Background

• Susquehanna University – B.L.A.• Wilmington University – Masters Special Education

(Expected 2016)• Elementary Education Certification – K-6• 2nd year at GVMS; 1 year at Bethel Springs; 2 years at

GVE(5th Grade)• Community member – Coach Football, Wrestling and

Lacrosse at GVMS

Contact Information• Phone number: 610-579-5168• Email: costilm@garnetvalley.org• Best times to reach me:

• 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone)• Email (anytime)

• Navigator Team parent meetings @ 1:45 p.m. T, W, Th•Fall parent conferences: November, 23,24 and 25, 2015 (usually by invitation in Middle School)

Key Words for 6th Grade:

Responsibility/Accountability• Homework, studying, planners, PowerSchool

Transition/Freedom

Growth – Academic & Social• Who am I as a student? As a person?

Confidence!

Grading SystemPoint system

• See GVMS grading scale (letter grades; 8-point scale)• Assignments weighted by points possible• Students final grade is calculated by:

Total points earned X 100Total points possible

Math Grades (letter grades)Students can earn points in the following ways: • Homework (Help your child!) – temporary zero

in PowerSchool if missing• Class work• Quizzes & Tests• Binder/Notebook Checks (organization)

Extra credit is earned by bonus points on quizzes & tests.

Extra Help OpportunitiesExtra Help Opportunities

I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments, and study

help for quizzes/test to students:

• During Study Hall daily

Homework

• Check PowerSchool for your child’s assignments & current grades; Review with your child once per week; Click on anything that is blue for more detail.

• Homework can be expected 4 nights a week (~25% of grade); Help your child. HW is self-checked in class.

• Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 15-20 minutes per night or in Study Hall

• Late homework (one day) – 1.5 points out of 2, 3 out of 4 (Depending on length of assignment)

• More than 1 day late-no credit• LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO HOMEWORK!

Math Overview• Math classes in 6th grade are leveled.• Accelerated (Pre-Algebra), Enrichment, Level 1

(on-level), Level 2• The Math textbook complements the instruction

in class.• Math State testing window is April 19 through

21, 2016• Homework counts!• 4 marking periods with letter grades• Honor Roll/Distinguished Honor Roll

Math Overview• New curriculum based on PA Core State

Standards Introduced in 5th grade 2013-14 school year Less focus on memorization More emphasis on understanding and

problem solving Equal exposure to discovery and direct

instruction8 Standards of Mathematical Practice

Major Units of Study• The Number System – fraction & decimal

operations; rational numbers (numbers that can be written as a fraction)

• Expressions & Equations – write, interpret & use expressions, equations & inequalities

• Ratios & Proportional Relationships – understand ratio concepts; use ratio reasoning

• Geometry – solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume

• Statistics & Probability – summarize & describe distributions; understand variability

Resources• Class notes

• Textbook: Big Ideas Learning: Big Ideas Math (Green book)

• Textbook website www.bigideasmath.com

• My teacher website http://www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/costilm

• Me

• You!

Thank you very much for Thank you very much for coming tonight. coming tonight.

I am looking forward to a I am looking forward to a great school year! great school year!

Feel free to contact me Feel free to contact me with any concerns or with any concerns or

questions.questions.

Social Social StudiesStudies

Contact Information

• Phone number: 610-579-5168

• Email: costilm@garnetvalley.org

• Best times to reach me: • 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone)• Email (anytime)

Materials Needed (most students already have these materials)

• 1 section in binder designated for social studies

• Colored pencils• Pencils

Social StudiesFoundations of Geography

• Themes of Geography• Geographic Tools• Physical Characteristics of Place• Human Characteristics of Place• Patterns of World Settlement

Social StudiesSocial Studies

World Cultures• Mesopotamia• Ancient Egypt• Ancient Greece• Ancient Rome• Mesoamerican Civilizations-Olmec, Aztec,

Mayan Civilizations• South American Civilizations-The Incas

Social Studies Textbooks

• Prentice Hall: “World Studies: Foundations of Geography” • Pearson: “My World History:

Early Ages” (online also)

Homework

• Check PowerSchool for your child’s assignments & current grades

• Homework can be expected 2-3 nights a week• Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in

class 15-20 minutes per night/study hall• Late homework (1 day) - 4 points out of 5• More than 1 day late – 10% deducted per day• LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO

HOMEWORK!

Grading SystemPoint system

• Assignments weighted by points possible• Students final grade is calculated by:

Total points earned X 100Total points possible

Social Studies GradesStudents can earn points from the following

assignments: • Homework• Classwork• Quizzes• Tests• Projects• Group Projects

Extra Help OpportunitiesExtra Help Opportunities

I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments, and study

help for quizzes/test to students:

• During Study Hall daily

Thank you very much for Thank you very much for coming tonight. coming tonight.

I am looking forward to a I am looking forward to a great school year! great school year!

Feel free to contact me Feel free to contact me with any concerns or with any concerns or

questions.questions.