7th Grade with Leily Abbassi and Michael Vasquez
High Tech Middle
2010-2011
Welcome! This year is guaranteed to be full of growth, excitement, hard work, and a lot of success. We are expecting for you to have more fun than in any other year and to learn more about yourself as a student and about the content covered in class, than you ever thought possible. Use this syllabus to guide you as you begin your adventure in the seventh grade (and remember you will get the opportunity to contribute your ideas and expertise all along the way).
Expectations
Each student has the right to learn in an environment conducive to academic, social, and emotional progress and growth. Our school is a safe environment for all kinds of people and beliefs. Mutual respect should be the guiding principle during our time together.
Students
- We will not compare you with other students; avoid comparing yourself with other students.
- All that is required of you is your best effort on a daily basis.
- “Take control” of your education. You are the one who is responsible for growing socially and achieving academically. It is up to you to choose the level of challenge that will help you to grow the most.
- While we will work together to develop our class agreements, the following are general behavior guidelines:
- Show respect for yourself, others, and our environment.
- Come to class prepared and on time.
Parents
- We would like to see your child be successful and confident in 7th grade, and we are looking forward to working with you to make this happen. Your child will be learning many new concepts and skills; they will be asked to show us their understanding frequently. Please ask your child what they have learned each day. You will be able to check grades online and verify that work is being completed and that your child is understanding the content covered.
- We would like to keep you well informed of the successes and struggles that your child experiences our classes.
- You can expect that we will contact you by phone or email to update you on your child’s progress throughout the semester.
- Call or Email with any concerns or question you have regarding your child or the class.
- Please come visit our classroom on Back to School Night, Sept. 16th, from 6:00 till 7:00 pm.
- Reminder: Parent Teacher Conferences are Nov. 8th through the 10th.
Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have. The best way to reach us is by email but feel free to call us at our office if you would prefer.
- Leily Abbassi - Humanities
- email: labbassi@hightechhigh.org
- phone: (619) 814 - 5067
- web: http://dp.hightechhigh.org/~labbassi
- Michael Vasquez - Math/Science
- mvasquez@hightechhigh.org
- phone/text: (619) 630 - 4596
- web:http://dp.hightechhigh.org/~mvasquez/
Late Work
Students are required to turn in all assignments on time, on the given due date, for full credit. Just as in the real world, tardiness will be met with consequences.
- Small daily assignments and homework will automatically receive partial credit if turned in late for any reason other than absences. Special circumstances regarding late work can be discussed on an individual basis, but will only be approved at the teacher’s discretion.
- You may make up credit for assignments from the previous week by attending an after school work session arranged with teachers.
- Due to the large-scale nature of project grades, major projects will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day late.
Note: We will grant extensions on a case by case basis, however, they will need to be approved well in advance of the original due date.
Student Support Plan
Students learn content and skills at different speeds and in a variety of ways. In some cases, students may need extra help; at other times, they may be ready for more advanced challenges. Students are always able to ask for extra help sessions, after school tutoring, peer tutoring, or a family conference to develop an action plan specific to the student's needs. In the case that a student feels he or she needs extra help, we encourage students to meet with us as soon as possible to discuss their questions or concerns.
Powerschool
It is the responsibility of both the student and parents to regularly check the student’s grade. Grades will be updated frequently and are available at http://powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public. A student’s grade sheet will show a blank space for assignments which we have not yet entered into Powerschool. Zeroes will be entered for assignments that are not turned in or that do not have a name on them. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have a question or concern about a grade.
No Name = No Credit
Absence Policy
Students will be given extra time to complete work assigned during an absence (extra time equaling the number of days the student was absent). In the case of a planned absence (family vacation, dentist appointment, etc.) the student should notify the teacher and Mrs. Ruiz beforehand and request assignments prior to the absence.
When a student is absent it is always his or her responsibility to:
- Turn in all assignments assigned prior to absence upon his or her return.
- Find out what assignments and information were missed during the absence by checking the following: teacher’s DPs, weekly schedule posted on board and teachers.
***If you know you will be absent for longer than 4 consecutive days please contact Mrs. Ruiz to arrange a contract for independent study to be completed at least 2 weeks before your planned absence.
If Homework Seems Too Hard and You Cannot Complete It On Time
All of the work you do should be challenging, but if you have given your best effort and you are still having a lot of trouble (i.e. you have been working for hours on end), then you are in your “Anxiety Zone.” Remember you aren’t learning when you are in your “Anxiety Zone,” so do not stress over completing your assignment for the following day; try your best and do what you can.
You will need to email or phone your teacher the answers to the following questions, before the assignment is due, in order to prevent it from being counted as late or incomplete:
- What specifically are you struggling with?
- What other resources have you used to try and find a solution to your problem?
- When can you meet, so we can get you up to speed? (specify a date and time, either before or after school)
Grading Policy
Grading Scale: |
A = at least 90% |
B = at least 80% |
C = at least 70% |
D= at least 60% |
Semester grades below 70% will result in mandatory summer school attendance.
Math-Science Specific Course Info
This year, as a 7th grade student, you will explore the science of life (a.k.a. biology). We will cover topics including: cell biology, the structure and function of living systems, genetics, and ecology. In projects and labs you will be required to learn how to use the tools of a scientist in order to investigate and conduct experiments; as a result you will become a good scientist yourself and you will be able to apply what you have learned in the real world.
In addition, you will build on the math skills which you developed last year, and become an even better mathematician. In order to explore the processes of life in greater detail you will apply your knowledge of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. While it is important to attain mastery of the core curriculum (math & science), all of the work we do in class will also help to ensure students acquire problem-solving, communication, collaboration, planning and self-evaluation skills.
You should expect to learn something each and everyday. I will provide you with work to take home so that you may reinforce the skills we worked on during class. I will not require you to finish every practice activity I provide, however it may be very useful to complete these assignments in order to prepare for quizzes.
Humanities Specific Course Info
This year in Humanities you will be learning about various world cultures and geography. In addition we will read a variety of books and texts and write in a variety of formats. This semester we will complete a variety of projects and assignments, workings individually, with partners and in small groups. I believe that every student has something to bring to the class and emphasize participation and interaction from everyone.
The emphasis in Humanities this year is World History and Geography. This semester you will take on the role of a historian and film maker as well as a cartographer. Our focus for English will be on memoir writing, historical writing and creative writing.
Supply List
The following list of supplies is for all three teachers combined. These are required for students to bring to school on a daily basis.
- Two 3-ring binders, 1 inch
- Binder paper
- 7 dividers
- Pens
- Pencils
- Two pocket folders
- Index cards
- Planner
- Highlighters
- Flash drive
The following list is for supplies that can be donated to the team for the year.
- Cleaning supplies
- Tissues
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Expo markers (white board markers-thick)
- Hand soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Tape- clear and blue painter’s tape
- Glue sticks
- Small scissors
Semester Schedule
Here is a tentative schedule for the first semester:
Week 1: 8/30-9/03
Review Syllabus, Values Contract, Teambuilding Activities
Assessment/Number Sense Review
Week 2: 9/07-9/10
Variables, Tables, and Coordinate Graphs
Scientific Method, Observation Review and Science Safety
Week 3: 9/13-9/17
Analyzing Graphs and Tables
Wanted Posters: Introduction to Life Science
Week 4: 9/20-9/24
Rules and Equations
Wanted Posters: Introduction to Life Science
Week 5: 9/27-10/01
Fractions and Operations Review
Introduction to Microscopes
Week 6: 10/04-10/08
Enlarging and Reducing Shapes
Microscopes
Week 7: 10/11-10/15
Similar Figures
Dragon Genetics
Week 8: 10/18-10/22
Similar Polygons
Dragon Genetics
Week 9: 10/25-10/29
Similarity and Ratios
Dragon Genetics
Week 10: 11/01-11/05
Using Similar Triangles and Rectangles
Dragon Genetics
Week 11: 11/08-11/12
Comparing Ratios, Percents and Fractions
Dragon Genetics
Nov. 8 – 10: Student Led Conferences
Nov. 11-12: No School
Week 12: 11/15-11/19
Comparing and Scaling Rates
Dragon Genetics
11/22-11/26: NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING VACATION
Week 13: 11/29-12/3
Solving Equations
Dragon Genetics
Week 14: 12/06-12/10
Solving Equations
Dragon Genetics
Week 15: 12/13-12/17
Solving Equations
Dragon Genetics
12/20-12/31: NO SCHOOL - WINTER VACATION
Week16: 01/03-01/07
Solving Multi-Step Equations
Week 17: 01/10-01/14
POL Prep Week
Week 18: 01/18-01/21
POL Week
END OF 1ST SEMESTER
* No School January 24th
* 2nd Semester Begins January 25th, 2010
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE
Name of Parent/Guardians(s) _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Student’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Please check the best way for us to contact you.
Email: . Phone: ( )
Do you have a computer with internet access at home for you child to use for homework? Yes No
When is your child available to come in before/after school for additional help?
Mon. | Mon. | Tues. | Weds. | Thurs. | Fri. | |
Morning | ||||||
Afternoon |
PARENT INPUT:
What do you consider to be your child's:
- General Strengths –
- Math/Science Interests –
- Humanities Interests -
- Non-Scholastic Interests-
- Best way to learn -
What else should I know about your child to make her or his year more successful?
We, student and parent, have read and discussed the policies in the Math/Science and Humanities class syllabi, including: the break down of grades, checking grades on Powerschool, supply list, late and absent work, and how to make up late/missing work.
I acknowledge that I am responsible for my behavior, attitude, assignments, tools and projects.
STUDENT'S SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________________
PARENT’S SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________________
