Welcome to Mrs. Cordero’s Classroom

1. Welcome to Mrs. Cordero’sClassroom Back to School Night 2011-2012 Garnet ValleyMiddle School

2. Science

3. Education/Background • West Chester University • Masters Degree in Education-Wilkes University • 7 thyear at GVMS • Keyboarding and Word Processing • 4 years 6th Grade Math and Social Studies • 2ndGrade Science and Social Studies

4. Contact Information • Phone number: 610.579.5197 • Email: corders@garnetvalleyschools.com • Best times to reach me: • 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone) • 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone) • Email (anytime)

5. Web Page My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be adding useful links and assignments to help your students with different concepts in our curriculum. *This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference • Science Syllabus • Discipline Plan • Homework Policy • Extra Credit Assignments www.garnetvalleyschools.com

6. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) • 3 inch binder (used for all subjects) 1 section in binder designated for science Or • A 1 inch binder for Science only • Colored pencils • Glue • Pencils • Sheet protectors

7. Grading SystemPoint system • Assignments weighted by points possible • Students final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

8. Science Grades Students can earn points from the following assignments: • Homework • Classwork • Quizzes • Tests • Lab Investigations • Lab Reports • Notebook Checks • Projects

9. Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments/labs , and study help for quizzes/test to students during: • Lunch • After school until 3:00 (Except Mondays) • During Study Hall

10. Homework • Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week • Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall • Late homework-half credit • More than 1 day late-no credit • LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO HOMEWORK!

11. Science Overview • Science classes in 6th grade are not leveled • Leveling begins in the 7th grade-Academic and Enrichment level • We begin the year with lab safety, the scientific method, and process skills • Focus on the “Scientific Process Skills” • Curriculum based on state standards • Incorporates the use of Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School Kits • The kits compliment the textbooks used in class

12. Major Units of StudyCatastrophic Events • Earth’s interior • Plate Tectonics • The Rock Cycle • Earthquakes • Volcanoes • Ocean Currents • Winds • Weather Fronts • Hurricanes • Tornadoes • Storms

13. Matter and Energy • Introduction to Matter and Energy • This introduction to Matter and Energy is designed to provide a base for the 8th grade curriculum • Properties of matter • Density

14. Major Units of StudyEarth in Space • Time • Sun-Earth-Moon system • Rotation, Revolution, and Tilt • Seasons • Moon Phases • Eclipses • Tides • Planets and the Solar System • Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

15. Major Units of StudyWatersheds and Wetlands • The Water Cycle • Functions of Watersheds and Wetlands • Types of Watersheds and Wetlands • Soil • Erosion • Water Health

16. Textbooks • Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Inside Earth” • Prentice Hall: Science Explorer “Astronomy” • National Resources: Smithsonian “Catastrophic Events” • National Resources: Smithsonian “Earth in Space”

17. Thank You so much for coming tonight I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions

18. Social Studies

19. Contact Information • Phone number: 610.579.5197 • Email: corders@garnetvalleyschools.com • Best times to reach me: • 7:00-7:30 a.m (by phone) • 12:30-3:00 p.m (by phone) • Email (anytime)

20. Web Page My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be adding useful links and assignments to help your students with different concepts in our curriculum. *This ppt. is currently posted on my web page for future reference • Social Studies Syllabus • Discipline Plan • Homework Policy • Extra Credit Assignments www.garnetvalleyschools.com

21. Social Studies Foundations of Geography • Themes of Geography • Geographic Tools • Physical Characteristics of Place • Human Characteristics of Place • Patterns of World Settlement

22. Social Studies World Cultures • Mesopotamia • Ancient Egypt • Ancient Greece • Ancient Rome • Mesoamerican Civilizations-Olmec, Aztec, Mayan Civilizations • South American Civilizations-The Incas and The Andes

23. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) • 3 inch binder (used for all subjects) • 1 section in binder designated for social studies • Colored pencils • Glue • Pencils • Sheet protectors

24. Social Studies Textbooks • Prentice Hall: “World Studies: Foundations of Geography” • Pearson: “My World History: Early Ages”

25. Homework • Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week • Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall • Late homework-half credit • More than 1 day late-no credit • LATE HOMEWORK IS BETTER THAN NO HOMEWORK!

26. Grading SystemPoint system • Assignments weighted by points possible • Students final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

27. Social Studies Grades Students can earn points from the following assignments: • Homework • Classwork • Quizzes • Tests • Projects • Group Projects

28. Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, clarification of assignments, and study help for quizzes/test to students during: • Lunch • After school until 3:00 (except Mondays) • During Study Hall

29. Thank You so much for coming tonight I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions