Mr. Zindman’s Class

1. Mr. Zindman’s Class Welcome all students back to school! See this presentation at www.mrzindman.com

2. Presentation Guidelines • This is an important year for you! • I will give you an introduction to our classroom. Please listen carefully! • If you were in Mr. Zindman’s class last year…please be patient.

3. Welcome back to school!

4. We hope you had a great vacation!

5. All About Mr. Zindman • My Background • I grew up on Long Island. • I went to school on Long Island. • I Graduated Penn State, S.U.N.Y at Stony Brook and Hofstra Universities. • My Experience • I’ve been teaching for many years. • I love teaching middle school!

6. Ms. Denny • Ms Denny will be in the class to assist Mr. Zindman • “Ms. Denny is the best Teaching Assistant in the whole world”-Mr. Z

7. My Pets • Rusty • Gieko • Budda

8. Goals for the 2009-2010 School Year • To give you the academic tools you need to progress in the middle school. • To provide a supportive learning environment. • To have fun while we learn. • To make new friends and discover new interests.

9. Questions to think about… • Why am I assigned to this class? • What will we be doing in this class? • What will I learn from this class? • What tools will we be using in this class? • What are my requirements for this class? • How will I be evaluated ? • How will I be treated in this class? • What are the class rules?

10. Why am I assigned to this class? • To learn how to apply the history of American culture to your own life. • To help you make better decisions in your life based on the lessons we learn in American History. • Has history has been shaped by self-indulgence, prejudice, and racism? “Everybody has their own account on history from their own personal experience and culture. What is your opinion based on American History and your own experience? Everyone would love to hear about it!” • To prepare you for the 8th grade New York State Examination in June, 2009.

11. School Procedures • Pledge of Allegiance • Bag breakfast during Homeroom • Period by period attendance • Do Now • Word of the Day • School Wide Board Format

12. What materials will I need for class?

13. A 3-ring Binder and Folder • Make sure your pocket folder can fit a 3-ring binder

14. Pens and Pencils • A pen and pencil are required each day for class. • A pen will be available at the teacher’s discretion using a collateral payment.

15. Highlighter • 1 wide yellow highlighter

16. What tools will I be using? • The American Nation Textbook and a science textbook. • Computer Webquests assignments • Powerpoint presentations • Movies- (from www.discovery.com) • Computer research • Guided reading questions on American History and science. • Lab investigations

17. Mr. Zindman’s Guide

18. Science Learning about science is fun! • In Science we will learn about Life Science and Earth Science. • We will examine pictures, places, movies and experiments to learn about science.

19. What else will I learn from Science class? • How to develop explanations of natural phenomena • How to access, generate, process, and transfer information different. Technologies • How to Identify patterns in science necessary for making predictions about future behavior on Earth.

21. History Learning about American, African, and World History is fun! • In Social Studies we will learn about geography and American History and World History. • We will examine pictures, places, movies and historical documents on U.S. and world history. • We will learn about African History

22. What else will I learn from this Social Studies class? • How American History has effected the life of many cultures. For example, “The struggle of imperialism and repression.” • How can we use the knowledge from American history to make the world a better place for all cultures. • How can learning about American History can prepare you for your future.

23. 7th Grade Students • Will learn about American history from geography to the Civil War.

24. Name the famous people. 8th Grade Students • Will learn about history from the Civil War to the year 2007.

25. All Students… How many famous black heroes can you name? We will learn about African history from prehistory to today throughout the year.

26. What will I be doing in this class? • Learning about U.S. History and science by answering essential questions. What is an essential question? • It is a question that has no right or wrong answer. • It is a question that provides a true understanding about a topic. • It is a question that applies curriculum knowledge in everyday decisions and problem solving.

27. Here are some examples of essential questions: • Who were the first Americans? • Why explore the Earth? • Why go to war? • Has technology changed history? • What role does natural resources play in history? • Is global warming changing history?

28. The Internet • We will be using the internet for school web projects! • Strict rules must be followed in using the internet.

29. Other Subjects • You will learn about math and science in another class. • You will learn about health, technology and home and careers in another class.

30. Class Rules Why do we need rules in school?

31. How will I be treated in this class? • You will be treated with respect. • Remember respect is a “two way street!”

32. Class Rules • You are to complete all class assignments and homework. See www.mrzindman.com for all assignments. • You are to come to class on time. Lateness will count against your class grade! • You are to behave appropriately or lunch/class detention will be assigned.

33. Guidance and Nurse Pass Rules • All nurse and guidance passes will be given at the teacher’s discretion. • You must have you own agenda book to receive a pass

34. Bathroom Rules • You must ask appropriately and politely to use the bathroom. • You must have an appropriate bathroom pass issued from an adult to gain access to the bathroom. • No bathroom passes are to be issued the first and last ten minutes of every period. You will be allowed to use the bathroom only one time during the week in class.

35. Field Trips • Old Bethpage Village Restoration • Sagamore Hill • African American Museum All field trips are contingent of appropriate behavior and approval from the Principal and Board of Education.

36. What is a reward?

37. Rewards • Tickets • Certificates • Letters to parents

38. Tickets Earned for Each Class Period • 1 ticket will be rewarded for the appropriate completion of daily work. • 1 ticket will be rewarded for appropriate class behavior. • 1 ticket will be rewarded for coming to class prepared with a pen and class assignments.

39. Tickets can be traded in for Fantastic Fridays!

40. Certificates will be awarded for test grades and projects scoring above 85%

41. What is a consequence?

42. Ticket loss • Loss of privileges • Letters home to parents Consequences

43. You will be fined 1-2 tickets for each of the following unacceptable behaviors! • Getting out of your seat without permission. (2 tickets) • Using inappropriate language in class. (2 tickets) • Calling out during a class activity. (1 ticket) • Being unprepared for class. (1 ticket) • If do not have a ticket to pay off a fine you will be assigned lunch detention.

44. No cell phones or communication devices in class! If discovered they will be taken and given to a school administrator or security officer immediately!

45. Video games from home are not permitted in class! If discovered they will be removed and handed over to an administrator!

46. How will I be graded for Social Studies and Science?

47. Grading for Social Studies and Science! Your grading will be determined in the following manner: • 40% for class work Powerpoint question sheets and WebQuest assignments • 30% From test scores. • 25% Homework. • 5% Class participation and class behavior. Total: 100% of your grade

48. Does anybody have a questions on the class policies I have spoken about?

49. What is a mission statement? Hint: What do we do on a mission to Mars?

50. Our Class Mission Statement We are here to improve our academic skills by working together, maintaining a positive attitude, and always trying on each assignment or activity.