Welcome to the 8th Grade Team - Meet Our Dedicated Educators and Class Schedule

1. Welcome to Team 8

2. Team Members • John Barstow - Science - johnbarstow@usd475.org • Abby Pottroff – Science Student Teacher abbypottroff@usd475.org • Peter Kain- History - peterkain@usd475.org • Kelsey Willis- Language Arts - kelseypayton@usd475.org • Jessica Laster- Algebra - jessicalaster@usd475.org • Danette Story- ESS - danettestory@usd475.org • Ian Holman- Gifted- ianholman@usd475.org • Ryan Norton – Computers – ryannorton@usd475.org

3. Red Schedule • 8:25-9:00 Trooper Time/Lab • 9:04-9:51 Elective I • 9:55-10:42 Elective II • 10:46-11:44 Core A • 11:48-12:25 Core B • 12:25-12:55 Lunch • 12:55-1:21 Core B • 1:25-2:23 Core C • 2:27-3:25 Core D

5. Academic Strategies & Trooper Time • Academic Strategies (Lab) • Focus on improving and enhancing students’ skills in reading and math. • Trooper Time • Olweus Bullying Prevention • Binder organization • Conference Preparation

6. Team Expectations of Students • No passes the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of class. • Grades will be posted every Tuesday. • Late work will be accepted until the following Monday, with a 10% deduction. • A parent contact will be made that day for a missing assignment. (Not available during the beginning of the school year) • However your student’s grade is available on Skyward Parent Access which you can access at home. • You may retake exams by appointment. • You will be considered tardy if you are not in your assigned room by the time the door closes.

7. Team Expectations of Students • Students should not ask about grades or any non-essential individual concerns during the first ten minutes of class. • Misuse of computers including visiting unauthorized websites, or damaging computers will result in loss of privilege and possible office referral. • Your behavior on field trips and school functions can eliminate you from future functions. • Students have sixrestroom passes each six weeks for Core Classes. If special circumstances apply, please have a doctor’s note on file with the nurse’s office.

8. Team Expectations of Students • If you are unprepared for class, you may use a pass, or take a tardy. • All assignments should have a heading that includes the following: First and Last Name Date Core

9. Team Expectations of Parents • Help your student be successful by: • Checking planner for homework, quiz/test dates • Encouraging your student to do their personal best • Offering a time and place to do homework • E-mail teachers if you have concerns or questions about your student’s performance. • Check Skyward Parent Accessfrequently for student progress. • Please update contact information (telephone and e-mail) with the office as soon as possible. • Notify school (office) and teachers as soon as possible when your child will be absent for an extended period of time.

10. Expectations of Team • Daily agenda and homework assignments will be posted in each classroom daily. • Lesson topics, homework, quizzes, and tests will be posted on the Team calendar. • Grades will be posted in each classroom on Tuesday. • We are available for meetings Wednesday from 9:30 -10:00, contact one of the counselors.

11. Science • FOSS Program- Inquiry Based • Chemical Interactions • Electronics • Human Brain and Senses • Science Fair/Carnival of Knowledge • A trip to the Konza Prairie • Human Sexuality • Students may be required to make up work after school if absent due to materials required to complete investigations. Arrangements need to be made ahead of time.

12. Math • Students will work independently, with partners, and in groups • utilize groups for homework • Non-traditional Textbooks • Parents can check out • Discovery format • Guided notes / Cornell Note System • Need different color highlighters and pens • Need 1 inch binder • Available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM • Remind 101 – (785) 530-5102 • http://mslaster.wix.com/team8math

13. Language Arts &Advanced Language Arts • This class combines reading, writing, speaking, discussion, and audio/visual elements. • Students can access the textbook materials at http://www.classzone.comTextbooks will only be checked out to students or parents by request. • We will have formative reading and writing tests before the State tests second semester.

14. History • Economics, Government, Geography, Kansas History, and American History. Oh my! • Text series – The American Journey • www.glencoe.com/ose • access code: A70712140C • www.quizlet.com

15. Exceptional Student Services • Help ALL Students • Organization • Strategies for Success • Paraprofessional

16. Computers • Computer applications • Keyboarding • Digital Citizenship • Create Videos

17. Gifted Services • If your student is identified as gifted, they will be in my Trooper Time. • In Advanced Language Arts, and Advanced Mathematics from time to time.