Download - Welcome to the Trail Blazers Core
Alan ClaussenLiza Farnham
Paul Howe
Alan ClaussenMath
Liza FarnhamLanguage Arts
Paul HoweScience
We share the social studies
Alan Claussen11th year at Euclid teaching 7th
grade mathBA and Masters degree from
CCUMarried for 22 years 21 year old daughter at CU20 year old daughter at CSUGrew up near Chicago and lived
in Bradenton Florida for 6 yearsEnjoy most all sports, my wife
says I am too into fantasy football
Liza Farnham5th year at Euclid; 19 years
teaching (this is 20th!)Taught all middle school
grade levels & core subjectsLove to travel; play games;
support nephews, nieces, and godchildren at activities; read; ski; and scuba dive
Paul Howe14th Year at Euclid, 16th in the
districtHave taught science, social
studies math and computersCoach 8th grade girls’
basketball and 7th grade boys’Enjoy the outdoors and
wildlife; fly fishing, hiking, camping, my large family, technology, computers
Support team working with the
Trail Blazer Core are…
Paul Turelli
Sue Lloyd
Rebecca Kennedy
Language Arts, Math, and Science are the first 3 Treks(periods)
Lunch is from 11:00 to 11:30
Social Studies, Trek 4 is 11:30 to 12:22
Exploratory Classes are the last three periods of the day
All work is considered late if it is turned in after the class period in which it’s due.
Late work will receive no credit unless student attends WIN.
Students caught copying work will receive an automatic zero.
HOMEWORK IS GIVEN MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. WE TRY NOT TO GIVE HOMEWORK OVER THE WEEKEND UNLESS A STUDENT HAS BEEN ABSENT, IS MISSING WORK, or THERE IS A LONG TERM PROJECT.
Solar System: Sun, Planets, & Moons
Effects of relative motion of the Sun, Earth, & Moon
Beyond our Solar System
Space Exploration
Earth Science
Life Science:Life Science:Cell Organelles
Cell processes & plant processes
Mitosis
Tissues, organs, & systems
Classifications
Microorganisms, Fungi, Plants
Energy & Momentum
Law of Conservation
Acceleration
Speed
Machines
Forces
Gravity
Work & Power
Based on State & National standardsMore depth of key concepts or essential
learnings.A rich problem solving curriculum
Students take notes daily on class work
Refer to class notes to understand the concept covered in the lesson
Students write a summary (2 to 3 sentences) of their learning.
Weekly homework sheet designed to cover the standards for math and assists in mastery of skills
Diagnostic tracking for each conceptQ1 always addition, Q2 always subtraction,
and so on…Students and teacher track results on formEvery 4 weeks, a quiz on the last four weeks to check
masteryNo calculators are to be used. Parents can
provide some help on the homework practice sheets, but don’t give answers!
Ask to view students diagnostic tracking form to see how students are doing on the mastery of key concepts
Reading:
Students will read with increasing independence, understanding, and fluency as they progress through the curriculum
Areas of Focus: Fluency, Questioning and
Comprehension Strategies, Vocabulary, and Literary Analysis, Connecting Texts
Focusing on clearly stating and explaining the topic, writing for varied audiences, writing in several genres and for different purposes, and planning.
Six traits – Before, During, & After writingContent/organizationStyleConventionsVoiceWord choiceSentence fluency
Listening: Everyone needs to listen to acquire information
The listening skills to be taught:
Speaking: Students will speak clearly and fluently in a variety of situations
Students will have different opportunities and purposes for speaking
Before-listening strategies
During listening
After listening strategies
Social
Studie
s
European
History
from
the M
iddle
Ages thro
ugh
WW
II
•Students will be reading, writing, building, simulating, listening to, engaging in the study of European history.
•Students will be working on note taking and nonfiction reading and writing skills.
Middle Middle AgesAges•The Feudal System
•Castles
•Crusades
•Charlemagne
•Magna Carta
RenaissanceRenaissance•Enlightenment
•The Scientific Method
•Exploration
•The Reformation
The Industrial Revolution •Factories
•Child Labor
•Capitalism
•Crop Rotation
Nationalism and Nationalism and ImperialismImperialism
•Italy
•German unification
•African Colonialism
World W
ar I
World W
ar I
& &
The Russian
The Russian
Revolutio
n
RevolutionGermany
TsarsLeninTrench WarfareAxis & AlliesTreaty of Versailles
Treaty of VersaillesThe Nazi PartyPersecutionHolocaust
World War II
Voice mail E mail
Email works well since we check it oftenWe will be using the Infinite Campus for
grading; please be sure to use your parent portal. Hopefully, this year we will be able to send messages to you too.
Homework will be posted on our website
Communication is an essential component of each student’s success this year.
Have you signed up for the Parent Portal yet? Many parents are using the Portal to check their student’s progress including grades, assignments, attendance, and immunization records.
There are many new features in the Parent Portal this year to include mass emails from classroom teachers or administration.
Be sure to update your email address in Infinite Campus if you have not already done so.
We believe, that with the support of family, and the core teachers, your student will excel and thrive this year.
Please keep us informed of any problems, concerns, or issues which you feel may impact your child’s learning.