Welcome to Welcome to 77thth & 8 & 8thth Grade Grade

Mr. Ernst - Math, Ms. Lewin - Science, Mr. Lyons – Social Studies/LA, Mrs. Meegan – LA/Writing, Ms. Schultz – LA/Algebra, Ms. Stolberg – Sped Support, Mr. Yates - Student Teacher

Coonley MissionCoonley Mission

Coonley School is committed to providing:◦ High quality instruction◦ Outstanding Academic Programs◦ Comprehensive Student Development

Supports◦ Enriching After School Programs◦ Involved Family and Community

Partnerships

The Middle School JourneyThe Middle School Journey

Ages 12, 13, 14Ages 12, 13, 14

Middle School Cognitive Development

1.Curious and willing to learn things they consider useful

2.Enjoy solving "real-life" problems

3.Focused on themselves and how they are perceived by their peers

4.Resists adult authority and asserts independence

5.Beginning to think critically

Middle School Social Development

Need to feel part of a peer group, consisting of boys and girls, and are influenced by peer pressure and conformity to their groupPrefer active over passive learning activities that involve working with their peers Need frequent physical activity and movementNeed adult support, guidance, and calm direction

OrganizationOrganization

Arrival and Dismissal (8:30/3:30)Agenda Book & Binder - organizationCommunication

◦ Classroom Websites @ coonley.org Subscribe to receive email updates

◦ Parent Portal https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx◦ Email addresses – please ensure that your child’s

teacher has an up to date email address and/or phone number

Expectations ◦ Coonley Code: Be Responsible, Be Respectful,

Be Safe◦ Working Lunch Program

AssessmentAssessmentStudents will be take the following

assessments:◦ MAPS – Winter, Spring◦ Star Reading – Quarterly Accelerated Reader◦ ISAT – March (Grades 6 & 8 Promotion)

Criterion for Reading/Math –– sign and return this evening. 7th Grade Scores impact invitations for Selective Enrollment high schools.

◦ 8th Grade Selective Enrollment Exams (begins October; early administrations will receive scores prior to application due date)

77thth & 8 & 8thth Grade Field Trips Grade Field TripsFall – Drama Performance/Oriental

Institute @ University of ChicagoSpring – Ensemble Espanol

performance & The Holocaust Museum

End of Year Trips◦7th – Day Trip to Springfield (State

Capital)◦8th – Over Night Trip TBD (Saint Louis,

Memphis, ?)

Language ArtsLanguage Arts

Novel Units, Junior Great Books, Glencoe Literature

Independent Reading JournalsWordly Wise VocabularyAccelerated Reader Program

WritingWriting

Writer’s WorkshopWriting Grades based on the following

scale:

Grammar Program

Journal/Notebook/Daily Writing

25%

Grammar 25%

Assessment: On Demand 25%

Published Writing 25%

Middle School Writing Middle School Writing ContinuumContinuum

Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March

April May June

6th Personal Narrative

s

Realistic Fiction

Information WritingScience

Fair

Persuasive

Essay –YA Start

Prompted Essays

Literary

Essays

Young Author

s

Poetry Historical Fiction

Descriptive

7th Memoirs Realistic Fiction

Information WritingScience

Fair

Researched Based Persuasiv

e Essay

- YA Start

Prompted Essays

Literary

Essays

Young Author

s

Poetry Historical Fiction

Descriptive

8th

Collecting

Stories with

Meaning

High schoolApplication

Essays

Information WritingScience

Fair

Journalism – YA Start

Prompted Essays

Literary

Essays

Young Author

s

Poetry Multi-Modal

Informational

Descriptive

MathMath

We are using the MathThematics and CME Algebra curriculums

Unit homework assignments are posted on Mr. Ernst and Ms. Schultz’s classroom websites

Students will take 5-6 quizzes per unit along with a middle and end of unit test

Homework will typically be assigned 4 nights per week; students usually will not have homework if they took a test or a quiz in class

Textbooks and curriculum resources can be accessed at classzone.com (MathThematics) and pearsonsuccessnet.com (CME Algebra)

ScienceScience

6th grade curriculum is Investigating Earth Systems (IES) which focuses on earth science topics (energy, weather, fossils, plate tectonics, astronomy)

7th Grade curriculum is Science & Life Issues (SALI) which is focused on life science topics (human variation, micro-life, genetics, ecology)

8th Grade curriculum is Issues & Physical Science (IAPS) which focuses on physical science topics (pre-chemistry, scientific laws, force & motion)

Science Fair information is being discussed and distributed in class; all information is also available on Ms. Lewin’s classroom website

Projects will be due on Tuesday, November 26th

Social Studies

6th Grade World – Early River Civilizations

7th Grade - Beginnings in US history Constitution Exam

8th Grade – Civil War, WW1 & Great Depression, WW2, Holocaust & Facing History and Ourselves Curriculum

Students will be assessed both on geography and history

Differentiation & SupportDifferentiation & Support

Students will be supported & challenged based on their individual needs.

All students can respect and support their classmates.

Respect is expected throughout the Coonley community and on-line.

HomeworkHomework Every evening – 90 minutes Independent Reading - choice or class assignment Language Arts – vocabulary and literature analysis, projects,

extended response, quiz/exam prep Writing – Drafts and publishing, projects Social Studies – Cornell Notes, projects, quiz/exam prep Math – assignments, open/extended response, quiz/exam prep Science – lab analysis, reading assignments, Cornell Notes,

quiz/exam prep Please sign the homework log each week and return on

Thursday. Check parent portal regularly or set grade triggers.

GradingGrading

◦Scale

Late homework will only be accepted for illness

◦Gradebook Categories

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-70

D 69-60

F 59 & Below

Homework 5%

Class work 30%

Assessments 50%

Projects 15%

Visit CPS parent portal regularly at: https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx to check on your child’s progress. A 50% means no homework was turned in. Set a grade trigger to let you know your child’s score by text or email.

DisclaimerDisclaimer

Upper grade content includes complex and challenging issues. Teachers will present content in an age appropriate manner however your child may ask questions or want to talk about some of these issues.

High School ApplicationsOnline self-service scheduling for exams

and auditions at www.apply.cps.eduScheduling process opens September

23, 2013. If you plan to apply online, you must schedule your appointment BEFORE you submit your applications.

Paper applications will be scheduled by Office of Access and Enrollment or the Performing Arts Program or by the school.

PINS will distributed by Ms. Massier as soon as she receives them.

High School Admissions ProcessMs. Laura Massier,

Counselor/Case ManagerSave the Date: 10/23/13 – High

School Open House at Bell Elementary School◦Opportunity to meet representatives

from a variety of local high schoolsJonina Lerner, Selective Prep

High School PanelJoe Rogge – Northside College

PrepSophie Goethals – Walter PaytonPaisley Meegan – Lincoln Park IBMia Perez – Alcott High SchoolAnum Shafqat – Lane Tech Irma Rodas - AmudsenMichael Basciewisz - Lakeview