Mr. Hosler's 2014/2015 Classroom Syllabus for
7th/8th Grade Homeroom,
6th-8th Math, Science & Health, Technology, PE,
and our Youth Mentor Program
Mr. Hosler's 2014/2015 Big Springs Elementary Classroom Syllabus for 7th/8th Homeroom, 6th-8th Math, Science & Health, Technology, PE, and our Youth Mentorship Program.
Class Webpage: www.bse78.weebly.com
School Website: www.bgsp.k12.ca.us/
E-mail [email protected]
Phone Numbers: (530) 459-3189 (school) / (530) 643-1934 (ASP) / (530) 514-8356 (cell)
Core Beliefs: The 7th / 8th Grade Homeroom and 6th – 8th Grade Math, Science & Technology, and Physical Education classroom is a SAFE environment. Together, we treat one another with unconditional respect. Our atmosphere does not tolerate harassment in any form. This is a “Bully Free Zone”. In every situation, all students will participate to the best of his or her ability.
Expectations: You will need a GREAT ATTITUDE in order to be successful at Big Springs Elementary School, specifically in our 6th – 8th grade classes. Students will demonstrate behavior that is Safe, Respectful, and Responsible at all times, including but not limited to; Outstanding Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Integrity, Honesty, and maintaining a caring & kind attitude towards everyone while at school. My personal philosophy is to hold students to the highest of behavior expectations, while maintaining consistency and fairness. I am “FIRM, FAIR, & FUN.” Students will be treated like individuals, not like “kids”.
Student Success: Classwork and homework will always be challenging by providing differentiated instruction and rigorous expectations for each student. Each child will be taught utilizing a variety of modalities. Materials utilized are state adopted & district approved, and vary from grade level to grade level. With content standards focused primarily on the NEW and annual “Smarter Balanced Assessment”, district API and student success does play a role in determining our course of study. We do NOT “teach to the test”, however we emphasize key Common Core Standards, which are also frequently addressed on the CAHSEE and the new Common Core focused “Smarter Balanced Assessments”, resulting in those standards and expectations driving our course of study.
Grading and G.P.A.: Students will be graded on notes, essays, quick writes, quizzes, homework, review sheets, exams, and overall participation. There will also be projects and/or presentations that will be added wherever appropriate. Individual progress will always factor more significantly than individual knowledge and performance. Therefore, no one will fail if they put in real effort, as the teacher may reward students based on actual student learning. Late work will not be accepted if it is more than 2-weeks after the original due date. Assessments will make up approximately 50% of a student’s grade in ELA, MATH, Science, and Social Studies. Students with a G.P.A. of 3.0 (B-average) in their CORE ACADEMIC COURSES (IE: Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, PE, and their selected Elective), will receive special recognition and are considered "Honor Roll" students. Students with a G.P.A. of 3.8 (Considered an "A-average", and have earned all A's and a single B) or higher will earn "Principal's Honor Roll", and receive special recognition. Only final grades earned at the end of each quarter will count towards a student's G.P.A. *Students must earn a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 (C-average) and have no "F's" in their core academic courses to remain eligible for extra-curricular activities, including all BSE sports.
Academic Grading Scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69 %
F under 60 %
INC Incomplete
Tutoring: I am available Monday thru Friday, both mornings (before 8:15am) and afternoons (after 2:45pm) by appointment with only minimal notice. I will NOT be available for tutoring during the academic day, or during recess/lunch time due to supervision duties & other staffing obligations. Students may schedule assistance on the same day, up to and before lunch recess. If students require additional assistance beyond regular class time and tutoring, please contact me by phone, email, or stop by & discuss the issue(s) in person, and we will make the necessary arrangements. I CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD EXTRA HELP & SUPPORT WITH ASSIGNMENTS, HOMESWORK, REVIEW SHEETS, PROJECTS, AND TESTS ANY TIME!
Quick Writes: Points are given on most days during the first 15-20 minutes of class for Quick Writes and Short Essays. No make-ups will be allowed, however FREE QW points will be given each quarter to make-up for student absences and reward those with low absenteeism and low tardiness. Writing Assignments will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate a higher level of understanding in core content areas, and look for “HOW”, “WHY”, and “WHAT IF” questioning. Demonstrating reasoning, identifying structure and patterns, and being able to clearly communicate ideas are critical components in demonstrating academic proficiency.
Homework: Points are given for each assignment, and there is a weekly homework quiz (typically in Math), given on Friday mornings to assess the weeks learning & track individual student progress. There is ample time in class and during ASP for students to complete each assignment.
Exams / Review Sheet: To be given each unit, with a review sheet assigned as assignments are completed (Approximately 100 points for each unit) Review Sheet Answers will be checked before students take each chapter assessment to allow for extra questions & further clarification. Tests may be taken at a later date if necessary (due to absences, extra-curricular activities, etc…). Please contact Mr. Hosler PRIOR TO AN ASSESSMENT if other arrangements need to be made.
Record Sheets: Students are expected to keep a record sheet, including all assignments and scores (comparable to balancing a checkbook). We will complete these together, during class time, as a tool to teach students responsibility and as a method of tracking his or her own academic progress. Progress may be monitored online as well, by visiting our new Aeries Attendance and Grade Book system with your child’s own unique username and password.
Extra Credit: Extra Credit will generally NOT be given, except for special circumstances and as announced with prior notice.
Core Academics: At Big Springs, we take great pride in our challenging and rigorous curriculum. First and foremost, our goal is to foster a positive and nurturing environment, where learning is the top priority. Not only are we preparing students for academic success in High School, but also in providing the foundation for a happy and successful life, through a quality education.
Our Middle School Students begin each day with English Language Arts and Mathematics instruction. These curricular areas are regularly revisited throughout the day and through cross-curricular lessons and activities. Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Fine Arts, Computer Science, Spanish, and Cross-Aged Tutoring round out the typical instructional day. However, other curricular areas provide variety and depth to the normal instructional day. Students will receive instruction in the most current Common Core Standards and Methods.
ELA: Our District Adopted English Language Arts program is Holt (First Edition for 7th grade / Second Edition for 8th grade). This state adopted curriculum contains vast resources for development in Reading Fluency and Comprehension, Writing, and Oral Communication skills. We supplement our adopted curriculum with a vast selection of age-appropriate Literature, including some of the following: “Johnny Tremain”, “Where The Red Fern Grows”, “The Diary of Anne Frank”, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”, “Holes”, “Jurassic Park”, “Crash”, “The Cage”, and many others. Mrs. Charter will serve as the primary ELA Teacher for students in grades 6th – 8th.
The program “Step Up To Writing” is utilized as a supplemental writing program, while “Vocabulary for Achievement” (a Houghton Mifflin Company Program), and “Blast Off (a CST / Common Core Standards preparation program) are utilized regularly to differentiate instruction and provide a more rigorous and challenging curriculum. Regular Public Speaking and exposure to Poetry round out an advanced English Language Arts program. All students receive an average of approximately 180-minutes of ELA instruction daily (ELA specific AND across the curriculum). In May, all students participate in the annual CST (STAR Test). Additionally, all 7th graders participate in the March CST Writing Exam.
MATH: Our District has just adopted a brand new Math program in “CPM”, a “Common Core Standards-Driven Program”. 6th graders take “Course I”, 7th graders take “Course II”, while all 8th graders are enrolled in Course III. Supplemental programs utilized include “Common Core Standards Preparation” (a collection of Common Core Standards review & assessment materials), and “Sharpen Up”, (a Common Core Standards preparation program). Students receive approximately 90-minutes of Math instruction daily. All students participate in the annual new “Smarter Balanced Assessment”. Additionally, students in grades 6th – 8th will receive newly adopted and modified instruction in areas specific to individual need, and primarily based on the new “Common Core” standards. Mr. Hosler will serve as the primary MATH Teacher for students in grades 6th – 8th.
SCIENCE: The 6th, 7th & 8th grade Adopted Science Curriculum is CPO, as students receive instruction in Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth Science. We take advantage of the program’s Electronic Textbook and Workbook options, as well as various online resources offered by CPO. Specific units to be focused on by our 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes in 2014 / 2015 include: “The Scientific Process”, “Universe Exploration”, “Applied Physics”, “Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion”, “Personal Health and Wellness”, and “Careers in Science”. All 8th graders participate in the CST Science Test. Mr. Hosler will serve as the primary SCIENCE Teacher for students in grades 6th – 8th, while our new Science Lab Technician Ms. Mandy will assist with hands-on science labs.
HISTORY: Our Social Studies Adopted Program is Prentice Hall (“Medieval and Early Modern Times” for 7th grade and “America, History of Our Nation” for 8th grade). State, National, and World Geography are an important part of our Social Studies Curriculum. Additional resources through multi-media and experiential learning projects round out our diverse program. A primary focus for both 7th and 8th grade classes include: “Early America, The Pilgrims”, “Life in the Colonial U.S.”, “The Declaration of Independence”, “The Revolutionary War”, “Drafting the Constitution”, “Amendments and Rights of all Americans”, and “The Three Branches of Government”. Students also participate in a short unit on WWII, with a focus on Nazi occupied Europe (through our Literature Unit on “The Diary of Anne Frank”). Mrs. Charter will serve as the primary SOCIAL STUDIES Teacher for students in grades 6th – 8th.
OTHER: Other important curricular areas to be covered in 2014 / 2015 include: *Physical Education and Health, A.R. (Accelerated Reader), Public Speaking, Poetry Alive, Computer Science (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, I-Movie, Google Apps., etc…) and Web Design (students participate in the formation and maintenance of a class webpage, accessible by the entire Big Springs community), Spanish I, Buddy Reading, Teacher’s Assistant, Student Leadership, V.A.P.A. (Visual and Performing Arts), with instruction in Choir and Visual Art through our weekly electives, Journalism, Community Service and Service Learning Projects, Handwriting & Penmanship, Community History, Local Politics, Local Government, Community Field Trips, and a variety of other content areas, designed to “Teach The Whole Child”. After School Sports, Student Government, Yearbook, and 4-H are also available as co-curricular activities.
Special emphasis is placed on “Differentiated Instruction”. As all students are different, it is important that instruction is varied and specifically designed to challenge each and every child. Provided that basic rules, structure, and standards are offered as common expectations for all students, varied means of instruction and delivery help to support universally accessible curriculum. We continually strive to offer a diversely challenging learning environment for ALL STUDENTS.
Academic Honesty: “The value of this course should be derived primarily by the skills you learn, understand, and are able to use now and into your future”. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR WORK THAT IS A RESULT OF CHEATING, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE AMOUNT! It is my philosophy that it takes TWO to cheat, and BOTH/ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS will receive appropriate levels of discipline, up to but not limited to: A) failing the assignment, B) suspension from extra-curricular activities and sports competition, C) failing the course, and D) appropriate district discipline measures as determined by the administration, such as detention, community service, or in-school suspension. Academic honesty is critical in this class.
Homework Log: There is an event / homework calendar specific to each grade level / class that will be sent home daily (M-F), called a “Homework Log”. Homework is typically REVIEW, and requires little / no assistance from home. Assignments and notices are tracked & recorded onto their logs by individual students, and confirmed by Mr. Hosler daily. If parents or students would like an electronic copy of daily/weekly assignments, please provide your email address and a list of that week’s assignments, notices, and homework will be sent to you every Monday afternoon. Students will ALSO track assignments and homework in their individual Student Planners.
Communication: We will have TWO required Parent/Teacher Conferences during the school year (week of Oct. 27th & week of Mar. 16th), and other meetings as needed & requested by either Mr. Hosler or the Parent. Notes and Newsletters will come home frequently with information about school and class business. Homework Logs will come home daily with samples of class work and student progress. We also have an interactive classroom webpage (www.bse78.webly.com), where parents and students alike may obtain information & comment on class / school business on a regular basis. New this year is the formation of an official BSE Facebook Page, where important dates and specific events will be shared with the community.
Although we have a class email list, for the 2014/2015 school year, we are implementing a “texting list”, where parents and students who provide their cell phone number will receive regular updates on special assignments, upcoming events, exams, and projects. Also, please be aware that you may also receive “All Call” messages from the school, informing families of upcoming activities and special events.
Finally, parents can receive updated progress on his or her child’s academic achievement by visiting the new Aeries online portal, and viewing regularly updated progress reports and attendance records. *The Aeries Portal is now available with updated academic achievment.
---------------------------------- Please cut below and return signatures back to Mr. Hosler -----------------------------------------
“We have read and understand the requirements and responsibilities of this class.”
_____________________ ________________________ ____________
Student Signature Parent Signature Date
Parent email address: Secondary email address:
“I would like my child to be assigned an email address for school business/communication purposes”
_______________Print Name Parent Signature / ________________Date
“My child’s email address is and may be used for school communication(s):
________________________Parent Signature/________________Date
Parent(s) Name(s) & Cell Phone Number(s) (for texting list) *Optional:
Student Cell Phone Number(s) (for texting list) *Optional: Parent Signature / _________________Date
Feedback/Questions/Comments:
*Revised October 10, 2014