9 th and 10 th Grade Basic Skills

1 st Period: P.E./Music 2 nd Period: Social Studies/Science 3 rd Period: ELA 4 th Period: Math 5 th Period: Lunch 6 th Period: Soft Skills 7 th Period: Health 8 th Period: Relationships 9 th Period: Home Economics

Social Studies Social studies will be taught 1 st and 3 rd quarters. Topics we will cover include: Our local area Using Google Maps to find directions to a designated address New York history United States history Geography and map skills United States government Famous people in history Citizenship Cultures and customs

Science Science will be taught 2 nd and 4 th quarters. Topics we will cover include: Animals and plants Weather Human body Earth science Physical science

ELA ELA includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In ELA, students will: Participate in class readings of various high interest/ability level-appropriate books. We are starting the year with the novel, Holes by Louis Sachar. Be assessed on their knowledge of sight words. From this assessment, a personalized list will be given to each student with the words they are to practice. Index cards will be provided so that students can make their own flashcards.

ELA Use a writing notebook to answer questions about what we have read, to respond to a topic we are discussing, or to write creatively. Share ideas, participate in discussions, and work collaboratively with their classmates. Review rules of grammar and spelling. Keep a personalized dictionary where they will record words they have difficulty spelling.

Math Our math class will be split up into two parts. For the first 10 minutes of the period, students will practice single digit math facts to build their fluency. Students have been taking part in an assessment to see which facts (addition and multiplication) they do not know automatically. From this assessment, personalized flashcards will be made. Students will either quiz each other or, at times, will work with an adult in the classroom.

Math The rest of the period will look two different ways. Some days, students will participate in small groups based upon ability level. Small groups will rotate between instruction with me and completing an activity collaboratively or independently. Activities could include a math game with a group member, working with Mrs. Sanchez, or independent work.

Math The other days, students will follow a life-skills based curriculum where they will focus on skills such as: Identifying and counting money Paying taxes Balancing a checkbook Understanding checking and savings accounts Being responsible with credit cards Telling time

Soft Skills Soft skills refer to the skills your child will need to succeed in the workplace. We will be using a curriculum called “Soft Skills to Pay the Bills”. These skills include: Communication skills (expressing themselves effectively, listening actively) Interpersonal skills (resolving conflicts, advocating for themselves, teamwork) Decision-making skills (plan, solve problems) Showing enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and professionalism

Health Topics covered will include: Hygiene Healthy lifestyles Nutrition Safety and Accident Prevention

Relationships Students will participate in social skills instruction that will assist them in creating and maintaining healthy, positive relationships. Students will participate in role-playing and watch videos/skits modeling appropriate interactions. Students will focus on understanding: Personal space Peer relationships and friendships Self-awareness (how their behavior affects others, identifying needs) Social awareness (respecting rights and property of others, recognizing authority, demonstrating appropriate public behavior)

Sweet Treat Café Our class will be responsible for running the Sweet Treat Café. This café is a school store program in which students sell various snack items during lunch periods. This program has been developed to expose students to a work force environment by applying what they have learned in math and soft skills. Sweet Treat Café also assists in building language skills as students will learn to effectively communicate through their experiences in customer service. Students will each work at the café for one quarter of the school year. In addition, our class will assist in food preparation one day a week in the afternoon.

Although students in this class are not graded, they are responsible for completing all class work and homework. Having students complete homework is a way to foster responsibility, organization, and independence. Homework will be assigned approximately twice a week. Homework can be given in any of the 6 subjects. Homework is due the next school day unless otherwise noted in your child’s planner. If homework is not turned in on its due date, your child will automatically lose 3 minutes of Earned Time. Homework

If the homework is a worksheet, it will be placed in your child’s red Take Home Folder under the side labeled “Homework”. Every afternoon your child is responsible for recording homework and important dates in their planners. After your child completes the homework, please ensure they put it back in their red Take Home Folder to turn in the next day. Homework

In our class we have a reward system called Earned Time. Students start each day with 15 minutes of Earned Time. When a student displays an undesirable behavior such as refusing to follow class rules, being disrespectful to a classmate or teacher, or not turning in homework, they will lose Earned Time in increments of 3 minutes. Students will receive a warning first. If they continue the behavior, their clothes pin will be moved down once. Reward System

During Earned Time, students can choose from several activities. They can: Read a book Play a board game with a friend or friends Use the art bucket Participate in supervised computer time (educational games only) Reward System

When students lose 9 or more minutes of Earned Time, they will fill out a form called “Why I Lost Earned Time”. The form is to be taken home for you to read, sign, and return to school the next day with your child. This form allows your child to reflect on the behavior(s) that led to losing minutes and what he or she can do differently next time. It encourages your child to take ownership of their actions. Reward System

Water Bottles and Snack Students are welcome to bring a water bottle to class. They may also bring a sensible snack to be eaten during 8 th period. Snacks will not be provided. It must be brought from home. Snacks will be eaten while students work.

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices Cell phones are not allowed to be used in class except for educational purposes (such as using the calculator). If a child is found to be using his or her cell phone without permission, the cell phone will be confiscated as per the policy on cell phones and other electronic devices outlined in the Valley Central High School Student Handbook.

Contact Information Phone: (District Phone Number)