1. Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy Back to School Night
Presented by:
the 7th/8th Grade Team
Celebrating 10 Years
Sparking Minds, Enriching Souls,
Inspiring Futures

2. Classroom Environment
Positive
Student-Centered
Respectful
Students participate in thoughtful discussions, which thrive in a respectful environment.

3. A Typical Day in Class Walking into a DWCA classroom, you would see:
Students entering the classroom quietly
Quickly clearing their desks, except for needed materials
Copying the “Learning Target” and answering a “Do Now”
Sharing responses and asking questions
Taking notes on the mini-lesson
Engaging in a group activity
Challenging themselves during independent practice

4. Responsibilities and Consequences
It is each student’s responsibility to give their best effort, and follow the class rules. We will be implementing a strike system as such:
1st time: Verbal warning
2nd time: Time off recess
3rd time: Strike form home and parent contact
These steps are in place to ensure all students are safe and can succeed.

5. Common Core Standards
Our lessons across content areas, align to the NYS CCLS. These standards help prepare students by focusing on college and career readiness.
These standards also focus on leading students to reason and discuss their findings while giving students the opportunity to read, write, speak and listen across content areas.

6. Rubric Points Description
4 Students understanding of concept is clearly evident
• Student uses effective strategies to get accurate results
• Student uses logical thinking to arrive at conclusion
3 Students understanding of the concept is evident
• Student uses appropriate strategies to arrive at a result
• Student shows thinking skills to arrive at conclusion
2 Student has limited understanding of a concept
• Student uses strategies that are ineffective
• Student attempts to show thinking skills
1 Student has a lack of understanding of concept
• Student makes no attempt to use a strategy
• Student shows no understanding

7. Course Content/Curriculum Goals - ELA
The 7th and 8th grade course will focus partly on the studying of specific fictional genres which will extend into writing within the genre studied. These genres include folklore, short stories, and classic literature.
Nonfiction texts will also be integrated into the course and will closely align with the Social Studies curriculum.
One of the primary focuses is writing skills. Throughout the year, students will be engaged in a variety of writing tasks which are designed to challenge them to grow as writers.

8. ELA Assessments
Throughout the year, students will be assessed in a variety of ways. Some of these assessments include:
Projects (group and individual)
Tests on a section of reading
Essays/Written responses
Participation in class discussions
Homework assignments/Reading Logs

9. Homework Expectations - ELA
Students are expected to read for a minimum of one hour per night.
Independent reading will be an extremely important piece of the ELA course and students will be held accountable for their reading through Reading Logs which will be handed in on Mondays.
Written responses will also be given during the week and will reflect a particular skill that has been taught that week.

10. Grading Policy - ELA 30% - Tests/Essays 20% - Projects 15% - Quizzes
20% - Participation/Classwork
15% - Homework/Reading Logs

11. 7th Grade Course Content – Social Studies
In 7th grade we cover American History from the first humans who settled in North America until the Civil War. These topics include:
Native American Culture
Colonial America
The American Revolution
The Rise of Nationalism
American Politics
Westward Expansion

12. 8th Grade Course Content- Social Studies
Our 8th grade classes focus on American History from the Civil War until present day. The topics of the year include:
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Industrialization
World War I
The Roaring Twenties and World War II
The Cold War
We will also be analyzing primary and secondary sources throughout the year to understand how to make informed opinions from varied readings

13. Social Studies Content
Use of Primary/Secondary sources
Use of Textbooks
DBQs
Compare & Contrast
Interpretation of Maps
Technology and Webquests

14. Grading Policy 35% - Tests/Quizzes 15% - Classwork 15% - Homework
20% - Projects
15% - Participation

15. Course Content - Math Operations with Integers Rational Numbers
Topics to be discussed in 7th Grade include:
Operations with Integers
Rational Numbers
Ratios and Proportionality
Proportions and Percent
Expressions and Equations
Inequalities
Geometry
Statistics
Probability

16. Course Content - Math Real Numbers Exponents and Scientific Notation
Topics to be discussed in 8th Grade include:
Real Numbers
Exponents and Scientific Notation
Proportional Relationships
Nonproportional Relationships
Writing Linear Equations
Functions
Solving Linear Equations
Solving Systems of Equations
Transformations
Measurement Geometry

17. Course Expectations- Math
Students should expect a variety of techniques to express mathematical concepts.
Projects are used as a hands-on approach to real life applications to concepts learned.
Students should be prepared everyday with their math text, notebook, and folder.
All work is to be completed in pencil
After school extra help is provided on a weekly basis.

18. Course Content - Math Math Assignments
-Math homework is given on a daily basis to practice the topics we have learned that day
-Each day assignments are written on the board, as well as posted online
-Projects are another way to assess student learning, and will take place in class

19. Grading Policy - Math 40% - Tests/Projects 25% - Quizzes
20% - Homework
15% - Classwork & Participation

20. 7th and 8th Grade Science
NGS - Next Generation Science

21. Course Content – Science 7th Grade
Life Science
Cell/Cell Processes
DNA/Heredity
Simple Life Forms
Human Body Systems
-disease prevention; nutrition; health

22. Course Content – 8th Grade Science
Earth Science
Atoms/matter
Rocks/minerals
Inside earth/plate tectonics
Earth’s Changing Surface (earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, water cycle)
Map skills
Weather/Climate
Solar System

23. Grading Policy - Science
30% - Tests/Quizzes
20% - Projects
20% - Classwork/Participation/
Notebook
15% - Homework
15% - Lab Reports/STEM work

24. 8th Grade NYS Science Exam
Usually late May
Two parts
Performance Test (lab)
Written Test (multiple choice and short answer
➔ Students will be receiving packets of sample questions to do as review

25. 7th Grade Religion
Central theme is the life and teachings of Jesus, and how they can be applied to our lives today.
Knowledge of the Liturgical year; learning Beatitudes; promote understanding of the Sacraments.
Understanding various vocations within the Catholic Church.
Practicing tolerance for all members of the church and respecting different cultures and religions.
Realize its a little wordy here, I’d like to cut it down where possible

26. 8th Grade Religion
Ongoing theme is ‘choice’; examining conscience and choosing wisely.
History of the Roman Catholic Church
Sacrifices of early Christians
Developments within the church
Leadership of the church
Confirmation Preparation
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Sacraments

27. Grading Policy - Religion
30% - Projects
25% - Classwork
20% - Tests/Quizzes
10% - Homework
15% - Participation

28. DWCA Homework Expectations
Homework is an integral part of learning. Assignments allow students to practice skills independently and assess their learning.
These assignments help solidify skills that are taught throughout each unit.
Late assignments will lose 10 points (from the total) per day.
Late homework will not be accepted after 3 days past the due date unless there are extenuating circumstances!

29. Extra Help
Students are welcome to arrange for extra help during a recess period.
They can also set up an appointment to meet with their teacher after- school.

30. Miscellaneous Items
only school issued locks are to be used; locks need to be returned at end of year
students need to bring in a smock to wear during Art classes; this can be an oversized shirt to protect their uniforms

31. Communication Parent Outreach Student/Teacher Conferences
Bi-weekly Letters
Dwcaonline.org
Teacher
Class pages
Announcements
Resources

32. Contact Information
Teachers may be reached via my
(Math)
(Social Studies)
(ELA)
(Science)
(Religion)