1. WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!! Teacher: Mr. Terrien Math & Earth Science and Health *Please be sure to sign in at the back of the room!*

2. Introducing Mr. Terrien B.A. Western Michigan University M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado National University Administration Program 18 years of teaching public and private school Parent of 2 children

3. Earth Science Curriculum Plate tectonics (earthquakes, volcanoes, movement of Earth’s plates, convection) Plate tectonics (earthquakes, volcanoes, movement of Earth’s plates, convection) Earth’s systems Earth’s systems Natural Resources Natural Resources Erosion and weathering Erosion and weathering Ecology Ecology Earth’s oceans and atmosphere Earth’s oceans and atmosphere Also, Health curriculum throughout the year Also, Health curriculum throughout the year

4. Science Projects Repurpose rather than buy Repurpose rather than buy Stimulates imagination and creativity Stimulates imagination and creativity Gift cards to craft stores, office supply stores, or Target are appreciated. Gift cards to craft stores, office supply stores, or Target are appreciated.

5. Science Homework Usually done in Science Journal Usually done in Science Journal Complete sentences (rephrase question) Complete sentences (rephrase question) Looking for completeness, rather than correctness Looking for completeness, rather than correctness Review in class Review in class

6. Math Curriculum Major topics include: Ratio and proportional relationships Ratio and proportional relationships The number system (division, decimals, fractions, integers, inequalities, etc.) The number system (division, decimals, fractions, integers, inequalities, etc.) Expressions and equations Expressions and equations Geometry Geometry Statistics and Probability Statistics and Probability Math website: CONNECTED. MCGRAW-HILL.COM CONNECTED. MCGRAW-HILL.COM Student access code: 3QSY-JD6F-GDCO Student access code: 3QSY-JD6F-GDCO

7. Common Core Shifts Fewer concepts Fewer concepts More in depth More in depth Focus on creating logical arguments Focus on creating logical arguments Defending positions Defending positions

8. Math Quizzes and Tests Quizzes will be given periodically. Quizzes will be given periodically. Questions are taken directly from the homework assignments they have completed and we have gone over in class. Questions are taken directly from the homework assignments they have completed and we have gone over in class. Students must ask questions if they are unsure about why they missed certain homework questions so that they will do well on the quiz. Students must ask questions if they are unsure about why they missed certain homework questions so that they will do well on the quiz. Tests are usually given at the end of each unit we complete. Tests are usually given at the end of each unit we complete.

9. Math Homework Students must show all work in order to receive credit. Students must show all work in order to receive credit. If a student is confused about a question, have them try their best. Effort counts as credit! If a student is confused about a question, have them try their best. Effort counts as credit! Homework graded based on completion, not “correctness”. Tests and quizzes are where having the right answer counts! Homework graded based on completion, not “correctness”. Tests and quizzes are where having the right answer counts! We go over the homework so students can see and correct their mistakes, and (most importantly) ASK QUESTIONS! We go over the homework so students can see and correct their mistakes, and (most importantly) ASK QUESTIONS!

10. Classroom Website www.portolams.org www.portolams.org www.portolams.org Check homework here Check homework here Able to download some of the worksheets and handouts given in class Able to download some of the worksheets and handouts given in class

11. Agenda Book Agenda Book Where students write down their homework everyday. Where students write down their homework everyday. Check the agenda daily. Check the agenda daily. Let me know if homework is taking too long. Let me know if homework is taking too long.

12. Students Getting Help Encourage your child to ASK QUESTIONS Encourage your child to ASK QUESTIONS Before school Before school

13. Homework Homework is given every school day (sometimes on Fridays). Homework is given every school day (sometimes on Fridays). 15 min. per subject per night (per LAUSD school board resolution) 15 min. per subject per night (per LAUSD school board resolution) Homework based on in-class work and application to real world scenarios. Homework based on in-class work and application to real world scenarios.

14. Homework and Tests Homework is checked every 2-3 weeks for completeness. Homework is checked every 2-3 weeks for completeness. Late work accepted, however, graded down 25% per day. Late work accepted, however, graded down 25% per day. Tests may be retaken (during lunch, nutrition, or before school) and I will average the 2 scores. Tests may be retaken (during lunch, nutrition, or before school) and I will average the 2 scores. Quizzes may not be retaken. Quizzes may not be retaken.

15. Grades Every 4-5 weeks your child will receive a Portola progress report with all of their grades. This should be signed and brought back to the students’ homeroom teachers the next day as proof that they have shown you their grades. Progress reports go out during the 5th, 10th, & 15th week of each semester. The 20th week is their official report card which goes into their transcript.

16. Jupiter Grades www.jupitergrades.com www.jupitergrades.com You can access your child’s grades at any time from anywhere that has Internet. You can access your child’s grades at any time from anywhere that has Internet. If you haven’t already, log onto the JupiterGrades website! If you haven’t already, log onto the JupiterGrades website! You can set up how You can set up how often you want often you want JupiterGrades to JupiterGrades to e-mail you about e-mail you about your child’s progress. your child’s progress.

17. Friends of Portola FOP is our parent support group which exists to provide financial and volunteer support to the faculty, administration, and student body. FOP is our parent support group which exists to provide financial and volunteer support to the faculty, administration, and student body. They’re here to make Portola better They’re here to make Portola better THEY NEED YOUR HELP THEY NEED YOUR HELP

18. How to contact me: *The fastest way to reach me is through email* jmr3396@lausd.net jmr3396@lausd.net You can also email me from the school website: www.portolams.org You can also email me from the school website: www.portolams.org Or, call the main office and leave a message: Or, call the main office and leave a message: (818) 654-3300 (818) 654-3300 I can meet for conferences before school (by appointment) and at different times during the school day during my conference period. I can meet for conferences before school (by appointment) and at different times during the school day during my conference period.

19. Emailing the Teacher… I welcome email from parents at anytime I welcome email from parents at anytime For questions about assignments I recommend having your child email me personally For questions about assignments I recommend having your child email me personally I will be discussing guidelines for emailing me with the students in class. I will be discussing guidelines for emailing me with the students in class.

20. Teacher Wish List? Paper, paper, and more paper Paper, paper, and more paper White board markers White board markers Tissues Tissues Table wipes (Green Works, unscented baby wipes, etc.) Table wipes (Green Works, unscented baby wipes, etc.) Small boxes of colored pencils Small boxes of colored pencils Rolls of scotch tape Rolls of scotch tape Paper Paper

21. Thank You for Coming to Back to School Night!!! If you haven’t already, please sign the sign-in sheet before leaving! If you haven’t already, please sign the sign-in sheet before leaving!