Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to Ms. McKnight’s Science class. I am excited to be working with you this year at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School, where Every Student Matters and Every Moment Counts!! In this letter I will try to provide you with some information to help you have a successful year in science.
Communication: You are most successful when we communicate openly and work together. If you ever feel confused or overwhelmed, please contact me right away! Do not be afraid to talk to me about your concerns. I care about you, and I am here to help you! I can’t help you if you don’t let me know you are having a hard time though. If you need extra help, I will work with you to see if we can work together outside of class time, maybe during one of my office hours, during a lunch break, or on an after school help day. We just have to schedule it in advance so we can find a time that works for all of us. When you can't talk to me in person, here are some ways you can contact me:
- Email (preferred!): [email protected]. Please allow up to two full business days for me to respond to your inquiries.
- Talking Points- you can contact me using that app. It allows you to select the language you wish to receive messages from me in, and it also
translates messages you send in that language for me so I can read them in English.
- Parent-Teacher conferences – In middle school, teachers do not automatically schedule a parent-teacher conference for every
student. We will request a conference with a student’s parents when we have a concern about their performance or behavior.
A parent may request a conference when they have concerns or need additional information that can not be addressed through an email or
a phone call. Please notify me if you wish to set up a Parent Conference. If we think your child will benefit by attending the conference, we
can make those arrangements. Please note that Parent Conferences are usually scheduled during my Planning Period (when your children
are in electives.) I can not schedule a Parent Conference during my office hours as that time is reserved for answering questions from and
helping students who need assistance.
- Website: http://msnancymcknight.weebly.com Please use this frequently to see important announcements, daily summaries about class
objectives, activities, homework assignments, and important due dates. Student materials such as handouts, video links, study guides,
notes, power point presentations, etc. will be found in students' google classroom. My website also provides information about grading,
our PTA, my background & experience, and useful contact information.
Curriculum: Instruction is designed to meet the 6th Grade NC Essential Science Standards required by the NC Department of Public Instruction. We begin with a few weeks of orientation to familiarize students with some tools that will help them be successful this year. We also participate in activities meant to create an atmosphere of teamwork where students can feel safe and comfortable collaborating with their peers. And we will learn about what it means to think scientifically. The remainder of the first quarter will be spent learning about how the Sun, Earth and Moon affect things like eclipses, lunar phases, tides, and seasons. We’ll study the history of space exploration and learn what conditions we think will be necessary to find life on other planets. In quarter 2 we’ll learn about the layers of the Earth, and how small movements can have huge impacts, like creating mountain ranges and giant rift valleys, growing or shrinking the ocean floors, and causing earthquakes and volcanoes. Then we’ll start to learn about rocks and the rock cycle, and all about soil, including some of the ways humans can have positive and negative impacts on this valuable natural resource. In the 3rd quarter we will learn about the parts of flower, and how flowering plants make their own food then use that food to get the energy they need to survive. We’ll learn about plant reproduction and how plants defend themselves. We’ll also take what students learned about food chains, food webs and biomes in elementary school and dive a little deeper into those subjects. Then we’ll move on to learn about different types of waves and their properties, about our eyes and how we see and about our ears and how we hear. In the last quarter we’ll study the basics of chemistry including matter, some properties of matter like density and solubility, and more about conductors, insulators and heat transfer. We’ll have to wait for a while for a definite decision, but most years we finish up with a big state test called the NCFE (the North Carolina Final Exam.) It covers everything we studied in science this year. If that sounds like a lot, it is! Don’t worry though because I am here to help you through it all, and I’ll do my best to help you have fun while you’re doing it!
Grading: Unit assessments will be given at the end of each unit (approximately weekly.) The average of those unit assessments will count for 70% of the science grade. Students who wish to raise their grade may take a 2nd unit test, and the higher of the two tests will be entered in the grade book. The remaining 30% of the science grade will be the score earned on a cumulative assessment covering material from the whole quarter. Retest opportunities will not be available for the cumulative assessment. Late work from the 1st half of each quarter will be accepted until 1 week before interim reports are due. Late work from the 2nd half of the quarter will be accepted until 1 week before grades close for the quarter. Assessment grades will be entered in Powerschool (Home Base) regularly. Students and parents are expected to review grades in Powerschool frequently and to reach out for help early if concerns arise.
Study Tips: The science curriculum is very challenging, both because of its rigor and the fast pace needed to cover all of the information in the state standards. It is very important to keep up with all assignments and the learning that is happening in class. If you fall behind it takes a lot more work to catch up. Make a habit of doing all of your work and turning it in on time. Take a few minutes each evening to review what was covered in class, make of list of anything you didn't really understand, then ask me about it so you clear up anything confusing right away. Study and really prepare for upcoming assessments , then do your very best! While students do have an opportunity to take a 2nd unit assessment if they want to raise their grade, but it's best to avoid that if possible. Try to get a good grade the first time so you don't have to study for your next assessment and also study for a retest on older material all at the same time! And one of the best ways to help yourself is to learn all of the new vocabulary just as soon as it is presented. You will have a ton of new vocabulary words to learn this year. And you won't be able to understand the big science ideas you need to know if you don't understand the words used to explain them. I will be teaching you a number of note-taking and study techniques throughout the year to help you try to remember all the material. And it will be up to you to practice and use them.
Basic Classroom Expectations: Every student has the right to learn in a safe and orderly environment. To ensure maximum student learning, I have high expectations for academic and behavioral performance. Students and I are working together during the first weeks of class to develop our class norms and these will be posted on my website when we have finalized them. Students are expected to follow all county, school and class guidelines and procedures. Please see our school handbook (accessible on the DDMMS website) for more information.
Attendance: Students who are frequently late or absent miss valuable instructional time and can fall behind in their classes. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they understand and complete missed work. They should contact me outside of their regular class time to review expectations and deadlines for making up missed work. Students who are frequently absent or tardy will be referred to our 6th grade Assistant Principal for follow-up.
Virtual Class Structure: Be sure you are prepared before joining your Google Meets (your class Google Meets code is in your Google Classroom.) That means knowing what time your class starts, having your materials ready, checking your Google Classroom Announcements and Materials pages in advance so you know what you will need for class, and ensuring you have submitted any assignments that were due that day. You should also be sure your device is charged (or your charger is handy and ready to plug in if necessary.) Decide whether you will be having your camera on or off. If your camera is on, please be sure you are dressed appropriately, that you family members know you will be in class, and check to be sure there is nothing in the background that wouldn't want your classmates to see. When you join your Google Meets, be sure your microphone is muted and type your name into the chat. Then wait quietly for instructions for the start of class.
Supplies for Virtual Class: Every day you should have your agenda, at least 2 sharpened pencils; eraser; pencil sharpener or extra lead if you are using mechanical pencils, 2 different colored pens; a highlighter; and a science notebook or binder with notebook paper. You will need to use your agenda every day (you will receive the first one for free at the beginning of school) If you lose your agenda, you will have to purchase another one. When requested, you will need to bring index cards and crayons or markers.
Notebooks: Most notes and assignments will be done inside our Google Classroom, especially when you are having virtual classes from home. It is important to have a paper notebook too, as there are times you may need to write things down. When we go back to face-to-face learning in school, we may use those paper notebooks quite a bit more. Students and parents should not delete or purge their work or throw anything away until instructed to do so. You may have to take that NCFE!! If so, that old work will be needed for your end of year review. You might also need to show it to me if you have a question or think there is an error in your science grades.
Volunteers: Many opportunities exist to volunteer at DDMMS, especially when we go back to face-to-face learning at the school, such as helping with class or labs, helping with administrative tasks like copying and laminating, serving as a field trip chaperone, speaking about a subject we are learning about, helping with class or lab supplies, etc. If you would like to be able to help in a way that involves students, you must sign up as a volunteer in the DDMMS main office. You must sign up each year, and at each school you wish to volunteer at. Higher level clearances take longer to process, but allow participation in events with more student contact.
PTA: Please consider joining. Our PTA is a great way to get involved and they help our school in so many ways. They also offer many opportunities for volunteering; They also head up fundraising including “easy fundraising”-boxtops for education and linking grocery cards. There is a link to their website on the DDMMS website and on the "At a Glance" tab of my website.
I am very excited to be working with you in Science. I look forward to a fun and successful year with all of you!
Fondly,
Ms. McKnight
Welcome to Ms. McKnight’s Science class. I am excited to be working with you this year at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School, where Every Student Matters and Every Moment Counts!! In this letter I will try to provide you with some information to help you have a successful year in science.
Communication: You are most successful when we communicate openly and work together. If you ever feel confused or overwhelmed, please contact me right away! Do not be afraid to talk to me about your concerns. I care about you, and I am here to help you! I can’t help you if you don’t let me know you are having a hard time though. If you need extra help, I will work with you to see if we can work together outside of class time, maybe during one of my office hours, during a lunch break, or on an after school help day. We just have to schedule it in advance so we can find a time that works for all of us. When you can't talk to me in person, here are some ways you can contact me:
- Email (preferred!): [email protected]. Please allow up to two full business days for me to respond to your inquiries.
- Talking Points- you can contact me using that app. It allows you to select the language you wish to receive messages from me in, and it also
translates messages you send in that language for me so I can read them in English.
- Parent-Teacher conferences – In middle school, teachers do not automatically schedule a parent-teacher conference for every
student. We will request a conference with a student’s parents when we have a concern about their performance or behavior.
A parent may request a conference when they have concerns or need additional information that can not be addressed through an email or
a phone call. Please notify me if you wish to set up a Parent Conference. If we think your child will benefit by attending the conference, we
can make those arrangements. Please note that Parent Conferences are usually scheduled during my Planning Period (when your children
are in electives.) I can not schedule a Parent Conference during my office hours as that time is reserved for answering questions from and
helping students who need assistance.
- Website: http://msnancymcknight.weebly.com Please use this frequently to see important announcements, daily summaries about class
objectives, activities, homework assignments, and important due dates. Student materials such as handouts, video links, study guides,
notes, power point presentations, etc. will be found in students' google classroom. My website also provides information about grading,
our PTA, my background & experience, and useful contact information.
Curriculum: Instruction is designed to meet the 6th Grade NC Essential Science Standards required by the NC Department of Public Instruction. We begin with a few weeks of orientation to familiarize students with some tools that will help them be successful this year. We also participate in activities meant to create an atmosphere of teamwork where students can feel safe and comfortable collaborating with their peers. And we will learn about what it means to think scientifically. The remainder of the first quarter will be spent learning about how the Sun, Earth and Moon affect things like eclipses, lunar phases, tides, and seasons. We’ll study the history of space exploration and learn what conditions we think will be necessary to find life on other planets. In quarter 2 we’ll learn about the layers of the Earth, and how small movements can have huge impacts, like creating mountain ranges and giant rift valleys, growing or shrinking the ocean floors, and causing earthquakes and volcanoes. Then we’ll start to learn about rocks and the rock cycle, and all about soil, including some of the ways humans can have positive and negative impacts on this valuable natural resource. In the 3rd quarter we will learn about the parts of flower, and how flowering plants make their own food then use that food to get the energy they need to survive. We’ll learn about plant reproduction and how plants defend themselves. We’ll also take what students learned about food chains, food webs and biomes in elementary school and dive a little deeper into those subjects. Then we’ll move on to learn about different types of waves and their properties, about our eyes and how we see and about our ears and how we hear. In the last quarter we’ll study the basics of chemistry including matter, some properties of matter like density and solubility, and more about conductors, insulators and heat transfer. We’ll have to wait for a while for a definite decision, but most years we finish up with a big state test called the NCFE (the North Carolina Final Exam.) It covers everything we studied in science this year. If that sounds like a lot, it is! Don’t worry though because I am here to help you through it all, and I’ll do my best to help you have fun while you’re doing it!
Grading: Unit assessments will be given at the end of each unit (approximately weekly.) The average of those unit assessments will count for 70% of the science grade. Students who wish to raise their grade may take a 2nd unit test, and the higher of the two tests will be entered in the grade book. The remaining 30% of the science grade will be the score earned on a cumulative assessment covering material from the whole quarter. Retest opportunities will not be available for the cumulative assessment. Late work from the 1st half of each quarter will be accepted until 1 week before interim reports are due. Late work from the 2nd half of the quarter will be accepted until 1 week before grades close for the quarter. Assessment grades will be entered in Powerschool (Home Base) regularly. Students and parents are expected to review grades in Powerschool frequently and to reach out for help early if concerns arise.
Study Tips: The science curriculum is very challenging, both because of its rigor and the fast pace needed to cover all of the information in the state standards. It is very important to keep up with all assignments and the learning that is happening in class. If you fall behind it takes a lot more work to catch up. Make a habit of doing all of your work and turning it in on time. Take a few minutes each evening to review what was covered in class, make of list of anything you didn't really understand, then ask me about it so you clear up anything confusing right away. Study and really prepare for upcoming assessments , then do your very best! While students do have an opportunity to take a 2nd unit assessment if they want to raise their grade, but it's best to avoid that if possible. Try to get a good grade the first time so you don't have to study for your next assessment and also study for a retest on older material all at the same time! And one of the best ways to help yourself is to learn all of the new vocabulary just as soon as it is presented. You will have a ton of new vocabulary words to learn this year. And you won't be able to understand the big science ideas you need to know if you don't understand the words used to explain them. I will be teaching you a number of note-taking and study techniques throughout the year to help you try to remember all the material. And it will be up to you to practice and use them.
Basic Classroom Expectations: Every student has the right to learn in a safe and orderly environment. To ensure maximum student learning, I have high expectations for academic and behavioral performance. Students and I are working together during the first weeks of class to develop our class norms and these will be posted on my website when we have finalized them. Students are expected to follow all county, school and class guidelines and procedures. Please see our school handbook (accessible on the DDMMS website) for more information.
Attendance: Students who are frequently late or absent miss valuable instructional time and can fall behind in their classes. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they understand and complete missed work. They should contact me outside of their regular class time to review expectations and deadlines for making up missed work. Students who are frequently absent or tardy will be referred to our 6th grade Assistant Principal for follow-up.
Virtual Class Structure: Be sure you are prepared before joining your Google Meets (your class Google Meets code is in your Google Classroom.) That means knowing what time your class starts, having your materials ready, checking your Google Classroom Announcements and Materials pages in advance so you know what you will need for class, and ensuring you have submitted any assignments that were due that day. You should also be sure your device is charged (or your charger is handy and ready to plug in if necessary.) Decide whether you will be having your camera on or off. If your camera is on, please be sure you are dressed appropriately, that you family members know you will be in class, and check to be sure there is nothing in the background that wouldn't want your classmates to see. When you join your Google Meets, be sure your microphone is muted and type your name into the chat. Then wait quietly for instructions for the start of class.
Supplies for Virtual Class: Every day you should have your agenda, at least 2 sharpened pencils; eraser; pencil sharpener or extra lead if you are using mechanical pencils, 2 different colored pens; a highlighter; and a science notebook or binder with notebook paper. You will need to use your agenda every day (you will receive the first one for free at the beginning of school) If you lose your agenda, you will have to purchase another one. When requested, you will need to bring index cards and crayons or markers.
Notebooks: Most notes and assignments will be done inside our Google Classroom, especially when you are having virtual classes from home. It is important to have a paper notebook too, as there are times you may need to write things down. When we go back to face-to-face learning in school, we may use those paper notebooks quite a bit more. Students and parents should not delete or purge their work or throw anything away until instructed to do so. You may have to take that NCFE!! If so, that old work will be needed for your end of year review. You might also need to show it to me if you have a question or think there is an error in your science grades.
Volunteers: Many opportunities exist to volunteer at DDMMS, especially when we go back to face-to-face learning at the school, such as helping with class or labs, helping with administrative tasks like copying and laminating, serving as a field trip chaperone, speaking about a subject we are learning about, helping with class or lab supplies, etc. If you would like to be able to help in a way that involves students, you must sign up as a volunteer in the DDMMS main office. You must sign up each year, and at each school you wish to volunteer at. Higher level clearances take longer to process, but allow participation in events with more student contact.
PTA: Please consider joining. Our PTA is a great way to get involved and they help our school in so many ways. They also offer many opportunities for volunteering; They also head up fundraising including “easy fundraising”-boxtops for education and linking grocery cards. There is a link to their website on the DDMMS website and on the "At a Glance" tab of my website.
I am very excited to be working with you in Science. I look forward to a fun and successful year with all of you!
Fondly,
Ms. McKnight