Want to come back to school in the fall and attend our ice cream social? What about having the math department serve you pancakes? If either of these options interest you, please take a moment and check out the information below.

Every summer our students are asked to read and complete math assignments (grades 4-8) to help prevent the summer slide. Below you will find the links needed for these assignments.

Middle School Reading (6-8) – We are asking all students to read at least three books over the summer and be ready to give a Book Talk (directions attached) when they return to school.

Mrs. Marcelino’s Ice Cream Social Summer Reading Log – Students in kindergarten through third grade are asked to read and record 10 picture books or 3-4 beginning chapter books. Students entering fourth through eighth grade are asked to read three chapter books.

Summer ALEKS assignments (4th-8th) – Students in fourth through eighth grade are asked to complete 8 ALEKS assignments over the summer with a score of 90% or higher. If students score lower, they can use the Quick Retake option to simply redo the problems they missed. Assignments can be found in the upper left-hand corner of ALEKS by clicking on the three lines and selecting “Assignments”. It is strongly suggested that students complete the 8 ALEKS topics before working on their personal pie if they are close to finishing their pie so as to not lose their work on the assignments.

Thank you! We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 19th

Want to come back to school in the fall and attend our ice cream social? What about having the math department serve you pancakes? If either of these options interest you, please take a moment and check out the information below.

Every summer our students are asked to read and complete math assignments (grades 4-8) to help prevent the summer slide. Below you will find the links needed for these assignments.

Middle School Reading (6-8) – We are asking all students to read at least three books over the summer and be ready to give a Book Talk (directions attached) when they return to school.

Mrs. Marcelino’s Ice Cream Social Summer Reading Log – Students in kindergarten through third grade are asked to read and record 10 picture books or 3-4 beginning chapter books. Students entering fourth through eighth grade are asked to read three chapter books.

Summer ALEKS assignments (4th-8th) – Students in fourth through eighth grade are asked to complete 8 ALEKS assignments over the summer with a score of 90% or higher. If students score lower, they can use the Quick Retake option to simply redo the problems they missed. Assignments can be found in the upper left-hand corner of ALEKS by clicking on the three lines and selecting “Assignments”. It is strongly suggested that students complete the 8 ALEKS topics before working on their personal pie if they are close to finishing their pie so as to not lose their work on the assignments.

Thank you! We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 21st.

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year.  This is Mr. Klubberud, your new Stella Maris 4-8 grade Science Teacher.

I can be reached at jklubberud@stellmarisacademy.org

or (858)454-2461 extension 133 (classroom phone).

Science

Research shows that when students are fully engaged in their learning, they feel a greater sense of ownership resulting in increased achievement.

Course Description:

We will conduct field and lab investigations, use the scientific method, and make decisions using critical thinking and problem solving.

Course Goals:

Use critical thinking, scientific methods and lab tools to analyze, measure and record data and to make decisions about what is observed.

Recognize that a system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact.

Classify substances, identify processes, and define relationships in systems and living organisms.

Understand and identify changes in objects when acted upon by outside forces.

Know that science is a way of learning about the natural world through a great deal of information described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models and that science may not know all the answers.

Identify the role of science investigation in understanding the natural world and its systems.

Grading Breakdown

Total points earned out of total points possible determine grades. Tests, quizzes, and projects will be worth more points than classwork, labs and homework.

Tests/Quizzes:

Tests are administered approximately every three to four weeks and will be announced in advance.  Students will have a review in class the day before the chapter test. This review will let students know exactly what is on the test. It is an expectation that students will study and prepare for tests at home.

Labs/Projects:

Class labs will vary depending on the unit. It is my philosophy that science should be experienced rather than simply read, therefore, I ensure that there are multiple hands-on labs and activities for every chapter. Our Interactive Science Curriculum has many fun “At Home” lab activities that I may assign as homework or extra credit opportunities. Sometimes we do these labs in class.

Completed Work/Participation:

Completed work will include homework, classwork, labs and notes.  Our textbook is very different from most- it’s meant for students to write in. Therefore, it is a record of learning. In addition, each student will be creating an Interactive Science Notebook, in which students will keep labs, graphic organizers, notes and vocabulary. Look through lessons your child completes, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. One of the best ways for students to improve upon their learning is to explain concepts to someone else.

Daily Materials:

Each day, students will need to come prepared to class with their planner, textbook, binder, Interactive Science Notebook, paper, sharpened pencil, and a highlighter.