Open House Info Session

The

Vanguard MYP program is an accelerated program. Minimum Requirements

Students must maintain a 75 or higher average in each core class. Maintain regular attendance, organization, and good behavior.

This

is NOT the year to loosen the reins. Grades this year determine the high school to which your child will be accepted.

 Binders

are NOT allowed (students are required to attach all work in their notebooks) Late work will incur at least a 30% penalty

Work

must be turned in neat and legible Final Draft Quality; Sloppy or illegible work will not be accepted and the student will incur a late grade.

It is our expectation that students will complete ALL assignments. Students who consistently turn work in late may be assigned to lunch detention and/or required to attend afternoon tutorials to complete the work. Use of Request for Acceptance of Late Work is required

 Absences/Make-up Work Students who are absent are

afforded the same number of days as their absence to make-up their work

If your child misses a Purple day on Monday, they have until Friday, Purple day to turn the work in. Work that was due the day of the absence is due the day the student returns.

It is HIGHLY recommended for one or two day absences that students check the website or ask a classmate for the assignment and complete it as soon as possible.

 Field

Trip Absences

Absences from classes due to field trips are NOT considered official absences. Students are not allotted extra days to complete assignments missed due to field trips. Students are expected to get their assignments before the day of the field trip. If there is an assignment due the day of a field trip, students MUST turn in their assignment BEFORE they leave or it will be considered late.

Lanier Middle School has a long history of high academic achievement. Laniers long-standing motto, Achievement with Honor, exemplifies the high academic standards and virtues that are so closely intertwined in a place of learning. Academic dishonesty is defined in The Code of Student Conduct as, cheating, plagiarism, or copying the work of students. In the event a student takes part in one or more acts of academic dishonesty he/she will incur consequences as follows:
1st Offense: Zero (0) on academic work, parent contact 2nd Offense: Zero (0) on academic work, parent conference; In-school suspension (ISSC); Growth plan for Vanguard/GT students 3rd Offense: Zero (0) on academic work , parent conference; ISSC; possible exiting from Vanguard/GT program and/or exclusion from leadership program

 The

Scientific Method/Lab Safety/Metric System Body Systems Genetics Climate/Weather Weathering/Erosion/Soil Formation The Universe and Light Intro to Chemistry

 Students

are required to do one (1)major project this year. Choices:

Career Investigation (due beginning of December) Science Fair (due mid January) Invention Convention (due beginning of March)

Students

MUST commit to a particular project in writing by Friday, October 14th (tentative date).

7B Writing and Reading Writing Units Launching Workshop Personal Narrative/Memoir Persuasive Writing Poetry/Interpretive Response Expository/Research Writing STARR writing Literary Essay/Oral Presentation Short Fiction/Multimedia Presentation Reading Units Launching the Workshop/Book Choice Summer Reading Work Literary Elements/Figurative Language Non-Fiction Structures & Styles Book Clubs Test Prep Book Club Projects

Topics :
Variables and Patterns (linear equations and patterns) Accentuate the Negative (operations with integers and negative rational numbers) Comparing and Scaling (unit rates, ratios, and proportional relationships) Stretching and Shrinking (similar figures, coordinate graphing, algebraic rules) Filling and Wrapping (3-diminsioanl measurement) Looking for Pythagoras (Pythagoreans Theorem) Why Not (scientific notation)

 At

Home Assignments (not an option ) Every night

Homework Take

20 pts

Home Quiz 100 pts

 8th

grade Algebra
Pre AP Algebra I - an intense lecture based course, is structured to be fast paced and challenging, much like the Algebra course we would have taken Pre IB Algebra I - more concrete and hands on Math 8 Honors - there will be students that do not qualify for Algebra, abstract thinking and maturity with regards to school work are developmental

Matrix

will be used specifics to be determined IAAT(Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test) May 29 & 30

Scope and Sequence for Texas History First Semester

Texas Geography Native Texans European Exploration Spanish Texas The Anglos Settle Texas

Second Semester

Causes of Revolution The Texas Revolution The Republic of Texas Statehood Texas Grows and Prospers/Texas Government What is the TED Classroom Project?

What is the TED Classroom Project?

Students are required to view 8-10 TEDtalks from TED.com of their choosing and write written responses for each talk. Students will then choose something that they believe is an idea worth sharing. Students will present their very own TEDtalk in class.

The Mission of TED:

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So weve built a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the worlds most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Inspiration Students need to learn how to dream, to discover the breadth of possibilities that exist and the way forward.

Choice Decisions are a fundamental component of life. Students need to understand their identity and feel safe making mistakes. They should be able to learn and grow without fear.

Action Choice begets action. If a student has the confidence to create change in the world, they are empowered. This intersection of teachers and students creates an environment for action.

The MYP is:

MYP = Middle Years Programme (an International Baccalaureate program)

for students aged 11 to 16 a framework of academic challenge

8 subject groups, plus personal project in the final year (10th grade)
taught in any language understand the connections between subjects through interdisciplinary learning understand the connections between subjects and the real world become critical and reflective thinkers

The MYP encourages students to:

Fundamental Concepts: Holistic learning Intercultural awareness Communication

IB learners strive to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable

Thinkers
Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers
The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools. IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

Balanced Reflective

 Study

Lab is a 40 minute period every day that students can use to work on homework, read or get help from other teachers. It is expected that students will bring their homework AND a book to each and every Study Lab period. Students must plan ahead if they wish to visit another teacher. Planners must be signed by the teacher they would like to go to before Study Lab. Productive use of Study Lab will ensure that students have a manageable homework load.

 It

is for kids that are already doing their work, but arent making the grade. Please do not send students to tutoring who are capable of doing their work but CHOOSE not to. Do not use tutorials as a punishment. (E.g. Johnny made a C in Science so now he needs to go to tutorials till the next report card.) Please do not come to tutoring the one time prior to a test and expect magic. Start getting help the moment you need it!

Requirements Grade point average of 92.5 or above E average in conduct w/no more than 2 Ss in one grade period or 2 Ss for multiple grading periods Students may not have any Ps or Us in conduct. This includes Study Lab.