Welcome to the Blue Team and 8th Grade!
Greetings Blue Team Social Studies Parents,
As our first marking period begins to wind down, I would like to take this time to remind you of a few things.
- Join Google Classroom. Many of you have not accepted my invitation yet. Some of you were just invited, because your emails did not populate to the system automatically. Joining allows you to get a weekly summary to see all of the assignments your students are working on. You can also see the due dates, so you can proactively “keep tabs” on your student’s progress.
- Check PowerSchool. I use zeros as place holders for late work, so your student can see what will happen to their grade if they don’t follow up on it. As well as being able to see where they stand academically, you can also encourage your students to follow up with their teachers if anything looks “odd” to you or them. It’s a great way to engage your student in a direct conversation about their grades, too!
- Encourage your students to reach out to their teachers. After checking Google Classroom and PowerSchool, give your student that gentle nudge to reach out to their teachers with any questions, comments, or concerns. As we prepare for high school, this is a great time and place for them to take charge of their academics and to become comfortable reaching out to their teachers. There are no teams in high school, and this is an independent life skill they should be developing here, now.
Overall, Blue Team students are making wonderful progress toward the Vision of a Graduate, and they should be very proud of how they are growing into their 8th grade selves. It’s hard to believe high school is just around the corner, and together, we will have them well prepared and ready for the next adventures in their academic careers.
Thank you all for the excellent support and great communication,
Chris
NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOM:
IXL Update: Many students are not up to the task of working independently to catch up on classwork, and many students are not completing their IXL homework. Too many students are hiding behind the "I forgot" statement to hand in work at their leisure. Students should be practicing both self-direction and diligence and complete their IXL work independently. Many are choosing to squander their study hall time instead of using that time to complete work. It's time to change. We're preparing for high school, after all.
Friendly reminder: This year we will be focusing on the competencies and dispositions for the Vision of a Graduate. Although the VOG is more of a high school thing, we will be demonstrating those competencies and dispositions as we complete our projects and assignments this year. The competencies include informed thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration. The dispositions are self-direction*, civic engagement, emotional intelligence, empathy and diligence*.
*BIG FOCUS FOR THIS YEAR
**Social Studies Placement Update***
The following criteria will be utilized to determine advanced level (L3) placement for 9th grade. The student must:
- demonstrate ability to work independently
- demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- successfully participate in large and small group activities
- be recommended for advanced level placement by the eighth-grade teacher
- receive score in the advanced range (4) on Smarter Balance Assessment
- achieve a score of goal on a minimum of 2 benchmark assessments
- end of the year grade of an A in Social Studies
Heads up--
Many students are struggling to follow directions independently. Please remind your student that the study of history is not a race to complete assignments. It is a journey to understand how we became the nation we are today.
and...just a reminder that most of our work is project-based. That means a lot of self-directed and independent work. So, students asking questions is a must! Don't be shy. If you tend to be shy, email me your questions!
The Basics:
It is expected that any and all unfinished classwork be completed at home and prepared for submission to Google Classroom precisely on the due date.
As a reminder...
1. Spelling and grammar rules do count in class. Since I see Social Studies as a "non-fiction" extension of Language Arts, it is extremely important that our written work be of the highest quality (It's a form of Communication!). Consider your well-written works to be a tribute to our "Founding Fathers" (and Mothers, too!). Make them proud!
2. We will basically explore one concept for the remainder of this year: "How did America come to be the way it is today?".
A quote for you: "When I lost all of my excuses, I found my results."
Let's get it done!
MR. GOTT
Keys to Success
"Action is the fundamental key to success."
"Successful people never worry about what others are doing."
"Do it now, because sometimes later becomes never."
A few things you might want to know about me...
1. I am excited to be teaching 8th Grade U.S. History. I have been teaching in North Haven for 27 years, and in a few years my family will have been in this country for 400 years. I guess that makes me an actual part of history!
2. In my past life I worked in the restaurant business for almost 30 years. (I do a presentation on my experiences for the kids at our "Parent University" event in the spring!)
3. When teaching I like to follow the guidance of the question:
"How did the U.S. come to be the way it is today?"
4. I am an avid performance boater in my free time, and I am learning to be a marine mechanic.
5. I am a "dog person". We have 4: Rosie, Bentley, Moose and Zeus...all rescues.
"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar."
-Abraham Lincoln
"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."
-Admiral William H. McRaven
