Welcome to Tyler's Class

Language Arts

Language Arts covers reading comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and research techniques.  The flow of the class will depend on what we are currently studying (i.e. poetry, expository writing, research, etc.). However, there are a few constants throughout the year!

Vocabulary/Spelling: Each week the kids should get between 10-15 words and/or root words. On Friday, they will take a test on these words.  We will NOT do vocab on 4 day weeks.  Spelling has been a struggle that has been noticed as teachers, so middle school is going to be implementing weekly spelling words (10-15) and tests.  I will be giving these tests to the students on Friday, even on 4 day weeks. 

Writing: Writing has been a struggle for many students, so as a school we are switching to Step Up to Writing to make sure all students have a consistent baseline for their writing abilities.

Reading: Outside of school, students should be reading for about 1 hour!  This will either be a book of their choice, a core-lit book or a book club book!

Social Studies

Since every student learns differently, they will be learning social studies through a variety of techniques!

Teacher Driven: This consists of lectures and powerpoints!  During this, they will focus on Cornell Style Notes!  All slides will be posted to their Google Classroom after notes are taken in class!

Simulations: This is a very different type of learning, most likely different from what they have done before.  They learn how to work with one another in constructing their own knowledge while competing against different towns of the ancient world.  Do know that group work cannot affect their overall grade.

Traditional Book Unit: Read, discussion, mini-lectures and centerwork.

Yearbook

Course Description: In this course students will gain skills in page design, advanced publishing techniques, copywriting, editing, and photography while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. Participants gain useful, real world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles.

Instructional Philosophy: Students will be given challenging real world projects and assignments typical of the graphic design and publishing industries. High quality work is expected and students will be given opportunities to redo work until it meets standards specified during instruction. Classroom activities will include reading, research, projects, and problem solving. Students will often work in teams, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the team's work. 

 Course Goals:

1. Students will learn publishing industry terminology and become familiar with publishing software.

2. Students will learn copywriting techniques.

3. Students will work with various types of print production equipment including digital cameras, computers, and scanners.

4. Students will apply computer skills and design principles to the production of yearbook pages.

 Work Expectations

❏      Students are expected to work on yearbook assignments during class time.  You should leave this class at the end of the year with marketing and production skills. There is always something to do.

❏      Deadlines are non-negotiable.  If you repeatedly miss deadlines, you may be subject to dismissal from yearbook class.

❏      Yearbook is a marketing and production class and we want to create and sell the best product.  It is your responsibility to make certain that you have put every effort forward to create and sell the best quality product we can create. As such, students will:

❏  Complete all assigned pages.

❏  Include names of every person on every photo, and ensure that 100% of names are spelled correctly.

❏  Follow the correct theme.

❏  Take pictures as assigned in a variety of activities during and beyond the school day.

❏  Complete all miscellaneous assignments and projects.

❏      Work doesn’t stop when class ends. Students are expected to participate in outside-of-class activities. To produce a complete yearbook, students will be required to attend school activities to take photographs and gather information to be used in the yearbook. Due to the nature of publishing deadlines, students will be expected to work periodically before or after school and on weekends as needed to meet publishing deadlines.

Beginning Careers

Description/Objective: This class is designed to provide students with the knowledge to begin to recognize their individual learning/personality styles and how to adjust when lessons are taught in a different way or when working within a group.  In addition they will begin to explore possible colleges and career fields and expand their knowledge of careers that are available through interest surveys, research, and guest speakers.  Students will participate in daily assignments that will enhance their understanding of teamwork and how to successfully work within a group. 

Policies/Rules:

Students are expected to come to class prepared.  All students are expected to bring a pen/pencil each day to class and be ready to work.

Students are expected to complete and turn in assignments on time.

Students are expected to be respectful of other group members, be on task and complete their assignments.

Students are expected to be on time to class.  All students receiving a tardy will be placed in break detention the following day. 

Grading:

Grading for this class will be based on completion of projects/activities and participation. 

Grading Scale:  A (90-100%),  B (80-89%),  C (70-79%),  D (60-69%),  F (below 60%)

Resources:

Web: Research Career

Web:  COS, FSU, UC Merced – look at requirements, cost, degrees awarded

SCICON

The Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation (SCICON) is the outdoor school of science and conservation operated by the Tulare County Office of Education. It is located on 1,100 acres above Springville. Last year, the school was visited by over 20,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students for a one-day or week-long experience in outdoor education, natural science, and conservation. Since 1958, SCICON has been a product of school and community partnerships. Community support has enabled this state-of-the-art environmental education school to become a model for similar programs throughout the country. SCICON is host to its own natural history museum, raptor center, planetarium and observatory, and tree nursery.