This document provides information about the Grade 7/8 teaching team, curriculum, homework policies, and supplies for the upcoming school year. It introduces the teachers and their subject areas. It outlines the homework policy, roles and responsibilities, and supplies needed. It provides an overview of the curriculum focus for term 1, including expectations in language, science, history, and math. It also includes sample culminating tasks and rubrics. Looking forward, information is provided about course selection and expectations for Grade 9.

1. Grade 7/8 Teachers: Ms. A Campanaro
Ms. E. Harris
September 26th, 2013

2. Grade 7/8 Team
 Ms. Harris- Homeroom language, math, rotary
science, physical education, drama, health
 Ms. Campanaro- Homeroom language, math, rotary
history and Geography, physical education, drama,
health
 Mrs. Eriksen- Music and Visual Art
 Mme. Jaskolka- French
 Ms. Jackson- Special Education, ELL
 Ms. Gibson- CYW/EA
 Ms. Tumangday- Teacher Librarian

3. School Behavioural Policy
 Please review the front pages of your child’s agenda as it
outlines academic and behavioural expectations.
 The online Moodle is an ESSENTIAL organizational tool to
be used by your child this year. Students will use it
throughout the year to track homework, blog, review and
submit assignments and be reminded of important events.
As parents, you are highly encouraged to review the
Moodle as well. Username and password will be given after
this presentation
 In addition to homework posted on the Moodle, we
encourage your child to read for 30 minutes or more a day
at home.

4. Homework Policy
 You can expect your child to have anywhere between 30-90
minutes of homework a night (no homework on weekends
policy)
 Homework may include pleasurable reading, drills or
practice in math/reading/writing skills, collection of
materials or resources, preparing for presentations,
studying for tests, practicing musical instruments
 One “Freebie” a term
 Second notice a letter is sent home
 Third is a phone call
 Every homework note preceding is a parent/teacher
conference.

5. Homework Roles and
Responsibilities…
Parent Teacher Student
-Initiate
communication with
the teacher when
necessary to ensure
child’s progress
-Provide a quiet and
consistent workspace
for your child
- monitor the Moodle
and classroom blog
and review your child’s
school work and show
an interest in your
child’s learning
-Assign relevant and
purposeful work
-Provide guidelines
and success criteria to
complete homework
independently
-Ensure that students
have the
understanding in order
to complete their work
-Set timelines that are
reasonable and take
into account other
responsibilities, (i.e.
language classes,
tutoring)
-Complete assigned
work to the best of
your ability
- meet deadlines for
homework completion
-Develop a homework
routine
-Advocate for yourself!
ASK your teacher for
clarification when you
do not understand the
task
- Communicate with
parents about what is
happening at school

6. School Supplies… What is a must?
 Geometry set
 Scientific calculator
 USB key
 BYOD- Bring your own electronic device
 Appropriate clothing and footwear for physical
education
 Strongly encouraged: Gmail account and dropbox
account (invites will be sent through gmail)

7. Why should students BYOD?
 ONE to ONE use of technological devices- increases
students engagement
 Convenience
 More effective use of resources and time
 Efficiency and comfort in knowing where your applications
and shortcuts are located on your personal devices
 Information portability (USB vs. Cloud Computing- drop
box, Google drive)
 Digital textbooks, E-reading, apps with curriculum
connections
 Students without devices will not be left behind!

8. Safety using Technology
 Bring it only when necessary
 Keep valuables locked in locker
 Report if stolen
 Keep record of colour, make, serial number, or any
other identification
 Don’t leave device unattended
 Tracking software

9. Useful resources…
 There are many resources available on the classroom
Moodle to support your child’s learning. For all
curriculum expectations please visit the ministry’s
website at
 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/curriculum.ht
ml
For additional resources visit
www.linktolearning.com

10. Curriculum
 Language: A Balanced Literacy Approach
 Using a balanced literacy approach, the Grade 7/8
curriculum extends to all content areas (reading,
writing, oral, media and digital); across all subject
areas
 Reading: Intermediate students will be exposed
to a variety of genres, using a variety of platforms.
Guided reading groups will focus on specific
reading comprehension skills and strategies,
critical thinking skills, and creative/ alternative
responses.

11. Curriculum Cont.
 Writing
 Although intermediate students write on a daily basis
across the curriculum, a writers notebook, ongoing
instruction of purpose and audience, and instruction in the
craft of writing provides students to write about a variety of
topics in narrative, expository and persuasive formats.
Students will use a variety of organizational tools for the
planning process, as they are expected to use the writing
process to produce written pieces. Writing instruction will
focus on improving the 7 traits of effective writing; ideas,
organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency,
conventions and presentation

12. Curriculum Cont.
 Math: The primary textbook that we use to teach
math is MATH MAKES SENSE. Throughout the year
we will be using a variety of alternative resources that
consist of problem solving approaches based on
everyday situations, frequent practice of basic skills, an
opportunity to revisit concepts and skills regularly, and
an exploration of mathematical content beyond basic
arithmetic.

13. Big Ideas and overall expectations
Term 1
Subject Strand Expectation
Language- Heroes Unit Reading- short stories 1.1., 1.6, 1.7
Writing- paragraph
writing, 5 paragraph essay
1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 2.4
Oral communication-
Presentation skills
1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3
Media Literacy-
Representation of heroes
in the media
1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Science Grade 8 Understanding life
systems- cells
Understanding systems in
action

14. Big Ideas and expectations cont.
Subject Strand Expectation
Science Grade 7 Life Systems- Interactions
with the environment
History Grade 8 Confederation
The Development of
Western Canada
History Grade 7 Life in New France
British North America
Math Number Sense integers, exponents, ratio
and rates
Measurement Circumference of a circle
(8) Surface area (7)
Geometry transformations
Patterning and Algebra Expressions, patterns

15. Sample Culminating Tasks and
Rubrics
 Students are assessed and evaluated through a variety of tools;
conversation, observation and products produced by the student
 Each Method is divided into 4 Categories; Thinking,
Application, Communication, and Knowledge. These 4
categories are indicated in the core subjects (math, language,
science, history/geography
 Sample rubrics can be found on the classroom Moodle

16. Looking Forward… Grade 9
 8 courses a year- 4 each semester
 4 periods, 75 minutes each
 Course selection begins in January
 Orientation, welcome night spring 2014
 Academic vs. Applied- what to expect
 Applied courses- university stream
 Academic expectations (grade 8 marks)
 4 credits in English, 3 math, 2 science, 1 French, 1 phys-ed, 1
history, 1 geography, 1 art, career studies, civics
 40 hours of community service, successful completion of
literacy test, 12 optional credits

17. Thank you for coming!
 Please remember to continue to be a part of your
child’s learning by frequently using-
 Ms. Harris’s moodle
 Ms. Campanaro’s moodle
 moodle2.yrdsb.ca
 Follow the blog… acampanaro.blogspot.ca

18. Thank you for coming to
Curriculum Night 2013!