This document provides information about homework expectations, attendance policies, classroom agreements, schedules, and assessments at Mt. Zaagkam School middle school in Papua, Indonesia. It outlines that homework should take 1 hour and 10 minutes per night and include 30 minutes of reading. It also describes communication methods with parents such as parent-teacher conferences, workshares, student-led conferences, and an open-door policy.

1. Accredited by the Western Association of Collages and Schools. Authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
Kuala Kencana Site Phone: 546-4863 Int’l calls: +62-901-464853 Tamara_Shreve@fmi.com | Tembagapura Site Phone: 540-7876 Int’l calls: +62-901-407876 james_Crawford@fmi.com
Mt. Zaagkam School
Papua, Indonesia – www.mzis.org
GRADES 6-8 Middle School

2. MZS Policies &
Classroom
Agreements
ROUTINES &
PROCEDURES

3. HOMEWORK
WHAT AND WHY
➢ A valuable tool to help reinforce classroom activities and
develop good study habits.
➢ It should be a focused, purposeful activity that is a
continuation of learning begun at school.

4. HOMEWORK
SCHEDULED TIME
➢ Middle school students are expected to development
good self-management skills.
➢ It is important that completing homework becomes a
routine student responsibility.
➢ Use a regular time and place for this task.

5. HOMEWORK
EXPECTATIONS
➢ Homework expectations are increasingly complex, but
should not exceed 1 hour + 10 minutes/night.
➢ The half hour reading in middle school is usually going to
be for core subjects, specifically English and Humanities.
Homework Time
Reading
Math
Bahasa
30 minutes
30 minutes
10 minutes

6. ATTENDANCE
MZS POLICY
Students are expected to attend school regularly.
There is a direct relationship between regular
attendance and school success.
➢ Illness– call the office
➢ Visa – 1 week notice to
prepare classwork.
➢ Extraneous Circumstances –
same as Visa
➢ HR teachers appreciate an
email for clear communication.

7. ATTENDANCE
MZS POLICY
Each teacher maintains a daily accurate attendance that
is:
1. available to the office upon request
2. recorded on the student report cards as
present/total days,
3. used during conferences and as a contributing
factor for moving to the next grade
Note:
Regular school attendance is important in the
ongoing academic progress of every students.

8. AGREEMENTS
CLASSROOM
All students need to know what conduct is expected of
them.
➢ Attend school on time.
➢ Come to school prepared.
➢ Work diligently in school.
➢ Treat yourself and others with dignity and respect.
➢ Follow and model MZS Essential Agreements.

9. ESSENTIAL AGREEMENTS
SCHOOL-WIDE
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be a Problem Solver

10. Middle School
Class Times &
Schedules
SCHEDULES

11. SCHEDULE
GRADES 6-8
SCHEDULE
Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Welcome 7:45-8:00
Period 1
8:00 - 8:45
Assembly &
Second Steps
6 English
7-8 Math 6 English
7-8 Math
6 English
7-8 Math 6 English
7-8 Math
Period 2
8:45 - 9:30
6 English
7-8 Math
6 Music
7-8 Bahasa
6 Music
7-8 Bahasa
6 Math
7-8 English
6 Math
7-8 EnglishPeriod 3
9:30 - 10:15
6 Math
7-8 English
6 Math
7-8 English
6 Math
7-8 English
Recess 10:15 - 10:35
10:35 - 10:55 D.E.A.R Specialist D.E.A.R
MS P.E.
D.E.A.R
Period 4
10:55 - 11:40
6 English
7-8 Art
6 Bahasa
7-8 Music
6 Bahasa
7-8 Music
6 Math
7-8 Art
Period 5
11:40 - 12:25
6 Art
7-8 English
MS Science MS Science
6 Art
7-8 Math
Lunch 12:25 - 12:40 & 12:40 - 1:00
Period 6
1:00 - 1:45
MS Science MS Science MS Humanities MS Humanities MS Humanities
Period 7
1:45 - 2:30
MS Humanities MS Humanities MS Elective MS Science MS Science
ASAs 2:30 - 3:15

12. BLOCKS PER WEEK
CORE SUBJECTS & SPECIALS
Subjects Blocks Hours Minutes
Math
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Specials
Elective
7 5 ¼ 315
7 5 ¼ 315
6 4 ¼ 270
5 3 ¾ 225
2 1 ½ 90
1 ¾ 45

13. Core SubjectsUNIT REVIEWS

14. MATHEMATICS
GRADE 6
Quarter 1
1. Ratios and Rates
2. Fractions, Decimals, and
Percents
3. Compute with Multi-Digit
Numbers
Quarter 3
7. Equations
8. Functions and
Inequalities
9. Area
Quarter 2 Quarter 4
4. Multiply and Divide
Fractions
5. Integers and the
Coordinate Plane
6. Expressions
10. Volume and Surface Area
11. Statistical Measures
12. Statistical Displays

15. MATHEMATICS
GRADE 7
Quarter 1
1. Ratios and Proportional
Reasoning
2. Percents
Quarter 3
6. Equations and
Inequalities
7. Geometric Figures
Quarter 2 Quarter 4
3. Integers
4. Rational Numbers
5. Expressions
8. Measure Figures
9. Probability
10. Statistics

16. MATHEMATICS
GRADE 8
Quarter 1
1. Real Numbers
2. Equations in One Variable
Quarter 2
3. Equations in Two Variable
4. Functions
Quarter 3
5. Triangles and the
Pythagorean Theorem
6. Transformations
Quarter 4
7. Congruence & Similarity
8. Volume and Surface Area
9. Scatter Plots and Data
Analysis

17. SCIENCE
GRADE 6-8
Quarter 1 – Cells
1. Introduction to Cells
2. Cell Processes and Energy
Quarter 2 – Genetics
3. Genetics: The Science of
Heredity
4. DNA: The Code of Life
5. Human Genetics and
Genetic Technology
Quarter 3 – Chemistry
6. Elements and the
Periodic Table
7. Atoms and Bonding
Quarter 4 – Physics
8. Work and Machines
9. Energy
10. Thermal Energy and
Heat

18. LANGUAGE ARTS
YEAR OUTLINE
Quarter 1
❖ People and cultures express themselves through literature.
❖ Narrative Writing
❖ Short Stories: elements, analysis, diversity
Quarter 2
❖ People’s points of view are persuaded by a variety of sources.
❖ Persuasive Writing
❖ Class Novel Studies:
❖ 6 – Phantom Tollbooth
❖ 7/8 – A Wrinkle in Time

19. LANGUAGE ARTS
YEAR OUTLINE
Quarter 3
❖ Writers use a variety of language and structure to explain their ideas.
❖ Expository Writing
❖ Class Novel Studies:
❖ 6 – Walkabout
❖ 7/8 – Long Walk to Water
 Poetry delivers emotions, images and information in diverse ways.
 Poetry - figurative language, analysis, orginal works
 Class Novel Studies:
 6 – The Giver
 7/8 – Macbeth
Quarter 4

20. SOCIAL STUDIES
YEAR OUTLINE
Quarter 1
❖ Ancient History:
Ancient Rome
Quarter 3
❖ Modern Wars and Conflicts:
Global Issues - Refugees
Quarter 2 Quarter 4
❖ Revolutions:
The Renaissance
❖ Indonesia and the World:
Geography and Resources
* Geography and Current Events will be integrated throughout the year.

21. Diagnostics,
Formative,
Summative, and
External
ASSESSMENTS

22. DIAGNOSTIC
PRE-ASSESSMENTS
➢ Used to inform teaching practice, such as concept
review requirements to aid students.
➢ Examples: Math-Level Indicator, Probe Reading, MZS
Writing Prompts, Words Their Way

23. FORMATIVE
ASSESSMENTS
➢ Continues to inform teaching practice indicating the
development and comprehension of students
➢ Examples: Guided & Independent Practice, Class
Assignments, and Labs.

24. SUMMATIVE & PERFORMANCE
ASSESSMENTS
➢ Used to provide the opportunity to demonstrate
holistic knowledge and comprehension.
➢ Examples include: Unit Tests, and Inquiry Based
Projects, including both research and products.

25. GRADES:
WEIGHTINGS
English & Humanities:
➢ Formative Assessments – 30%
➢ Performance Tasks (Projects) – 30%
➢ Summative Assessments - (Tests/Quizzes) – 30%
➢ Participation/homework – 10%
➢ Semester exams: 10% - 30% of final semester overall grade
• Until the school based reporting system is developed, quarter
grades will be posted in Google Sheets for each student.
• Numerical grades are converted to 7 point system based on
descriptors within the report cards.

26. EXTERNAL
ASSESSMENTS
➢ Used to provide a standard norm to compare our
student progress and inform teaching.
➢ Examples include: International Schools’ Assessment
(ISA); and Measures of Academic Progress (MAPs).

27. PTC, Workshares,
SLC, Portfolios,
Newsletters,
Reports, and
Open-Door Policy
COMMUNICATION
& REPORTING

28. REPORTS
EACH SEMESTER
➢ Includes MZS Level 1-7 Indicator for Benchmark skills
in each subject along with commentary.

29. PARENT-TEACHER
CONFERENCE
➢ Quarter 1 – Monday-Wednesday (Oct. 2nd - 4th)
➢ Used to inform parents on Math-Level Indicator, MAP
scores, and general student progress.

30. WORKSHARES
QUARTERLY
➢ Once per Quarter - to be announced.
➢ Used to allow students the opportunity to showcase
their knowledge, skills, and projects.

31. STUDENT-LED
CONFERENCE
➢ Quarter 3
➢ Used to allow students the opportunity to present their
portfolios, and reflect upon their learning.

32. PORTFOLIOS
STUDENT WORK
➢ Developed throughout each unit and curated within
student blogs or websites, and binders or folders.
➢ Used to keep significant work, and then reflect on and
analyze their strengths and opportunities.

33. MS CLASS BLOG
NEW COMMUNICATION
➢ Includes student activities, current core subject
overviews, and a calendar of important events.
http://mzstprams.blogspot.co.id
http://mzsmathscience.blogspot.co.id/

34. OPEN-DOOR POLICY
STUDENTS & PARENTS
➢ Students can come during snack and lunch breaks
provided we don’t have duty that day.