LCAS Grades 6-8

2019-2020 School Year

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the scholastic years of junior high. This is the time have students develop their special individual style of
time management and responsibility. It is my privilege, along with you, to guide and direct this carefully. I will also be
working with them to use personal evaluation of their work to improve the quality of work.

The staff have chosen for this year the theme of “Light Your World.” We will be highlighting a different characteristic
each month so we can light our LCAS world for Jesus. We are also looking forward to having our lights shine this year
in many different ways. As we go about our daily task, how is our light working in the world we are in at that moment?
I am also looking for more opportunities for this class to be involved in our community. If you have ideas or hear of
needs please let me know.

Our new addition to the classroom this year is a set of Sphero Bolt Robots. I am anxious for the students to begin using
them in a variety of ways. We also have several IPads that are for use with the robots, but will also be put to use in re-
search and group activities.

Communication is very important. I may be reached through email, text or phone. I am also happy to speak with you
personally, but would request that visits be scheduled after 3 pm. This will allow me to begin and end the day smoothly.
I have great expectations for this year and look forward to working with you.

Mrs. Cook
doylenecook@lcas.org; Cell/Text: 360-324-0745; www.6-8cookies.weebly.com

Curriculum:
Bible: We will be using the Encounter Bible Curriculum. Our study this year will include studying about the covenant
God made with the Patriarchs, the parables Jesus taught and what we are called to be. Please pray that as we study
together each day that the Holy Spirit will guide us to a closer friendship with the one who covets a relationship with
us. Students will receive a list of Memory Verses with the assigned date for writing these verses. The versesgo along
with the topic of the week.

Service projects will include neighborhood bread delivery, and other opportunities as they arise. Please share if you are
aware of needs we can be a part of. Parental help in these endeavors is always welcome.

Grading: Straight percentage

Math: I will use the Big Ideas series by Harcourt Math. I will teach two pre-algebra sessions. All work must be
shown for each math problem. All assignments are due the day after assigned. The students are encouraged to correct
math problems for full credit on daily work and ½ credit on tests. Daily work should be corrected and returned within a
couple days. I grade with a pencil during class. Once turned in, work is graded in red and may be corrected. The final
score is given in green. I will be using video tutorials to assist student learning. This will enable a student to go back
and hear the demonstration again and also assist parents in helping with lessons at home. When a student does not
successfully pass a section I will be using Khan Academy Math to help them go back over those concepts.
www.khanacademy.com

Grading: Daily Work - 40%; Quizzes and Tests - 60%

Some students will be taking Algebra I with Mr. Baker
Grading: Algebra I : Daily - 15%; Quizzes and Tests - 85%

Language Arts:
Reading: Literature sets, Reading Plus online and outside reading quarter assignments
Grammar: DOL (daily oral language) and Grammar assignments
Spelling: Wordly Wise, content vocabulary, and theme words as given
Vocabulary: Wordly Wise and Pathways Literature books, content area
Writing: short and longer written works (personal narrative, opinion, compare/contrast, research
and story)
Handwriting: 6th graders - A Reason for Writing.
Grading: Daily: 40%; Quizzes and Test (final writings) - 45%; outside reading - 15%
Keyboarding: For 7th and 8th grade we will be using Typing Agent. They will need to complete 4 hours each quarter. 7th
grade should complete 20 lessons each quarter with 30 wpm and 8 th grade need 30 lessons with 35 wpm. Students will
be given one minute timings throughout the quarter to test their wpm speed. Additional computer assignments will be
given throughout the quarter to assist in other schoolwork.

Grading: Speed/accuracy - 50%; lessons completed - 50%

6th graders are encouraged to work on keyboarding in their spare time or at home.

Science: We use the By Design textbook. We have four units of study. 1) Life Science: classification of living things,
invertebrates/vertebrates and how organisms inherit traits. 2) Human Body: Sexuality, Infectious Diseases, Digestive
and Excretory systems 3) Earth and space: Solar System, Earth’s movement, Stars, galaxies and the universe 4)
Physical Science: Motion/force, Work, Power, and machines, Energy
Grading: Daily - 40%; Test/labs - 60%

Social Studies: We will study world history using McGraw Hill’s Discovering Our Past – A History of the World. We
will use chapters 13-26. This begins with the Rise of Christianity, African Civilizations, Americas, Asia, Medieval
Europe, The Renaissance/Reformation and Age of Exploration and Trade, Scientific Revolution, Industrial Revolution,
World War I and II, Cold War and Building Today’s World.

Grading: Daily - 40%; Tests and projects - 60%

Art: Using the Art Attacks program, I will integrate projects from other subjects during art time on Friday. Students
will be graded on neatness, effort and completion of projects.

Grading: Straight Percentage

Music: Mr. Mario Pesacreta will be teaching our band this year. Grades 6-8 will be taking band on Tuesday and
Thursday. Those who wish to join advanced band may sign up for that after-school activity.

PE: Monday through Thursday. Students will be required to dress appropriately (non-marking tennis shoes and modest
PE attire) for PE class. All students should have a separate PE shirt and deodorant that is kept in their locker. For those
with long hair, hair ties should be available during exercises and games. If students are not using separate PE shoes, the
shoes worn must have dirt free soles. Students will be expected to participate with good sportsmanship and follow the
rules for activities each day. Daily points are given for participation/dress, sportsmanship, and effort.

Grading: Straight Percentage

Classroom Management: Students will be expected to show respect to others in all of their words and actions.
Problems will be dealt with as needs arise.

The classroom schedule, memory verses, math video tutorials and other class information may be found at:
www.6-8cookies.weebly.com

All work is to be completed and turned in daily.

See school late work policy for additional information.

Graded papers will be sent home weekly on Mondays. Progress reports will be available online through
Renweb. Weekly reports will be sent from Renweb to your email. We hope this will allow you to check as often as
needed with your child on his/her progress. (I usually input grades to the computer once a week.) Renweb will
notify you if any assignment has lower than a 70%. This means that an assignment was either not turned in or
was not completed adequately. Remember to deal with this in a positive manner. Sorry, but Renweb does not
send a “you did great” notice. Please be that notice for your child. Let them know you are proud of the good
work they are doing.

Grade Scale:
A = 100-93% B+ = 89-88% C+ = 79-78% D+ = 69-68%
A- = 92-90% B = 87-83% C = 77-73% D = 67-63%
B- = 82-80% C- = 72-70% D- = 62-60%