WELCOME student-scientists and families!!!
Learning is truly a life-long adventure full of curiosity and fun! After teaching middle school for 7 years now it has become apparent to me that the best way we can prepare “life-long” learners is to teach and show students HOW the process of authentic learning works!!! As such, my goals are to create an environment that embraces learning as an experience where risk taking and ownership are critical. I look forward to being apart of your scientist's journey this year!
Cheers, Ms. Rains
7th Year @ LAMS, 10th Year of Teaching
B.S., Bioenvironmental Science, Texas A&M University (WHOOP and GIG'EM!!)
MAT, Secondary Science Education, Lewis and Clark College
Life Science Overview
This is a core course for 7th grade and focuses on introducing students to diverse phenomena relating to the natural world. Here is a breakdown of this year's big ideas and driving questions for each quarter:
Quarter 1: Neuroscience and Body Systems- How do we learn and adapt to new situations?
Quarter 2: Heredity and Genetics- Why do all living things look different from one another?
Quarter 3: Natural Selection and Evolution- Why don't antibiotics work like they used to?
Quarter 4: Matter Cycling and Ecological Processes- How can planting trees help combat climate change?
The NM Stem Ready standards not only help students grow their content knowledge relating to these big ideas but support their progression of "DOING" science and "THINKING" science!!!
GRADING with the FEEDBACK CYCLE
Here is an overview of the grading system I will be using with each learner this year!
Due to the nature of this class being "process-based", grades will not be posted in Powerschool until the end of each quarter!!
MOST IMPORTANT to points to know:
each student will be assessed 3-4 times each quarter
students will be allowed to use their science notebook on each assessment
students will get to select (with guidance from teacher) particular "growth" goals that they would like to be assessed on
students will be allowed opportunity to revise their assessments once they receive feedback
a "grade" for the quarter will be reflected upon by the student based on their ability to show progress towards their selected goals
each student will keep their completed assessments, goal tracking sheet and reflections in a folder for conferences with Ms. Rains and any case managers for this process
I fully understand that this way of grading is unique and sometimes challenging at first. I encourage you to give it some time and see how the conversations about Science shift from "what they got as a grade" to "what they are learning"....it really is quite remarkable. I have taken on this method for 3 years now and it has completely shifted the culture and mindset of our classroom to where each student feels empowered to grow and move their learning forward!!! Isn't that what THRIVING is all about???
***I am always open to meeting with parents in person or sharing more insight over an email as needed. I appreciate you!!!!
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR PAST ADVENTURES BELOW...