My Educational Philosophy

When students arrive on time, attend class regularly, are respectful of themselves and their classmates, and actively participate in their education... they cannot help but be successful. I believe ALL students can learn.  I also strongly believe that at this stage of learning, the learning is a shared responsibility and a cooperative effort between parent, child, and teacher.  BEST learning occurs when we each embrace our responsibilities in the process. Through this cooperative learning strategy, successful lifelong educational habits are built.

This year, students we will be using a variety of curriculm platforms. My 24/25 Weekly Agenda and Google Classroom will provide the information, assigments, resources, students will need to be successful. All homework will be listed at the bottom of the linked document.

How to:  Assignments as easy as 1, 2, 3

1. Check the Weekly Schedule (below) to determine the daily assignments

   • look for Classwork, extension work,  OR Independent /Homework to be completed.

   • Be AWARE of ALL due dates

2. Next, students should go directly to the resource(s)  indicated to access the assignments

   • Online resources in  Google Classroom or ConnectEd/StudySync will be labeled by date and name.

3. After completing assignments, students will turn them in, On Google Classroom, in class, AND if directed, in ConnectEd/StudySync (Please read directions... ALL assignment turn-in details will be clearly STATED.)

First Day of School is on Monday, August 5th, 2024. It will be a minimum day, so dismissal will be at 1:00pm.

Please make sure you mark your calendars for our annual Back to School Night event. Teachers will be going over very important information regarding expectations, procedures and distance learning for the 2024-2025 school year. It will be held on Wednesday, August 7th. 

Click on the individual buttons below to access the following important links:

Hawk Academy is a 6th grade exploratory course, developed to introduce our “newest Hawks” to the expectations and the procedures of Heritage Intermediate School. This exploratory course is designed to enhance classroom learning strategies, build teacher and peer relationships, while fostering successful educational habits. Through direct instruction and hands-on activities, students will be encouraged to explore the idea of what it means to be a RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL, and SAFE HAWK.  By participating in these lessons that will require: inquiry, logical reasoning, engagement, and collaboration students will gain practical practice of our H.I.S. Expectations and Procedures.  Our hope is that our Hawks will realize, by actively participating in their own education, they can and will soar!

Activities/Lessons Include:

• Character Building

• Goal setting

• Positive Behavior expectations by location

• Social, Emotional Learning 

• STEM relationship building

• Expectations & Use of ESD Technology platforms

Computer Science I: micro:bit is an introduction to coding and computer science by making and designing. Students will use the new micro:bit microcontroller board, and Microsoft’s easy and powerful MakeCode block-based coding environment. 

The course is a project-based curriculum that provides a context for learning coding and computer science concepts through the act of making physical objects. The course is comprised of twelve units with each focusing on specific computer science concepts and programming skills. In this exploratory class, we will  cover units 1-6.   Students will have an opportunity to build and extend their skills in the 7th grade Computer Science II: micro:bit course completes units 7-12 

Each unit includes three lessons that combine unplugged activities to introduce the concepts, guided or “birdhouse” activities to gain hands-on coding experience, self-directed independent projects to apply their new skills in creative ways, and assessments to test their knowledge and skill development.

When students complete the first half of this course they will have a good understanding of more than 5 computer science concepts that can serve as the foundation for future study. They will develop powerful design skills that they can use in future projects of all types, whether they are designing 3D printed prototypes or creating apps that serve a real world purpose.

By the end of this course, students will be able to describe and apply the following programming concepts:

• Algorithms

• Variables

• Conditionals

• Iteration

• Synthesize the concepts in new, creative ways through self-directed

  coding projects.

STEM/GAMES

STEM/GAMES is a 6th grade elective developed to introduce Heritage Students to the fields of SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATHEMATICS through reading and hands-on activities. Students will be encouraged to use inquiry, logical reasoning, and collaboration skills. Students will participate in STEM activities one week and GAME activities the next. 

Lesson Plan Quick View:

• What is STEM flocabulary Activity/Design a Parachute 

• Number CUBE games

• Geodesic Domes

• Card Games

• Bottle Flip/You cubed Math Parachute Launch

• Maze Craze

Our primary focus will be to reinforce what is being taught in Language Arts and provide opportunities to review and develop foundational reading skills that may have been missed.

This will be accomplished by using the district approved IXL Reading program and small group instruction.  Students will complete selected lessons independently to gain practice on foundational skills they need to become efficient and confident readers. Each week I will also provide small group instruction opportunities to reinforce and extend those same foundational skills.