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FIRST DAY LETTER TO PARENTS:
August 6, 2009
Dear Copper Team Parents,
It is a wonderful privilege to be your child’s seventh grade science teacher for this school year. My name is Ben Briggs, and this is my tenth year teaching science at Cross Middle School. Please feel free to contact me at any time. My classroom phone number is 696-5975; email is bbriggs@amphi.com, class web site is www.amphi.com/teachers/bbriggs. Also, please feel free to visit my classroom at any time as well. Simply check-in at the front office and come to class in room 402!
We have an exciting school year planned. We will explore many famous scientists and inventors, and how their work has affected our society, environmental risks and benefits, environments and food chains, classification of rocks and the structure of the major layers of the earth, the fossil record, tectonic plates, the rock cycle, earthquakes, and our solar system. In February we will have our first Science Fair in many years!
To help your child to be a successful science student, I will emphasize these five skills of learning science:
1. Inquiry. Inquiry is the process of developing wonder and curiosity into a question, and answering the question for new knowledge. This is the essence of scientific research.
2. Technical and descriptive writing will also be stressed. This is a very important skill that seventh graders need to develop.
3. Technical and non-fiction reading for comprehension. This goes hand-in-hand with writing and is essential.
4. Student Organization is a skill that becomes more important as students progress. All Copper team classes emphasize the importance of being an organized student.
5. Seventh Grade students must also expand their scientific vocabulary and the use of technical terms. The Language of Science is an important component of our curriculum.
There is an event quickly approaching that I want to make you aware of. It is our annual Cross Open House on Tuesday, August 18th, from 6:00-8:00. This is a great way for parents to connect with their student’s classes and teachers. I look forward to meeting you.
Here is a list of school supplies that are required in science class; I have also listed some items that are helpful, but not required. These items are available at Target, Office Max, and, of course, Wal-Mart. Students should have these items in class by Monday, August 10th at the latest.
Must have-
• A 3-ring notebook -this may have dividers and include other classes, and brought to class every day. Notebooks will be checked and graded eight times this school year.
• Another 3-ring notebook – This will be the student portfolio, is kept at home and will be brought to school on a few occasions. It will become a compilation of all student work throughout the year.
• A Composition book- This will be your student’s science journal and is essential in science class, and is needed every day and will be inspected twice per quarter.
• Lined notebook paper, college-lined, three-holed. No spiral notebooks. Please.
• Dark blue or black Pen. - No jelly pens or light colors, please.
• Pencil and eraser -mechanical pencils OK
Nice to have-
-Colored pencils -Post-it notes
-3-hole pouch for supplies -A “jump Drive” or “memory stick”
-Colored highlighters -Student scissors
-Clear plastic page protectors. About 40 -Cover for composition book
-Metric ruler
Also- the classroom is always in need of a few supplies. If possible, would you please send in with your student one or more of these items?
• A roll of paper towels,
• A box of tissues.
I have developed a class web site, www.amphi.com/teachers/bbriggs. I’ll post current assignments, current grades, weekly calendars, lesson plans, parent information and links to related areas for further study. A copy of this letter is also on the site.
I want to get to know your student as well as possible, as soon as possible. I have attached a survey which will help me know your child better & sooner. Please return it telling me information about his/her learning styles, interests, past school successes/ failures; whatever I should know to become a better teacher for your child. If possible, send the response by e-mail, and then I’ll have your e-mail address. Again, my email address is bbriggs@amphi.com
An excellent way for students to learn science concepts is to relate them to topics that already interest them. I will ask students to identify what they are most interested in, and then relate that interest to each science concept that we study. Please help your child identify their favorite “thing;” whatever it is, and I will work with them as they make connections between their interests and the science topics we study.
I really am very pleased to be your child’s science teacher this year. Please feel free to visit the class at any time. You can contact me with any suggestions, concerns or any other issues. I want this science class to be a positive, excellent experience for your child. Again, please send me a note about your child, and I look forward to meeting you on August 18th.
Please complete, sign and detach the slip below to indicate that you have received this letter from your student, and have your student return the signed slip to me. You may also let me know the best way I should contact you.
Sincerely,
Ben Briggs
Copper team Science Teacher
696-5975,
bbriggs@amphi.com
Remove this signed slip and return to Mr. Briggs
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Student’s name _________________________ * This is worth 5 points Extra Credit !
I have received and read this letter _____________________________(signed by parent)
Here are ways to contact me:
Email ___________________________________
Phone (home) _________________ (work) _________________ (cell) _______________
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