August 25, 2016
Dear Students and Families,
Welcome back to school! I hope everyone enjoyed their summer break. My
name is Elizabeth Anderson and I will be teaching 7th grade science/social
studies as well as 8th grade science (for about half the year). I am looking forward to a productive and happy
school year…I hope you are too!
This year in 7th and 8th grade science we are so excited to be using our brand new textbooks Science Fusion. In
8th grade science we will be focusing on sharpening up our scientific inquiry and application skills as well as
learning new things related to earth science. In 7th grade science we will be focusing on earth science along
with some life science. Our textbooks are fantastic because they have an online component that allows us to
do virtual demonstrations/labs on the Smartboard or individually on the tablets in the classroom. Lastly, I will
be implementing Bio Ety vocabulary prefixes in both 7th and 8th grade. Bio (abbreviation for biology) and Ety
(abbreviation for etymology) in simpler terms means the students will be studying the meaning of different
biology prefixes. Bio Ety vocabulary prefixes, once learned, will be very beneficial in high school biology and
beyond. Students will be able to use the prefixes learned to help them recognize the meaning of scientific
vocabulary words now and in the future (For example: the prefix cardi means heart which can be found in
larger words like cardiovascular and cardiology). Bio Ety vocabulary prefixes (10 a week) will be given to the
students on Monday and they will have a quiz on these words that Friday. Bio Ety prefixes can also be found
on my webpage.
This year in 7th grade social studies we will be studying American history from the American Revolution up to
the Civil War and Reconstruction Period. Throughout the year we will be learning different geography skills
and economic systems as well. This year is especially exciting because it is an election year! We will definitely
be talking about the election process/requirements the closer we get to November and the students will have
the opportunity to “vote” for our next President! Lastly, we are lucky enough to have Time Magazine for Kids
this year which we will be reading throughout the year.
My expectations for the 7th and 8th graders are high. They should act like the leaders of the school at all times
during the school day. The younger grades all look up to you every second of every day (believe it or not you
were in their shoes not long ago at all!). Please be the maturing, fantastic young people that are here to learn
and grow so that this year goes as smoothly as possible! We will be using a Behavior Notebook in the
classroom this year to track behavior issues that come up. If a student does not follow a classroom rule or
procedure, they record this infraction in the Behavior Notebook located in the back of class. The student will
record his/her behavior as well as what they need to practice. The student will also be required to see Miss
Anderson at the end of class to follow up and receive any consequence from their actions. It is the student’s
responsibility to see Miss Anderson- if they fail to do so, they will record an additional infraction in the
Behavior Notebook the following day. First recorded infraction is a warning, second is parent contact and brick
sheet, third and every one after that will be 2 demerits and a checkmark on the students report card.
My grades are broken down into three categories tests/projects- 60%, quizzes-30%, and homework-10%. If a
student is missing an assignment the student will lose 5% off their final grade for each day the work is missing.
If you are absent you will have 2 days to make up any missing work from my class before it is considered a
missing assignment. If you are absent for an extended period of time come see me when you get back and we
will discuss a longer time frame for you to get work completed. If a student has 3 or more missing assignments
a quarter they will receive a checkmark on their report card. If a student receives less than a 70% on a test
they will be required to have their test signed by a parent. Any and all extra credit available will be offered
before each chapter test and is due the day of the test. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the extra
credit by the BEGINNING of class the day of the test. No extra credit will be accepted after the test has begun.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me via email (listed below) at any time during the school year if there is a
question or concern that arises. I am passionate for teaching and ensure you that I want the very best for the
students each and every day! Looking forward to a fantastic school year ahead!
God Bless,
Elizabeth Anderson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (513)922-2500 ext. 2202
Please sign and return by Wednesday August 31st, 2016 agreeing to the terms and policies of Miss Anderson’s
class this year.
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________
Student Signature __________________________________________________