Study Skills and Computer Science and Applications
​Course Expectations for 2022 - 2023

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 Student Commitment: 

Maintain an organized and complete Google Site: This Google website will be a compilation of your class projects, notes, homework, class reflection, and tests.  Your Google website may also include pages that reflect other classes you have at Canarelli Middle School.
  • Complete your homework. Review the class notes, read and review text, and prepare for the next class by working on the required assignment.  Record any questions that you would like to ask.
  • Prepare for project assessments.  Collaborate with all members of your group in setting expectations and a timeline, making the best use of the necessary communication tools, and maintain a focus on completing the task to the best of your ability.
  • Seek clarification.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be persistent at becoming a productive computer science student.  When you are unclear on any concept, procedure, or type of problem, ask questions. Ask for additional help from me during non-class hours, and from your group / project members, or from other students in the class.  Communication and collaboration with other students is extremely important.
  • Manage your time effectively. Always prepare for the next class. This requires you to check your grades on Infinite Campus and your assignments on Google Classroom and the website calendar.  Review your notes, use Quizlet (flashcards) when necessary, and write down clarification questions related to the topic.
  • Bring your supplies to class daily. Avoid borrowing pencils, paper, erasers, highlighter, and other basic supplies unless you have experienced an emergency.  Be thoughtful, stay prepared.
 
Study Skills and Digital Literacy (6th Grade)
  • Course Scope:  Study Skills is designed to transition students successfully into the middle school environment. This course provides students with the opportunity to improve their skills and strategies necessary for academic success through the integration of technology and time management skills.  Based on our school’s one-to-one Chromebook distribution, computer literacy, homework and project planning, goal setting, small group tutoring, test-taking strategies, and academic self-management, are part of developing the incoming middle school student from passive recipient to an active participant and critical thinking learner.  This semester based course is primarily project based (via synchronous learning), and requires a fair amount of in-class student participation.  Consistent / high attendance is strongly recommended. 

Computer Science and Applications (8th Grade)
  • Course scope: This course is based on the standards for a required class in Computer Science and Applications for Clark County School District.  It is appropriate for middle-level grade students and is taught within a semester. The course provides a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as digital citizenship, programming, physical computing, front end web development HTML/CSS, and animation through block coding. The course inspires students to build their own websites and games, and learn how to use the computer as an educational tool.  Preselected sections from the 6 CSD units will be emphasized within the semester curriculum.  The use of technology from our Canarelli CS lab that includes various computer applications and access to web-based instruction is an integral part of this course.   (Nevada K-12 Computer Science Standards 2019 ).
  • Curriculum Pacing Guide   (The scope and sequence of this may be adjusted throughout the semester.)

Digital Resources and Integrated Technology
  • Course Scope:  Digital Resources is an middle level Explorations class designed to integrate online learning applications with the student's current course of study.  Applications such as IXL Learning, i-Ready, Scratch, and Kahn Academy are employed to provide students with the opportunity to improve their skills and strategies necessary for academic success. This course will also overlap with a basic study skills curriculum providing activities designed to deepen their conceptual understanding and academic achievement in Math, English Language Arts, and Science.  As a year long course, the blended curriculum will transition from introduction-review -practice-test applications, to various programs that will assist in constructing and presenting class projects.

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  • Evaluation
    • Criteria for arriving at students grades   
      • Performance Assessments (in-class projects, group activities, projects)
      • Task attainment / achievement  (punctuality, project design, meeting the requirements)
      • Written Assessment (questions based on subject knowledge and conceptual understanding provided through on-line quizzes/tests) ​
      • Homework Policy​:  The purpose of homework is to provide students an opportunity to independently practice previously learned concepts, provide students with direct meaningful connections to the instructional program, and act as an extension to classroom assignments.  A large portion of the class is project based, and homework is often determined by the progress a student achieves during class time. 
      • All Canarelli Middle School classes will use the following grade percentages when calculating a student’s grade:
        • Summative assessments count for 90% of a student’s overall grade.  Assessment opportunities may include but are not limited to: tests, quizzes, essays, research projects, graphs, demonstrations, lab activities, experiments, and problem solving activities.  
        • Formative assessments count for 10% of the total grade.  Assignment scores will be posted in Infinite Campus, and will indicate the summative or formative weight.
        • All students have one opportunity to retake an (summative) assessment and earn a higher grade.
        • ​There are NO semester exams.
 
  • Percentage categories for student grades
    • A          100 – 90%
    • B          89 – 80%
    • C          79 – 70%
    • D          69 – 60%
    • F          59% or less​
 
  • Citizenship/Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to walk into class and immediately prepare for the days lessons.  Class procedures such as accessing Infinite Campus, Google Classroom, our class website, completing the “Do Now” and avoiding interruptions will be thoroughly explained and reviewed during orientation.  Distractions and interruptions to the educational process caused by students will not be tolerated and progressive disciplinary procedures will ensue in order to maintain an optimum learning environment.

  • Participation
Students are expected to fully participate.  This includes appropriate collaborative classroom interactions between the student and teacher and among students that maintain a focus on achieving the lesson’s objectives.  Asking and responding to questions, collaborative peer instruction during group activities, tutorials, demonstrations and sharing skill practices are examples of how students are expected to participate.  Procedures regarding how and when to participate will be explained and practiced during orientation.

  • Absences / Excused Absence Notes
Attendance is critical to student success, and class participation activities cannot be fully duplicated through make-up work.  Students will be provided the opportunity to make up notes, homework assignments, and tests / quizzes per District policy but avoid unexcused absences.  This is NOT an online (synchronous based) class, and students are expected attend daily.  

  • Chromebook 
The computer lab contains 40 desktop computers.  Although each student is assigned a desktop computer, there will be a few occasions where a student is allowed to use his or her assigned Chromebook when collaborating within a small group.  The student is expected to bring his or her Chromebook daily (regardless of the desktop station assignment) and to be sure that it's properly functioning throughout the entire class.  Due to students' right to  privacy, no camera or audio recording is allowed when a Chromebook is in use. 
 
  • Required Class Website:   
Every student is required to maintain a website related to the class.  Websites will be constructed using Google Sites.  For Study Skills and Computer Science and Applications, students are required to maintain a Digital Portfolio.  When a student is absent, the student is responsible to read the notes and work on missing assignments for the days absent.   Notes and assignments are posted on this website's calendar.   Students are expected to refer back to their notes during homework assignments, test preparation, and for topic review on a daily basis.  It is also suggested that students record their questions and write any reflections onto their notes for greater understanding of the concepts and the class experience. 
 
  • Homework:   
The purpose of homework is to provide students an opportunity to independently practice previously learned concepts, provide students with direct meaningful connections to the instructional program, and act as an extension to classroom assignments.  A large portion of the class is project based, and homework is often determined by the progress a student achieves during class time.  If students do not have access to a computer at home, the 625 computer lab is generally open 3 days a week after school from 2:15 to 2:45.  Students require a parent signed permission slip to access the lab. 
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  • Test / Quizzes:  
​​Tests are provided in two formats: online; written response. Our online calendar will specify each test date. Since this class is based on standardized grading, students are allowed to retake tests provided that an appropriate time between retakes, generally one day, has lapsed.  There is no semester exam for this class.  Class time is NOT allowed for test retakes, so it is strongly encouraged that students arrange a time such as during lunch to retake tests.  Note: All students have 1 opportunity to retake an assessment to earn a higher grade.
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  • Supplies:  The majority of instructional requirements will occur online.  School supplies for offline projects include: spiral notebook, pencil, eraser, glue stick, highlighter, and a pencil pouch for conveniently storage.   It is strongly suggested that supplies for personal hygiene regarding the use of a shared keyboard and mouse should include portable hand sanitizer.  Computer mouse and keyboards are cleaned weekly, however, each student may maintain hand sanitizer to be used before and after each class. 
 
  • Contact:
    • Ron Free:    freerj@nv.ccsd.net
    • voicemail:   #3625

    (Parents / Guardian)  Please acknowledge receipt of this information: