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Classroom Expectations:

 

Class Rules (Also refer to Student Discipline/Code of Conduct- Policy 5600)

  1. Be accountable for your actions and follow the school’s code of conduct, and basic classroom etiquette.
  2. Respect yourself and others; this includes raising your hand, staying in your seat, waiting to speak, etc.
  3. Respect school property including lab equipment; do not roll/lean on the chairs or flip/tip/roll tables & table tops, and use equipment and technology appropriately as directed by the teacher and in laboratory safety contracts.
  4. Be prepared and ready to learn; bring all required materials to class and be on time (see Supplies Needed).
  5. Do your best and be honest; never be afraid to fail or try something new.

 

Supplies Needed, Daily (See Supply List on District Site for more)

  1. Charged Chromebook w/charger and case, headphones, and login information for all accounts.
  2. Pencil (with erasers) and coloring/art supplies for every class.

 

Grading Policy

    60% Tests/Projects (includes formal tests and major projects)

    30% Quizzes (includes formal quizzes, mini-projects, and graded assignments/assessments)

    10% Effort (homework, preparedness, and participation)

 

Graded Assignment Policy 

  1. In this class, there is zero tolerance for late assignments, as time will be allotted for all assignments to be started in class and advance notice of deadlines will be provided days in advance. “You will lose 10 points a day for late work, but no work will be accepted after the third day and the assignment will be averaged as a zero.” Refer to the “High Mountain Effort/Homework/Graded Assignment Policy,” for more information. The only exception will be in emergency cases (or absentees) where a note from a parent/guardian is presented (can be emailed), and/or former arrangements have been discussed and arranged with Ms. Loder, and/or you were absent.
  2. If you are absent you should check on “Google Classroom” when possible to see any notes, assignments, or handouts you may have missed. This will keep you from falling behind. Make up all assignments in a timely manner to avoid any deductions (talk to Ms. Loder about the make-up due date).
  3. Please refer to the “High Mountain School Effort Policy” for deductions on the marking period effort grade. 
  4. Students will be provided with opportunities periodically throughout the marking period to regain points lost on assignments and should be taken seriously.

 

What We Will Learn This Year (Units & Mini-Units)

Unit 1: Budgeting Money with the Engineering Design Process

  • Intro to the Engineering Design Process-will use this throughout the year in Warm Up Activities and Projects

  • Intro to CER Writing- Current Events (homework) and comprehension questioning during challenges using EDP 

  • Intro to Edison Notebook/Journal

  • Intro to Personal Finance and Budgeting Money

 

Unit 2: The Effects of Inflation

  • Intro to budgeting and inflation (How are you paying for supplies? From savings? With a debit card? With a check? How do you calculate a budget? How does inflation affect a budget and the economy?)

    • Edpuzzle videos for research/differentiation

  • Intro to Alternative Energy Sources and Effects Humans Have on the Natural World

    • Virtual Reality Goggles for research on solar energy and Webquest

  • Solar Oven Picnic Project (students build a solar oven and budget for the picnic based on inflation costs)

    • Picnic Menu (How much does a meal cost today versus 5 & 10 years ago? How will you pay for the food? Will you use coupons?)

    • Why cook using a Solar Oven? Does the solar oven work?

 

Unit 3: Forces and Simple Machines

  • Intro to types of forces and energy & how simple machines are used to engineer and build a bridge

  • Bridge Challenge Project

    • Virtual Reality Goggles for research on bridges 

 

Unit 4: Coding, Programming, Computing, and Networking

  • Intro to 3D system (Tinkercad and Dremel DigiLab)

  • 3D Printing Project (design and print key chain or fidget toy)

  • Review intro to coding-what is a code, types of codes, types of coding platforms (Scratch, Javascript, Python,Code.org, 1-Hour Code)

    • Edpuzzle and Code.org videos for research/differentiation

  • Lego ENV3 Robot Advanced Functions (design own tracks and obstacles-Rover Challenge)

  • Cue Robot Challenge (advanced functions from Game Design Notebook)

 

Unit 5: Budgeting Around the World (Interdisciplinary Unit with 6th Advanced ELA)

  • Intro to savings and checking and currency (What is a dollar worth around the world? What is currency? How are you paying for a trip around the world?)

    • Edpuzzle videos for research/differentiation

  • Monopoly Board Project (Students build and create a monopoly board detailing specific places around the world that the character in the book travels)

    • Budget for the trip around the world (research currency exchange rates, tax differences by country, balancing checking/savings account for trip purchases, food, souvenirs, etc.)

    • Virtual Reality Goggles for research on places around the world (Google Earth World Tour) and Webquest

 

Unit 6: Data Analysis 

  • Review how to collect, graph, and analyze data- using Google Sheets

  • Real World Data Project-record and analysis data from NOAA, NASA, USGS, OCEARCH (including climate change, shark research, etc.) 

    • Virtual Reality Goggles for research on chosen data topic (if needed)