SCIENCE NOTE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Academia Interamericana de Panamá 

March 2015

 Dear Parents and Guardians, 

 Welcome to AIP Cerro Viento and the Science class! I am excited to work with you and your child this year. I know we will have a successful, productive school year and I look forward to being a part of the academic progress your child will make. 

 In Science classes I expect students to be scientists – we will observe and question the natural world, keep careful records of our activities in our notebooks, think critically, perform laboratories, deliver oral presentations, design projects and draw lots of conclusions. The science curriculum will integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). We will study Earth, Life and Physical Science. 

 The Science fair will be in October. It is going to be about Robotics. At the end of each quarter, students will show and improve related to this exiting topic. The school could buy the latest Robot kit from Lego called Mindstorm to be used during the classes to learn about robot parts, how to put parts together and how to program it. More specific classes about robotics will be given in the after school program. 

 Students can frequently visit my blog (raguerra.blogspot.com) to be in touch with what is happening in the Science classes and activities in the school as well as Science news around the world. By the end of the school year, your child will possess an age-appropriate understanding of the scientific world and to be able to conduct scientific investigations on his or her own. 

 Students will be tested every single week during the quarter. I have set specific days for Science evaluations. The following list shows Science test days: 

 GRADE TEST DAY

 4th Mondays 

5th Tuesdays 

6th Wednesdays 

 As I mentioned before, after school classes will be offered across the year. Robotics classes will be available for students in elementary school. You may send me an email (scienceaipcv@gmail.com) if you are interested. Additionally, the school Chemistry teacher Delaysa De La Espada will be the instructor of the Experimental Science classes in the afternoon on Tuesdays. During these classes students will learn Science through conducted experiments in the laboratory. If you are interested in this course you may contact her in her email (delaysa09@gmail.com). 

 In order to create a positive learning environment, I have developed a classroom discipline plan with specific expectations for all students. Everyone in the classroom will work together as a team to achieve our learning goals with few interruptions. The plan below outlines the classroom rules, positive rewards, and consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behavior. 

 My classroom expectations: 

 Treat others as you would like to be treated. 

 Expect the best. 

 Ask before acting. 

 Minds on! 

 Walk at all times. 

 Offer to help. 

 Remember the signals. (quiet, question, bathroom, water, etc.) 

 Keep hands and feet to yourself. 

If a student chooses to ignore an expectation: 

• First Consequence: Verbal warning. 

• Second Consequence: Written warning 

 • Third Consequence: Detention 

 To encourage students, I will recognize appropriate behavior with individual, group, and class rewards. Individual students will be praised for their good behavior and will be rewarded with positive notes, stickers, or special privileges. On a weekly basis, individuals or groups may earn bonus towards a tests. 

 There are various ways I would appreciate your support at home: 

 • Ask your child what they learned in school every day (some science home reading assignments (Science text/virtual readings), will involve your child teaching you a scientific concept they learned in class). 

 • Emphasize the importance of home readings and hard work. As they will have science home readings, please help them to establish a regular time and place (away from the TV) for a better comprehension of the topic. 

 • If you are able, set appointments with me to talk about your child’s progress. 

 • Take records of grades and assignments by watching Mereb every day. 

 Please do not wait for formal conferences to discuss any concerns you have with me. You may email me using the message section in Mereb or call me at school (266-0090). I look forward to frequent communication with you as we work together to ensure your child’s success! 

 Sincerely, 

 Teacher Ramon Guerra