Academia Interamericana de Panamá Sede Cerro Viento
March 5, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to AIP Cerro Viento and the Science class! I am excited to work with your child this year. I know we will have a successful and productive school year and I look forward to being a part of the academic progress your child will make.
I expect students to be scientists in Science classes – they will observe and question the natural world, keep careful records of their activities in their notebooks, think critically, perform laboratories, deliver oral presentations, design projects and draw lots of conclusions.
The science curriculum will integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). We will study Earth, Life and Physical Science.
The After School Program begins next week (March 12th). Educational Robotics classes will be given in the following schedule:
DAY LEVEL COURSE
Monday 4th Robotics (Lego Mindstorms)
Tuesday 5th Robotics (Lego Mindstorms)
Wednesday 6th Robotics (Lego Mindstorms)
Thursday 7th and 8th Robotics (Lego Mindstorms)
Friday 4th to 6th Experimental Science
Parents must pick students punctually or ask for transportation service in the school office (Ask for Ada / 266-0090). If you have any question, concern or doubt about the nature of these courses you may send an e-mail (scienceaipcv@gmail.com).
During this school year we will be working hard on recycling. We, the teachers, are going to supervise and promote the culture of recycling in our schools. We expect the support and practice of this activity at home too.
Our school had been participating in the NASA camp in the KSC in Orlando Fl. Students from 6th to 9th are invited to participate in this great trip in September. I can help you will all the information and process required. Just send me messages through SEDUCA or email.
Students can frequently visit my blog (www.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:
TESTING DAYS
4th Tuesdays
5th Wednesdays
6th Wednesdays
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.
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 toward tests.
There are various ways I would appreciate your support at home:
Ask your child what they have learned at school every day (science home reading, assignments, studying virtual lessons at www.thinkcentral.com, will involve your child in reinforcing scientific concepts they learned in the Science 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. In addition, try to expose the child in the natural world and let them make observations and drawing conclusions. For example: it is cloudy today, it will probably rain (making predictions)
If necessary, set appointments with me to talk about your child’s progress.
Take records of grades and assignments by watching SEDUCA every day.
Watch for mistakes and make corrections when students receive tests in the weekly papers.
Please do not wait for formal conferences to discuss any concerns you may have. You may email me using the message section in SEDUCA or call me at school (266-0090). I look forward to have frequent communication with you as we work together to ensure your child’s success!
Sincerely,
Teacher Ramón Guerra (Science teacher)
Email: scienceaipcv@gmail.com
