AISJ Eagles SOAR!
Meet the Team...
Safe Organized Accep ng Respec ul SOAR is our school-wide mo o to help students understand what is expected of them while at AISJ. Posi ve behaviour support is a win-win ini a ve for our students, our staff, and our school. Our expecta on is that we keep the excitement going by recognizing students throughout the year and truly impac ng achievement.
Middle School DescripƟve Grading Criteria for Learning Outcomes Exemplary 7
Consistently exceeds the learning outcome. Clear evidence of synthesis, analysis, and evalua on used with ini a ve, crea vity and originality commonly demonstrated.
Advanced 6
Consistently meets and regularly exceeds the learning outcome by applying and/or extending the key concept, processes, or skills.
Proficient 5
Consistently meets the learning outcome by applying key concept, processes or skills. Is able to use higher applica on skills on occasion.
Sa sfactory 4
Meets the learning outcome. Is able to apply required knowledge and skills effec vely.
Approaching 3
Some mes applies the key concept, processes, or skills, but inconsistently meets the learning outcome.
Concern 2
The learning outcome is not fully or consistently met even with support.
Unsa sfactory 1
I Insufficient Evidence*
N/A Non-Applicable*
Welcome to Grade 6
Li le effort made or unable to able to grasp the learning outcome.
Insufficient evidence to make a valid and reliable judgment on achievement.
Learning outcome was not assessed
I am pleased to be returning for my fourth year at AISJ. I am entering my tenth year teaching but only my fourth year as an interna onal educator. I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where I earned my B.A. in Biology and Hydrology from LaSalle University but taught middle school science and earned my M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Reading Education Rabia Jaffar Marcus Ciambrello in Portland, Oregon. My wife, Beth Social Studies/PE Science mciambrello@aisj-jhb.com and I cannot imagine a lovelier place to rjaffar@aisj-jhb.com live and teach. I am looking forward to sharing my love of science with your children! Although I was born and raised in the USA, I have spent most of my adult life living and teaching abroad. From Bucharest to Borneo, from Jordan to Johannesburg, with some Rio de Janeiro in the middle to add that wonderful South American Spice to life. A er 25 years of teaching, one thing has remained the same, my pasJayne Couillard sion for inspiring and mo va ng young Language Arts people. I care about the students, Ann Olsher jcouillard@aisj-jhb.com enjoy the diversity in the schools, and Math/ELL aolsher@aisj-jhb.com relish the opportunity to experience new cultures first hand. It is by far the best job I could have ever dreamed of!
Our Philosophy We believe that every student comes into 6th grade with his or her own set of unique characteris cs and strengths. 6th grade is a transi onal me and students are experiencing a lot of growthphysically, socially and academically. In our classes, we work to create engaging lessons that capitalize on the students’ diverse interests and academic levels. We strive to make the class both interes ng and challenging for each of our students through differen ated lessons and ac vi es. Finally, our team works together to create a strong support system that is essen al in assis ng in the academic and personal growth of all of our students.
I am looking forward to teaching Social Studies and Physical Educa on at AISJ this year. For the last three years, I have been teaching grade 7 Social Studies and Pre-Algebra in China at the American Interna onal School of Guangzhou. Prior to that, I was in Toronto, Canada where I taught grade 6 and 7. I have Bachelors degrees in English, Psychology and Educa on with a specialist in Reading. I am very excited for this opportunity to work with your children and to inspire in them an interest in learning about the world and all of its possibili es!
I am excited to be back at AISJ for my fourth year. My first two years at the school I taught grade one and last year I moved up to G6. I love being a middle school teacher, especially for the new grade six students. It is a year of transi on which brings lots of new learning and lots of fun! The middle school at AISJ is truly a special place to be. There is a great energy on the campus—both inside and outside the classroom. My husband, Charlie, and I feel lucky to work and live in such a beau ful country with our baby girl, Abigail.
Our Expectations We have high expecta ons for all of our students keeping in mind they are s ll learning and developing their organiza on and academic skills. We expect students to come to class prepared and ready to learn. We want them to take responsibility for their academic progress and understand that they will be held accountable for their ac ons. Most importantly, we want each of our students to be respec ul to their peers, teachers, school and to themselves. It is through these expecta ons that we hope to create a posi ve, safe learning environment.
G6 Websites AISJ Virtual Learning Site (Finalsite) is our online class management and communica on system for students and parents. All MS teachers use their class site to keep students and parents informed about teaching and learning that is taking place in the classroom, as well as current news and upcoming events in the middle school. In addi on, our new virtual learning environment allows students to collaborate and learn with others through blogging, pos ng ideas and reflec ons, sharing learning, and commen ng on the learning of others. It’s a great learning tool! To access AISJ’s virtual learning site go to: Web address - www.aisj-jhb.com
Reporting Outcomes for Grade 6
Approaches to Learning As a 6th grade team we will help our students grow academically as well as help them develop healthy work habits, organiza onal skills and proper behaviour to make them successful in the years to come. Students will be assessed on their approaches to learning in all of their classes. We will model and explain to students our expecta ons for each of the four areas. They will be given feedback throughout the year, as well as on progress reports and report cards. Assessment will be done during class ac vi es and assignments. The following are AISJ’s Approaches to Learning:
Takes Ownership of Learning
Contributes to the Learning Process
Prac ces Self-Management
Cooperates and Interacts Respec ully With Others
Language Arts
Math
WriƟng: Uses wri ng processes (dra , proof, edit, publish) and traits (ideas, organiza on, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conven ons, and presentaon) to write for a range of purposes and audiences.
Concepts & Procedures: Performs mathema cal procedures with accuracy.
Reading: Uses different skills and strategies to understand the meaning of a variety of text. Oral and Visual CommunicaƟon: Speaks and conveys meaning effec vely for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Tips to Help Your Child Be Successful We believe that in order for a child to be successful there needs to be a strong partnership between school and home. It is important that the student, parents and teachers work together and take an active role in their education.
Ask your child about what they did in class. Have them explain what they learned or an assignment they did. I’m sure they would love to teach YOU something!
Provide a quiet place for your child to complete their homework each night-do not let TV or the computer be a distraction and incorporate a reasonable, regular bedtime into their daily routine.
Discuss current events with your child. The more they know about the world around them, the more interested in learning they become.
Model good reading behaviors, read with your child or ask them about what they are reading.
In some cases it may be necessary to check your child’s planner to see what homework they have for the evening and to follow up as needed.
Visit the teacher websites regularly to see what is going on in class.
Contact us directly via email or telephone if you have any questions or concerns.
Problem Solving: Iden fies known and unknown en es in a task, selects the best strategy to solve the problem, and checks the solu on for reasonableness. CommunicaƟon: Explains and/or jus fies mathema cal thoughts/ideas/solu ons in a clear and logical manner; both wri en and orally. ApplicaƟon: Makes connec ons and sees pa erns between different mathema cal processes, real world scenarios; and can transfer skills to unfamiliar situa ons.
Social Studies
Science
Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrates knowledge of subject ma er and comprehension of its meaning and significance.
Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrates knowledge of structure, func ons of systems, and the interac on within systems.
ApplicaƟon of Skills: Uses skills to make connecons and transfer knowledge within and between various contexts.
ScienƟfic Inquiry: Designs and develops inves ga ons based on observa ons and scien fic principles.
CommunicaƟon and PresentaƟon: Applies a variety of skills to convey meaning.
ApplicaƟon of Skills: Uses knowledge and skills to make connec ons and transfer knowledge within and between various contexts. CommunicaƟon and PresentaƟon: Applies a variety of skills to convey meaning.
With all students receiving computers this year, your child’s ability to type will become increasingly important. The following website is a free typing tutor that we recommend for use at home.
www.learn2type.com