Author: Yacavone Desktop

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Lake Asbury Junior High

From the Desk of:
Mrs. Yacavone—LAJH Science

About The Teacher:
I would like to welcome you to Lake Asbury Junior High. I am proud to say that this will be my 18th year of teaching. I really enjoy teaching science, doing lab activities, research, and internet projects. I love seeing my students get excited, challenged, and even grossed out studying the cool world of science. I look forward to working with you and helping you meet the challenges of junior high so that you may have a successful year! In addition to being a teacher, I have a family life as well: I have been happily married for twenty-four years and counting, my son is graduating from the University of West Florida this December in Software Engineering, and my daughter is graduating Highschool this year from Oakleaf High. Parents, I understand how challenging life can be at times, but stay strong, there is new joy in every adventure, and growth from overcoming obstacles!
Science Curriculum:
Curriculum is guided by Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. This year, you will study scientific thinking and the scientific method, physical science—waves, light, reflection, refraction, and energy transfer; Earth Science— the structure of the Earth, the rock cycle, fossils, volcanoes, plate tectonics, earthquakes, and natural resources; Life Science—evolution, cell division, genetic inheritance, and the interdependence between living and non-living things. ALL students are required to do a science research paper and experiment project. Only advanced students are required to enter their projects in Science Fair. Our textbook is the Pearson Florida Interactive Science Course 2. You will read, write, and highlight in the text, and keep it when the year is over. We will also use the online resources at www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Your login information will be sent home the first week of school. This site will be used frequently for enrichment and review activities.
Behavior Expectations — Mrs. Yacavone's Tiger ROAR
I believe that your best preparation for success is to be aware of, and follow, the rules and expectations in the classroom, and to ask for help when you need it. Within the Science Classroom, my mission is to teach science through a variety of hands-on activities, class discussion, cooperative group learning activities, reading for critical thinking, projects, research, and Lab investigations. You will be challenged to think critically, observe the world around you, experiment, and record /analyze data in order to solve real world problems. In order to create an engaging and successful learning environment, I have implemented the Tiger ROAR as my classroom management plan.
R= Responsible: students are responsible for recording and completing all assignments and make-up work, having all appropriate classroom materials such as paper, pens, pencils, planners, and books to get their work done, and ask for help when needed.
O= On time: students are on-time for class, in their assigned seat, ready to work before the bell rings, and assignments are turned in on-time.
A= Attentive: students pay attention, listen carefully and participate in class discussions, ask and answer questions in class, and ask for help when needed, and finally
R= Respectful: students use kind words when speaking to others (classmates as well as all adults on campus), even when they are upset. Students offer to help others in need, and use positive words to encourage others and make them feel good about themselves.
How to help at home:
Register and check your child’s grades on Focus Parent Portal (see my web page for a link)
Make your expectations for grades clear, and follow through on appropriate praise and consequences if necessary.
Ask for and sign planners and graded papers regularly, whether or not it is required by the teacher for the first 10 days of school. Continue this if your child is not turning in work on time.
If a student’s planner is blank, or he/she frequently states that there is no homework, you should check teacher web pages or contact us by email or phone. The best thing to do, is to take a proactive approach and avoid last minute panic and futile efforts to fix long term mistakes. Work hard and you will achieve!!!
With Love and respect, -Mrs. Yacavone

Phone: 904-291-5582 ext 2281
E-mail: geyacavone@oneclay.net

My personal motto towards teaching: "My role as a teacher is
not to be the knower of all things, but to awaken in you the desire to know all that you can learn!"

Mrs. Yacavone’s Classroom Rules
Work quietly so you don’t disturb others.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
STAY ON TOPIC.
Be Respectful of others: kind words and patience.
Touch things only with permission.
Clean up before you leave.
Wear Hair up and closed-toe shoes on Lab Days
Rewards
Verbal praise
Independent Study Center/Variety in class activities
Positive call or note home
Positive friendships with peers
Good Grades
*Exceptions* Zero tolerance- fighting, bullying, profanity, unauthorized use of electronics, and unsafe behavior/horseplay during labs...Results in an Immediate Administrative Referral and Phone Call home!!
Tardiness
You are considered tardy if you are not in your seat working when the tardy bell rings. Being tardy means you are missing part of the lesson, and disrupting the class. Being on time shows you respect yourself, your teacher, and your classmates.
Planners and Interactive Notebooks
Students MUST have their planners in class every day! They are required to write homework assignments, study time, and plan time for long-term projects. Any student who fails to turn in three assignments on time will receive a parent phone call, an academic referral, and be required to get their planner signed by the parent and teacher for 10 consecutive school days without fail and turning in assignments on time. Each time a student forgets to get a signature or fails to turn in homework, the 10 day count restarts. We will be using an Interactive notebook to take notes and monitor learning progress in class. This will primarily stay in class except to study for a test, until first quarter interims to establish good working habits. Parents are encouraged to go through this notebook to see what we are working on in class and to encourage your child to always put forth their best effort. You will occasionally be asked to go through the notebook with their child and answer a few questions to help me see in what areas your child needs additional help.
Homework
Your planner is your first line of attack for homework! Assignments will be posted on the board daily and you are responsible for recording them in your planner daily! The information will remain on the board for the whole week in case of a school absence. My website is a secondary resource to find homework information. I will post it on my web page on Fridays. I am linked to the school web page under “contact us” then “science”. Homework is intended to help a student review a concept taught in class, and students are expected to put forth their BEST effort. My motto is: “Aim to Learn, NOT to Complete.” Don’t just fill out the paper and make it look like your work is done. Put forth the effort and really try. Homework may include reading and answering questions in the textbook, studying for tests and quizzes, or current events summary’s for recent science news articles.
LATE WORK policy— one day late @ 50% credit. After one day—no credit.
Time Owed and Academic Referrals
Students who repeatedly fail to do homework, or who are disruptive in class, may be assigned to report to me before or after school to make up the time wasted and complete the assignment, generally within 48 Hours. The purpose for this is to encourage organization, responsibility, and of course, for the student to actually LEARN from the assignment. If this becomes a recurring problem, the student will receive an academic referral to the principal.
Absences and Make-up work due to illness
Try NOT to miss school, if at all possible. Remember, missing 1 day of school means you missed 6 classwork assignments and potentially 6 homework assignments. That’s 12 assignments you must teach and complete for yourself. You only have two days to make up that work, and you are expected to keep up with your new assignments when you return. A few special rules—1. If you will miss class because of a doctor’s appointment or early release for sports, make sure to get your assignments BEFORE you leave since they will be due the next day! 2. Students may be required to make up missed tests before school. 3. Consistent unexcused absences will result in an attendance team referral to the Social worker. Remember, oversleeping and missing the bus is NOT an excuse for missing school.

Grades
Tests / projects 60%
Classwork/Lab/Quiz 30%
Homework 10%
Effort you must put in… 100%

Classroom Consequences
Verbal Warning/ hallway conference
Timeout and/or refocus activity
Parent Contact / Guidance Referral
Lunch or After School Detention
Parent Contact / Discipline Referral