Harder, Wes

My full name is Wesley, but I'm not a big fan of it !

I was born in Bogota, Colombia (long story), but you wouldn't know it by looking at me. My first language was Spanish, but I still haven't gotten around to getting my fluency back ! Since leaving Arizona State University in 1991, I've built an interesting array of work experiences in a number of fields including health club management, web development, mobile marketing, and drivers ed.

I have taught many things over the last 20 years (corporate management, robotics and drone technology, ELA, engineering, health planning, drivers ed) and am now focusing on social studies, science, robots, and coaching !

I have been happily married for 11 years now to my lovely wife (we actually went to high school together). She is an amazing therapist and has her own private practice here in Deer Valley.

My favorite hobbies are water-skiing, petting my cats, and playing around on the boat and jet skis my wife and I own. I absolutely love meatloaf, the candy bar called Whatchamacallit, Harrison Ford movies, and the music of Led Zeppelin  :)

The very best way to connect with me at any time of the day is via email. 

Please schedule specific times to meet with me if you have a special question or concern, as we need time to communicate effectively. I often have professional duties directly before and after school hours. Please understand that I will not be able to meet or discuss issues while I am teaching or supervising students. However, I will contact you as soon as I can.

I believe that these are proper student responsibilities:

• The student is responsible for attending class every day.
• The student is responsible for arriving in class on time.
• The student is responsible for remaining quiet and on task during class time so as not
to disrupt the learning of other students.
• The student is responsible for bringing to class all necessary materials (book, paper,
pen, pencil, calculator, etc.)
• The student is responsible for taking proper care of his/her book and returning it at the
end of the course.
• The student is responsible for completing all assignments, including quizzes and tests,
and for handing them in to the teacher.
• The student is responsible for participating in all class discussions and question-and-answer
sessions.
• The student is responsible for arranging to take make-up quizzes and tests and for
arriving at each class make-up session at the appropriate time.
• The student is responsible for communicating any concerns to the school administration and/or
teacher.
 

I also believe that responsibility is a two-way street....

These are my responsibilities as a teacher:

 

The teacher is responsible for instructing the students in the subject content.
• The teacher is responsible for establishing classroom procedures/policies for the entire class and every student.
• The teacher is responsible for establishing a rapport with the students.
• The teacher is responsible for communicating with the parents.
• The teacher is responsible for submitting attendance for the entire class and every student.
• The teacher is responsible for issuing books and maintaining a record of issued books
          for the entire class and every student.
• The teacher will establish a procedure to obtain assignments/tests for the entire class and every student.
• The teacher will establish a procedure to return graded assignments to the entire class and every student.

7th grade’s major units will be Newton’s Laws, Forces at a Distance, Gravitational Forces, Weather/Climate/Water Cycling, Changes in the Earth’s Surface, Metabolic Reactions, and Matter Cycling & Photosynthesis

• Collecting and analyzing data demonstrating how electromagnetic forces can be attractive or repulsive and can vary in strength
• Developing and using a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.
• Using non-algebraic mathematics and computational thinking to explain Newton's laws of motion
• Constructing a model that shows the cycling of matter and flow of energy in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
• Constructing an explanation to demonstrate the relationship between major cell structures and cell functions (plant and animal).
• Developing and use a model to explain how cells, tissues, and organ systems maintain life
•  Constructing an explanation for how some plant cells convert light energy into food energy. 

8th grade’s major units will be Fate of The Dinosaurs, Human Civilization 1 (Disasters & Agriculture), Human Civilization 2 (Metals & Energy), and Colonize A Planet

• Developing and using a model to demonstrate that atoms and molecules can be combined or rearranged
• Constructing an explanation on how energy can be transferred from one energy store to another
• Developing and using mathematical models to explain wave characteristics and interactions
• Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information about data and historical patterns to predict natural hazards and other geological events
• Constructing an explanation of how genetic variations occur in offspring through the inheritance of traits or through mutations
• Communicating how advancements in technology have furthered the field of genetic research and use evidence to support an argument about the positive and negative effects of genetic research on human lives
• Gathering and communicating evidence on how the process of natural selection provides an explanation of how new species can evolve

Parent Involvement is all about the children. Participation in your child’s education is proven to boost his or her school achievement. We are committed to treating parents as partners while keeping lines of communication open and focused on the needs of your child. Mutual trust and respect between parents and teachers are required to maintain a positive learning experience at any school. We believe that your trust in Norterra Canyon is required to ensure your child’s success. 

Overview of Arizona State Standards. 

• DVUSD Science Resources for Parents
• What is Depth of Knowledge (DOK)? 

 

• School-wide
  • Norterra Canyon Instagram
  • Weekly Newsletters via email

• Some of the big concepts and projects we’ll be working on this year at (link)

Keep exploring my page, and you’ll find info on other special things I have going on.

    

Norterra Canyon Professional Learning Community

Most Fridays, students will be released at 1:30 pm so that we can participate in PLC work. This work is directly related to the planning, instruction, and interventions we implement in our classrooms to ensure that students master the standards.

Role of Professional Learning Teams

A PTL (professional learning team) is a group of educators that meet regularly and work collaboratively to improve teaching practices and the achievement of students. The questions that drive the work of Norterra Canyon’s Professional Learning Community:

• What do we want all students to know and be able to do?
• How will we know if they learn it?
• How will we respond if some students do not learn?
• How will we extend the learning for students who are already proficient?

Professional Learning Teams are responsible for collaborating to establish general consistency among the following:

• Assignments, presentations, products, observations, and assessments are used to determine a student's level of performance with grade-level standards.
• The method and schedule for additional learning opportunities.
• Due dates, deadlines, and procedures for reassessment.
• Create opportunities for common scoring of assessments.

Artificial Intelligence

In the Deer Valley Unified School District, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education while ensuring their safety, privacy, and well-being. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance learning experiences, teachers may incorporate generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom for students. 

 

Students must adhere to the specific guidelines provided in the assignment details. If no guidance around the use of generative AI is provided, students should follow the “restrictive” level (see chart). Teachers should direct students to contact their teacher before submitting classwork if the student is unsure if the tool or website they are using is permitted on a specific assignment.

HOMEWORK & GRADES

• The intent of homework is to practice, extend learning, and provide opportunities for students to develop critical, independent study skills and self-discipline for their life-long educational journeys.
• Grades are a reporting tool utilized to reflect what a student knows and can do in a content area. We measure achievement, not effort or behavior, in our grading system. 
• Grades will be equitable, accurate, specific, and consistent.
• A student’s grade should reflect academic learning and should never be used as a punitive tool.
• Grades are for reporting the status of academic learning, not behavioral conduct
• The primary purpose of assessment and grading is to provide detailed feedback to inform and support student learning.
• Learning is a process that takes place over time and at different speeds for different students.
• PowerSchool is an essential resource for parents and students. It is not only a tool for communication regarding grades, it is a resource for our students and parents to check progress, missing work, and what is being taught/learned regularly. Please ensure that you and your child have access (separate accounts) and even sign up for the app and push notifications or weekly email updates as an option in PowerSchool.

 

The Pirate Way! & PBIS Rewards

Please help us to encourage your child to follow our school-wide behavior expectations: 

Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind 

The matrix below is posted across campus, and it is the responsibility of all students to follow each location-specific expectation.   During the first two weeks of school, students will be taught the expectations at each location.

Students demonstrating these positive behaviors, both in and out of their classrooms, will enjoy earning points using our PBIS Rewards program. Points can be spent on tangible items and social incentives in our NC School Store.

Help us stock our school store using the link here!

Discipline Process: Minor & Major 

To ensure our school is safe, positive, and productive for all learners, a process is in place to address behaviors that do not meet the expectations above. The information below will be shared with students. Please help us implement our schoolwide discipline processes by talking to your child about minor and major behaviors. If you have any questions, contact your child’s teacher.

 

When students demonstrate problem behaviors, NC staff will follow the process below.

Cell Phone Policy

Norterra Canyon’s school cell phone policy is Off and Away All Day. Students are not permitted to use cell phones during school hours unless directed by a teacher (this includes in classrooms, in common areas, and during lunch/recess). While we understand that there are times you need to communicate with your child, all communication should be through the office. Please do not text or call your child's cell phone during school hours. Students not feeling well need to report to the nurse's office, rather than contact a parent to pick them up. We need your help to preserve the instructional environment of our classrooms every day of the school year.  This policy also applies to the use of earbuds or AirPods. We are thankful for your support in ensuring a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all Pirates.