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Ms. Hunter-Drake's Course Syllabus

8th Grade Physical Science

Course Outline and Class Policies

Teacher: Ms. Hunter-Drake (Ms. H-D) e-mail: ehunter-drake@sandi.net

Room: 106                                                                                    School Phone: (619) 583-3233

Welcome to 8 th Grade Science!   I hope you had a relaxing summer and are ready to challenge and reward yourself. During this year we will be exploring Foundations of Science, Matter, Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions, Acids and Bases, Motion, Forces, and Astronomy.   This class emphasizes inquiry-based learning, which means that this class offers labs and activities to expand and apply your understanding of the material, followed by questions and discussions to construct meaning.   I look forward to experiencing the exciting world of science with you!

Materials you need DAILY (in addition to the 8 th grade team requirements – see 8 th grade letter)

•  3-Ring Science Binder with LOTS of paper

•  Your brain and common sense

***FAILURE TO BRING THE ABOVE SUPPLIES WILL RESULT IN A DEDUCTION OF CITIZENSHIP GRADE ***

Additional Helpful Materials (optional)

• Hole Re-enforcers or Protective Plastic Sleeves
• Colored Pencils
• Calculator
• Highlighter

Expectations and Student Responsibilities

• Follow school policies and rules
• Live by the ROSR Rule (Respect Or Simulation of Respect) while at school and especially in class
• Additions:
  • Be in seat and working when the bell rings
  • Listen and follow all directions
  • No food drinks, or gum
  • Respect
    • yourself
    • your peers
    • your teacher
    • your school

 

• Any Violation of These procedures will result in any or all of the following:

• Verbal or written warning
• Individual Conference
• Detention
• Phone call home
• Parent Conference

Course Components

Homework: Students can expect homework 3-5 days per week.   It may include completing lab reports, worksheets and questions, drawings, essays, reviewing material, or other independent work.   Failure to turn in homework will result in a deduction of the student's citizenship grade.   In addition, no points will be earned for the assignment.   THERE IS NO LATE WORK – NO EXCEPTIONS!   Homework is about 25% of the student's final grade, however these points are most often included within the notebook evaluation.

***It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed notes, homework, and other assignments due to an absence***

When a student is absent, he or she should call the assignment buddy below to obtain the missed work.

Science Notebook: Students will need a 3-ring binder just for science (1 inch).   The details of the science notebook will be outlined on the Science Notebook handout.   Because the notebook contains all journals, class work, and homework, it is worth about 50 % of the student's final grade.   There will be periodic Notebook Quizzes that assess the student's work.

Tests and Quizzes: Tests will be given at the completion of each unit.   A quiz may be given with or without advanced warning.   Tests and quizzes make up about 25% of the student's grade.

Student Participation: Students are expected to participate in class daily .   Participation points are built into class work, so points will be reflected in the Science Notebook.  

Grading: The student's grade is based on the total points earned in the above criteria. The student's grade is based on how well the student meets the California State Content and Performance Standards for 8 th Grade Science .   These standards can be found at

              http://www.cde.ca.gov/board/pdf/science.pdf

Academic Grade: Students' grades are bases on a percentage of total points earned for the semester.

       100-90% = A          89-80% = B          79-70% = C          69-60% = D          Below 60% = F      

Citizenship Grade: All students begin each 6-week grading period with an E in citizenship.   Students' grade will be lowered for tardiness, late assignments, inappropriate behavior, and lack of participation.

                            E= Excellent, model citizen                                     G= Good, average citizen

                            S= Satifactory citizen, needs some improvement     N= citizenship Needs much improvement

                            U= Unsatifactory citizenship

Miscellaneous:

• Tardy Policy: The scientific learning takes place within the classroom, therefore it is important that students are present and on time everyday.  Each tardy will result in a lowering of a whole citizenship grade.

• Cheating/Plagiarizing: Cheating and plagiarizing will not be tolerated!   If a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing (including any talking during a test or quiz), he or she will receive a zero on that test, quiz, or assignment.   In addition, THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A “U” IN CITIZENSHIP.

•  Additional Help: I will be available for additional help at least 1 day after school each week.   Students are responsible to record the availability every Monday in their planners.

• Parent Connect: Information can be accessed through Parent Connect (sign up in the office).  Grades are posted here.

• Website : I try to keep a website current with daily assignments and homework.  Students are still responsible for recording homework in their planners.  Therefore, if the website is not current, students are still held accountable for turning in assignments on time.

•  An F in this course will eliminate student participation in promotion !