EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE
COURSE SYLLABUS 2008-2009
E=mc2 (The “Squares” Team)
Excellence = motivation x commitment x cooperation
Welcome to the wonderful world of science! Whether you consider science one of your favorite subjects or not, there is no denying that we all use, benefit from, and are entertained by the results of scientific discoveries everyday. My hope is that you will come away from this class with an appreciation of mankind’s accumulated scientific achievement, new understanding of your world, and a curiosity to learn more!
Objectives
The Washington State Science Standards state that students are to:
q understand and use scientific principals.
q know and apply the skills and processes of science and technology.
q understand the nature of context of science and technology.
Topics Covered In Eighth Grade Science
q Motion, Forces, & Energy
q Chemical Interactions
q Sound & Light
q Electricity & Magnetism
q KNOW HIV/STD Prevention Curriculum
Grading Policy
Grades will be determined from a combination of all aspects of the course as follows;
q 40% Daily Work, Journal
q 50% Tests and Quizzes
q 10% Lab Participation, Class Discussion and Effort
Letter grades will be awarded in accordance with the school district guidelines as follows:
Percentage Letter Grade Percentage Letter Grade
100-95 A 76-74 C
94-90 A- 73-70 C-
89-87 B+ 69-64 D+
86-84 B 63-60 D
83-80 B- 0-59 F
77-79 C+
Replacing Lost Assignments
Extra copies of worksheets will not be run off. Do not lose your worksheets and handouts.
Homework Policy
Daily assignments will be due at the end of the period in which they have been assigned or at the beginning of the period on the following day. This is made clear through the use of a Daily Planner. Assignments are entered in the daily planner on a period-by-period basis throughout the day. This is an effective communication tool by which parents can be aware of their child’s assigned work. Homework must be present in class at the time the assignment is to be collected in order to receive credit.
Class work and homework are assigned because the work is an important part of the student’s learning and should always be completed on time in order for the student to be successful in class. Late work is therefore not accepted unless specific arrangements are made with the teacher.
Excused Absences
Being successful in class requires regular attendance. Although work can be made up, the information, discussion and experience cannot. For this reason students are expected to make every effort to attend class regularly and be on time. Students are required to complete assignments missed due to excused absences. Students have the same number of days to make up their work as the number of days in which they were absent. It is the student’s responsibility to check with me for work missed and to obtain any necessary worksheets and materials. Students are responsible for acquiring missed work from their teacher at an appropriate time before or after the class period or after school. Projects are due immediately upon return from an absence unless given an extension by the teacher. This will be done only in rare and extenuating circumstances, as the project will have been assigned and the deadline set more than one week in advance. Students who are absent on the day of a test must make it up after school or during SISS time and within a time period agreed upon by the teacher and student. If the test is not made up, the student will earn no points for that test.
Unexcused Absences
Work missed due to unexcused absences is still important to the learning of concepts and processes and is necessary for success on unit tests and projects. Therefore students are encouraged to complete any missed assignments.
Behavioral Expectations
In order to create a pleasant, safe, and efficient learning environment in our science classrooms, the following school rules have been established:
· No one has the right to interfere with the learning and safety of others.
· Do what is expected and do it the best you can.
These two rules are in accordance with the Voyager Middle School "Make Your Day" (MYD) Student Citizenship Program. (Please see Parent-Student Handbook). Appropriate student behavior is expected and especially important in science labs due to the nature of the course and the equipment involved. I am committed to making contact with parents when necessary to avoid major or continuous problems.
When a student fails to “Make his/her Day,” this signals that the student is taking responsibility for behavior or performance that could be improved and should not be considered a reprimand. A parent/guardian signature will be required in the parent-student planner so that we know parents are aware of their child’s initiative.
Other expectations specific to science class are as follows:
 | Take care of your school and school property. |
| Enter the room in a quiet and orderly manner. |
| Be in your assigned seat when (not as) the bell rings. Often a warm-up |
activity will be on the television or overhead.
| Bring your textbook, science journal, and writing implements to class every day. |
| Raise a hand if the teacher's attention or assistance is required. |
| Never chew gum or consume food or drink in science labs for safety reasons and to comply with school guidelines. |
· Clean lab stations and desk area before the end of the period.
· Wait quietly in your seat for the teacher to dismiss the class.
· Stay in designated student areas and handle only the equipment allowed.
· Always follow safety rules during labs.
· Do not bring backpacks to class.
Also see separate Science Safety Contract, coming soon!
Communication
Open communication is certainly encouraged and necessary between home and school, and between teacher and student. Talk to us! Ask questions! Our “team” of “square” teachers will be meeting each day from 8:20 am to 8:50. If you cannot contact us at that time an e-mail message or voice mail message may be left (see addresses below).
Jim Sparks sparksjw@mukilteo.wednet.edu
The school phone number is 356-1730. My extension is 5834.