8Th Grade Science Prospectus

Community House Middle School 8th Grade Science Syllabus Lisa Sarnelli – [email protected] Welcome

Welcome to 8th grade science! We hope your child looks forward to this year with anticipation and excitement. Our goal is to transition our students into independent learners with the ability to think critically and scientifically to not only master all science concepts taught this year, but to build a solid base for science courses in high school and beyond. We hope to enhance students’ ability to make real world connections between science and their lives by becoming more knowledgeable on the events occurring in the many fields of science. We encourage you to take an active role in making this a successful year for your child, and we look forward to working as a team.

Communication

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by email, note, or by phone at 980-343-0689. We will do our best to respond within 24 hours. Also please check your child’s agenda regularly for assignments.

Tutoring Times

Tutoring days and times will be established by individual teams and teachers. If your child needs help, please have them schedule a day for tutoring if the time below is not possible. Teachers may also hold review sessions throughout the year in addition to regular tutoring. Ms. Sarnelli’s Science Tutoring: Tuesdays at 8:00am – 8:45am or by appointment

Wiki Page

Homework assignments and class information are posted weekly. Teacher wiki pages may also be accessed through CHMS website.

Ms. Sarnelli’s Wiki: http://mssarnelli.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/

Course Description

In 8th grade science we will study fundamental concepts within the following topics:

1st Quarter: Chemistry – atomic structure, periodic table, physical & chemical properties of matter, law of conservation of mass/matter 2nd Quarter: Earth’s History – Earth’s structure/composition, relative/absolute dating, fossils & evidence of the past , evolution & genetic variation 3rd Quarter: Life on Earth – microbes & diseases, biotechnology, relationships within ecosystems, energy resources 4th Quarter: Earth’s Waters – water distribution, water quality & human health, oceans and other aquatic ecosystems Grades

Following CMS policy, the grades are divided as indicated: Formal 65%, Informal 35%. CMS policy also dictates that the minimum grade a student can earn on an attempted formal or informal task will be a 60%. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced, so be sure to review notes frequently. CMS policy states that if a student scores below a 70% on a test that the student may request a retest to increase his/her score. However, the new score may not exceed 80%. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the test during the teachers designated tutoring time within 2 weeks of the initial test whether they are retesting or simply making up the test due to any absence. Prior to retesting, students must attend tutoring.

Late Work /Absences

All work must be turned in on time to receive full credit. All late and/or incomplete homework will receive a maximum grade of 70%. ALL incomplete work will receive a ZERO as a placeholder until completed. If it is not completed by the time grades are to be posted, the zero will be changed to a 50 at that time. If a student is absent, missed work should be made up within one week of returning to school. If a student misses an assignment or activity that is unable to be made up, the student will be marked EXEMPT from that assignment or be given an alternate assignment. Extra copies of all assignments can be found in the “Got Work?” shelf in the classroom or on the wiki page. Students will be responsible for collecting missed or make-up work as well as copying any notes given.

Expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible & Be Relentless!

Professionalism is expected not only in our students’ behavior but in their work as well. All students are expected to do their OWN quality work and put forth their best effort at all times!

School-Wide Discipline Plan

1st Offense: Warning to student (verbal, move 4th Offense: Class removal – for remainder of class seat, etc.) 5th Offense: Referral to AP 2nd Offense: Ten minute time out to teammate For serious infractions, such as FIGHTS, INSUBORDINATION, etc., 3rd Offense: Teacher-designated consequence referrals will be written immediately