8th Grade Science

Welcome to Mrs. Sounart’s Science Class

Dear Students and Families,

I am excited about the opportunity to get to know you, and I’m looking forward to a productive school year. Curriculum areas we will focus on this year include scientific method, the metric system and measurement, genetics, animal diversity and adaptations, chemistry, and physics.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact me at: msounart@pvlearners.net

Please review the Explorer Parent/Student Handbook with your child. Click on the heading above to be directed to the handbook.

Student Expectations

  • Do what is expected and do it the best you can.
  • Follow classroom rules.
  • Be on time. When class begins you are expected to be in your seat ready for class. If you fail to do so, you will be marked tardy and the school's tardy policy will be followed.
  • Be prepared. You must have your science notebook, pens and pencils, and whiteboard marker every day.

Warm-Ups and Notes

Each day will begin with a warm-up. Warm-ups will range from questions to instructions. You are expected to be actively working on the warm-up when class begins. After completing ten warm ups, you will turn in your assignment for a grade. You will receive no credit if you leave the warm-up blank or write "absent." If you are absent, you must get your missed warm ups from my website.

All students are expected to keep a science notebook. These will be collected periodically throughout the year and points will be given. A final notebook grade will be given at the end of the school year.

Absences

Students who are absent are expected to check the calendar on my website. They are expected to get all missed class work, warm-ups, notes and worksheets for the days he/she was absent from the website. If the absence is excused, he/she will have the amount of time equivalent to the number of days absent to complete and turn in assignments and receive full credit for them. Late work will be accepted with a 30% deduction until the end of the unit or end of quarter, whichever comes first.

Students are also expected to check the assignment calendar on my website for tests/quizzes scheduled during their absence, and/or changes in assignments due dates. Being absent the day an assignment was scheduled will not excuse him/her from it.

Quizzes and Tests

Most science quizzes and test will consist of an electronic multiple choice part, and a paper and pencil written part. Failure to follow directions regarding number of questions to be answered and number of times allowed to take the electronic quiz/test, will result in a deduction of points and the quiz/test will be graded as incomplete.

Textbooks

Science textbooks, to be used as supplemental material, are available upon request. If you feel you will benefit from having a science textbook at home to use as reference, please email me or ask for it in class.

Extra Credit

Occasionally extra credit will be provided. It may be on a test or offered as an opportunity to explore a concept. Do not count on extra credit to raise a low grade. The best way to keep your grade up is to turn in the required assignments on time and study for test/quizzes.

Supply List

1) 100 sheets composition notebook to be used as science notebook exclusively (non-spiral).

2) Red pen or a red marker to grade assignments.

3) A white board marker, metric ruler (not metal), and a glue stick.

4) A box of tissues and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Grades

Labs, Class Activities, Warm ups, homework and Major Projects: 40%

Quizzes & Tests: 50%

Study Island: 10%

GRADING SCALE

A=89.5% - 100%

B=79.5% - 89.4%

C=69.5% - 79.4%

D=59.5% - 69.4%

F=59.4% or below

PARENTS:

A science classroom provides a unique learning environment where students have the opportunity to handle unusual materials, participate in cooperative learning groups, and engage in discussions regarding scientific topics. I strive to create a positive, caring, interactive environment for all students and believe that learning science should be fun and interesting. I maintain very high expectations for all students.

An important component to your student's success is a good communication between home and school. My e-mail address and web page are listed at the top of this letter. Feel free to contact me as needed throughout the school year. Additionally, Internet access to Infinite Campus allows you to stay current with your student grades. If you do not have internet access your student will receive a grade print out periodically upon your request.

I look forward to working with your student this school year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sounart


WISH LIST:

  • Dry erase markers
  • White Board erasers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Clorox Wipes


8th Grade Science Curriculum Map

First Semester

August Inquiry Process S1

Safety and cooperation in the lab S1C2PO1

Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses S1C1PO1-3

September Metric System and Measurements

Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter S5

October Matter and mixtures classification S5C1PO4-5

Periodic Table S5C1PO6

November Physical properties S5C1PO1 Chemical properties S5C1PO2

December Chemical reactions S5C1PO3

Energy transfer S5C1PO7

Second Semester

January Motions and Forces S5

Velocity S5C2PO1

Newton’s 1st Law of Motion S5C2PO2

February Newton’s 2nd and 3rd Law of Motion S5C2PO3-4

Position/Time and Velocity/Time graphs S5C2PO5

March Cell structure review

Cell Reproduction

Genetics S4

Diversity, Adaptation, and Behavior S4C4

Behavior/environment S4C4PO1

Internal environment S4C4PO2

April Science and Technology in Society S3C2PO1-4

May Characteristics of organisms over generations S4C4PO3

Symbiotic and competitive relationships S4C4PO4

Survival factors of living organisms S4C4PO6

Behavioral cycles S4C4PO5

Changes in Environments S3C1PO1-2

August – May Nature of Scientific Knowledge S2C2PO1-4

History and Nature of Science S2C1PO1-4

Inquiry Process S1

Analysis and Conclusions (August-May) S1C3PO1-8

Communication/ Graphing (August-May) S1C4PO1

Scientific Testing (August-May) S1C2PO2-5