Syllabus

Course Name: Eighth Grade Science

Teacher: Charles Forrester

Room Number: 2506

Email Address: chforres@greenville.k12.sc.us

Required Textbook(s): Discovery Education Techbook (accessible online)

Course Description:

Students will study the topics outlined by the South Carolina Science Curriculum Standards. These standards are listed below. The PASS test will include 40 % of the questions on process skills, 40 % of the questions on Earth Science, 10 % of the questions on Physical Science, and 10% of the questions on Life Science. All students will do hands, student centered projects and assignments to develop an understanding of the science in the world around them. Students will conduct various investigations in class on a variety of topics.

Yearly Objectives/Curriculum Standards:

Major categories of the Next Generation Science Standards Science Education Standards have been integrated in content areas. Note also that topic I, Science and Engineering practices, is integrated throughout the rest of the curriculum.

I. Science and Engineering Practices

A. The student will use the science and engineering practices, including the processes and skills of scientific inquiry, to develop understandings of science content.

i. Ask questions

ii. Develop, use, and refine models

iii. Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations to answer questions, test hypotheses, and develop explanations

II. Physical Science

A. Unit of Study: Forces and Motion

B. Unit of Study: Light

III. Earth Science

A. Unit of Study: Earth and Space Systems

ii. Earth in the Solar System

B. Unit of Study: Earth Processes

iii. Structure of the Earth System

IV. Life Science

A. Unit of Study: Classification, Diversity, and Adaptations of Organisms Over Time

ii. Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms

I am available for extra help sessions:

Monday mornings: 7:45-8:10

Tuesday afternoons: 3:30- 4:15

Thursday mornings: 7:45-8:10

...or by appointment

Eighth Grade Course Requirements

A. Major Assignments / Projects Required:

Students are required to complete a unit project for each major unit of study. As the date and deadlines approach I will pass along the information to each student.

B. Assessment Information:

There will be a unit test given at the completion of each unit.

Various quizzes will be given throughout the unit. Some quizzes will be announced, some will not. Quizzes will be based on class notes and reading assignments. Homework assignments are due on the date assigned. Late homework will be accepted the next day but the maximum grade will be an 80.

C. Grading Scale:

Middle school students will receive a numeric grade for each subject based

on the new grading scale. The numeric grade and category of the course

determine the quality points earned for each subject. Middle school

courses, except those taken for high school credit, earn the base weight.

The new grading scale will provide consistency across South Carolina. This is especially important for determining high school students' eligibility (based on grade point ratio) for college and for scholarships, including a state LIFE scholarship.

Grading Scale:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 59 and below

Grade Weights:

Minor Assignments (class work) – 50%

Major Assignments (test and projects) – 50%

Procedures:

A. School Attendance and Tardy Policy: The school year consists of 180 days. Students may not miss more than l0 days of a yearlong course or 5 days of a semester course. An absence in excess of these days may cause a student to repeat a grade. When tardy to school, students report to the office with a note from a parent or doctor excusing the tardy. Excessive tardiness to school or class will be handled as a discipline matter and may prohibit the student from participating in certain extra school activities.

B. Classroom Attendance and Tardy Policies:

Students are expected to be in class on time. Students are not to loiter outside the classroom. Being in class on time is important; therefore tardies will be considered a violation of the class discipline procedure. After the second tardy, parents will be contacted via phone or note sent home. Students can, and will, be assigned lunch detention, after-school detention, or a referral for repeated tardies to class.

C. Classroom Rules and Expectations:

a. Be prepared.

b. Be on time.

c. Be respectful of yourself and others.

d. Be attentive.

D. Supplies Necessary for Course:

a. Composition Notebook (2)

b. Paper

c. Pencils and Pens

d. colored pencils/crayons/markers

e. Scissors (preferred but not required)

f. tape/glue (preferred but not required)