Course Description

Pre-requisites: Science 7

Course Overview

A. Mix and Flow of Matter: You will expand on your understanding of matter as we explore the properties of matter.

B. Cells and Systems: We will explore the key building block of your body - the cell. We will then examine how those cells contribute to the systems that run your body.

C. Light and Optics: You’ll see how you see! Light and Optics is all about vision and vision technologies.

D. Mechanical Systems: Machines have been the driving force behind human society. We’ll examine how simple machines can be combined to produce complex machines.

E. Freshwater and Saltwater Ecosystems: This unit completes the course, with a focus on the most important molecule in your body - water! Water is a key resource that we need to manage, protect, and understand.

- Each unit will be completed in approximately 30 classes, which will spread over approximately 2 months.

- Exam week has typically been the very last week of classes for Grade 8’s.

Goals of the Course:

1. Develop an understanding of the basic concepts from biology, chemistry, and physics that are used in high school science courses.

2. Develop scientific literacy towards appreciating the impact of science in your everyday life.

3. Evolve your critical thinking process to ‘think like a scientist’.

Course Evaluation

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments are designed to allow the student an opportunity to use the knowledge they have acquired. This is usually in the form of some type of question, quiz, skill building exercise, or discussion. This is designed in a way so that students can receive feedback on concepts DURING the learning process. These assessments are not designed to contribute to a student’s overall grade, but to give them an opportunity to practice for when it counts. I must mention here, that this does not mean I don’t intent to provide feedback for the above tasks, it just means it will not contribute to the overall grade. If you want more information on formative assessments, feel free to contact me.

Summative Assessments

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate a student’s success at learning a concept. These generally involve demonstrating knowledge or skills that have been obtained. Therefore, these assessments are designed to be a measure AFTER the student has learned a concept. These usually come in the form of projects, unit tests, and final exams. These are the type of assessments that contribute to a student’s overall grade.

Final Mark Distribution

Class mark 75 %

Final Exam 25%

Break Down of Class Mark (75% of your total)

Quizzes 35%

Projects and Larger Assignments 20%

Unit Tests 55%

Course Expectations

• All students are to follow the rules and guidelines set out by the Alberta School Act – Section 12

• That means:

  • The two R’s – Respect and Responsibility

    • You are responsible and held accountable for your actions and your decisions; therefore you are responsible for the consequences, good or bad.

    • Disrespect will not be tolerated towards any staff or towards fellow classmates. Any disrespect will be dealt with promptly and swiftly.

• Attendance is mandatory and will have a profound effect on your mark

• Any student absent unexcused, the day of quizzes or tests will be given a zero on the particular quiz or test.

• Any student missing a test or quiz (excusable absence) must make arrangements to write the missed test on the day that they return to school. These must be written on your own time, NOT during class time.

• It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve any missing assignments, notes, etc, from a fellow classmate or from their teacher if they are absent.

• No assignments will be accepted after FIVE DAYS or if the assignment has been returned to the class.

Assignments/Quizzes

It has been proven that retention of knowledge increases when material is gone over repeatedly. Although this is not a weighted portion of the course, if you do not complete these tasks, you will only hurt yourself in the long run. Assignments will be given almost every day, and Quizzes at least once a week. Do NOT miss them.

Labs

From time to time, students will be asked to analyze data from the world around us. This could take the form of a research essay, a movie critique, or an advertisement critique. Be prepared for these activities, and enjoy their underlying message.

Exams

There will be a total of five unit exams given as well as a final exam. These create the bulk of your mark in the course. It is not advisable to miss them, or schedule vacations during exam prep time. It is up to the instructor’s discretion to give a “make up” exam. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Attendance

To ensure a successful completion of this course, students are expected to be on time and prepared for class every day. Failure to do this could have negative effects on marks as material is covered from the moment class starts to the very end. I will not chase you down and give you material you missed.

Important Websites for Success

Science 9 Curriculum – You will be able to find the key terms and the general/specific learner outcomes we will be covering

http://education.alberta.ca/media/654829/sci7to9.pdf

LearnAlberta.ca – You will find amazing resources to help learn the concepts as well as practice questions to help your studies.

Exambank.com – Test bank for study purposes

Course Resources and Tools Required

Students must provide the following supplies;

➢ Pen/Pencil/Paper/Eraser/calculator (for some concepts)

➢ Text book