Science 8

Greenmyer

8am to 8:45am, Tues - Fri. I’m also available most afternoons after 2:15.

To get help, students can go to class team (general) and request a meeting, send an email or start a chat.

Online Platforms/Websites
Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom and The McGraw Hill Science website accessed via Clever.

Weekly Assignments

Newest on top


5/27 & 28 (Thurs/Fri) - Google form Wave on a String PhET simulation.

5/25 & 26 (Tues/Wed) - Wave Notes, Labeled diagram, longitudinal & transverse.

5/20 & 21 (Thurs/Fri) - Introduction to waves.

5/18 & 19 (Tues/Wed) - Conservation of Energy, energy conversions, McGraw Hill website reading assignment.

5/13 & 14 (Thurs/Fri) - Energy Skate Part PhET google form.

5/11 & 12 (Tues/Wed) - Forms of energy (Potential & Kinetic), energy transformations.

5/6 & 7 (Thurs/Fri) - Non-contact forces & Scientific notation quiz.

5/4 & 5 (Tues/Wed) - iReady Diagnostic.

4/29 & 30 (Thurs/Fri) - Introduction to Energy. Quiz next week.

4/27 & 28 (Tu/Wed) - 3 Forces Diagram (Google form) + notes due.

4/22 & 23 (Thurs/Fri) - 3 Forces Venn Diagram.

Syllabus

Science 8


Welcome to Computech Science 8. My name is Mr. Greenmyer and I am looking forward to sharing my favorite subject with you. I am confident you will find this year challenging, interesting and maybe even FUN. Below, I have listed all the basic information you will need to succeed in my class.

Email address - david.greenmyer@fresnounified.org Note – I do not use gmail.

Office Location – Room 67 or virtually in Microsoft Teams page

Office hours – 8am to 8:45am, Tues - Fri. I’m also available most afternoons after 2:15. To get help, students can go to class team (general) and request a meeting, send an email or start a chat.

Course Description

We are using McGraw Hill Inspire Science for 8th grade.

Course Goals

By the end of the year students should be better able to…

- Ask scientific questions / define scientific problems

- Develop and use scientific models

- Plan and carrying out investigations

- Analyze and interpret data

- Use math and computational thinking

- Construct explanations and design solutions

- Engage in argument from evidence

- Obtain, evaluate, and communicate info

Required Texts, Materials, or Equipment

Device that runs Microsoft products + charger, 4 McGraw Hill Inspire Science workbooks (one per quarter), pencil & paper, headphones/earbuds are recommended for tuning out distractions. We will use a composition book when we return to in-person instruction.

Daily Work/Homework

You will have time to complete work during class. Sometimes work you don’t finish will need to be finished outside of class time. Separate homework assignments may be given occasionally.

Class Participation

All students are expected to participate in a positive manner. Some examples of positive participation include asking questions, asking for extra help, offering ideas during class discussions, completing work outside of class time, following directions, and keeping an agenda/calendar updated. Some of your grades depend on participation.


Course Grading

Grades should reflect a combination of effort/participation and skills/knowledge. I strive to be fair/objective at all times and welcome questions about specific grades from students or parents.

Explanation of Grading System

All graded assignments will have a point value. Your quarter grades will be based on the following categories: TESTS & QUIZZES- 35%, ASSIGNMENTS- 35%, & PARTICIPATION 30%. Many assignments will be graded using the following scoring guide:

10 - Assignment is complete, on time, neat, and shows clear understanding.

9 - Assignment shows understanding but may have minor errors or lack of neatness.

8 - Assignment shows partial understanding but may have some minor omissions.

7 - Assignment shows partial understanding but overall effort appears lacking.

Below 7 - Assignment is too incomplete, messy, or late to earn a 7 or more.

Some assignments will call for different point values which I will explain as the need arises. The quarter grades will be based on the following percentage scale: 100-88%=A, below 88% to 78% = B, below 78% to 68% = C, below 68% to 58% = D, below 58%=F

Course Policies and other Information for Students

- LATE WORK: In the case of excused absences you will be given time to make up assignments. Unexcused late work will be marked down. Remember that late work is far better than no work at all. Please check before you turn in something more than two weeks late to see if you still can.

- SAFETY (non-distance learning): In Science class we get to work with several things that can be dangerous such as glass, sharp instruments, fire, chemicals, or electricity. It is VERY important that students learn and follow the safety rules.


- TECHNOLOGY POLICIES: Please follow the district and Computech technology policies, some of which you learned in 7th grade.

Schedule of Topics

See McGraw Hill Inspire Science website and Consumable workbooks, which are in order by quarter: Quarter 1 “Change over Time” (Geology, Genetics & Evolution), Quarter 2 “Energy and Motion”, Quarter 3 “Understanding Waves”, and Quarter 4 “Humans and Their Place in the Universe”.

Disclaimer - The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to this information throughout the semester, which will be communicated as needed.