Padron's Science Class

HORNER VISION STATEMENT

We at Horner Middle School, envision a future in which every student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that allows them to reach their full and unique potential

HORNER MISSION STATEMENT

At Horner Middle School our mission is to provide students with the Knowledge, Tools, and Skills they need to master content standards, make effective decisions, and collaborate with others, which will enable them to be successful lifelong learners.

  You can email me at rpadron@fusdk12.net or message me through Google Classroom through your account.

SBAC CAST Science Testing: May 15th (Thursday) and 16th (Friday).

FUSD Homework Policy:

7th and 8th grade homework will be approximately 60-90 minutes per evening or 240-360 minutes per week.

SYLLABUS

Mr. Padron’s

8th Grade Science Course Expectations

Welcome to an exciting year in your educational endeavors.  The aim of this class is to show you the world of science in a different way, to both excite and challenge the student, and most important, to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Class Organization

Assessment:  Students will be assessed through an array of methods: Student progress will be assessed using class discussions, Amplify assignments, lab activities, projects, reports, group work, class and home assignments, tests and an occasional quiz.

Student progress and understanding of the material will be assessed using formative assessments and common formative assessments that will drive the curriculum.

Class/Homework: (30% of total grade):  Class assignments require more time to complete than the time allotted during class time, therefore it is considered homework.  Students will complete classwork assignments at home and prepare all assignments on Thursday evenings to be submitted Fridays.  This method allows parents/guardians to overlook and assist in the student’s learning process.

Exams/Quizzes: (30% of total grade):  Tests will be given to assess student comprehension of the subject material covered.  There will be various methods of assessing student concept learning and comprehension, from multiple-choice tests, discussions, projects, writing activities and whole class fishbowl seminars.

Lab/Activities and Projects: (30% of total grade):  Students will be working on lab activities with their team and it is the student's responsibility to complete the lab during class time and to be responsible for helping set up, perform and to clean up after the lab. 

Group Collaboration & Participation: (10% of Total Grade):  Every student deserves the right to a safe, comfortable, and positive learning environment.  Students should be able to modify their own behavior academically and socially during class and during lab activities.  Students will participate by Listening, Writing, Speaking and Reading every day in class.

Curriculum: The class will be divided into 4 segments:

Segment 1:  Up Close; Objects move and Collide (Physics).

Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity, Forces and Motion, Types of Interactions, Definitions of Energy, Defining and Delimiting Engineering.

Segment 2:  Noncontact Forces Influence Phenomena (Astronomy)

The universe and its stars, Earth and the Solar System, Types of Interactions (electric, magnetic & gravitational).

Segment 3:  Evolution Explains Life’s Unity and Diversity (Genetics)

The History of Planet Earth, Inheritance of Traits, Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity, Natural Selection, Adaption.

Segment 4:  Sustaining Local and Global Biodiversity (Human Impact & Light)

Waves Properties, Electromagnetic Radiation, Information Technologies and Instrumentation, Earth and the Solar System, Human Impacts on Earth Systems, Adaptation, Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems.

Commitment:  Responsibility and personal commitment are highly valued in the class.  It is expected that each student gives their best effort for all assignments, assessments, discussions, labs and invest their best interests to all activities of the class.  “If you believe that you will not succeed, you are right, and if you believe that your will succeed, you are right.” – Theodore Roosevelt.  How much you commit yourself to your education, is what you get out of class.

Classroom Expectations:  Everyone deserves a safe, interactive, and a positive learning environment; therefore the following are expectations for all students:

1.      Show respect for yourself and others.

2.      Make good decisions, always do the right thing.

3.      Solve problems.

4.      Be responsible.

5.       

Grading: The student will be graded on a point percentage system:

90-100% = A, 80-89.9% = B, 70-79.9% = C, 60-69.9% = D, 59.9% or lower = F

Late, missing, or incomplete work…  If absent, it is the responsibility of the student to ask group mates, check the absent folder and check in Google Classroom for missed assignments, all assignments are submitted on Fridays.  Have your work ready to turn in completed on Friday evenings.  If a student is absent on Friday, they are expected to submit their work by Monday evening.  A student in Honors class will be expected to submit late work no later than one week after due date for an excused absence.  No late work is accepted.  Please discuss this with me, I am open to talk to help you.

By the end of the year, 8th graders should be able to:

• Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.

• Design and conduct a scientific investigation.

• Use technology as a tool to gather data and information.

•  Analyze and interpret data.

• Think critically and logically to connect evidence and explanations.

Contact Information:

Rafael Padron

rpadron@fusdk12.net

Room A130

About Attendance

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Good attendance will help children do well in school, college, and at work. Absences can affect the whole classroom when the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Did you know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent of school (about 2 days a month or 18 days a year) makes it harder to learn to read or write.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two every few weeks.

• Being late to school disrupts the start of class and can make your child miss important lessons.

Attendance - Daily attendance at school is mandatory

Daily attendance at school is mandatory. If a student is absent, the parent/guardian is to call the school the same day as the absence. If the school does not receive a call or note from the parent/guardian, the school will attempt to make contact. When the student returns to school, a valid explanation verifying the reason for the absence must be provided by the parent/guardian (see Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook and Notice of Rights and Responsibilities) for detailed information on excused and unexcused absences). Students with excessive unexcused absences will be referred to SARB.

School Attendance Review Board

The School Attendance Review Board (SARB) is composed of representatives from the District, law enforcement, probation and various community based and youth services agencies. Members work collaboratively to diagnose the problem and develop a plan to get the student back to school. Failure to meet with SARB or follow its directives can result in referral to Juvenile Probation for truancy mediation, or the District Attorneys office for prosecution.

SARB Hearing Dates are usually held on Tuesdays.

Resources to Support Attendance Initiatives

Families In Need - resources for families

Health Guidance for Going to School

Health Guidance Handout 2023 (Spanish)

Is your child missing school due to anxiety?

Attendance Resources (Staff Login)

HORNER MIDDLE SCHOOL VISION:

We at Horner Middle School, envision a future in which every student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that allows them to reach their full and unique potential. 

“EEEE”

HORNER MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

At Horner Middle School our mission is to provide students with the Knowledge, Tools, and Skills they need to master content standards, make effective decisions, and collaborate with others, which will enable them to be successful lifelong learners. 

Knowledge; Tools; Skills = Master, Make, Collaborate! 

TENETS OF OUR SCHOOL:

Our focus is to provide a safe, purposeful, caring and challenging environment where students can accomplish the following: 

• Excel academically. 

• Develop effective study habits and social skills.

 • Develop self-discipline and learn how to make effective decisions.

 • Learn to appreciate and value the differences in others, to respect others’ rights, and to treat everyone with dignity.