GALS 8th Grade Science - Course Syllabus

The Next Generation Science Standards allow 8th grade students to become scientists by learning about the world around them. This year, students will make discoveries through collaboration with peers, class discussions, and student-designed experiments. Students will also develop a practice of engineering solutions to problems they face in their world. In 8th Grade, students will be challenged to apply and improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills to become the best scientists and engineers they can be!

Course Content

8th Grade Science at GALS is broken into 9 units of study:

Supplies Needed

Composition notebooks (lab notebooks) will remain in the classroom. Pocket folders will be used to take reading or other assignments home and to organize papers needed for future classes.

At the beginning of the year, each student will need to bring:

Each day, students are expected to arrive at science class with the following materials:

1 pencil
1 pen
1 pocket folder (from above)
water bottle

If it is helpful, each student might consider also bringing:

highlighters or colored pens for annotating
an agenda to keep track of important dates and assignments

Grading

Each quarter, students will receive grades in three categories for science:

I can analyze natural phenomena, construct explanations, and design solutions using scientific reasoning: this category will include all graded assignments, lab reports, and exams for the content explored during that grading period.
I can boldly communicate my scientific ideas through discussions and oral presentations: this category will represent the frequency and quality of student participation in class discussions and oral presentations to help move our science practice forward.
I can persuasively convey my claims, evidence, and reasoning through my writing: this category will include short constructed responses, some parts of lab reports, and ThinkCERCA projects.

Each assignment will be graded on a scale of 1-4 as follows:

0: the assignment was not attempted; the assignment is missing
1: little or no progress was made toward the learning target
2: some progress was made toward the learning target; there is still some progress to be made
3: the target has been met; this work has achieved the grade-level target
4: the target has been exceeded; additional work has been completed

Habits Grades

Each week, all teachers will give each student a habits grade. This reflects habits in service of SUCCEEDING ACADEMICALLY, LIVING BOLDLY, LEADING CONFIDENTLY, and THRIVING PHYSICALLY. In order to make this more concrete for 8th graders, you will have a habits target across all of your classes that changes every couple weeks. The first two weeks, your habits grade will only be based on that learning target. For the third and fourth weeks, your habits grade will be based on the first and second targets combined. For the fifth and sixth weeks, your habits grade will be based on the first three targets combined, and so on. For the first 8 weeks, we will focus on SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY. The first four targets are:

I can identify and use an organizational system that enhances my learning and focus.
I am able to balance the use of my time between my personal, social and academic wants and needs.
I can identify and flexibly use resources to enhance my learning.
I know what motivates me to succeed and use it to empower my learning in any setting.

Each student will be a given a habits grade as follows:

1: student doesn't or rarely does habit
2: student does habit with support or encouragement
3: student typically performs habit independently
4: student helps or encourages others in habit (shows leadership), or student applies habit to new contexts

Students who have a 2.5 or higher habits grade in each of their 5 academic core classes will earn a place on a celebration trip to an awesome destination!

Entering the Classroom

When the bell rings to begin class, all students should be prepared to engage with a warm-up activity for science. The way students enter the room should help to create an environment where everyone is ready to learn. This means:

Enter the room calmly and quietly
Enter only through the main door (back door is for emergencies only)
Gather materials for the day (listed on the screen)
Take note of homework listed on board
Take care of anything you will need to be engaged with science for the day
Be in your seat and starting your warm-up by the time the bell ends

If you do arrive late, gather your materials quickly and quietly before making your way to your seat to begin working.

End of Class Procedure

When we are doing science and engineering, we use a lot of materials and we sometimes make messes! That's all part of the fun. It is important, however, that all classes can start with a neat and organized space. Therefore, at the end of each class period, please do the following:

Return all materials neatly where they belong
Push in stools
Put any assignments that should be turned in in the appropriate tray
Return lab notebooks neatly to your block's bin
If you see a mess, step up! This is your room - let's all take care of it together
Stand behind your stool until you are dismissed

Food and Drink Policy in 8th Grade

The work of science and engineering requires you to bring your best self to the work each day. When you have a need that gets in the way of that, you should take care of yourself! Eating is allowed in 8th grade classes. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Sharing snacks is not allowed (this creates a distraction and is unfair to students who are not or can not be included)
Eating is not allowed when we are working on a lab (this could compromise your results or prevent you from participating)
Learning and participating are the main course - eating is the side dish
We will be moving throughout the day - everyone should have a reusable water bottle with them
In order to give your body the best fuel, certain snacks are not allowed at GALS:
- Junk food (including chips, candy, cookies, etc)
- Soda/sugary drinks
- Caffeinated beverages
- Sunflower seeds in the shells
- Nuts and food with any nuts in it (due to severe allergies)
  - If you have one of these snacks out in the building, you will be asked to give it to an adult until the end of the day
If you need a snack in order to focus, come see me

Technology in Science

The use of technology is central to the practices of science and engineering. 8th grade scientists will regularly use school and personal technology to advance our practice and understanding. In order to minimize distractions, the following policies will be used:

Cell phones, headphones, and other personal technology should be silent and out of sight in the building unless being used with specific permission from an adult
Personal technology that is seen by an adult will be held in the front office until dismissal
School laptops used in class must only be used for the assigned task - other use could result in loss of laptop access

Leaving the Room During Class

Being present during science class in 8th grade is critical, and students should strive to remain present and engaged with our science practice from bell-to-bell each day. If you have a need that must be addressed outside of the room, please follow this process:

Ask teacher for permission, and sign-out on the log by the door
Take lanyard with pass while you are gone
Return promptly (within 3 to 5 minutes) and replace pass on hook
Sign-in on the log by the door

If you feel you will need to be gone for more than 5 minutes, discuss this with Mr. Finn before leaving.

Only one student may be out of the room at a time

Any work missed while out of the room will need to be made up by the student on their own time

Per school policy, students will not be permitted to leave the classroom in the first or last 5 minutes of class

Discussions in Science

In 8th grade science, we will not be memorizing science facts or having a teacher feed us information that we will be able to write on an exam. Instead, we will be practicing science and engineering ourselves, discovering important principles about our world, designing and carrying out experiments and investigations, and more. In order to better understand the ideas we are exploring, we will often engage with small group and whole group discussions, socratic seminars, and students presentations.

Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is a very common phobia. According to researchers, up to 75% of the population feels this fear. For some, this may show up as a slight nervousness before speaking in front of people. For others, this may feel like a rabid hippopotamus is going to break through the wall and bite you in two at even the thought of public speaking.

Where ever you may be with this topic, all 8th graders in science will work to courageously participate in class discussions and have their voice be heard. Many tools will be given to students to aid in participation including sentence stems for possible questions and comments, graphic organizers to help organize your ideas, and the opportunity to both observe and participate in discussions. Before you are asked to participate in discussions, you will be given clear instruction on how you are expected to participate. If you have concerns about this, schedule an appointment with Mr. Finn so we can find a solution.

Class Pet

Bernoulli is an Indian Ringneck Parakeet that hatched February 3, 2013. He loves science, students, talking, dancing, and snacks. He does not, however, love to be touched or petted (although you can hold him with permission). He is flighted (which means he can and will fly).

Bernoulli loves snacks and treats, but there are some things that are toxic for him and should be avoided:

Chocolate
Avocado
Onion and garlic
Fruit seeds and pits
High sugar, fat, or sodium foods
Artificial sweetener

If you want to share your snack with Bernoulli, please check with Mr. Finn before doing so.

Like many mammals shed, Bernoulli molts once per year. His molting season is the beginning of the school year. You may notice that he loses feathers and generally doesn't look great for several weeks. This is normal and he is not sick.

Never open Bernoulli's cage without permission from Mr. Finn.

Part of what allows me to fly is having light-weight hollow bones. This makes me more fragile than some animals. Please be calm around me and pay attention to where I am if I'm out of my cage. I do not want to be stepped on or hit!

Dress Code

GALS strictly enforces an intentional dress code that reflects our school’s vision and the student/staff experience throughout the school day. In each class, all community members are expected to dress as follows:

TOPS

official GALS t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, or tank top
a solid-color zip up or GALS sweatshirt may be worn in the building (no writing, patterns, designs, pictures, etc.) All students must have a GALS t-shirt on underneath
Undershirts (tank top, t-shirt, or long-sleeved) may be worn underneath a GALS t-shirt

BOTTOMS

Style: Workout/athletic gear (yoga pants/basketball or running shorts/sweats/skorts)
Colors: Any color (solids and patterns are acceptable)
Writing: No writing across the butt, no writing or logos larger than a nametag (for example, “Just Do It” down the leg is not allowed)
Sneakers must be worn at all times.

NOT PERMITTED AT GALS

Hats
Belts
Jeggings
Writing/logos on the butt
Smartwatches are not permitted
Blankets
Pajama pants

Coverage of abdominal area, cleavage and underwear is required at all times. Shorts must be loose enough to allow for ease of movement. Staff will determine what is too short.

SUPPORT FOR DRESS CODE

Students who are out of dress code will be asked to visit the front office to acquire dress code clothes
Any borrowed clothes should be returned during afternoon announcements
Students who have repeated dress code violations will be offered support in a meeting with staff and caregivers

Mindfulness Station Policy

Only one student should be at the mindfulness station at a time
When you visit the station, use the stopwatch to keep track of your time spent
Please limit your use of the space to 5 minutes
Take advantage of the provided materials to take care of yourself. The goal is to be able to return to class after 5 minutes.
While practicing self-care at the mindfulness station, students should ensure their actions do not interfere with the ability of other students to continue working
If, after 5 minutes, you do not feel able to return to class, speak with Mr. Finn about taking a more supported break in the reset room
Any work or instruction missed during these breaks are the responsibility of the student to make-up on their own time

Students are expected to come to science class ready to practice science and engineering each day. However, everyone has days or moments where support or space are needed in order to maintain focus. In science class, students are able to make use of the classroom mindfulness station for support.

Homework Policy

In 8th grade science, homework may be assigned at any time. Students will be made aware of homework assignments on the board each day. Students will have time at the beginning of each class period to use their personal organization systems to keep track of these assignments.

Often, homework will consist of reading to prepare for an upcoming class discussion or investigation. At times, other types of assignments will be given. Typically, students will not be asked to complete homework on the weekends. If a student is unable to complete classwork during class, this work may be assigned as homework.

Homework that is completed by the due date maybe receive a grade of a '3.' In some circumstances, late homework may be accepted up to one day late for a maximum grade of '2.5.'

Students are encouraged to reach out to Mr. Finn via Remind or e-mail if assistance with homework is needed. Replies will typically be made same-day if message is sent before 7:30PM.

Absence Policy

Being present is science class is critical to your practice of science and engineering. Should you need to miss class, it is the responsibility of the student to make-up any missed work in a timely fashion. If you know you will be absent ahead of time, please make arrangements with Mr. Finn as soon as possible. Otherwise, make an appointment with Mr. Finn when you return to discuss a plan for making-up missed content and work. Students who are absent and do not make-up missed work will receive zeroes for missing assignments.

Office Hours and Tutoring

All students who need extra help from Mr. Finn or have a concern to discuss are encouraged and welcomed to schedule an appointment. Typically, Mr. Finn is available before school and during D lunch by appointment. Other times may be available by appointment, as well. Students, families, or caregivers may schedule appointments in person, via Remind or e-mail, or on the sign-up area of the classroom board.

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