All 8th grade teachers may be reached on Remind. To sign-up for science, visit the link below:
https://www.remind.com/join/gals8sci
Daily lessons, course information, and more, can be found on the class website:
Finn Lanning
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!
8th Grade Science at GALS is broken into 9 units of study:
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:
If it is helpful, each student might consider also bringing:
Each quarter, students will receive grades in three categories for science:
Each assignment will be graded on a scale of 1-4 as follows:
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:
Each student will be a given a habits grade as follows:
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!
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:
If you do arrive late, gather your materials quickly and quietly before making your way to your seat to begin working.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
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.
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:
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!
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
BOTTOMS
NOT PERMITTED AT GALS
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 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.
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.
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.
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.