Science-8th Grade
Link to Team Discovery HUB document with daily listed HW for all core classes, teacher emails, links to all sites students use frequently for classes, links to encore teachers' sites/emails
Our universe is vast and wonderful-what will you discover?
As your teacher, I’m very excited about this year. I hope you are, too. We are going to embark on a fantastic new adventure---your 8th grade year! You are continuing your experiences with our science curriculum, IQWST. We have engaging, active, challenging months of science ahead for you. We’ll explore a science disciplines mix: life, earth, physics and chemistry. You’ll use science practices every day. You’ll do experimentation, data analysis and problem-solving. You’ll hone communication skills with claim-evidence-reasoning discussion & writing.
This class is your invitation to discover not just science, but the next version of yourself. Will you be an active member of our team?
Marlene McIlheran
marlene.mcilheran@greendaleschools.org
Families: Please email or call if you have questions or concerns. After 1 pm is best to call as I'm working directly with students all morning. If there is an emergency, please contact the GMS School Office at 414-423-2800.
Students: Come talk to me if you have any questions or concerns. Emails are fine, but typically conversations are more productive than emails, especially with more complex issues because we can communicate more clearly in a conversation. Outside of class, I'm available each day at resource. Let me know if you need to meet for a bit after school--just ask ahead of time.
Science Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on the Next Generation Science Standards. At GMS, we use IQWST in the 6-8 grades. It is a thoughtfully sequenced science curriculum with 4 units at each grade level. Click HERE for an overview of the IQWST program, its basis in the Next Generation Science Standards, and its sequential units throughout middle school.
Quarter 1: "How Does Food Provide My Body with Energy and Building Materials?"-Chemistry
As students explore how food is connected to how our bodies obtain and use energy and building materials for repair and growth, they continue to practice the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning framework for science thinking, speaking, and writing. We examine data that is collected by students through labs, videos, and readings. Students learn about methods used by scientists, science and engineering practices. We focus on developing claims that are based on collected evidence and recognizing that claims will most likely CHANGE over time as new evidence is collected. We continue to practice using reasoning and evidence to support our claims. Cross cutting concepts in science, such as patterns, cause and effect, modeling, are integrated throughout the unit.
Quarters 2-4:
"How will the objects move?" --Physics
"How Is the Earth Changing?"--Earth Science
"Why Do Organisms Look the Way They Do?"--Life Science
Digital Platforms
Most of the digital platforms connect directly with Google Classrooms & assignments are posted there.
Google Classrooms---This will be the primary place for all assigned homework and readings. It will be the main place I will communicate with you online and post digital assignments. We are using this instead of the IQWST site as the main platform since it allows us to modify assignments as needed, you don't have to log in to a website other than Google, it will automatically sync assignments with your Classrooms calendar, it permits you to use the handy Read/Write app, allows me to post explanations with assignments, and allows me to make feedback comments easily on your working documents.
NewsELA-- A news portal that we'll use to learn content and also practice non-fiction reading. It is individualized (by lexile) for each student.
EdPuzzle-- Students watch videos on their own time and answer posted questions at key points of video.
Google Meet--This is our synchronous meeting format if it is needed this year. Students access Google Meet through the link on their Classrooms' page. Students can "chat" in the Meet for the whole class or "chat" privately with teachers through GoGuardian (teachers can watch student pages' remotely during Google Meets).
There are others we will use on occasion this year: Flipgrid, PearDeck, Gimkit, IXL, GoGuardian. These offer students variety in styles of learning and demonstrating learning.
Grade Categories
We recognize 8th grade is a year where students are preparing for the expectations of high school.
My emphasis will be on learning for students and making sure they have an appropriate mix of support while moving towards greater independence. We will work on using the tools available to us to help be organized and on top of getting work done. We will continue to practice self-advocacy skills, like how to communicate needs with teachers, throughout the year. This is a PROCESS that continues from 6th -8th grade!
Summative--60%--This includes assessments in which a student demonstrates ability or understanding at the END of a learning segment. These can include guided writing responses, projects, presentations, etc.
Formative --40%--This includes assessments that are checks ALONG THE WAY with our learning segments. These can include lab activities, responses to activities, multiple-choice forms, class discussions, etc. This also includes activities in which students are practicing reading and writing skills in the content area. These can include IQWST readings, NewsELA readings, graphic organizers, etc.
Daily Materials for Class
-Growth Mindset---open mind; willingness to work, ask questions and stick with challenges
3 subject notebook only for science
-kept in classroom
Chromebook-charged
Pouch: Pencils, pens, glue stick, post-its
Accordian folder -use one folder for science work to finish or study
Agenda–all 8th graders given one
Book to read if finished early
Sometimes asked to bring:
-corded ear buds, colored pencils, scissors, etc.You will want your OWN scissors, glue, glue-stick, markers, highlighter...