Bryson Middle School
Believe * Move * Succeed
Hope Wilomovsky
Room: D113 Phone: 864 -355-2127 e-mail Address: hwilomov@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website Link Google Classroom Textbook: Savaasrealize.com
Course Description
The focus for science in eighth grade is to provide students with inquiry based experiences that develop science concepts in the following areas: Motion and Stability-physical interactions between objects and within systems of objects and energy changes caused by mass, speed, and position, Waves-characteristics and uses, Organisms growth, development, and reproduction, Inheritance-genetics changes and effects on organisms, Evolution-changes in Earth’s history and effect of genetic variation on survival and reproduction, and Earth’s Place in the Universe solar system and motion to explain seasons and eclipses. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of previous grade or science
1st Quarter
Week 1 - Rules, Procedures, and School Info.
Lab Safety and Procedures, and the
3-dimensions SCI approach overview
Unit 1: Motion & Stabilities
Week 2-8
Unit 2: Waves & Their Applications
Week 9
2nd Quarter
Unit 2: Waves & Their Applications
Week 1-2
(10-12)
Unit 6: Earth’s Place in the Universe
Week 3-9
(13-19)
3rd Quarter
Unit 3: From Molecules to Organisms
Week 4-6
(20-22)
Unit 4: Inheritance of Traits
Week 7-9
(23-25)
4th Quarter
Unit 4: Inheritance of Traits
Week 1-2
(26-28)
Unit 5: Biological Evolution
Week 3-9
(29-37)
Testing Week 8
(36)
Google Classroom
Students, you will access Google Classroom through your Backpack/Classlink Apps or go to the app launcher on Google and select Google Classroom. For any virtual learning days (such as for inclement weather), you will go to Google Classroom to find the Google Meet link for virtual class meetings.
Parents/Guardians can access Google Classroom by receiving email summaries that include information such as upcoming work, missing work, and class activities.
Performance Expectations:
Students will be able to develop the skills needed to have learning experiences built upon the three-dimensional science approach: Scientific inquiry and Engineering Design Practices (SEP’s), Crosscutting Concepts (CCC’s), and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI’s). The performance expectations in eighth grade help students to engage in inquiry questions such as, but not limited to, being able to:
1. Apply Newton’s Third Law to related forces to describe physical interactions between objects within systems of objects.
2. Describe the characteristic properties of waves and the behavior related to energy.
3. Describe how genetic changes can affect the structure and function of an organism.
4. Use information and begin constructing an explanation of genetic variation in natural selection and how this leads to traits in a population changing.
5. Analyze and Interpret Data for patterns in how the fossil record documents Earth’s history with existence, diversity, extinction, and changing life forms as well as construct an explanation for the similarities and differences in modern-day and ancestral organisms.
6. Explain, based on evidence and reasoning, how genetic factors, the environment, and an organism’s behaviors and structures influence its growth, development, and reproduction.
7. Investigate for evidence that an object’s motion depends on mass and the sum of forces.
8. Describe Earth’s place in relation to the solar system, Milky Way galaxy, and Universe, and evaluate information on scale properties of objects.
Textbook Title
SAVVAS Learning: South Carolina Elevate Science, Grade 8
Materials
General Supply List
Section in a binder or a folder with brads
Minimum of 2 dry-erase markers
sharpened pencils
Scotch Tape or Glue Sticks
Grading Policy/Practices
Grading Scale
Tests & Major
Projects = 50%
Quizzes, Minor Projects, and Assignments = 50%
Students should spend at least 10 minutes a day (OUTSIDE of class time) on the following tasks:
Preview upcoming material
Review covered material
Study for quizzes and tests
Work on projects
Complete any late or missing assignments
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Late Work Procedures and Redo/Retake/Revision Procedures
Students are expected to follow classroom rules and complete assignments during the allotted class period. Any student off-task and not completing classroom assignments will receive a disciplinary infraction. However, if a student misplaces an assignment or needs to hand in any work after the assigned due date, then they will need to adhere to the following late work policy. Students are encouraged to use time before school, after school, and during SAIL to complete assignments to avoid late work. If a student is absent on the date an assignment is assigned, the student will have 5 days without penalty to make up the assignment. LINK
If you have concerns about the retake/redo/revision policy, please refer to the link above for a complete list of policy guidelines. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your collaboration in supporting your student’s learning.
Classroom Expectations
Classroom Guidelines and Expectations:
Success in the classroom is greatly affected by the
conduct of those in the classroom. The most important rule is to “care” about self and others. The following rules have been developed to help our students be successful.
1. Keep hands and feet to yourself at all times.
2. Be respectful to your classmates and teachers.
3. Be seated with your own materials and ready to work when class begins.
4. Food, gum, and drinks are not allowed in the
classrooms or hallways. Clear, screw-top lid water bottles are permissible. Only clear water should be in the water bottle. In addition, all students should follow all district and school guidelines as specified in the student handbook.
Because we will be conducting some lab activities, students must practice safe behavior. They will be expected to follow the guidelines set forth on the Science Safety Contract.
Magic School
This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.
Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.
Generative AI
This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.
Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.
Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.
Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.
Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.
Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.