In this course, students will be introduced to, learn, and demonstrate understanding of the following objectives:

• the proper handling and use of laboratory materials, equipment, chemicals, and safety equipment

• the structure & functions of cells

• the organization of plant and animal cells

• the properties of chemical compounds and matter

• understanding human body functions

• ​understanding plant biological systems and functions

• exploring the dichotomy and taxonomy of organisms

• knowing the process of the flow of various forms of energy

• how genetics relates to biological functions of the Earth

• exploring various naturally occurring catastrophic events and disasters

• living systems, ecology, and the impact on natural environments

• experimental design, investigation, and recording observations

• using graphs, charts, diagrams, and other visual representations of recorded data to organize, infer, calculate, and predict trends, functions, operations, and conclusions of scientific tests and experiments.

These objectives are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), adopted and approved by the State Board of Education and correspond to the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Science Test (administered in April 2019) and incorporate all of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for eighth grade science. For a complete listing of the TEKS please visit the Texas Education Agency.

In addition to personal materials such as a binder/organization system, students will need the following physical materials for this course:

• Composition notebook (Interactive Science Journal)

• Graph paper

• Notebook paper

• Folder with brads

• Pencils (colored and #2 graphite)

• Glue sticks

Students will need the following digital/electronic materials and access for virtual/at-home learning:

• Computer/Laptop/mobile device with webcam

• High-Speed internet access

• Audio Headphones or ear buds (corded, not bluetooth)

• Access to Google Suite applications (Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc).

Students will be permitted to use their own Smartphones or Smart Devices in the classroom at appropriate times and only at the discretion of the teacher. Additional required materials will be needed for student projects throughout the year. Students will be informed about all materials required in advance. It is the responsibility of each student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to make arrangements to obtain the necessary supplies for their project.

All students are expected to maintain the highest standard of behavior in class. Classroom Rules and Social Contracts are posted in the classroom and must be followed at all times. Deviating from this expectation will result in disciplinary actions. This is also expected of any and all students attending classes virtually. Please refer to the Piner Middle School Student Handbook & Code of Conduct for more information.

It is essential for success that each student attends all classes and are consistent in completing and submitting their classwork on-time. Science is an experience-based class. Students not present for demonstrations, labs, activities, projects, and discussions are at a disadvantage and will miss vital learning opportunities. Because of the time, materials, and scheduling required, students may not be able to make up lab activities. In the event of an emergency, students absent for a lab or activity may be given an alternative assignment. A student will have as many school days to complete their make-up work as he or she was absent. For example, if a student is absent two days, when the student returns to school, they will have two school days to complete missed instruction and classwork. Students are responsible for checking the class website (or their agenda) to see what they missed, what assignments they must complete, and obtain any handouts required from the website or classroom file. Students are also encouraged to attend tutorials to receive assistance when they need it.

Students are expected to turn in all work completed and on-time. Work turned in late or that is incomplete will be penalized in accordance with the district’s grading policy, (unless otherwise approved by administration and/or the teacher):

• All assignments, unless otherwise specified, are due by the end of the school day every Friday (or Thursday if there is no school scheduled for Friday of that week).

• Any assignment not turned-in by the end of the school week will be entered into the gradebook as "incomplete."

• Any assignment not turned-in by one week following the due date will be entered into the gradebook as a grade of zero.

• The zero will remain in place until the student submits the missing or incomplete assignment. Past due assignments will be only be graded and entered after the assignments that were submitted on-time are graded first.

• Assignments turned in late will not incur a late-work penalty. All assignments will be graded according to the quality of the student's work and their completion of all required components of the assignment. This allows students to still receive up to full credit on a late assignment.

All student work will be graded and assessed based on quality, adherence to instructions, class participation, creativity, and overall effort demonstrated. However, all teachers MUST submit and enter students grades by very specific deadlines. Because of this, once a progress report or report card has been published, posted, and grade averages finalized, no student work assigned from before that deadline will be graded and entered into the gradebook.

This policy is in place for the students’ benefit. Classwork is assigned to increase understanding of the material, guide the student towards mastery of the content, and to assess the student's growth and knowledge. Classwork not completed in a timely manner will lose its effectiveness and students may struggle with learning new material. Many assignments will be reviewed and graded in class in order to provide immediate feedback and allow students to correct their own work (learning from mistakes). If a student believes that they turned in the assignment but did not receive a grade or have it returned, they must communicate this to the teacher as soon as possible. The same policy is applied regardless if the assignment is on paper or electronic.

There are two types of grade classifications:

1. Daily grades (50% of total grade average)

2. Major grades (50% of total grade average)

​Daily grades are weighted as one, which means that grade counts one time for the calculation of the student’s average.

Quizzes, tests, and projects are weighted as two, which means those grades count twice for calculation of the student’s average.

Projects may have several components, and each component will be weighted as two.

Grade Sheet/Graph Students are required to maintain a grade sheet, which will be updated every Monday (or the first class day of the week).

Students calculate and graph their average.

A parent/guardian signature is required on the grade sheet by the end of the grading period. Students with missing work or a failing average will require a parent/guardian signature by the next class day.

Grade sheets are collected at the end of the grading period as a data collection and analysis practice assignment.

Keeping a weekly grade sheet alerts students immediately if there is an issue with a missing assignment.

This is another way for parents to keep track of student classroom performance. If a student has a question about a grade, he/she must be able to produce the paper in question. Parents/Guardians may also register for Family Access which will allow you to check your student’s average and see individual assignment grades. See the office staff for additional information on Frontline/TEAMS access.

The class website is frequently updated with current information in order to help students and parents access agendas, assignments, notes, test reviews, and other information. Please check the website at least weekly for updates.

Please refer to the Flinn Scientific Student Safety Contract. Students and parents/guardians must sign the lab safety contract, indicating understanding and compliance. Students will not be allowed to participate in lab activities until the lab safety contract is signed and returned. Students that choose to be disruptive or demonstrate unsafe behaviors during a lab will be assigned a zero (0) for the laboratory experiment and will be immediately removed from the lab. In addition, they will be referred to the Assistant Principal.

The lab can be a hazardous place and it is vital that students act responsibly in order to ensure all students’ safety. Students may lose lab privileges based on behavior issues. Students may be given a pre-lab assignment. This assignment must be completed before coming to class the day of the lab. If a student does not complete the pre-lab assignment, he/she will work on the pre-lab during the lab and will receive an alternate assignment. They will not participate in the lab activity.

Students are responsible for all aspects of their learning. Whether attending class on campus or virtually, students must be prepared for all class activities, bring their materials to class, take notes, complete all assignments, and study for exams. It is also the student’s responsibility to make sure they attend tutorials if needed, asks or emails their teachers for assistance, and ensures that all missing assignments and/or make-up work is completed and returned in a timely manner. I want each student to be successful and will do all I that I can to help. Ultimately, the student is in complete control of their level of success in this course.