8th Grade Pre-AP Science
Mrs. Gonzalez Rm. 402
Conference: 4thPeriod 11:31-12:37
Course Overview
Welcome to Mrs. Gonzalez’s Pre-AP Science. This course is to prepare students for AP Science classes in high school. This class will have two main expectations from each student. The first is the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This expectation will be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that all students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level.
The second important premise of Pre-AP is the belief that every student is prepared for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. Here students will acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning. Students should leave this classroom at the end of the year with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform at the advanced placement (AP) level and be on track for college.
This year, students will be required to complete one major project every six weeks. Students will also be working on a set of content-specific strategies designed to build rigor in the classroom.
Grading Scale
*This year’s curriculum topics will be as follows:
1.Matter and Energy
2.Force and Motion
3.Earth/Space
4.Life Science
Materials (Due by August 29)
A large pack of pencils
A pack of RED pens
1 Composition Book
8 Glue sticks
Homework
Homework will be assigned most days. Students are expected to write the assignments in their planner daily. Parents/Guardians should check the planner for communication from teacher. It is EXTREMELY important that all scholars do their homework because homework is a big part of their grade, prepares them for quizzes/tests, and allows them to practice what they learned in class. Practice will make perfect.
Class work/ Participation
Class work and participation is worth 50% of your overall marking period grade. All students begin with 100% participation, and points are only deducted when breaking classroom rules or inappropriate classroom behaviors. Your class work/ participation grade will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Student should be prepared daily (Have all school supplies)
Student engages in appropriate questions, stay on task, and complete dailyDo Now activities
Student working as a team with his or her classmates
Student keeps full class notes. Notebook checks will be done at your teacher’s discretion.
Student completes daily assignments and Exit Tickets.
Attendance & Lateness
Chronic absenteeism and lateness are recorded and will have an overall NEGATIVE EFFECT on your grade. Be on time! If you enter the class after the late bell, you are LATE! Late students will be marked as TARDY on the official attendance submitted each period, if not accompanied by a note from a parent, teacher, or administrator.
You will be given three days after you return to school to turn in a homework assignment that you missed while absent. Homework assignments will be available in an absentee folder in the classroom.
Failing Grades
For ANY major assignment with a 69 or lower, students will need take home the assignment and have it signed by a parent or guardian. I will also be contacting the parent by phone to let them know the assignment is on its way for them to look over.
Consequences
If you choose to break a rule, you will earn an appropriate consequence. These consequences may be given in ANY order to fit the situation, and I reserve the right to add a consequence that I deem appropriate.
- Verbal Warning
- Reflection Letter
- Change of Seat
- Call to a parent/guardian
- Discipline Referral to Administrator
- Loss of Priviledge
Revisions/Correction PolicyAbove everything, I value learning. For this reason, I believe students should have an opportunity to revise/correct work they are unsatisfied with. I will take the average of the original and revised work (so if you scored 50 the first time and 100 the second time, your new grade would be 75). There is an absolutely firm one week time period during which you may re-take a test or re-submit work. This policy does not apply to daily assignments such as class work and homework.
Bathrooom
You are expected to go to the bathroom in between classes. However, you will be allotted TWO emergency bathroom passes. Use them wisely because when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Extra Credit & Mastery Learning Opportunities –Students will be provided with extra credit assignments that can be used to raise their overall grade point average and ensure mastery of previously taught content.
Extra Help (Tutorials) –I am available for help after school during tutorials or at any pre-arranged time. Students are encouraged to drop by for assistance. Please feel free to contact me at the school.
************************************Cut and Return *****************************************
Because you know your child best, please indicate additional information below or on the back of this contract that you would like me to know about your child to help in your child’s educational instruction this year.
Mrs. Gonzalez’s 5 P’s
Prompt
Productive
Prepared
Polite
Positive
-this means being on time, doing all assignments, being ready to learn, showing respect, and having an excellent attitude!
I (Parents’ Name) ______am aware of Mrs. Gonzalez’s classroom rules and agree to support those rules in the education of my child (child’s name) ______
Parent Signature X ____ Date: ___/____/2011
I (Students’ Name) ______am aware of Mrs. Gonzalez’s classroom rules and agree to support and adhere to those rules in my education.
Students’ Signature X ______. Date: ___/____/2011
Additional information (medical, behavior, etc…)
Parent email address:
Parent Phone number:______
Thank you. Get ready for a wonderful year of learning!