Highlands Middle School
Eighth Grade Science: Physical Science
Course Syllabus
Instructors: Kevin Nieporte () and John Warford ()
Grade: 8th
Description:
This course is designed to allow students to instill a knowledge base of physical science concepts while developing their inquiry skills and understanding of inquiry process. Emphasis is placed on the classification, structure, and interaction of matter. The use of technology will be incorporated where appropriate.
Comment:
The main goal of this course is to prepare students for the in-depth study of specific sciences as they proceed into high school. Proper lab procedures, techniques, and use of equipment will also be introduced. As the students journey into the world of atoms and molecules, they will gradually see that “everything that is …. is in all things.” This course will develop students’ scientific processing skills and reasoning abilities to prepare them for their future scientific endeavors. Working as a classroom unit, students will be encouraged to work cooperatively with others, to put forth an appropriate amount of effort, and to organize their classwork to achieve maximum success.
Course Standards:
Students will:
· Use scientific inquiry
· Use critical thinking and problem solving
· Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of beginning chemistry
· Use equipment and technology to improve scientific investigations
Textbook:
Discovery Education- Science Tech Book
Required Materials:
Mac Book Air
Notebook
Folder
Pens or pencils
Colored pencils
Calculator
Highlighter
**additional materials may be required for specific teachers**
Grading:
Students will be evaluated on class assignments, activities, and participation including, but not limited to, the following:
· Activities performed in class/cooperation in the classroom environment
· Projects
· Tests
· Homework
· Lab/research reports
· Quizzes
All work is assigned a point value. Grades will be determined by the total points earned per quarter compared to the total points possible for the combined total. Grades fall into one of the following categories: In class work/ Homework, Labs/Quizzes, Tests. The final course grade will be awarded in conjunction with the current grading scale set forth by Highlands Middle School/Ft. Thomas Schools.
*Students will take a semester exam at the end of the second quarter and a final exam at the end of the year that will contribute to the student’s overall grade in the course.
Participation & Attendance
Students will be expected to be on time and prepared for class with all necessary materials. Attendance is of vital importance, since all explanations and activities are done in class. Chemistry is a subject in which students’ knowledge builds upon the knowledge base they achieved from the previous unit. For this reason, it is essential that students stay up to date on their work. Once “behind” it can be very difficult and overwhelming to try to learn new concepts. **When a student is absent it is the student’s responsibility to obtain all missing assignments and complete them in an appropriate amount of time.**
Course Content:
Structure and Properties of Matter
Chemical Reactions
Forces and Interactions
Energy
Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation
Computer Use:
Through out the year students will be required to complete assignments that require the use of a computer and in some cases the Internet.
Promotion Policy SBDMC Policy #24
In grades six, seven, and eight, a student who fails any Core Course for the year is required to participate in summer school to pass the course(s) he/she failed in order to be eligible for promotion. Core Courses include Reading, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. A student who earns an “F” in three or more Core Courses is required to repeat the grade. If a course is failed for both third and fourth quarter, the course is failed regardless of first semester grade(s). If a special circumstance should occur, the decision to promote or retain a student shall be based on a consideration of a thorough assessment of their social, physical, emotional, and academic developmental needs. A committee comprised of administrators, counselor, and at least on Core teacher shall be involved in the decision.