Ledyard Middle School

8th Grade General Science

Welcome to your 2014-15 Science Class. To begin with, we expect your full attention and effort every day. Science is a difficult subject because you need to bring your Math, English, and History skills every day; but it is also very fun. Some information may be completely new, while some may be review. We ask that you bring your materials every day and be prepared, ask questions, and give subject-appropriate comments. These are our classroom rules, grading policies, and schedule for the year.

Rules:

1- Bring materials to class (pen, pencil, paper, textbook, assignments, AND a reading book)

  1. Anything you need to borrow from me during this class will be returned before you leave class.
  2. If you are done with your class work either work on assignments from other classes OR silently read!

2- Sharpen pencils at the beginning of class.

3- Raise your hand to talk or ask questions. Only talk when called upon.

  1. Excessive talking or inappropriate behavior is not just a distraction to everyone but a loss of the time we all can use for learning.

4- If you need to go to your locker, bathroom, or office you need to have a pass signed to leave. ONLY ONE STUDENT CAN GO AT A TIME!!!

  1. NO PASS. NO GO!!!!

5- No food, candy, or beverages (except water) are allowed in class.

6- Your homework is your responsibility to keep track of and turn in. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask what you missed. It is always written on the board for the day. It is up to you to keep track in your agenda. If you know you are going to be absent, it is your responsibility to ask for your assignments beforehand.

7- No writing or drawing on tables!

  1. There is paper available for doodling!

8- Hands off! Everything in the room is either school or individual property and we do not want you mishandling/ damaging them without proper instruction and permission.

9- Depending on inappropriate behavior and language, you will be given warnings or written up and action will be taken accordingly.

  1. Respect everyone in our classroom!

A General Schedule for the Year:

1- Scientific Method

  1. Observation, Hypothesis, Retest, Theory

2- Physics

  1. Forces, Motion, Movement

3- Astronomy

  1. Gravity, Planets, Seasons, Solar System, Field Trip?

4- Endocrine System

  1. Hormones and Reproduction

5- Genetics

  1. Heredity, Mitosis, Meiosis, Mutations

6- Evolution

  1. Theory vs. Fact, Fossils, Line of Time, CMTs!!!!

7- Magnetism

  1. Poles, Metals, Attraction

8- Electricity

  1. Charges, Generators, Battery, Circuits, Power

9- Final Exam---OMG but yes, there is one!!!!

10- Summer vacation and then, on to High School!!!

Grading

Each marking period your grading will be done according to the individual teacher’s grading policy; those grades will be averaged together for your final grade.

“Secrets to having a great year in science!”

-ANY assignment is to be turned in on the day it is due for 100% credit.

-Fill out your Agenda!! Keep track of what is assigned AND when it is due. This will help you be better organized AND make better use of your time. Your agenda is a powerful tool which, when you stay on top of it, helps you make a successful year much easier to attain.

-The Final Exam will consist of 200 multiple choice questions over two days. This encompasses the whole year’s worth of material. If you keep all of your quizzes (big hint) AND study from the review sheets you will do fine. It will count as 10% of your Q4 grade. In some cases students have raised or dropped their grade based on their performance…….. so take this seriously!

Daily Routine

This is what to expect when we start class:

- First 3-5 minutes: Answer Bell Ringer/Do Now in Journal

**Turn in homework in the box for your block at back of room

**Pick up your homework for the night on the same table

- Review and write down “my” Agenda for the day in your agenda

- Discuss bell ringer and any other questions from previous day based on journal entry

- Engaging activity for assignment

- Reinforcing Activities (Lecture, PowerPoint, Notes, Lab, etc)

- Homework assignment

- Last 3-5 minutes: Closure activity (Exit ticket quiz, KWL in Journals, Daily News Presentation, etc)

How to Contact me

I can be reached during school hours (9:00 – 2:15) at the school phone number: 464-3188.

IF there are issues that are needed after that time (2:15) I will answer e-mail sent to me at our individual school addresses:

***Any projects or files which you e-mail me I cannot guarantee I can open or print, so please save on a USB stick and bring it in as backup. I can only set aside so much time to help you out with your file issues, so you may need to either go to the media center OR stay after school and fix it then.***

Student Name: ______

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