Syllabus: Physical Science 8th Grade, Level A (TAG ...



Introduction

Welcome to 8th Grade TAG Physical Science and the 2012-2013 school year! I am thrilled that your son/daughter will be a part of my class. I am committed to making this an exciting, challenging and positive learning experience. This year will be filled with a multitude of lessons, activities and projects that will require students to experiment and manipulate science equipment as well as communicate results from experimentation and sharpen and expand science process skills. There will also be a substantial emphasis on advanced research skills, problem solving, critical thinking and creative thinking (Fulton County TAG objectives). The class is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of Physical Science and their direct application to our world. As an advanced class, students are provided with more opportunities for in-depth research, independent study and advanced communication skills.

Course Description

The 8th Grade Physical Science curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to transition from elementary physical science standards to high school physical science standards (see Fulton County system wide Science Vertical Instructional Framework). The course is designed to provide students with an introductory overview of the common concepts in physical science including but not limited to the nature of matter (chemistry), laws of conservation of matter and energy, motion, forces, and energy transformation. **

Textbook

Georgia Physical Science          Holt McDougal    ISBN: 978-0-03-092034-9, $70.75 (online version is available)

 

Course Outline for the Year

Topics to be covered this year include the following (not necessarily in this order):

Fall Semester: Spring Semester:

>Lab Safety >Motion & Forces >Simple Machines >Light, Color & Mirrors

>Scientific Method >Energy & Work >Heat & Temperature >Magnetism & Electricity

>Matter/Chemistry >Work & Power >Waves

>Research Skills/Science Fair Project >Sound

Outcome Expectations:

At the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Use appropriate scientific tools to observe, record, organize, analyze, interpret, write, and present the results

of scientific investigations clearly and accurately.

2. Examine the scientific view of the nature of matter including its properties, types, forms, movement, and changes.

3. Recognize that there are more than 100 elements on the Periodic Table grouped according to their properties.

4. Explain the forms, transformation, transfer and conservation of energy.

5. Demonstrate and determine the relationships between forces, mass and motion of objects.

6. Demonstrate the effects of simple machines on work.

7. Identify the characteristics of waves, including mechanical and electromagnetic waves, and describe their behavior in different mediums/surfaces.

8. Recognize that every object exerts gravitational force on other objects proportional to their respective masses and relative distances.

9. Demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel circuits relative to electrical energy transfer.

10. Investigate and explain that electric circuits and magnets can exert mutual forces on each other and describe the application of these forces.

Policies, Procedures and Requirements:

← Students are expected to participate in class activities, discussions and assignments.

← Homework will consist of the following types of activities:

1. Incomplete class work assignments

2. Interactive Science Notebook organization, assembly and completion of pages

3. Worksheets/Textbook assignments

4. Reading scientific articles/watching lecture based video clips/writing summaries

5. Special projects (individual and/or group)

Students are given an adequate amount of time to complete any assignment. Consistency and time management are essential for maintaining a balance of the amount of work that should be done each night.

← Labs and hands-on activities are a required part of advanced science. When involved with such lessons, students must follow directions carefully, wait for instructions and behave in an appropriate manner. Students who do not follow these guidelines will not be allowed to participate and will receive an alternative assignment.

← Many labs will require a formal lab report. Students are to follow the specific format that will be given out within the next few days of school. ALL LAB REPORTS MUST BE TYPED. Class time for typing will be available.

← Special projects will be assigned periodically. These projects will be assessed on grading criteria given when the assignment is made (rubric). Advance notice, due date timeline and specific directions will be given with every project.

← Make up work for any absence is the responsibility of the student. Make up work will be placed in the Extra Copies Box (ECB) on the “While You Were Out” table by the door. Directions and explanations of what was missed during an absence are recorded on the “While You Were Out” calendar. If your child is absent, he or she should refer to this calendar and pick up missed worksheets, etc from the ECB upon return to school. A student has the same number of days as the number of days absent to make up all assignments. Make up of a test or quiz will need to be scheduled. The absent student is responsible for making these arrangements with Ms. Kennedy. Failure to make up assignments, tests or quizzes will result in a zero and thereby become detrimental to the student’s semester average.

← Assignments that are not presented on the due date are considered late and will incur a penalty. Non-assessment assignments that are deemed acceptable must be turned in no later than 1 day after the original due date for not more than 50% credit. Any negotiation of formal assessments such as projects/tests will require parental intervention via a note, email or conference.

← Regular attendance is very important to your child’s success. Please make sure that absences are documented with a valid excuse.

← Students are required to bring their textbook, science notebook, calculator, and a writing utensil to class EVERYDAY

Science Fair and Research Project (OPTIONAL)

In alignment with middle school TAG learning objectives, 8th grade Physical Science students have the opportunity to complete an independent research project during the first semester. Each project will be showcased in the EPMS Science Fair in January. The top five projects will move on to compete in the Fulton County Regional Science Fair in February. Students who receive this honor are required to attend all regional fair activities.

This extensive project will be broken up into smaller checkpoints at different intervals throughout the first semester. A complete packet that includes a timeline for completion of components, directions, websites and tips will be given to students during August and/or September. Information will also be posted on my website. This project will be in motion simultaneously with other classroom activities; therefore, it is important for students to practice good time management skills and refer often to the guideline schedule of due dates that will be given. I will be available on Tuesday mornings before school from 8-8:45 AM to meet with students who choose to participate to assist them with their research and guide them through the process. The science fair is a great opportunity for students to develop their research skills and build their scientific resume᷃. (Please notify Ms. Kennedy by email at kennedyrm@ if interested before August 31st)

Provision for Improving Grades (Fulton County Policy):

Students who have low (73 or below) or failing cumulative grades may ask the teacher for opportunities to improve their grade when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Fulton County policy requires that TAG students with an average of 73 or below to be placed on academic probation. Written notice of such probation will be given to both the student and parent with information about the probationary period and consequences.

Academic Honesty

All students are expected to exemplify academic honesty.  “Academic Honesty” means performing all academic work without plagiarism, cheating, lying, tampering, stealing, giving or receiving unauthorized assistance from any other person, or using any source of information that is not common knowledge without properly acknowledging the source.

Scheduled Help Sessions:

Help sessions will be offered on WEDNESDAYS before school from 8:00 – 8:50 AM. Please get a pass the day before the scheduled help session in order to enter the building for a morning session.

Grading Rules:

The following is a percentage breakdown of how grades will be calculated. Four and half week interim and nine week report cards will be issued.

Tests/Projects 40%

Quizzes/Minor Performance Assessments 20%

Labs/Lab Reports 30%

Classwork/Homework/Participation 10%

Expectations

All students are expected to:

1. Arrive to class on time.

2. Be prepared for learning with appropriate materials/supplies.

3. Be polite and respectful to others and the property of others.

4. Use appropriate language at all times.

5. Follow all directions, procedures, school and county guidelines for conduct and academics.

6. Always strive for his/her personal best.

Issues related to behavior will be dealt with immediately. Consequences for infractions include warnings, private teacher-student conference, parent contact, parent-teacher conference, teacher’s detention, and being sent to the Think Room. Administrative intervention will be used as a last resort unless a situation arises wherein a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct per the school/county (see the Student Handbook and/or agenda).

Communication:

Open communication between parents, teachers and students is essential for a successful academic year. Notes in the student agenda, e-mails, and phone calls are most effective in keeping abreast of things relevant to your child. Parent initiated e-mails on a regular basis are strongly encouraged for accurate information on a child’s progress.

Parent-teacher conferences are also available upon request.

I have created a website and will be posting information on a weekly basis. It is designed to be used by both students and parents. Please review the homepage first as this will assist you in navigation of the other web pages. This site will be used extensively for communication and assistance in student completion of assignments. The address is:



It can also be accessed through the school website. Click on “Teachers’ Websites” then, click on my name.

My excitement for the future successes and accomplishments for this coming year is unparalleled. I can’t wait!!! Do not hesitate to contact me at any time and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Joyfully yours until May,

Rossie M Kennedy, 8th Grade TAG Science

MATERIALS LIST FOR 8TH GRADE TAG PHYSICAL SCIENCE

For daily use:

• 3-ring Binder (1” or 1.5” rings)

• Dividers (5 tabs)

• Composition book for Interactive Science Notebook

• Pens and Pencils

• Colored pencils

• Markers

• Black Sharpie

• Flash/Jump drive

• Highlighters (at least 2 colors)

• Assigned textbook

• Book cover (sock style)

• Loose leaf paper

• calculator

For use with Science Fair Project: (OPTIONAL)

• Composition book for Science Fair Logbook

• 3-ring Binder (1” or 1.5” rings)

• Black or blue pen

• Display board (students/parents will be notified when this is needed)

PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE TO MS. KENNEDY

Food:

Food may be given to students as a form of extrinsic reinforcement. If you do not want your child to eat in this class, please sign below. Also please list any allergies.

Please circle one.

YES, my student can have food in class.

No my student cannot eat food in class.

Allergies:___________________________________________________

Internet:

The internet, including a class website, is an essential part of this class. Most documents which I have electronically will be posted in our website. Advanced notification must be given if your student is not allowed to participate in the online portion of this class. Students must complete alternative assignments within the same amount of time if the student is not participating in the online assignments. Please review the physical science website and notify me if you do NOT want your child to participate in technology integration. For more information please visit

Please circle one.

Yes, my student can participate in the online portion of this class.

No my student cannot participate in the online portion of this class.

Videos:

Videos will be used occasionally in class. Videos from Discovery Education (), BrainPop (), and other educational videos may be used to deliver content.

Please circle one.

Yes, my student can participate in the Class Videos.

No my student cannot participate in the Class Videos.

I have read and understand the information on the Physical Science Syllabus.

 _______________________________________                   __________________________________

   Print student’s name Print parent’s name

 

 ________________________________________                 __________________________________         

Student signature                                                                          Parent signature

Date _____________________________

If you forget to circle food, video, and internet options the form will be returned. Thank you!!!!!

Please flip over and sign the edmodo permission slip on the next page (

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