8th Grade Physical Science – E201



8th Grade Physical Science – E201

Mrs. Lee’s Class Overview

“Science can be fun, so let’s enjoy it together!”

E-mail: gigiL@ Classroom: 707-646-7031

Green Valley Middle School: 1350 Gold Hill Road, Fairfield CA 94534

Teacher Website:

California 8th Grade Science Standards:



Curriculum:

In 8th grade you will be given an introduction to Chemistry, Physics & Space Science. These topics will then be covered in greater detail in high school. We will complete a chapter about every 2 weeks, & all 15 chapters by April. We will have a “Big Project” about every quarter. After that we will learn more about our senses, potential career goals & comparative anatomy. We will also have numerous science related guest speakers to broaden your knowledge of science & how science is used in everyday careers. If you know of any possible guest speakers, please let me know.

Learning:

We will learn in a variety of ways in this class. Most important is that you keep up with your textbook reading & workbook assignments. We will also learn through demonstrations, hands-on labs, projects at school & at home, research on the computer, journal writing, videos, note taking, worksheets, etc. We will learn things together, individually, with partners &/or in groups. I understand that not every student has access to a computer at home but you do have the following options: 1) our classroom, 2) GVMS Library before school, at lunch & after school, 3) the Public Library, 4) a friend’s house.

Day-to-Day Readiness:

Come prepared everyday & on time to class with your sharp pencils & lined paper, science workbook, folder to keep your science papers organized, & a positive attitude to learn. Other useful items to have are protector sheets, a computer flash drive, & a simple calculator (cell phone not permitted).

Helpful Tips for Success (given by former students):

• Keep up with textbook reading & workbook assignments.

• Be honest: don’t cheat, lie, steal, forge parent/guardian signature.

• Plan enough time to finish all your projects & assignments to turn in on time. Don’t procrastinate!

• Take pride in your work & be neat. Have proper heading, use pencil (no red pens except when correcting), & no torn paper or will receive a “C” or lower.

• Turn in work typed whenever possible.

• Keep an Agenda (write down weekly assignments off the whiteboard & check it daily).

• Do not be tardy to class. Be in the room away from the door before the bell rings.

• If absent, call classroom buddies ASAP on what was covered, homework due, class work missed. This is the student’s responsibility. The teacher will not track you down.

• Visit Teacher’s Website for homework listed, grades, extra credit opportunities & other important information.

• Study vocabulary words, read study guides, do end of chapter reviews, review workbook, & do practice tests for each chapter.

• Learn to summarize, not plagiarize.

• If you don’t understand class material, ask questions in class, call classroom buddies, e-mail the teacher, see the teacher in private at lunch or after school, or see other teachers.

• Do not eat, sleep, use electronics, or be disruptive in class.

• Go to the bathroom between passing periods. Save passes for extra credit.

• Sharpen pencils before class begins & be ready to work.

• Save all science papers for filing in portfolio for STAR review

Grading Scale:

97% - 100% = A+ 94% - 96% = A 90% - 93% = A-

87% - 89% = B+ 84% - 86% = B 80% - 83% = B-

77% - 79% = C+ 74% - 76% = C 70% - 73% = C-67% - 69% = D+ 64% - 66% = D 60% - 63% = D-

0% - 59% = F

Grading Weights:

34%: tests/quizzes 26%: projects 24%: classwork & lab 16%: homework

Behavior Expectations: Be Respectful & Responsible

• All students shall show respect to each other regardless of looks, gender, race, religion, etc. NO PUT DOWNS. Stay positive.

• Students have the right to learn & teachers have the right to teach.

• Follow ALL school & classroom rules & do not disrupt the class. If you have concerns, please see the teacher at lunch.

Consequences:

( Warning/Time Out/Lunch Detention ( Detention Paragraphs

( Detention w/ Principal or Vice Principal ( Parents/guardian contact

( Negative Referral to Office ( Behavior Contract

( Team Teacher/Parent Conference ( Suspension

California Science Standards:

Structure of Matter (15%)

• Atoms are made of protons, neutrons & electrons.

• Compounds are comprised of 2 or more elements.

• Molecular motion determines the state of matter.

• Atoms in solids are repeating patterns, closely arranged & vibrate.

• Atoms/molecules in liquids are free to move & collide frequently.

• Periodic Table is used to identify elements in simple compounds.

Periodic Table (12%)

• Regions of metals, nonmetals & inert gases are found in the Periodic Table.

• Elements are defined by the number of protons (atomic number).

• Substances are classified by properties including melting temperature, density, hardness, thermal & electrical conductivity.

Reactions (12%)

• Chemical reactions form products with different chemical properties & the total number of atoms stays the same.

• Chemical reactions usually liberate or absorb heat.

• Physical changes form with no chemical reactions.

• Solutions are acidic, basic or neutral.

Chemistry of Living Systems (Life Sciences) (5%)

• Carbon has a central role in the chemistry of living organisms.

• Living organisms are made of molecules mostly consisting of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus & sulfur.

• Living organisms are made up of small & large molecules.

Density & Buoyancy (8%)

• Density = Mass / Volume.

• The upward buoyant force = the weight of the fluid displaced.

• Predict whether objects will float or sink.

Motion (13%)

• A standard reference point & direction determines an object’s position.

• Avg. speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed. Speed varies. Interpret graphs involving time & speed.

• Calculate problems involving distance, time & average speed.

• The description of velocity must include both direction & speed.

• Velocity changes can be in speed, direction, or both.

Forces (13%)

• Force has magnitude & direction.

• Object’s subject to multiple forces at once experience cumulative effects of all forces.

• Balanced forces do not change an object’s motion.

• Unbalanced forces change an object’s motion.

• Objects with increasing mass need more force to change motion.

• Gravity is responsible for the formation & maintenance of the positions of planets & stars in the solar system.

Earth in the Solar System (Earth Sciences) (12%)

• Galaxies of different shapes are clusters of billions of stars.

• Stars differ in size, temperature & color. The sun is one of many stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

• Astronomical units & light years measure distances between the sun, stars & Earth.

• Stars shine through nuclear fusion. The moon & planets shine by reflected sunlight.

Investigation & Experimentation (10%)

• Plan & conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

• Evaluate accuracy & reproducibility of data.

• Construct appropriate graphs from data & develop quantitative statements about relationships between variables.

• Apply math relationships to determine missing quantity in a math expression, given the 2 remaining terms.

• Distinguish between linear & nonlinear relationships on a graph.

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