Green Acres Middle School - Birmingham City Schools



Green Acres Middle School

8th Grade Science Syllabus

Ms. M. McFarland, Instructor

Email: michelledmcfarland@

Etheldia Reynolds, Principal

Course Description

This year’s scientific learning experience promises to be challenging, yet fun and exciting. Eighth grade science is dedicated exclusively to physical science which includes Matter and Energy, Chemical Interactions, Motions, Forces, Waves, Sound, Light, Electricity and Magnetism. Science at this level involves mathematics, which is a necessary component to accurately measure quantities and our. Our course standards and objectives will come from the Alabama Course Of Study for 8th grade physical science and our science vocabulary terms, hands- on projects and other activities where developed by the Birmingham City School science curriculum directors.

This course focuses more on class work and hands-on-experiments. Additionally, selected students will have the opportunity to participate in various activities and field trips. Student participation in these activities will depend upon student’s conduct, teacher-principal’s approval, as well as acceptable abilities in science and mathematics.

Goal

To develop student competency in science coupled with a greater sense of self confidence in practicing scientific inquiry, rules of evidence and ways of proposing explanations using critical thinking, logic and technology.

Classroom Warning/ Consequences

• First Offense: Warning/ Written Documentation

• Second Offense: Parent contact (phone call, note home,etc)

- After-school detention

• Third Offense: Parent Conference

• Fourth Offense: Referral to Principal

Nine Weeks Objectives/Guide

Physical Science Study Guide (Tentative)

|1st Nine Weeks |2nd Nine Weeks |3rd Nine Weeks |4th Nine Weeks |

|Units 1: Matter and Energy |Unit 2: Chemical Reactions |Unit 3: Motions and Forces |Unit 4: Waves, sounds & Light |

|Chapter 1-4 |Chapter 5-8 |Chapter 10-14 |Chapter 15& 16 |

|Ojectives: |Objectives: |Objectives: |Objectives: 8.10.1, 8.10.2,8.11.1, |

|8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2 |8.4.1, 8.5.1, 8.5.2,8.6.1, 8.6.2, |8.8.1, 8.8.2, 8.9.1, 8.9.2 |8.11.2, 8.11.3, 8.12.1, 8.12.2 |

|8.3.1, 8.3.2, 8.7.1, 8.7.2 |8.6.3 | | |

|Lab Safety Skills |Standardize Benchmark testing |Standardize Benchmark testing | |

|Scientific method | | | |

|Measurement | | | |

|Standardize Benchmark testing | | | |

|Project: States of matter Cube |Project: Element Baby Book |School Science Fair |Project: Egg Drop Project: Model |

| |Periodic Table Display | |car |

Approved by:_________________________

Special Projects

Projects are lots of fun but also require hard work. We will do several in class projects over the course of the year. Some of the projects will require completion at home. Science Fair participation is mandatory for all eighth grade students. I will walk students through the steps of the scientific method and proper formatting of this project. See schedule for other projects.

Pre-Advance Placement

This advance curriculum differs from the regular curriculum in several ways. The pre-AP science class is taught using the “Laying the Foundation” state curriculum guide. This course places a higher priority on developing critical thinking skills. The advance curriculum examines topics with more depth and includes more advanced resource materials. Laboratory investigations play a more prominent role in this course also. Labs are more sophisticated and students are expected to design and carry out more experiments with limited teacher interaction.

Course Assessment Plan/ Grading Policy

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways; methods will be formal and/or informal. We will use diverse tools to assess the competency of the students for state required standards. These assessments will be comprised of news paper articles, science essays, workbook sections, section review questions, labs assignments, homework, chapter tests/quizzes and projects.

I use a point system. Each assignment will be worth a certain amount of points. At the end of the nine weeks I will add up the points earned and divide that by the total amount of points possible. Grades will be posted on I-Parent and updated weekly. Therefore, parents should be able to access students’ progress at ant time.

Homework

• All work must have the name, date, and period at the top of the page.

• Homework must be put in the assigned tray at the beginning of class in order to receive full credit

• All work is to be turned in on time. Work not turned in when due will be expected the next day for half credit.

Absences/Make-up Work

• It is the student’s responsibility to check the blue makeup folder that contains assignments and handouts to see what was missed.

• Make-up work must be put in the assigned bin at the beginning of the period.

Please complete, sign and return the following page. This will count as a homework grade.

I have read the Course Syllabus. I have discussed this information with my son/ daughter.

Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________________________

Date:_____________________

Parent/ Guardian email address:_________________________________________

I have read the Course Syllabus. I know and fully understand what is expected to successfully complete this course.

Student Signatures:___________________________________________________

Date:_______________________

Students Name (Printed)________________________________________________

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