8th Grade Science



8th Grade Science

Mrs. LeBaron

480 224-2400 X 2469

lebaron.anna@ PJHS-LeBaron

Room E 39

Welcome to a new school year. I am very excited to be your science teacher for this school year. I look forward to learning more about each of you and guiding you in scientific discoveries throughout the year. I have been teaching at Payne Junior High School since 2008. I also taught eighth grade science for five years in Tempe right after completing college. Following those first five years of teaching, I took time off for my family and worked at home with preschool children. In fact I have taught students here at Payne who had also been my “little ones”! My own children attended school here. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in Biology from Arizona State University. I have always been intrigued with how the amazing human body works. I am very eager to share my enthusiasm for science and inspire the same sense of appreciation for the sciences that I carry with me. Please share the following information with a parent/guardian at home.

Course Information

CUSD’s eighth grade science program focuses on scientific inquiry through the following areas: Genetics, Adaptations, Chemistry, Physics, and Health. The course will also include many investigations, explorations, observations, and challenges. Learning opportunities will include:

Cooperative lab groups Homework

Hands-on activities Weekly quiz or test

Class discussions Science Fair Project

Reading and writing assignments Other projects

This class is designed to increase student knowledge of scientific ideas and to develop problem solving skills using all subject matter, including mathematics, writing and reading. During 4th Quarter Health the Warner Brothers motion picture, August Rush, 2007, rated PG, will be shown. The movie relates to the curriculum as a case study on the effects of personal choices. A separate permission slip will be sent home.

Grading

Grades will be based on a point system with assignments in the following categories: class work, homework, quizzes and tests. Lab reports, bell work, notebook checks and projects will be placed in one of these categories. The grading scale is as follows:

A = 100 – 90%

B = 89 – 80%

C = 79 – 70%

D = 69 – 60%

F = 59% and below

Please check Infinite Campus (online grades) at home to monitor your child’s grade (). You will need the student ID# and password to use this system. Midterm Progress Reports are sent home each quarter. At other times throughout the quarter, if a student’s average is 69% or below in my class, a Progress Report may be sent home and must be signed and returned immediately. Students not returning Progress Reports will be asked to call home as a reminder. Lunch detention will be assigned if a student continues to fail to return the Progress Report.

Late Work Coupons

Late work will not be accepted for credit unless it is completed and accompanied by a Late Work Coupon. Every student will be given two Late Work Coupons for which the student is responsible to keep and use at his/her discretion or turn in at the end of the quarter for five points. Each coupon may be used on any assignment worth up to 30 points. The assignment must be complete and the coupon must be completed and attached. At no other time will late work be accepted.

Absences

The school wide attendance policy will be followed in this class. Students will be required to make up ALL work missed due to absence. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain ALL make-up work. If work is requested prior to or during an absence, it is due the day the student returns to school. If work is requested after an absence, for each day missed, the student has an equal number of days to make up the work. It is the student’s responsibility to check the web site or the assignment calendar posted at the front of the classroom to know what was missed. Students will find make-up handouts in the “daily files” in the classroom. ALL notes and bell work missed should be copied from a classmate NOT during instruction time.

Classroom Rules

The classroom rules are as follows:

No Bullying--Respect others and all property

Be prepared to learn and participate daily

Discipline

1st offense- verbal warning and possible seat change

2nd offense- time out reflection—student will complete a Time Out reflection form

- parent must sign form and student must return the form

3rd offense- parent meeting/office referral

*Extreme cases will result in immediate office referral.*

Food Policy

No gum chewing anywhere on campus. The school wide gum policy will be followed. Do not bring drinks, candy, or food into the classroom. Do not bring Gatorade, Vitamin Water or any drink other than bottled water. The only acceptable item is bottled WATER.

Tardy Policy

Students must be in their assigned seat with all daily materials and homework that is due on the table when the bell rings. Daily materials will be the school issued agenda, binder with loose leaf paper and dividers, and the binder pouch containing pencils, eraser, sharpener, coloring utensils and highlighter. Upon entering the room students will place their zipped backpacks (and/or any other type of purse, bag or other item) at the back of the room. Any cell phones or electronic devices must be turned off and in the backpack. Students must first copy the Homework Assignment from the board in their agenda, then begin Bell Work which will be on the screen. Agenda and Bell Work should be started immediately when the bell rings without any discussion. The school wide tardy policy will be followed. Students must remain in their assigned area throughout the class period unless otherwise instructed.

Cheating Policy

Cheating will not be tolerated in the classroom. If caught cheating (eyes on other’s papers, talking during a test or quiz, etc.) the student will automatically receive a zero for that task and parents will be notified. Copying another student’s work for another class or working on work from another class during my class will result in the papers being shredded. Do not use my class time to work on work for another class without first obtaining my permission.

Extra Credit

Extra credit opportunities may be provided throughout the school year as decided by the teacher. Students should not ask for extra credit assignments/activities.

Leaving the Classroom

Students are limited to leaving the room eight times in all classes combined per quarter. Every student will be provided with a restroom pass which must be presented to the teacher to be used. Students may use the pass to fill up a water bottle at the fountain. Students must ask for permission from the teacher to leave the room. Students should not ask to leave during instruction or in the last five minutes of class. Students must sign out and sign in on the clipboard when leaving and returning. All breaks will be recorded.

Electronics

Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in class without first obtaining permission from the teacher. If a student is using any electronic product without the teacher’s permission, the product will be taken away and stored in the office. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up the item from the office. Electronic readers may be kept at the desk on quiz days with permission.

Materials

Materials needed to class every day:

School issued Agenda

--3” binder with loose leaf paper

--1/2 “ or 1” binder for science only (optional)

Science papers will be removed from binder each quarter, bound, and SAVED for end of year exam and project.

--Binder pouch containing pencils, erasers, sharpener, coloring utensils, highlighter, reinforcements or tape

--Pencil/Pen (blue or black ink only)

Students should care for their materials so they will last the entire school year and replenish as needed.

Agendas

Agendas, provided by the school, need to be filled out every day in every class. Agendas will be checked to verify that they have been completed. Agendas need to be kept intact, with no writing on the cover and no tearing or folding of the pages. The straight edge should also be kept as it will be used in science.

Contact Information

I am most easily reached by email lebaron.anna@ or by telephone before school starts (480) 224-2400 X2469.

This syllabus will be kept in your science notebook throughout the school year.

This syllabus is subject to change at the teacher’s discretion.

We have read and understand the syllabus for Mrs. LeBaron’s 8th grade science class.

____________________________________ ______________________________

Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Student Information Sheet

Student Name___________________________ ________________________________

Parent/Guardian to be contacted ______________________ _______________________

*Please indicate with an asterisk which of the following is the preferred method of contact.

Phone___________________________

Work Phone _____________________

Email ___________________________

In addition to completing this sheet, your child will receive 5 points when a parent sends an email from the parent email address to lebaron.anna@chandler.k12.az.us following the format below.

Subject: Your child’s name and science period _____

Text: In the text please list the best phone number(s) to contact and parent/guardian names.

**If you prefer a call, please not that on the e-mail.**

(Optional) Second Parent/Guardian to be contacted

________________________ _______________________

*Please indicate with an asterisk which of the following is the preferred method of contact.

Phone___________________________

Work Phone _____________________

Email ___________________________

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