Syllabus

360-804-4300 williamst@monroe.wednet.edu twillscience.wikispaces.com Ms. Williams’ 8th Grade Science Syllabus

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein Welcome to 8th grade science! Science is a subject where you learn through reading, note-taking, experimenting, observing, model building, and problem solving (Scientific Method.) These are the processes of science. They require you to use your imagination, think carefully and critically, and to pay close attention to what is going on in class.

8th grade science topics include:  · Scientific Method · Matter · Earth’s history · Plate tectonics · Volcanoes · Earthquakes · Rock cycle · Water and erosion · Weather · Climate · Personal Safety · Health  Metric ruler, scissors, colored pencils, colored markers, and calculator.
 * Suggested Materials **

· Do your own thinking · Ask questions <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Listen to what others are saying <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Come to class ready to participate <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Be on time
 * Classroom Expectations **

<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Science journal and daily work: scored by points <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Activities: designed to teach or reinforce concepts, scored on points <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Labs: graded on group work and written materials, scored on points <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Projects: designed to apply concepts, scored on rubric and points
 * Types of Assignments **

Attendance is very important in this class. Students are responsible for finding out what work was missed due to absences and for showing the completed work to the teacher within one week of the absence. To receive credit for work missed, it must be made up.
 * Absences and Make-Up Work **

In the event of a prolonged absence due to illness or other circumstances beyond your control, special arrangements will be made.

The majority of the work we do will be included in your science journal. Points will be given for completed work. Journals will be checked for completeness on the last school day of a given week.
 * Assignments and Late Work **

Projects are not accepted late.

<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Journals, Daily Work—25% <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Quizzes and Tests—25% <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Labs and Activities—25% <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Projects—25% || A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = below 60% ||
 * Grades **
 * Quarter grades are calculated as follows.
 * Grade Scale

I send emails out at the beginning of every week detailing what we will be learning and notifying you of any upcoming projects, tests, or other important dates.
 * Communication **

If you and your family would like to receive these emails, please write your email address **clearly** on the form below or send me an email from the account you would like to receive the emails and I will add it to my list. Please include the email address of any custodial parent so that all may be notified.

The fastest way to reach me is through email. My email address is williamst@monroe.wednet.edu. My phone number is 360-804-2998 ext. 4384. Best time to reach me by phone is between 11:00-12:00 and after school.

In addition, I have a wikispace page where you can find materials for every day of class. These materials include instructions, hand-outs, and powerpoints. This year I hope to develop the space into a place where students interact on the current topic and bring new information to share. Find out more at **twillscience.wikispaces.com**

You are expected to use the restroom during breaks and your passing periods. If you need to use the restroom during class time, you will need to wait until I am no longer giving instruction. You must sign out in your agenda before leaving the room. You may not leave the D locker bay to use a bathroom in another building unless you are going to the nurse.
 * Bathroom Use **

Parents will be notified if you seem to need to use the restroom frequently during class time and some privileges may be limited.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Water is the only liquid you are allowed to drink in my classroom. **Any other liquids need to be in your backpack or left up front with me. **You may refill water bottles in the classroom at the beginning of class only.
 * Food and Drink **

Food is not to be consumed in the science lab without the teacher’s permission. **All food items need to be in your backpack or left up front with me.**

We do many labs and activities in this class. Safety is very important. I expect you to follow the rules at all times.
 * Safety **

<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">Ø Backpacks should be hung on table hooks or be placed in chairs at all times. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">Ø You need to remain at your stations (counter or table) during all labs and activities. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">Ø NO HORSEPLAY IS ALLOWED. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">Ø Clean up all spills unless glass is involved. Then notify teacher.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Failing to follow these rules may result in you losing your privilege to participate in part or all of that lab.