Welcome to 8th Grade Science with Ms. A
I am excited to say that I will be teaching one class of 8th grade science this year. Many of you have had me as your 6th grade science teacher, so you will be familiar to many of my rules within the classroom. Projects, labs, and student-driven research will be the majority of your grade in 8th grade science, however, you will also be taking small assessments throughout units and Unit tests.
Lab Safety, Project and Classwork Expectations
Lab Safety: In the first week of school, students will be expected to read and study the student safety contract. It will be announced when students will be doing a lab, and therefore, students should be prepared for the lab. If student is not prepared, then they will have an alternative learning assignment that will take place of their lab grade.
Project Expectations: Each project will be unique to the unit that students are learning. Students will work in collaborative groups and are expected to work cohesively with the aid of Ms. A. Each group member will have a group role that they will be assessed on and a group grade for the overall project. During the process it is very important to have open communication with Ms. A when disagreements, lack of participation, etc arise. Classwork Expectations: When classwork is assigned with a due date the student is responsible for completing the assignment on or before the due date. If it is not complete, then the student may meet with Ms. A about completing it at home. |
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Extra Credit Opportunities
Students will have one opportunity per quarter to earn 5 points for their participation grade by attending a science museum, event, or center. Students must write a well thought-out review of what they attended by explaining the positives and the places for growth. This will be due the Monday before the end of the quarter.
PowerSchool
Powerschool will be updated when assignments are graded. It is the student's responsibility to check Powerschool and report any discrepancies.
Homework
Homework will be assigned Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. For Monday night's homework, it will be posted by 5pm on the previous Friday evening and students may work ahead. It is imperative that students complete the assignments to be ready for projects, assessments, labs and class activities. Unlike the traditional classroom, I flip the classroom where students get the content at home through guided notes and videos, while the application of content is completed in class with my supervision and help.
Discipline
My classroom is our home away from home. If the student would not act or talk to their parent(s)/guardian(s) the way they talk to their teacher then the student will make contact with their parent(s)/guardian(s) to explain the behavior.
For minor offenses, student will bring home a behavior notice that outlines their behavior (including no homework) and the parent/guardian must sign it and send it back for the next day of school. If the student does not return the slip the next day, they will earn silent lunch until it is brought back. Excessive behavior notices may result in a parent/teacher conference, or a referral to the office.
For minor offenses, student will bring home a behavior notice that outlines their behavior (including no homework) and the parent/guardian must sign it and send it back for the next day of school. If the student does not return the slip the next day, they will earn silent lunch until it is brought back. Excessive behavior notices may result in a parent/teacher conference, or a referral to the office.