7th Grade science 8th Grade science Back to School Night Contact Ms. Huiras: shuiras@sjcoe.net (209) 835-3053 ext. 1112 7th Grade science 8th Grade science

8th Grade Instructional Segments (A.K.A. Units) 1: Objects move and collide 2: Noncontact forces influence phenomena locally and in the solar system 3: Evolution explains life’s unity and diversity 4: Human activities help sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services in a changing world

7th Grade Instructional Segments (A.K.A. Units) 1: Living and Nonliving things are made of atoms 2: Matter Cycles and energy flows in systems of all scales within the Earth System 3: Natural Processes and human activities have shaped Earth’s resources and ecosystems. 4: Human activities help sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services in a changing world During the last month of school, the class will focus on human reproduction and sexual health. More information will be provided to parents prior to beginning that section.

Instructional Segments will include the following: Cross Cutting Concepts Science and Engineering Practices Disciplinary Core Ideas (Science Content) 1. Patterns 2. Cause and Effect 3. Scale, Proportion and Quantity 4. Systems and System Models 5. Energy and Matter 6. Structure and Function 7. Stability and Change 1. Asking questions and defining problems 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information Earth and Space Science   Engineering, Technology and Application of Science Physical Science Life Science www.nextgenscience.org

Homework, Absent Work, Online Resources Plan for homework 1-2 nights a week. Usually new vocabulary and unfinished classwork. Absent work can be obtained from the binder. If anything is needed from me, before school, after school or lunch time is the best times to get it. I try my best to keep my website updated with our Daily PowerPoint, Agenda and homework. All of this information will also be available in the binder. Students will use Google Classroom for this class.

8th Grade Notebooks Two 100 page composition notebooks will be needed. We will begin the second notebook when we run out of pages in the first. (My mistake and my apologies…I believe the supply list said three) Multiple notebook checks will happen throughout the year.

7th Grade Notebooks One three-subject spiral notebook will be needed for this class. Students will have notebook checks throughout the year.

Standards Based/Mastery Grading (Some details subject to change) Grading will be standards based and represent what students know. To make sure grades are accurate and reflect student learning, there will be two categories in the aeries gradebook: Major Grades (Summative; Tests, quizzes, assignments and projects designed to demonstrate what students have learned) ………………………………..………………..60% Minor Grades (Formative; Assignments designed to show the process of learning including notebooks and practice work) ……………………………………….40%

Academic Factors There will be NO EXTRA CREDIT in Science this year. I grade Academic Factors only! Non-Academic Factors: No longer will someone be given “extra credit” for glitter, coloring, or perfect handwriting on a project! That is a non-academic factor. Academic Factors: An academic factor is very cut and dry…they tell me what students know what and how well they know it. The grade will reflect what students know or don’t yet know, and to what extent.

General Grading Rubric Students have a copy of this in their notebooks!

Redo/Late Work Students will be able to redo assignments not meeting standard and they may turn in late work without a grade penalty. That does not mean students can turn all of their assignments in on the last day of school! They may turn in late assignments of a certain unit in only while we are still working on that unit! The consequence will be students giving up break/lunch recess if late work becomes a habit. Missing assignments must be turned in with a missing work log, and redo work must be turned in with a redo form.

Test retakes Tests will be graded with raw scores converted into a rubric score. Students must meet the following requirements to retest: Score of 2.5 or lower No missing assignments Request to retest completed and submitted Tests may only be redone once, and tests meeting standard may not be redone. Redo tests will be completed at a time scheduled with Ms. Huiras. Please note that some tests and projects often mark the end of a unit and will need to be retaken within ONE WEEK of students receiving their scores.

General Info All students should have every opportunity to succeed and every opportunity to demonstrate mastery of content. This is the rationale for redo’s, test retakes and no-penalty late work. No assignment will be graded below a 50%. With this, an A (100%) and an F (50%) will average to a C (75%) as it should. So students can recover their grade from missing assignments! To receive an above average grade, students must submit above average work!

Questions? Contact Info: Classroom Phone: 209-835-3053 ext. 1112 Email: shuiras@sjcoe.net