Welcome!  Something about me! (Mrs. Swofford)  Graduated from UNCW  My husband is a History Teacher at Pinecrest High School.  I have a dog named Chompers  I enjoy going backpacking and triathlons.  Huge Duke Fan!!

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Geological Time  a) Explain the relationship between genetic variation and an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.  B)Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.  C) Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).  D) Explain the use of fossils, ice cores, composition of sedimentary rocks, faults, and igneous rock formations found in rock layers as evidence of the history of the Earth and its changing life forms.

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Chemistry.  A) Classify matter as elements, compounds, or mixtures based on how the atoms are packed together in arrangements.  B) Explain how the physical properties of elements and their reactivity have been used to produce the current model of the Periodic Table of elements.  C) Compare physical changes such as size, shape and state to chemical changes that are the result of a chemical reaction to include changes in temperature, color, formation of a gas or precipitate.  D) Explain how the idea of atoms and a balanced chemical equation support the law of conservation of mass.

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Energy: Conservation and Transfer  A) Explain the environmental consequences of the various methods of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy.  B) Explain the implications of the depletion of renewable and nonrenewable energy resources and the importance of conservation. 

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Hydrosphere  A) Explain the structure of the hydrosphere including:  Water distribution on earth  Local river basin and water availability  B) Summarize evidence that Earth’s oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms:  Estuaries  Marine ecosystems  Upwelling  Behavior of gases in the marine environment  Value and sustainability of marine resources  Deep ocean technology and understandings gained 

What is 8 th Grade Science?  C) Predict the safety and portability of water supplies in North Carolina based on physical and biological factors, including:  Temperature  Dissolved oxygen  pH  Nitrates and phosphates  Turbidity  Bio-indicators  D) Conclude that the good health of humans requires:  Monitoring of the hydrosphere  Water quality standards  Methods of water treatment  Maintaining safe water quality  Stewardship

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Ecosystems  How food, water, shelter, and space effect populations  Producers, consumers, and decompers  Food webs

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Structures and Functions of Living Organisms  Understand the hazards caused by agents of diseases that effect living organisms.  Understand how biotechnology is used to affect living organisms.

What is 8 th Grade Science?  Molecular Biology  Understand the composition of various substances as it relates to their ability to serve as a source of energy and building materials for growth and repair of organisms.

Website  I have a class website at where I post information for the class including assignments.

Materials  Everyday you will need to have a 3-ring binder for science with loose-leaf paper, pencils, sharpener, colored pencils, USB Drive, and a 2 dividers for science.  You will not receive a textbook. There is a textbook online that you must create an account for and you will use that for homework and class work assignments.  To register for a textbook please go to my website and click on online textbook and follow the instructions.

8 th Grade Science EOG  The North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) is designed to measure student performance on the competencies specified in the goals and objectives of the Standard Course of Study in science at grade 8.  The test is used to determine science class placement in high school and is used in determining the school AYP score.  Review material for the EOG and Benchmarks are available on my website.

Grading Rules Grades are calculated using five main categories:  Class work = 20%  Home work = 15%  Lab = 15%  Quiz = 20%  Test/Projects = 30%

Homework  The purpose of homework is to reinforce what students learned in class  Do not give often so when I do you need to complete it.  Most of the time its to finish something.

Make Up Work  Absent students must turn in missing work. The number of days you have to make up the missing assignments is equivalent to the number of days you were absent.

Tests  To evaluate student understanding of goals and objectives of the standard course of study, tests are given at the end of each goal.  Quizzes are given to check understanding on key items such as vocabulary.  Benchmark tests are given once each quarter by the school district to check overall understanding of the science topics taught during the previous nine weeks.  Benchmark and EOG scores are not reflected in the student’s overall score for the class however please do your best. The only way I can help you improve is to know what you don’t understand.

Expectations School Wide ExpectationsClass Expectations Practice Honesty  Be Honest Act Responsibly  Be Prompt On time, in seat, ready to go  Be Prepared Come to class with all needed materials Treat Others With Respect  Be Respectful Treat people the way you want to be treated Have Self Discipline  Be Engaged Follow directions Raise your hand before speaking or getting out of your seat

Classroom Rules  If You Choose to Break a Rule  First TimeVerbal Warning/Strike  Second TimeReferral to counselor  Third TimeParent contact  Forth TimeParent contact and after school detention  Fifth TimeOffice Referral  Severe DisruptionsOffice Referral

Classroom Rules  Follow directions given by the teacher(s).  Be prepared. Bring your pencil, spiral notebook and 3 ring binder with paper to each class. (Sharpen pencils before class begins.)  Be on time. Class begins promptly – you must be in your seat at that time.  Stay seated and quiet. Raise your hand before asking or answering questions. No talking or getting out of seats without permission. Class time is for SCIENCE work only.

Classroom Rules  Be courteous and respectful to the teacher(s) and other students at all times. Also, have respect for school (and other people’s) property.  Remain in your seats until you are dismissed at the end of the class.  Pay attention to lesson being taught and ask questions when you don’t understand.  Work hard while at school and stay on task.  Water and gum are allowed only if you can throw them out in the proper place.  Ipods are allowed. Only when I say you can listen to them. IF you have them out without permission I will take it. NO SHARING!  ALL SCHOOL RULES are in effect in this classroom at ALL TIMES.

Classroom Procedures  What to do when they enter the classroom  Take out the materials you will use in this class.  Start working on the warm-up assignment immediately.

Classroom Procedures  Participating in class discussion  During the year, we will have class discussion as part of our lesson plan. During these times I will ask you questions. You must raise your hand and wait to be recognized by me before you respond.

Classroom Procedures  What to do at dismissal of class / when bell ring  You are to remain in your seat until I dismiss the class. The bell does not dismiss the class. You do not dismiss the class. The Teacher dismisses the class.  Criteria for Dismissal  Clean desk, work area and put chairs under table. Last class chairs go on tables.

Classroom Procedures  Signal for your immediate attention  When you see me raise my hands or I may tap a bell because some of you will not be able to see my hand when you are working in groups, I need you to do the following:  Freeze.  Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me.  Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.

Classroom Procedures  When finish work early  Start working on your homework assignment or see me for extension work on the topic.  When a school wide announcement is made  During announcements, you are to sit quietly (no talking) in your seat and listen and/or watch the announcement. We do not want to miss important school information.  When visitors are in the classroom  Continue to work quietly if a visitor enters the room. I will alert you if I need your attention.

Classroom Procedures  Responding to fire drill  At the sound of the alarm, quietly stop working and form a single file line at the door. Wait until I open the door, then proceed quietly to our designated area in a single file line. Maintain the single file line while outside and when returning to the classroom.

Classroom Procedures  When walking to another location, all students will line up in the hallway and silently walk in a single file line.

Classroom Procedures  After being absent it is your responsibility to get any missed assignments from my wiki space. If you need a print out of a worksheet or assignment please write me a note and put it in the basket.

Lab Safety  I have a no tolerance for inappropriate behavior during a laboratory activity. Students will be asked once to stop the inappropriate behavior. The second time it occurs the student will be asked to stand in the hall until the activity is complete.

The Bottom Line  Mr. Marshall is the 8 th Grade Administrator.  Rules & Procedures are designed to keep you OUT of his office.  If a behavior is preventing me from teaching or preventing students from learning, I have to do something about it.

The Bottom Line  If I see inappropriate behavior, I will deal with it. You may not always know.  If you don’t think I saw it or know about it, report it to me and I will watch for it.  Fair doesn’t mean equal – we don’t treat everyone the same. Sometimes for reasons I’m not allowed to discuss with you.

The Bottom Line  In a recent study, it was determined that an average teacher makes close to 3000 decisions a day.  I’m going to make mistakes! I’m human.  If you aren’t happy with a decision I make, I would like to know about it. Lets discuss it one on one.

The Bottom Line  I usually end up caring about you like you’re my own children.  I want you to be successful.  I DON’T want you to fail.  I DON’T want you to get in trouble.  I DON’T want you to be sad.  I want you to get a 4 on the 8 th Grade Science EOG.