Introduction to 8 th Grade Science Mrs. Burgess

Attention The Teacher gives you the signal to pay attention. (I will raise my hand) You, the student will look at the teacher and raise your hand. (acknowledge that you are paying attention) I have something important to say. Listen to the teacher. Follow instructions.

Course Description Science courses include theories and concepts that help further scientific knowledge and understanding. Students will be expected to become critical thinkers. This will be accomplished through hands-on experiences including labs, teacher demonstrations, class discussions and class projects.

Behavior Rules The student will be polite. The student will act appropriately. The student will be prepared. The student will be in uniform (including ID badge). (including ID badge).

Consequences - Negative 1. Verbal warning 2. Silent lunch ( 3 times in one week – student will be assigned after school detention) 3. Behavior Essay or Silent lunch & Parents notified ( Letter home – if not signed and returned the next day parents will be called and detention may be assigned.) ( Letter home – if not signed and returned the next day parents will be called and detention may be assigned.) 4. Detention/Parent notification (Phone call and/or detention note) 5. Office Referral*** (Consequences for behaviors start over daily.) ***Severe disruption will result in immediate referral to the office or counselor. Uniform Violations: Dress code violation letter will be sent home with a copy sent to administrator.

Consequences - Positive 1. Extra computer time. 2. Play Rubic’s Games. 3. Go to library. 4. Free homework ticket – good for one homework assignment (one per month). 5. Best group – framed certificate (once per semester). 6. Top five students – framed certificate (once per semester).

Classroom Procedures Entering the classroom. Students must walk in a single file line on the right side of the hall. Students must walk in a single file line on the right side of the hall. You must remain facing forward at all times. You must remain facing forward at all times. You will enter the classroom silently and orderly. You will enter the classroom silently and orderly. Get your materials out of your bookbag and place your bookbag on the floor next to the lockers. Go directly to your assigned seat without talking to your classmates.

Coming into class late. If you should come into class late, come in with no talking. If you should come into class late, come in with no talking. Give me your excuse and take your assigned seat and immediately begin your assignment. Give me your excuse and take your assigned seat and immediately begin your assignment. Do not disturb or talk to others during this process. Do not disturb or talk to others during this process. If you do not have an excuse, then sign the book designated for late sign-ins. If you do not have an excuse, then sign the book designated for late sign-ins.

Beginning your assignment. After taking your seat, begin the bellwork activity that is on the board. After taking your seat, begin the bellwork activity that is on the board. Get out your book pencil and begin your assignment without talking. Get out your book pencil and begin your assignment without talking. Work on the assignment for 5 minutes or the amount of time on the board. Work on the assignment for 5 minutes or the amount of time on the board.

Materials needed for class. Bring all of your materials for class: –Notebook full of paper –Writing utensil (blue or black pen, pencil) –Textbook –Planner –Lab Journal –Anything else I may specify for special projects. Once in class you will not be able to leave and get forgotten items.

During class time. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to walk around. If I am talking you are to remain quiet. If you have a question about the lesson make a note of your question wait until the end of the presentation then when I ask if there are any questions raise your hand. When I call on you ask your question. If you have trash to throw away during class, you will do the following. Place the trash on the floor beside your desk. At the end of class, on the way out, throw the things out. Do not get up during class to throw anything away!

Going to the bathroom. I expect all of you to go to the bathroom during designated times. I expect all of you to go to the bathroom during designated times. We have scheduled bathroom breaks for your convenience and you should use these breaks. We have scheduled bathroom breaks for your convenience and you should use these breaks. I do understand that there are emergencies and I will allow for emergency bathroom passes only!

Getting sick. If you should get sick in class, raise your hand and tell me that you want to speak to me in private. If you should get sick in class, raise your hand and tell me that you want to speak to me in private. I will then give you a pass to first aid office. I will then give you a pass to first aid office.

Sharpening your pencil. You may use my pencil sharpener with permission before the tardy bell rings. If your pencil breaks during class use your own pencil sharpener.

Getting into groups. Getting into groups. There will be some assignments that involve you getting into groups and working together. There will be some assignments that involve you getting into groups and working together. When I ask you to get into groups, I expect you to do it in an orderly and quiet manner. When I ask you to get into groups, I expect you to do it in an orderly and quiet manner. You are allowed to talk in your groups but it must be at a noise level that only your group can hear. You are allowed to talk in your groups but it must be at a noise level that only your group can hear. I should not hear you talking loudly across the room. I should not hear you talking loudly across the room.

Food and Drinks. Food and Drinks. There will be no food or drinks allowed in the classroom or the lab.

Make-up work. You have three days to make up work for the days you are absent. You have three days to make up work for the days you are absent. Look on the table and find the folder for the day you missed. Look on the table and find the folder for the day you missed. When you have completed the assignment you missed, placed it in the basket on top of the cabinet marked “make up work”. When you have completed the assignment you missed, placed it in the basket on top of the cabinet marked “make up work”. The student is responsible for getting their missed work.

Taking tests. Put all of your things away except a writing utensil (blue or black pen or pencil). Put all of your things away except a writing utensil (blue or black pen or pencil). You can begin the test after the last test has been passed out. No talking is allowed after the class has begun taking the test. No talking is allowed after the class has begun taking the test. After finishing the test raise your hand and I will come and pick up your test and give you another assignment. After finishing the test raise your hand and I will come and pick up your test and give you another assignment. There will be no talking until the last test is turned in. There will be no talking until the last test is turned in. If you talk or cheat during the test you will receive a zero with no chance of a makeup. If you talk or cheat during the test you will receive a zero with no chance of a makeup. If you have a question during the test, raise your hand and I will come to your desk. If you have a question during the test, raise your hand and I will come to your desk.

Wrapping up the class. When I am finished teaching for the day, I will tell you so. day, I will tell you so. Do not start closing your books and putting away your things until I tell you to do so. Do not start closing your books and putting away your things until I tell you to do so. When I do dismiss class, you will leave the room in the same orderly, quiet manner in which you arrived. When I do dismiss class, you will leave the room in the same orderly, quiet manner in which you arrived. Remember, I dismiss you not the bell.

Cafeteria behavior. All students must be in the cafeteria line before another team enters the cafeteria. All students must be in the cafeteria line before another team enters the cafeteria. Students must sit in groups according to their assigned table. Students must sit in groups according to their assigned table. When leaving the cafeteria, two students will be assigned to wipe tables daily.

Textbooks. Please cover your textbooks with a non-stick cover to help protect it from wear and tear. Please cover your textbooks with a non-stick cover to help protect it from wear and tear. Students are not to write in their books. You are responsible for any damage to your textbook.

Class Schedule (subject to change) Monday Copy the Objective, vocabulary words and the homework for the week. (5 min.) Do Bellwork (5 min.) Lecture or lab. Exit pass. Tuesday Do Bellwork. (5 min.) Go over homework from Monday. Lab, lecture or group project. Review the Objective. Go over vocabulary words. Exit pass. Wednesday Do Bellwork. (5 min.) Go over home- Work from Tuesday. Lab, lecture or group project. Review the Objective. Go over vocabulary words. Exit pass. Thursday Do Bellwork. (5 min.) Go over homework from Wed. Lab, lecture or group project. Review for test. Exit pass. Friday Friday Turn in Thursdays homework Test on the current Objective. Assignment from next objective Preview for The next weeksObjective.

Materials ring binder with tabs for objectives, vocabulary, bellwork, notes including handouts, and homework. 1 Folder - Blue 1 – notebook – no spiral notebooks (composition note books ) for lab work 1 – pkg. of 3” x 5” index cards – for daily exit passes Blue or black ink pen Red ink pen for grading papers Pencils Highlighters – orange, yellow, blue, green, pink, & purple. 1 – box of 12 colored pencils 1- pencil sharpener 1- scissors 2- glue sticks

Syllabus 1 st Quarter 1 & 2 Week Week 1 - Objective 1.0 – Identify the steps within the Scientific Process (Method) Lab Safety Rules, procedures and schedules. Turn in signed syllabus. Rules, procedures and schedules. Turn in signed syllabus. Week 2 - Objective 1.1 – Express dimension, volume and mass using the Systeme International d’ Unites or the System of International Units (SI units) Lab Safety continues. Turn in signed Lab Safety Lab Safety continues. Turn in signed Lab Safety Forms. Forms.

Grading System 90% - 100% A 89% - 80% B 79% - 70% C 69% - 0% I (incomplete) Students with an incomplete will be given a chance to redo their work. If the work is not satisfactory after 1 week parents will be notified and an incomplete will be entered in the computer.