Welcome to Open House! 8th Grade Science - Mrs. J. Dolive

We will study this year: b Lab Safety and science process skills. b Astronomy / Earth – Sun – Moon b Earth’s Forces in Nature b Earth, Ocean, and Weather Systems b Force, Motion & Energy b Chemistry b Living Systems and the Environment

Interactive Student Notebook b Students will keep and process class assignments in their interactive student notebook. b Students will need to keep these notebooks to serve as a reference for high school and the exit STAAR test.

Expectations - b Promotion standards have been changed! b Students MUST PASS science for the year or successfully complete science in summer school to be promoted to 9 th grade. b Only two classes may be made up in summer school!

High School Courses - b Normal Sequence – IPC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. 4 years of science. b Advanced – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Selected course senior year. b Teacher Recommendation for Biology is based upon performance on Tests / Quizzes and overall academic preparation.

Science STAAR Test b Students will take the 8 th Grade Science STAAR test in April 24th. b It is a timed test; no more extended time. b The 8 th grade STAAR test covers concepts learned in 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade. b Apply what you’ve learned to new situations/ real world applications b Must pass for promotion to 9 th grade

Mrs. Dolive’s Tutorials b Offered some Tuesday mornings8:10 – 8:45am b Needs a note from a parent b Tutorials also available on Thursdays after school 4:00- 4:45pm academic bus available to students that live in district

Retesting Policy b Students that do not pass a test must take a retest : below 70 b Required to correct their original test b Come to at least one tutorial session b Retesting can be done on Tuesday mornings or Thursday after school after school

ZAP – Zero’s Aren’t Permitted b Zap tickets handed to a student for missing assignment b Students have until 8:45am the next morning to turn in missing work b If work is not turned in, lunch detention that day; if work is turned in to zap table – no lunch detention and no zero!

How Can I Help My Child? b Please check their Time Trackers and Interactive Student Notebook at least once a week. b Please check homework web list to view the week’s plans. b 8 th Grade students should average about 80 minutes of homework (total for all classes) at least four nights a week!

End of Course Testing b High school is phasing out the TAKS/STARR test and is phasing in “End of Course” testing. b This year’s 8 th graders will take both tests in high school.

GT/Pre-AP requirements b All GT/Pre-AP students will be required to do a science fair project. b Encourage all students to participate b Counts for 2 Major Grades b Details will be sent home mid September

Secrets to Success! b Contact the teacher! - If your child has a habit of “surprise averages” at the end of each reporting period, please feel free to send me an or call. child has a habit of “surprise averages” at the end of each reporting period, please feel free to send me an or call.

Secrets to Success! b Have a set study time each day! – do not ask if they have homework. The answer will most probably be “No, I don’t have any homework”. This is called the Homework Game! Get around this with a set study time (80 minutes per night), no exceptions. No homework? Then organize, review, work ahead, study, or read a library book.

Secrets to Success! b Contact the teacher! - If your child has a habit of “surprise averages” at the end of each reporting period, please feel free to send me an or call. child has a habit of “surprise averages” at the end of each reporting period, please feel free to send me an or call.

Questions? b View my web page for class calendar and assignments – b me! My address is on the DMS website. My address is – b b School phone – leave a message