8 TH GRADE SCIENCE

SCIENCE in the 8 th Grade: Focuses on the student becoming the “scientist” Uses the inquiry process to investigate and solve problems in an orderly way Applies the newly acquired knowledge to the world around us

4 TEXTBOOKS  DYNAMIC PLANET  ROCKS & LANDFORMS  CLIMATE & WEATHER  ENERGY RESOURCES (TEXTBOOKS DO NOT LEAVE THE CLASSROOM)

“DO NOW” Expected to begin immediately Test Prep questions from prior NJ state testing An answer MUST be chosen with an explanation for the choice Should complete 1 question in 1 minute

Class is

Students will complete a lab activity with an assigned group

Critical thinking questions will be answered based on the activity

Groups must work well together

You must DISCOVER solutions TOGETHER

Diversity within groups is often the best way to approach a question because people have different points of view, special talents and ways of looking at the world

Presentation of material & reinforcement is primarily DURING CLASS

There is a after each lab activity

after each book There will be a

SCIENCE PROJECT (HONORS) – Students will pose a question and hypothesis to explore using Inquiry – Experiments will be formally presented to the class and require visual aids – Marking Period 1 (S1) or 3 (S2)

RESEARCH PAPER (HONORS) – Students will write a formal research paper – Marking Period 2 (S1) or 4 (S2)

This must be AS ORGANIZED AS POSSIBLE!! Notebook pages from class will be NUMBERED These pages must be kept in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER and brought to class every day SURPRISE notebook checks WILL be given

3-ring binder (Do Now-Classwork-HW) Folder (with pockets) Loose-leaf paper

-TEST PREP EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY due the following day (short answers, multiple choice, open-ended questions)

Assigned every MONDAY due the following MONDAY - Complete each assignment ONE TIME ONLY (no matter what the score)

is written on the front whiteboard in the classroom and through the WTSD website

GRADING Tests & Quizzes = 1/3 Homework, Lab & Classwork = 2/3

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES LOCKDOWN Everyone must be out of view from the door AWAY FROM DOOR

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Everyone must be out of view from the windows AWAY FROM WINDOWS LOCKOUT

When instructed, exit the building quickly & quietly & await further instruction EVACUATION REMBEMBER to be SILENT !!! Silent Fire Drill Procedures will be followed

*external environmental hazard* SHELTER IN PLACE Continue regular classroom procedures until instructed further All doors closed & locked, shades closed