1. 8 th Grade Science 8 th Honors Science Program Leader for Splash Into Science

2.  This is my 17th year teaching. I began my teaching career in 1990, as a fifth grade teacher at Hermes Elementary School in East Aurora. I then took advantage of a business opportunity, which took me out of teaching and lasted the next 10 years. I was very excited to return to the classroom in 2002 as an eighth grade science teacher at Ellis Middle School in Elgin, Ill. After a year in there, I obtained a seventh grade science position at Westchester Middle School, where I stayed for the next four years. In 2005, my long drive became much shorter as I happily accepted an eighth grade science position at Plank Junior High School. I moved within the District 308 family and at Traughber Junior High School for the last 8 years. I am thoroughly enjoying it.

3.  Be in your seat when the bell rings.  Respect all people and their opinions in class.  Safety is critical. Follow safety rules!  Don’t Do Anything To Interfere With Your Learning, Your Neighbors Learning, Or My Teaching!

4.  All students are to come to Science class prepared to work, discuss, and have a positive science experience.  The students are required to bring their binder (with paper), pens and pencils, and assignment notebook to class every day, no exceptions!

5.  Major assignments (projects), as well as assessments (quizzes and tests) will be posted on my page on the school website.  All assignments are to be completed and turned in on time.  After an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to check with me for missing assignments.

6.  Grades for Science will be based on in-class work, labs, quizzes, tests, and projects.  In addition, not every assignment is for a grade; some may be used as a way to formatively assess the progress of the student(s) and the unit/lesson. However, the students will not know ahead of time if an assignment is to be graded or not.  The students are expected to give 100% effort at all times! Please remember, the teacher doesn’t GIVE grades, the student EARNS grades!

7.  Lab Safety  Measurement  Scientific Method  Simple / Compound Machines  Chemistry  Magnetism and Electricity  Weather  Outer Space / Exploration / Rockets  Mitosis / Meiosis  Change over Time We are continuing to make Common Core connections, while we move towards the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Our main units are: