1. Ms. Eison Mrs. Bruce Dr. Ford (Student Teacher) Room 261 Welcome to 8 th Grade Physical Science While you are waiting for us to begin, grab an index card off the desk in the front of the class. Tell us something that you would like for us to know about your child. Make sure to write their name(s) and class period on the card.

2. Up-Coming Events & Dates 10/9 Red Team Trip to DaVinci Center 10/9 Red Team Trip to DaVinci Center 10/14 Inservice Day/No School 10/14 Inservice Day/No School 10/20 Eye Screening 10/20 Eye Screening 10/23 Picture Make-Up Day 10/23 Picture Make-Up Day 10/26- 10/30 Red Ribbon Week 10/26- 10/30 Red Ribbon Week 11/3 Inservice/No School 11/3 Inservice/No School 11/6 End of 1 st Marking Period 11/6 End of 1 st Marking Period 11/24- 11/25 Conferences 11/24- 11/25 Conferences 11/26- 11/27 Holiday/No School 11/26- 11/27 Holiday/No School 12/23 Keswick Theatre Trip 12/23 Keswick Theatre Trip 12/17 or 12/18 Science Midterms ?? 12/17 or 12/18 Science Midterms ?? 1/18 & 1/19 Holiday/Inservice/No school 1/18 & 1/19 Holiday/Inservice/No school 1/22 End of 2 nd Marking Period- (students select high school courses) 1/22 End of 2 nd Marking Period- (students select high school courses) 2/9 Parent Night for Course Scheduling 2/9 Parent Night for Course Scheduling

3. Goals by June 2015 Create responsible and productive students that advocate for self. Create responsible and productive students that advocate for self. Foster critical thinking and problem solving skills Foster critical thinking and problem solving skills Encourage mutual respect Encourage mutual respect Appreciate diversity while fostering unity Appreciate diversity while fostering unity Relate information learned in physical science to real life experiences Relate information learned in physical science to real life experiences

4. What can you do to help your child succeed in Science? Ask to see their assignment books periodically (even if they don’t have homework, they should be writing it down) Assist with organization (organization is key to a successful year) Encourage them to ask for help if necessary (be a self advocate) Make sure that they have a quiet place to do homework each night (no distractions) Assist them with studying (just sitting with your child or asking questions will help) Encourage them to be responsible for what they miss (look for the missed work basket)

5. Physical Science Curriculum Topics (P.D.E. Standards) What is Physical Science? What is Physical Science? The Scientific Method The Scientific Method Models in Physical Science/Graphing Models in Physical Science/Graphing Measurement Measurement Heat and Heat Technology Heat and Heat Technology The Properties of Matter The Properties of Matter Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures Atoms/Arranging Elements Atoms/Arranging Elements Forces in Fluids/Pressure/Forces in Motion Forces in Fluids/Pressure/Forces in Motion Work, Machines, and Efficiency Work, Machines, and Efficiency Wave energy Wave energy Sound, Light and Astronomy Sound, Light and Astronomy

6. … Homework (15- 30 minutes daily) Arcola Webpage (Monday-Thursday) Homework (15- 30 minutes daily) Arcola Webpage (Monday-Thursday) Reviewed in class the next day. Reviewed in class the next day. Formal Assess. (2- 3 times a month) Formal Assess. (2- 3 times a month) Test (Announced 1- 2 weeks prior) Test (Announced 1- 2 weeks prior) Grades (Requirements) Grades (Requirements) Labs (Throughout the year) Labs (Throughout the year) Projects (2- 4) major projects during the year.) (There will be small projects assigned for certain chapters.) Projects (2- 4) major projects during the year.) (There will be small projects assigned for certain chapters.) Students keep their own grades. (Portal- Make sure that they have their own password.) Students keep their own grades. (Portal- Make sure that they have their own password.) Extra Credit is available for the 2 nd Marking Period only. Extra Credit is available for the 2 nd Marking Period only.

7. Homework Homework is a very vital tool Homework is a very vital tool in 8 th grade. in 8 th grade. Homework helps reinforce the concepts learned. Homework helps reinforce the concepts learned. Teachers collect, reteach and/or review the concepts the next day. Teachers collect, reteach and/or review the concepts the next day. If assessment grades are low, homework can improve the overall grades. If assessment grades are low, homework can improve the overall grades.

8. Contact Information Contact Information Mrs. Tara Eison teison@methacton.org Best way is by email! The Red Team teachers meet most days at 10:00- 10:30am. You can schedule a conference at that time with the counselor. The Red Team teachers meet most days at 10:00- 10:30am. You can schedule a conference at that time with the counselor.

9. 8 th Grade Honor Science Students will utilize their math skills, apply their knowledge to higher-level thinking questions, and problem solve on a regular basis. Enrichment Activities are included in the curriculum. Students will have to complete a selected group of activities for each marking period. Science Fair Date: November 14, 2015 (We need volunteers to judge!) Students in the Sci. fair will receive a 5% grade increase to be used for the 2 nd and/or 3 rd m.p.