1. Welcome!  Please locate your name and number on the back window by the door and sit at the desk with your number. (1 st block look for your schedule)  Please take out a pencil or pen and colored pencils if you have them.

2. What is 8 th Grade Science?  8 th Grade Science consists of:  Evidence of evolution in organisms and landforms.  a) Earth’s History.  b) Evolution.  c) Satellite Imagery.  d) Ground Truthing/Remote Sensing.  The hydrosphere.  a) Properties of Water.  b) Structure of the hydrosphere.  c) Ocean Resources.  d) Ocean & Coastal Life.  e) Water Quality

3. What is 8 th Grade Science?  Chemistry.  a) Matter.  b) Periodic Table.  c) Compounds.  d) Chemical Reactions.  e) Chemistry and You  Cell theory.  a) Cell Theory.  Microbiology.  a) Structures, Functions and Processes.  b) Protists.  c) Microbes.  d) Pathogens  e) Infectious Diseases

4. Website  I have a class website at www.swofford8.wikispaces.com where I post information for the class including assignments.

5. Materials  Everyday you will need to have a 3-ring binder for science with loose-leaf paper, spiral notebook, pencils, USB Drive, and a divider for science.  You will not receive a textbook. There is a textbook online that you must create an account for and you will use that for homework and class work assignments.  To register for a textbook please go to my website and click on online textbook and follow the instructions.

6. 8 th Grade Science EOG  The North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) is designed to measure student performance on the competencies specified in the goals and objectives of the Standard Course of Study in science at grade 8.  The test is used to determine science class placement in high school and is used in determining the school AYP score.  Review material for the EOG and Benchmarks are available on my website.

7. Grading Rules Grades are calculated using five main categories:  Class work = 20%  Home work = 15%  Lab = 15%  Quiz = 20%  Test/Projects = 30%

8. Homework  The purpose of homework is to reinforce what students learned in class  Do not give often so when I do you need to complete it.  Most of the time its to finish something.

9. Make Up Work  Absent students must turn in missing work. The number of days you have to make up the missing assignments is equivalent to the number of days you were absent.

10. Tests  To evaluate student understanding of goals and objectives of the standard course of study, tests are given at the end of each goal.  Quizzes are given to check understanding on key items such as vocabulary.  Benchmark tests are given once each quarter by the school district to check overall understanding of the science topics taught during the previous nine weeks.  Benchmark and EOG scores are not reflected in the student’s overall score for the class however please do your best. The only way I can help you improve is to know what you don’t understand.

11. Expectations School Wide ExpectationsClass Expectations Practice Honesty  Be Honest Act Responsibly  Be Prompt On time, in seat, ready to go  Be Prepared Come to class with all needed materials Treat Others With Respect  Be Respectful Treat people the way you want to be treated Have Self Discipline  Be Engaged Follow directions Raise your hand before speaking or getting out of your seat

12. Classroom Rules  If You Choose to Break a Rule  First Time-Verbal Warning/incident  Second Time - Conference with student/lunch detention  Third Time - Parent contact/Conference/lunch detention  Severe Disruptions- Office Referral  If you choose not to complete class work or homework and this is a pattern for you, then you will complete the assignments at silent lunch.

13. Classroom Rules  Follow directions given by the teacher(s).  Be prepared. Bring your pencil, spiral notebook and 3 ring binder with paper to each class. (Sharpen pencils before class begins.)  Be on time. Class begins promptly – you must be in your seat at that time.  Stay seated and quiet. Raise your hand before asking or answering questions. No talking or getting out of seats without permission. Class time is for SCIENCE work only.

14. Classroom Rules  Be courteous and respectful to the teacher(s) and other students at all times. Also, have respect for school (and other people’s) property.  Remain in your seats until you are dismissed at the end of the class.  Pay attention to lesson being taught and ask questions when you don’t understand.  Work hard while at school and stay on task.  Water and gum are allowed only if you can throw them out in the proper place.  Ipods are allowed. Only when I say you can listen to them. IF you have them out without permission I will take it. NO SHARING!  ALL SCHOOL RULES are in effect in this classroom at ALL TIMES.

15. Classroom Procedures  What to do when they enter the classroom  Take out the materials you will use in this class.  Start working on the warm-up assignment immediately.

16. Classroom Procedures  Participating in class discussion  During the year, we will have class discussion as part of our lesson plan. During these times I will ask you questions. You must raise your hand and wait to be recognized by me before you respond.

17. Classroom Procedures  What to do at dismissal of class / when bell ring  You are to remain in your seat until I dismiss the class. The bell does not dismiss the class. You do not dismiss the class. The Teacher dismisses the class.  Criteria for Dismissal  Clean desk, work area and put chairs under table. Last class chairs go on tables.

18. Classroom Procedures  Signal for your immediate attention  When you see me raise my hands or I may tap a bell because some of you will not be able to see my hand when you are working in groups, I need you to do the following:  Freeze.  Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me.  Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.

19. Classroom Procedures  When finish work early  Start working on your homework assignment or see me for extension work on the topic.  When a school wide announcement is made  During announcements, you are to sit quietly (no talking) in your seat and listen and/or watch the announcement. We do not want to miss important school information.  When visitors are in the classroom  Continue to work quietly if a visitor enters the room. I will alert you if I need your attention.

20. Classroom Procedures  Bring the following to class everyday  Notebook  Pencils/pen, paper, color pencils/markers, laptop, and USB drive

21. Classroom Procedures  Responding to fire drill  At the sound of the alarm, quietly stop working and form a single file line at the door. Wait until I open the door, then proceed quietly to our designated area in a single file line. Maintain the single file line while outside and when returning to the classroom.

22. Classroom Procedures  When walking to another location, all students will line up in the hallway and silently walk in a single file line.

23. Classroom Procedures  After being absent it is your responsibility to get any missed assignments from my wiki space. If you need a print out of a worksheet or assignment please write me a note and put it in the basket.

24. Lab Safety  I have a no tolerance for inappropriate behavior during a laboratory activity. Students will be asked once to stop the inappropriate behavior. The second time it occurs the student will be asked to stand in the hall until the activity is complete.

25. The Bottom Line  Mr. Marshall is the 8 th Grade Administrator.  Rules & Procedures are designed to keep you OUT of his office.  If a behavior is preventing me from teaching or preventing students from learning, I have to do something about it.

26. The Bottom Line  If I see inappropriate behavior, I will deal with it. You may not always know.  If you don’t think I saw it or know about it, report it to me and I will watch for it.  Fair doesn’t mean equal – we don’t treat everyone the same. Sometimes for reasons I’m not allowed to discuss with you.

27. The Bottom Line  In a recent study, it was determined that an average teacher makes close to 3000 decisions a day.  I’m going to make mistakes! I’m human.  If you aren’t happy with a decision I make, I would like to know about it. Lets discuss it one on one.

28. The Bottom Line  I usually end up caring about you like you’re my own children.  I want you to be successful.  I DON’T want you to fail.  I DON’T want you to get in trouble.  I DON’T want you to be sad.  I want you to get a 4 on the 8 th Grade Science EOG.