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. Everything taught in class relates to a chapter in the textbook. Reading, completing Review & Reinforce worksheets, and defining vocabulary are required for each chapter.  Due dates and electronic copies of worksheets plus additional resources are available on my website.

9. Homework  Work should always be presented when it is asked for.  Late will only be accepted if parent signature is on the top of the paper or if you are absent the day the assignment was given or taken up. I randomly call parents to confirm that a signature is real; I hope this doesn’t offend you.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Classroom Procedures  How to enter class room  Enter the room quietly and go directly to your assigned seat. Please be aware that once you enter the classroom, you are not allowed to leave without permission.

17. 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.

18. Classroom Procedures  Where to find the assignment  Warm-up assignment and daily agenda are found on the right side of the whiteboard/smartboard.  What to do when you are tardy  Enter the room quietly and go directly to your seat. Locate the warm-up assignment on the board and began working on it immediately. Depending on how late you are, I will fill you in on any additional information needed to complete further assignments.

19. Classroom Procedures  How to sharpen pencil  All students are encouraged to bring in a personal pencil sharpener and at least two pencils. Otherwise, sharpen all pencils before class begin.  What to do when you want my attention and/or need to ask a question.  Raise your hands to get my attention. You are not to yell out or move out of your seat.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Classroom Procedures  Group Activity  I will choose the groups you work in to make sure that you get to work with all students during the year.  Move to your assigned group immediately and quietly during group activities.  Each member of the group will be assigned a task and/or responsibility – such as equipment/material handler, recorder, etc.  Work cooperatively – no horsing around or playing during activity.  Work quietly – keep voice only loud enough to be heard within your group.  Work within your assigned group – no movement among groups.  Do not play with the equipment  Perform only your assigned task within group  Clear up your area and return your equipment

23. Classroom Procedures  Bathroom  There will be no bathroom breaks the first and last fifteen minutes of the class period. We will only go the bathroom on an emergency basis. An agenda is required for movement from the classroom.  If you leave you must sign out at the door.  NO YOU MAY NOT GET WATER!

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. Classroom Procedures  Keeping your desk orderly  Remember to keep all material not being used for this class under your desk. Only materials that will be used for Science should be on your desk during class time.  Keep your keys, purse, or any personal item under your desk.

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

28. 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.

29. Classroom Procedures  When collecting papers pass everything to one member of your group who will then pass the papers to the front of the rows for myself to collect.

30. Classroom Procedures  During activities only one person per group should be out of their seats to get or return necessary materials.

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

32. Classroom Procedures  Keep all books and personal items out of the aisles.

33. Classroom Procedures  During group assignments the noise level will be kept at a whisper.

34. Classroom Procedures  All papers should have your full name, date, and class period in the right hand corner. If I don’t know whose paper it is, you risk not getting credit. No nicknames please.

35. 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.

36. Class Participation  Am I working on the science starter when I walk into class?  Am I following the agenda on the board?  Am I working cooperatively with my lab partner or group?  Am I doing my best work or rushing to complete it?  Am I staying on topic during class discussions and group work or am I talking socially?  Do I have a positive attitude?  Do I lend a helping hand when needed?

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.