1. 8 th Grade Physical Science Sarah Twedt Sarah.Twedt@ocps.net www.Mrs-Twedt.com

2. IF I get cut off and do not finish my presentation, please go to www.mrs- twedt.com to view the entire slide show. I will post it on my HOME page.www.mrs- twedt.com Feel free to email with questions!

3. Sign in sheet and weekly email? Please be sure to sign in. We just need parent/student name…. BUT, IF you are not receiving my weekly email and you would like to be, please provide me with your current email address....

4. Curriculum Philosophy My philosophy that every curriculum be supplemented, complemented, and extended. The textbook is only a resource in the Windy Ridge Science Department! See center table for examples of all the texts I use within the class. Please note that I also use online resources as well.

5. Concepts/Content Please see www.mrs-twedt.com “Course Info” tab for the scope and sequence (suggested order of instruction) for the MS credit course and the Honors course.www.mrs-twedt.com *Please note that since I teach both courses, because both take FCAT, and due to our unique setting I combine topics, focus where I see it is needed, and strive to make my students as successful as possible.

6. www.Mrs-Twedt.com cK12—GREAT informational online textbook for FL standards. Downloadable lab sheets (and answers), notes, powerpoints, etc. Study guides and study games Master Table of Contents (for organization, lost pages, answers) Classwork links, webquests, videos FCAT and EOC study tools Pertinent information and resources Links to ProgressBook, OCPS, Windy Ridge, and my email

7. Testing ALL 8th grade students will be taking the FCAT Science 2.0 this year. This is a comprehensive exam covering 6th-8th grade material. This means, HONORS students will be responsible for all middle school benchmarks 6-8 AND the high school physical science benchmarks. The benchmarks implemented in the Honors class come from the High School curriculum.

8. Honors Course High School Credit Final Grade for YEAR determines HS credit. Will affect your high school G.P.A. If after the first grading period, you have not maintained an 80%, you will be reassigned as a Middle School Credit Physical Science Student, and no High School credits will be earned. End of year exam covers 34 benchmarks for this particular honors course!!!! This is a HUGE difference between this course and 7 th Grade E/S Honors. …..and it is IN ADDITION to FCAT. Minimum of 20 minutes per night of review (in addition to other assignments) is REQUIRED.

9. FCAT Section in Science Journal (Binder) *Kept organized JUST like our current unit section. Review plan (starting around Thanksgiving) will consist of: –Vocabulary (5 th Grade and 8 th Grade lists) –Benchmark tutorials –Mini-Assessments, and Weekly quizzes –FCAT Stations 3-4 days reviewing with Mrs. Fidelo (Life Sci), Mrs. Bermudez (Earth/Space Sci), and me (Physical Sci). See homepage of www.mrs-twedt.com for tips, tools, and resourceswww.mrs-twedt.com

10. Science Grade

11. Science Journal Single most important grade determinant. Everything hinges on this! Contains all assignments, quizzes and tests, labs, and accomplishments IT IS YOUR Textbook as well as your study guides for tests MUST stay up to date and organized Journal quizzes = No Notice!!! Master TOC on www.mrs-twedt.com as well as in the classroom.www.mrs-twedt.com Downloadable pages on www.mrs-twedt.com

12. Classwork/Homework/ Teamwork/Participation Hands-on activities throughout the year Labs and activities sometimes collected as homework and graded for accuracy; sometimes as classwork for completion Group labs/activities will sometimes include a group evaluation and a self evaluation (Teamwork/Participation grade). THOROUGH ANSWERS ALWAYS

13. Tests and Quizzes Each test is worth more than a quiz Added to journal (or FCAT section) after they are handed back True understanding is what I am aiming for, not memorization. You cannot memorize your way to an A!

14. HUGE THANK YOU!!! To those who donated to our classroom!! As a science teacher, my wish list is ongoing! ;) If you happen to see any of the following on sale and can donate, I am in need of: –Paper towels –Ziplock quart sized and sandwich baggies –Copy Paper –AA, AAA, and D batteries (for circuits)

15. Any Questions?