Curriculum Night 2014 8 th Grade Science Mrs. Zuffante Room 105

1. Curriculum Night 2014 8th Grade Science Mrs. Zuffante Room 105

2. Mrs. Dawn Zuffante Contact Information • dawnzuffante@sd54.org • 847-357-6769 • Additional information can be found at my classroom website: frost.sd54.org/dzuffante Credentials • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology -National College of Education • Master’s Degrees – • National Louis University – Master of Arts in Teaching • Dominican University – Educational Administration • Benedictine University – Reading and Literacy • Licenses - Elementary Education, Reading Specialist, and Administrative • Endorsements in General Science, Social Science, and Language Arts • Coursework in Gifted Education

3. 95 Reading 95 Math ` 95 Culture

4. Science

5. Curriculum • The Scientific Method • Physics and Energy • Astronomy • Environmental Science -Human Impacts

6. Curriculum Topics in Detail • Scientific Method • Physics and Energy • Forces and motion • Friction • Gravity • Electricity and electromagnetism • Kinetic vs. potential energy • Astronomy • Planets • Formation of the Earth, moon, sun, stars, asteroids, and comets • Seasons • Environmental Science/Human Impacts • Natural resources (renewable vs. nonrenewable) • Energy forms and generation (fossil fuels and alternative energy) • Human impact on the environment

7. Balanced Science Instruction • Daily Bell/Word Work – 5-10 min • Content based with connection to sequence of literacy skills and/or word work • Daily Shared Reading/Content – 15-20 min • Whole group skill and/or strategy instruction • Teacher Modeling and/or Think Aloud • Content Objective Instruction • Informational Text Objective Instruction • Daily Writing – 15-20 min • Shared • Independent

8. Support

9. Structure of the Course • Bell Ringers/Learning Log • Homework - http://sd54.org/Frost • Labs • Quizzes • Tests/Common Assessments • Participation (Effort, Cooperation, Being Prepared for Class)

10. Grading System – Based on pointsExtra credit opportunities are offered throughout each trimester

11. Grading System – (continued) • Common Assessments • Cut-off score is 75% • If a student needs to be retaught and retested, a score of 75% will be received after meeting or exceeding the cut-off score on the test. Reteaching and retesting will most often occur after school. • Labs • If a student is absent on a lab day, he/she will be exempt from the assignment but they will still be responsible for learning the information. • Assignments – All are due on the due date given!

12. Infinite Campus-Parent Portal • Please check grades weekly to see how your child is doing and whether they are missing any assignments • The grade under trimester will calculate into a final grade - this will change continuously as new grades are added

13. TEXTBOOKS • A hard copy was given to each student on August 29 • An on-line version is available at this website: • www.my.hrw.com • User Name: dzuffante • Password: x9a8n • The students received this information on Tuesday, September 2nd on a blue card that should be taped into their assignment notebooks

14. TEACHER-PARENT COMMUNICATION • Please feel free to email or call me with questions or concerns or to provide me with information about your child • I will do my best to respond within 24 hours

15. Thank YOU! • Your child and I appreciate your attendance this evening! • Together, we can make this a wonderful year of discovery and learning!

16. Frost Strong:Our Best Selves