8 th Grade Science

1. 8th Grade Science 2017-2018

2. About Me • This is my 24th year teaching. In the past I have taught high school math, technology classes, several different science classes as well as education classes at Athens State University. • I have two degrees in Biology (Bachelor’s and Master’s) and a degree in mathematics. • I am a national board certified teacher Facebook page (personal).doc

3. What will we be learning this year? • This year is all about Physical Science • We will learn basic physics and chemistry. • We will use the A+ College Ready curriculum well as AMSTI kits • 1st Semester • Electricity, Waves and Information Technology • Experimenting with Forces and Motion • 2nd Semester • Exploring Properties of Matter • Experimenting with Mixtures, Compounds, and Elements

4. Supplies List • 2 composition notebooks (one per semester) • pencil • one pack of notebook paper • large glue sticks • Colored pencils • a personal pencil sharpener • Graph paper • Girls – Paper Towels • Boys – a box of tissue • Wet wipes • Must have for class

5. Discipline procedure 1st consequence – Warning 2nd consequence – Recorded 3rd consequence – Morning or Afternoon Detention assigned, parent contacted 4th consequence – Discipline referral to the office If any student receives more than four 2nd consequences recorded in a nine-week period, parents will be notified and a detention will be scheduled. A conference with the parents will be requested. School administrators will handle serious infractions.

6. Classroom Rules Rules: • Bring your computer, journal and writing utensil to class every day. This is your warning. Failure to bring needed items to class will result in a recorded offense (2nd consequence) • Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings. • Don’t talk when I or someone else is talking. • Raise your hand to ask or answer a question. • Do not disturb other students’ things or personal space. • The bell does not dismiss the class. I do.

7. Classroom Policies: • No Food, Gum, or Drinks ALLOWED!!!! • No personal, non class related items allowed at your desk or on the floor. • Bathroom passes are given only in case of emergency. • Do not groom in class (brush hair, put on makeup, etc.) • All personal digital devices will be stored and silenced unless instructed for use in class.

8. Severe and Lab Clauses Any student who uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes the property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office IMMEDIATELY. Since the lab is a serious environment, absolutely NO HORSEPLAY OR IMPROPER BEHAVIOR WILL BE TOLERATED. I may choose to skip other consequences and immediately remove student from the lab and assign a zero and/or send the student to the administration for discipline. Proper lab safety gear must be worn to participate in labs. This includes but is not limited to close toed shoes.

9. How will I be graded? • Major grades (tests, lab reports, projects, journal checks, etc.) = 60% • Daily grades (homework, quizzes, data set questions, etc.) = 40% • Semester Exam = 10% of semester grade – averaged separately (exemptions are allowed for the end of the year semester exam) • Grading scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D <60 F Late work taken with 10pt./day deduction only with signed missing assignment sheet. (3 day max.) A list of current assignments is posted on the wall of the classroom.

10. Absences • You will have 3 days to make up missed work due to absence unless other arrangements are made. • Unexcused absences will result in a zero if a grade is taken on the day you are absent. • Please make every effort to be in class each day.

11. Retake’s • I will give you the option to retake one test per grading period. • You must fill out a “Retake Test” form and have it signed by your parents. • You may only redo tests that were reasonably attempted the first time. Retakes will NOT be the same test that you took the first time. The new grade (better or worse) will be recorded. • Retake’s must be completed on the scheduled retake day, unless extenuating circumstances necessitate otherwise.

12. After-school help • I will offer help after school between 3:10 – 4:00 pm. • After school help must be scheduled in advance.

13. “A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. When you are struggling remember that you are strengthening your wings so that you can FLY!!!