Welcome to Mr. Erwin’s 8 th Grade Science Classroom

1. Welcome to Mr. Erwin’s 8th Grade Science Classroom

2. Getting to know me….. • Tim Erwin (Mr. Erwin) • Wife: Mrs. Erwin (new music/drama teacher) • Dogs: Rabbit and Lyric • Hobbies: Kayaking, hiking, sport and Scuba diving, and watching sports • B.S. Aerospace Engineering from UC San Diego • Previously managed a building supply and lumber yard in Gualala, CA • Teaching 8th grade science, Physical Science, Engineering, and Physics

3. What will we be doing/learning this year: • Earth Science • Examining our earth in space (Earth, Sun, & Moon) • Learning about the systems on planet earth (plate tectonics, volcanoes, ocean currents, weather, erosion) • Properties of Matter • Learning about matter and chemicals and chemical reactions (atoms, molecules and the periodic table)

4. What will we be doing/learning this year (continued)…….. • Intro to Physics…… • Understanding and learning about energy • Learning and using the laws of forces, gravity and motion • You will definitely learn more on………. • How to study, take notes and be a better learner and student Some very cool & important stuff!

5. Proficiency Grading • Course Component % of Grade • Homework /Class Work 15% • Inquiries/Labs 15% • Proficiency Assessments 70% What is the proficiency grading scale? • A = 90-100 • B = 80-89 • C = 70-79 *Less than 70% fails to meet proficiency and you will receive a zero until you make up proficiency assessment (exams/tests)

6. Proficiency Grading Assessment: This course will be graded based on the student demonstrating proficiency of content knowledge and concepts through proficiency assessments (exams/tests). In class assignments & homework will only be worth 15% of the grade. Labs will also be worth 15%. Completing homework and in class assignments are for practice and developing understanding & proficiency, they do not demonstrate proficiency. Your homework and in class assignment grades are therefore only worth 15% of your grade for the semester. Your homework/assignment grades will be based on completion. EXPECT REGULAR HOMEWORK.

7. Proficiency Grading Tests/Exams (70%): Tests and Exams will be given at the end of each unit. They are used to demonstrate proficiency of the concepts and skills covered during the unit. Calculators and approved handouts may be used on some exams. (No cell phones for calculators) Retakes: All proficiency tests and exams can be re-taken as many times as required until proficiency is met, up to four weeks after the initial assessment was given. After two attempts you may use open notes during the exam but your highest possible score will be 70%. You must correct all wrong answers on the first failed assessment and explain your understanding of the correct answer before attempting a retake. The corrections and retakes must be done on your time after school during office hours: 3:15 to 4:00pm Weds & Thurs.

8. My Teacher WEB Site • Located on the CMHS WEB site. Select the link for Staff on the left. Scroll down and select “Erwin, Tim” and then the “Courses Website” link on my page. • http://clatskaniehigh.or.ch.schoolinsites.com/ • Use it to access lecture notes • Use it to study • Use it to download assignments (if posted) • Use it to review class standards and policy • Use it to learn more about your teacher (me).

9. How to succeed in Mr. Erwin’s class • Come ready to learn and work • Follow class rules and procedures • Do not bring cell phones or electronic devices to class unless I ask you to • Do your work on time • Do your best I will listen to you and treat you fairly when you do the above

10. School & Class Basic Rules Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible *Lets review again what that means……

11. Mr. Erwin’s Classroom Rules Rule #1 Be on time and in your seat before the tardy bell rings (no cell phones allowed in class!). Rule #2 Raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your seat. Rule #3 Be responsible. Rule #4 Make smart choices. Rule #5 Respect everyone! Rule #6 Keep Mr. Erwin happy.

12. Be on time and in your seat before the tardy bell rings Don’t waste class time! Be in your seat, with your science journal open, writing down the daily agenda and working on the daily warm-up before the tardy bell rings.

14. BE RESPONSIBLE Bring materials to class, do your class work or homework, look out for others, and take responsibility when you make a mistake or forget something. (If you lose a handout you are responsible to get and make a copy from someone……. Not me!)

16. LISTEN while your teacher or others (students/guests) have the floor and are talking.

18. Followingthe Rules will result in . . • Verbal acknowledgement • A stress-free learning environment • A pleasant and orderly classroom atmosphere

19. Not Followingthe Rules will result in . . 1st Warning 2nd Write-up and after class discussion 3rd Write-up, parental contact, and lunch detention 4th Visit the dean

20. Mr. Erwin’s Action Plan • What’s the problem? 2. What’s causing the problem? (Please list the factors) 3. What plan will you use to solve the problem? ________________ Date _______________________ ______________________ Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

21. Severe Clause New Schoolwide Rule: • Any student who uses profanity or other inappropriate language will receive immediate lunch detention.

22. Our Classroom Procedures I’ll Explain & We’ll Rehearse & I/You Will Reinforce Everyday!

23. Entering the Room • Please enter quietly. • Have a seat. • Take out your materials. • Review the agenda and write in your journal. • Begin the warm up assignment.

24. When you are tardy . . . • Enter quietly. • Excused: Place excuse on my desk. • Unexcused: You will be marked tardy and will receive the consequence per school policy (outlined in your planner) • You also need to stay after class and explain it to me. • Quietly have a seat and take out your materials.

25. Getting Your Attention I will . . . • Stand in front of the class. • Flash the lights, ring a bell or blow my whistle and raise my hand and say “Class”. • You will say “Yes Mr. Erwin” and wait quietly • Wait for everyone to be quiet. • Begin speaking.

26. Handouts/Assignment Headings What must be on your assignments in the upper right hand corner • Name Jane Doe • Date 9/9/2015 • Period/Teacher Period #/Mr. Erwin • Assignment Metric Lab Question • Place this information on all in-class & homework assignments

27. If You Finish Classwork Early “What do I do next?”

28. Activities Work on unfinished Science assignments. Read your Science Student Guides or Text to prepare for the next lesson. Read a science magazine & write notes in your journal on the topic and the key points. Review your science vocabulary words. Start working on tonight’s homework.

29. After an Excused Absence • Copy the lessons missed and assignments from a friend or neighbor. • Retrieve any handouts from class binder. • Make-up work for unexcused absences is not available unless arranged with me. • Schedule time with Mr. Erwin for any make up tests

30. Scheduled Early Dismissal • Please let me know as you enter the classroom. • When it is time to leave, quietly raise your hand to get my attention. • Pack your materials and leave at the scheduled time. • If it is an emergency, quickly get my attention and I will assist you.

31. Turning in Papers • Pass your paper to the person next to you. - On yourRight side • If/When you receive a paper, place yours on top and pass the stack to the table on your right. • When all papers reach the end of the row of tables on the right, the assigned person will pick them up and place them into the assignment box for the period

32. Classroom Discussions • PLEASE participate. • I want to hear what you have to say. • Make all questions and comments relevant to science and the current discussion. • If your question is off the topic, write it down and ask later.

33. Moving Around the Room • You must ask permission. • Do not ask during a classroom discussion unless it is an emergency. • When doing labs, only the supply manager gets to move to get necessary lab supplies

34. Leaving the Classroom • You must ask Mr. Erwin for permission to leave the classroom with a hall pass. • One person at a time may use the hall pass to use the rest room, go to the office or for a time out. • You must wait for the person to return with the hall pass before you will be allowed out of the class room. • It is up to Mr. Erwin to decide whether you are allowed to leave with a hall pass.

35. Class Dismissal • Mr. Erwin dismisses you, not the bell. • I will let you know when to start cleaning and packing up before the bell. • Wait until Mr. Erwin finishes and officially dismisses you with “Have a niceday!” or…. “See you guys” or “later….”

36. Rules of Conversation • This is a learning environment and should never be slightly louder than a public library. • All conversation in this room will be about science (unless I decide otherwise) • Raise your hand and wait until called on. • Do not yell across the room.

37. Seating Chart • Current seating is arranged by Mr. Erwin as he sees fit and can be changed at anytime to fit the teachers & class needs. • Let Mr. Erwin know as soon as possible if you need special seating for any reason. • Follow the rules of conversation or be moved. • If asked to move, please do so without arguing. If you want to question the move please do so at an appropriate time (before or after class, or when there is time to work)

38. Asking Questions 101 • Ask personal questions before or after class, or when there is time for everyone to work and the teacher is at their desk. • When the teacher is addressing the entire class, ask questions about the topic the teacher is talking about.

39. When do you ask? • “I was gone yesterday, what did I miss? • “Do all volcanoes have earthquakes?” • “Is Pluto a planet?” • “What’s my grade?” • “When is this due?” • “Am I missing anything?”

40. Classroom Facilities Recycle Garbage cans Pencil sharpener Sinks Pencils Paperclips Hole punch Tape Dictionaries Stapler

41. Food, Gum, Candy, etc. No drinking, chewing gum, or eating candy or food in the classroom. Dangerous chemicals are present that can be confused with water & drinking water in class will not be allowed. No drinking from the sink, the pipes are old and rusty and chemical contamination is a possibility!

42. Substitutes Don’t bug the sub, treat them better than you treat Mr. Erwin! Consequences may include, 90 minutes of lunch detention, referral to the office and conference with parents and principal

43. Communicate With Your Teachers! We are human and we make mistakes. Talk to your teachers if something they do or say upsets you. Talk to your teachers if they made a mistake on your grade. Talk to your teachers if you disagree with a grade. Talk to your teachers like an adult and with respect! Learn to advocate for yourself, politely and within the system, it’s a grown-up thing to do.

44. Daily Journals/Lab Note Book Every day you make an entry in your journal. If you have them, open up your note books and start your journals now. Otherwise bring in tomorrow. Copy down the date, agenda, lesson objectives and warm-up questions & answers. Each day you should start a new section or page with the date as the heading and the daily agenda copied from the overhead/white board You should record notes on information presented verbally, on the board, by overhead, movie, filmstrip, lecture, etc. in your journal.

45. Start Taking Notes Now! Take notes on anything that you didn’t already know. Take notes during videos, Power Points, etc. Include your reactions, questions and ideas. When instructed in your student guide, enter questions and data into your notebook Read your notes every night

46. Journals Journal is worth points per day = 20pts per week = 100 pts per quarter ~ 1000 If your absent, it is your responsibility to borrow someone’s notes and make yourself a copy. I will randomly check each week and enter a grade (0-100 pts) What not to write…..

47. What you should write……. -Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations when appropriate. .

48. -Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations when appropriate. -Example of indent.

49. -Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations when appropriate. -Example of indent. -Skip a line between topics

50. -Nice neat notes that are legible and use indentations when appropriate. -Example of indent. -Skip a line between topics -Don’t skip pages