Science 8

                                                                                                                   Teacher: Ms Najma Bano

Welcome to Pre-AP Science 8. This is a two-semester integrated science course covering physical science, Earth/space science, and life science.

Objectives

1. Students will master basic chemistry concepts including atomic structure, the periodic table, and describing chemical reactions.

2. Students will master basic physics concepts including motion, force, and Newton’s Laws.

3. Students will master basic Earth/space science concepts including plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, the energy of weather and climate, the solar system and the universe.

4. Students will master life science concepts including relationships within ecosystems and influence of external factors on ecosystems.

5. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the applications of science and technology in everyday life.

6. Students will become more fluent in the scientific process.

These objectives will be achieved through lectures, class discussions, demonstrations, lab activities, and student projects.

Policies, Procedures and Expectations

In order to maintain a positive learning environment and allow the students to do their bests, I have the following expectations:

- Be prompt: be seated and ready to work when class starts

- Be prepared: bring needed supplies and completed homework to class every day

- Be productive: pay attention, follow directions, be on task, be safe, and actively participate in class. All students are expected to take notes in class each day and to participate in classroom activities and discussions.

- Be polite: be respectful of the teacher and other students as well as their ideas

- Be positive: believe in your ability to succeed in class with dedication and hard work, and encourage success in other students.

Failure to meet these expectations will results in the following consequences:

 The 8^th grade IPC/Science curriculum incorporates lessons and essential HISD’s objectives. A general picture is as follows:

 1^st 6-weeks-all classes

Laboratory Safety, Nature of Science

Structures and Properties of Matter

Structure of the Periodic table

2^nd 6-weeks

Science: Forces and Motion

3^rd 6-weeks

Science: Earth and Space Systems

4^th 6-weeks

Energy and Heat.

Science: Weather Systems

All classes: STAAR Test Review

5^th 6-weeks

Science: Living Systems

6^th 6-weeks

STEM Project/Individual research.        

All classes: STAAR Test Review

Note: Please check HISD’s website for detailed information on Science syllabus.

REQUIRED SUPPLIES

• Interactive Science Journal; a 1.5-2 inches 3-ring Binder with sheet protectors in front        and back and with dividers (at least 5)
• Graph Papers (plenty)
• Pencils and Pencil Sharpener
• Colored Pencils and Markers (1 box of each)
• Erasers (as needed)
• Blue and Black Pens to write-2 each
• Red or any color Pens to grade-2
• 12” Ruler with cm & inch
• High Lighters (any colors)
• A personal pair of scissors
• A pack of colored posted notes
• Glue Sticks 2 or more
• A personal calculator
• 1 Box of Tissue

Daily Check for Supplies

IPC/Science Binder, Pens, Pencils, Eraser, Graph paper, Glue stick & their back-ups!

CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION

IPC/Science Journal

Science Journal/Binder may be checked at any time for a grade, so it’s important to keep them neat, organized, and up to date. Label your dividers as:

1) Reference Material

2) Classwork/Homework/Exam Review

3) Test/Exam Report Analysis         

4) Projects

5) STAAR Prep. Material

Assignment Format

Assignments may include journal entries, lab write-ups/reports, online activities, worksheets, exercises and projects. Students demonstrating PRIDE in their work, as well as ACCURACY, will receive full credit.

Heading Format

Left                       Middle                      Right

TEKS            Title of the Activity              Name                 

Objectives                                              Period

                                                             Date 

Grade Distribution

Homework                                            (10%)

Classwork                                             (35%)

Quizzes                                                 (15%)

Projects/Tests                                        (40%)

IB Grade                                           0-8 points

Objective Testing                            0-100 points

Homework: Homework, in the form of written assignments, online interactive activities, data collection or projects is assigned on the due dates through-out the session. HW is explained in class. Students are responsible to note down HW and its instructions in their planner every time it is assigned. If a student is absent or does poorly on homework or any other assignments, school’s makeup work policy will be followed. HW completed in class without permission will receive a zero.

Make-up Work Policy

Students are expected to turn in all assignments on time. Missing work completion is student’s responsibility. If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher in SLAB and receive the assignment and/or instructions from the teacher on the day, they return. For students, being late to get makeup work, late work policy is followed. Students may take notes from their peers with teacher’s approval. Besides SLAB, no class time is given to make up their work.

Late work policy: Any CW/HW/test/quiz that is not completed and submitted on its due date, is accepted as late work. It will be graded as:

80% for 1 day late work. (Msg. grade)

70% for 2 days late work (Msg. grade)

50% for 3-5 days late work (Msg. grade)

0% for 5 or more days late work (Msg. grade)

Retesting Policy

Tests are taken after completion of a unit/chapter. Students are responsible to keep track of their performance and have an accurate record of their grades at ALL TIMES.

The opportunity to take retests will be available to students scoring less than 70% on a major test Retests will:

• be requested and taken within one week from the time assessment is returned to the student.
• be different from the original tests.
• IPC retests will receive 70% and Science 80% of the scores obtained in the retests and the second score will override the first one.

No retakes for quizzes as they weigh 1.

Un-Named Work:  Points will be taken off for not recording your name period or date on your assignments as:

1^st time: 2 points, 2^nd time: 5 points

3^rd time 50%, more: 0%

Lost worksheet/hand out

Check with teacher, if you’ve lost your CW/HW sheet. A second copy will be provided if available. If not, then you may do same work on a separate sheet of paper.

Corrections: Making corrections on HW/CW is good habit however should not be intended to improve their scores.

GRADING SYSTEM

Criteria for Grading Academic Subjects and Conduct Traits:

Students are responsible to set their goals, record and track test scores on Data Tracker page in planner.  

90 – 100 Eexcellent work quality, mastery E Excellent Behavior

80 – 89 Good work quality; consistent effort S Satisfactory; cooperates readily

75 – 79 Satisfactory work; average P Poor behavior; below average

70 – 74 Work quality is below expectations U Unsatisfactory behavior

69 or below Failing.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Lanier Middle School has a long history of high academic achievement. Lanier’s longstanding motto, “Achievement with Honor,” exemplifies the high academic standards and virtues that are so closely intertwined in a place of learning. Academic dishonesty is defined in The Code of Student Conduct as “cheating, plagiarism, or copying the work of other student.” In the event a student takes part in one or more acts

of academic dishonesty he/she will incur consequences as follows:

1st offense: “0” on academic work, parent contact, paper on academic integrity.          2nd offense: “0” on academic work, parent conference; In-School Suspension Center (ISSC); Growth Plan for VG/GT students; Leadership probation.                                    3rd offense: “0” on academic work, parent conference; ISSC; Exited from VG/GT and/or Leadership program. Conduct Grades will be based on Responsibility Marks.

P.S student planner for further details.

Classroom EXPECTATIONS

Be Respectful:  No disrespectful comments or gestures will be tolerated of anyone/to anyone in this classroom.                          Be Responsible:  You are responsible for your learning. Complete your assignments. Ask questions when you don’t understand.

Be Safe: Everyone’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. Follow School and Lab Safety rules to help maintain a safe environment for everyone around.

Be Prepared: Be prepared for class, each day with necessary supplies and completed homework.

Checking out: Any learning tools/materials must be checked out with Ms. Bano and returned back to her at the given time.

Laboratory Safety

Students are expected to follow lab safety rules as set forth in the Student Safety Contract, provided on the 1^st day of school. A student will be immediately removed from a lab because of improper conduct. There will be no make-up opportunity for incomplete labs due to unsafe conduct. Student will be responsible to replace the classroom materials, broken/damaged due to their negligence. 

ClassRoom Procedures

Entering the Room

Enter the classroom quickly and quietly.   Receive CW sheet from teacher’s desk.            Sit in your assigned seat. Get your supplies organized. Copy homework in your planner. Label class worksheets and begin working on the warm up/do now.               

Leaving Classroom                            

For everyone’s safety, students must follow school rules to leave the classroom at any time during the school. No student can leave the classroom without teacher’s permission. Lanier Student Planner should be used to get teacher’s permission every time students want to leave the classroom. Wait for an appropriate time to ask permission to leave the room.

Being Tardy

Being on time means that when the door is closed, you are in the room and not running through the door.  If the door is closed, you are tardy. Knock calmly and wait patiently.  School’s tardy policy will be followed for students late to class.

Staying Seated

Being seated is very important in Science Lab. Raise hand and wait for your turn to speak for your needs. Students are NOT allowed to get out of your seat or move around in the classroom without teacher’s permission. 

Focusing on the Teacher

During instruction, all focus should be on the teacher.  When the teacher needs to address the class, the students WILL be respectful and pay attention. If interruptions continue, disciplinary policy will be followed.

Sharpening Pencil

Pencil sharpener is available in class however; bringing your own pencil sharpener to class will be appreciated. It is preferred that you get one with a compartment for trapping pencil shreds. Do not use an electronic sharpener when someone is talking to the class.

Asking & Answering a Question

Raise your hand before you ask or answer a question. Please don’t frustrate if you are not called. We try to ensure everyone participates.

Dismissal

Make sure the area around you is clean and orderly. I will dismiss you, nothing else. (“Get Ready, Stand, and Move”).

Tidiness & Class Supplies

Everyone is responsible for making sure that        our classroom is neat and clean. All materials should be placed back without being broken or stolen or misplaced. It is each person’s responsibility to make sure all supplies stay in      the classroom. No returns or returned supplies        in unclean/broken/damaged supplies will receive detentions.

Talking without permission: Talking without permission is not allowed. Talking during tests will considered as copying/cheating and Lanier academic honesty policy will be followed (see student planner).

SUPPORTING ScHOOL POLICiES

Teacher-Only Areas

The teacher’s desk, counter, SMART Board/Projector, computer, printer, and enclosed cabinets are off-limits to students unless specifically directed by a teacher.

Food: No drinking, eating/chewing gum during class especially during Labs. 

Fire Drill

Quietly and quickly line up, and follow your teacher’s instructions to get out the building. Outside the building, students must stand silently, facing the school in a single profile. On second bell, start walking quietly and quickly back to the classroom.

Lock down: Teacher will cover the windows, and glass on the doors. Everyone is collected under the tables (away from the door and windows). We stay quietly under the tables until school its all clear.  

GSG Leaders/Guest Teacher

Treat GSG Leaders/guest teacher with respect, in my absence/presence. Sit in your correct seat, give out your correct name, and behave well. If they make a mistake or does not do a procedure correctly, just follow the directions given by the teacher. Inappropriate behavior will automatically be referred to your grade level administrator.

Use of Electronic Device: No electronic devices can be used without permission. If happens, it     will lead to the confiscation of the device and a detention. During any quizzes or tests it will be considered as a way of copying/cheating and Lanier’s policy on academic honesty will be followed (see student planner for details).

Profanity, Disrespect, Bullying

Lanier campus is a NO BULLYING ZONE. Any form of bullying will not be tolerated and immediately reported to the administrators. Inappropriate language or words that disrespect people such as “dumb” or “stupid” will not be tolerated.

Fights & Assaults

If a student is assaulted in class, students must move away from the disruption and get help. Any student who instigate or encourage the fight will also be reported to the administration.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

1. Verbal warning/Student-Teacher Conference
2. Student write an apology including incident’s report and a plan of improvement.
3. Parent Contact
4. Student-Parent-Team Conference Administrative

Please check student Planner for further details on School’s policies and procedures. It is student’s responsibility to ask questions if they don’t understand something before making any assumption and getting in trouble. Because conduct their grades will be based on their classroom behavior.

Lab Report Guide

This is the format for writing formal lab reports. Lab report must be written/typed (if typed then no smaller than 12pt. font and double-spaced) Lab Reports are assigned based on units and worth different points.

_ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PURPOSE: this is a precise and concise statement of the purpose, problem, or question in your own words.

HYPOTHESIS: this is an educated guess of what you think will happen during the investigation. It should be supported by previously developed concepts. You may use a statement such as “if … then…because…” when applicable.

MATERIALS /PROCEDURE: this will include a list of all the materials used for the investigation and a detailed step-by-step explanation of how to conduct the investigation. For labs in which a written procedure is provided for you, simply write “as in provided procedure”. You should explain or elaborate on any modifications to the procedure provided. For inquiry labs, you will design your own procedure and include it in the report. The procedures should be written to enable someone to replicate your investigation.

DATA or OBSERVATIONS: this section contains the facts.

• Quantitative measurements such as mass, volume, temperature, distance, time, etc., including appropriate units.
• Qualitative observations such as changes in color, appearance of bubbles, etc.
• Data should be well organized and presented in a data table when possible.

ANALYSIS: In this section, you will analyze your experimental data and interpret the facts as they relate to the purpose of your investigation.

• Show all of your work whenever calculations are necessary. Always label each calculation and include units. For example:

Density of metal A:

• The results of all calculations should be summarized in a Results Table including labels and units for each value.

• Graphs should conform to theGraphing Guidelines.

CONCLUSION: In this section, you should summarize your findings and/or answer questions as instructed. Write clearly and concisely using complete sentences. Be specific. Avoid using vague pronouns that force the reader to guess what you’re describing. This is the most important part of the report. It’s where you tie everything together and show me what you know. You must demonstrate individual thought and effort in the analysis and conclusion.

Graphing Guidelines

♦ Trim your graph to fit on a single page within your lab report and attach it neatly with glue or clear tape. If appropriate, you may include the graph as a separate piece of paper.

♦ Give your graph a title. “Y-axis quantity vs. x-axis quantity” is an appropriate title, but in some cases you will need to be more specific, such as when identical graphs are being created for two different substances (e.g. “Mass vs. Volume of Metal A”).

♦ Label each axis. Indicate the quantity and units of each variable (e.g. “Mass (g)”). The independent variable (variable you’re manipulating) is labeled on the x-axis, while the dependent variable (variable that changes in response to the independent variable) is labeled on the y-axis.

♦ Choose an appropriate range. Check the minimum and maximum values of each variable to determine the range of each axis. Unless instructed otherwise, you do not need to start at zero.

♦ Maximize your graph area. Choose a scale that expands your data to fill as much of the graph as possible, while still using convenient increments. A graph is easier to read when each square represents increments of 1, 2, 5, or a multiple of these numbers (e.g. 0.1, 10, 100). Label each axis at regular intervals such as every square or every 5 squares. You must maintain the same scale for the length of each axis, but the x-axis and y-axis do not need to have the same scales.

Sample Graph

♦ Plot points clearly. An X (×) or a dot with a circle around it (o) can be located more easily than a single dot (•) after the graph

line is drawn.

♦ Draw a best-fit line or curve. Since your

data points represent experimental

measurements rather than absolute numbers,

they will not all fall precisely on a line or

curve. Therefore, you should draw a straight

line or smooth curve that best represents the general tendency of the data points. Use a fine-point pen to avoid a thick line.

Extra Credit Options (with prior approval)

NO extra credits are offered on individual basis. They are offered to the whole group, as needed. You may complete ONE enrichment activities for extra credit during each semester. Each assignment will be worth a maximum of 10 extra credit points. These assignments may be completed at any time during the semester, but are due no later than Monday, December 10 for the fall semester and Monday, May 13 for the spring semester. Below are some enrichment suggestions for extra credit.

1. Choose a topic we are studying and make a video clip. Content is important!
2. Choose a topic we are studying and create a 3D piece of artwork. Include a typed description of how your artwork depicts the concepts involved. Content is important!
3. Watch a science documentary or listen to a science talk (live or TED Talk). Create a product (essay, poster, pamphlet, flyer, etc.) to explain what you learned.
4. Chose a concept and create a 3D print (you may use my 3D printer) to create a useful product on that. 
5.  Read a science-related book, fiction or non-fiction. Craete a skit on that and present it.

You may come up with your own ideas! Just remember that extra credit should involve an enrichment activity and get it approved by the teacher before you start working on it.

  *Stay updated with your performance at ALL times.