8th Grade Science Course Syllabus

Peacock Middle School

Mrs. Durkin RM 114

2017-2018

Course Description:

Science is both exciting and challenging and I look forward to our new year. In 8th grade we will be focusing on the physical sciences. The specific areas we will be focusing on are listed below for you to review. . Our class will involve hands-on labs, projects, modeling, engineering design, and some hard work. Together we will make the year great.

Curriculum focus for 8th grade:

  • Electricity and Magnetism
  • Motion, Forces, and Energy
  • Chemical Building Blocks
  • Chemical Interactions

Materials:

  • Three-ring binder or spiral notebook and folder. I realize the supply list in the office and the web site were different. One said folder and one said three-ring binder. I am ok with either as long as you have something to write with and a way to keep yourself organized.
  • Pencils, Pens (Black/Blue for writing, Red for grading), Highlighter
  • Calculator (TI-84)
  • Colored pencils- set of 10-12
  • Lined Paper

Classroom Expectations:

All students are expected to follow the school rules that are listed in the Peacock Middle School Handbook. You will be expected to follow the Peacock moto: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Proud. At Peacock we use a school-wide 5-step discipline process. These steps are in place to work with and correct student behaviors that do not warrant immediate office intervention.

Step 1: Student Conference

Step 2: Parent Contact (e-mail or phone)

Step 3: 30 minute detention

Step 4: 1 hour detention

Step 5: Office referral

In addition, students will be provided instruction on expectations when completing a laboratory experiment. Due to safety, laboratory expectations will be strictly enforced. After the rules are reviewed a laboratory safety contract must be signed by every student and parent before we can begin to work in the lab.

Grading Policy:

The student’s grade will be comprised of a combination of tests, quizzes, homework, laboratory experiments, and classroom participation. Listed below is how each area will be weighted.

Tests-30%Quizzes- 20%Homework- 20%Labs – 20%Participation – 10%

Teacher Ease:

Grades will be available to parents on TeacherEase. Should the student/parent have a question about a grade, I would respectfully ask that you adhere to the following protocol in the order listed.

  • Parents- please speak to your child first. They know the most about their assignments and why they got a certain grade.
  • Have the student speak to me for clarification if necessary.
  • If there are still concerns, please send me an e-mail and I will get back to you in a timely fashion.

Although, I do update grades regularly, some assignments take longer than others to grade. I very much appreciate your patience with the process.

Homework Policy:

Homework will be assigned throughout the week. There will be a variety of different assignments from reading, worksheets, research, graphing, writing, and projects. Students will notified when all homework is due. It is expected that homework assignments will be completed on time. Late work will receive a deduction of 10% the first day and may increase after that.

Absences:

If a student is absent, upon return, it is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for any missed assignments. Students have the same number of days to make up missed activities, labs, and assessments that they were absent. Labs and some tests are to be made up before or after school. In some instances an alternate assignment may be given for missing a laboratory experiment.

Extra Help:

If a student is having trouble with any of the material in class, please feel free talk to me or e-mail me from home. I am available before or after school, but please confirm with me to make sure there are not scheduling conflicts.

Contact Information:

April Durkin

Peacock Middle School

(630)773-0335