Syllabus and Standards
COURSE SYLLABUS & EXPECTATIONS
Welcome to 8th grade science at Stuart Middle School! By engaging in science class this year, you will be ready for high school. You will learn about a wide range of scientific topics including genetics, energy, astronomy, and weather/climate. All of these topics will provide you with the knowledge you need to for the next level of your educational journey. However, my ultimate goal this year is to help you develop the skills, habits, and experiences necessary to be competent and successful PEOPLE. In addition to learning about science, we will be practicing skills daily that are going to be beneficial throughout your life. I am excited for this year and I hope you are too!
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1) Embrace the struggle!
a. What does this mean? Science can be a very interactive, hands-on, and interesting class but it can also be challenging. To be successful, you will need to work hard to understand new topics. You will struggle at times but understand those struggles will help you learn and understand the content better.
2) Use mistakes as learning opportunities!
a. What does this mean? Often times we view mistakes in a negative light. However, in science and in life, mistakes should be analyzed and used to help us understand something more and make us better than we were before. The only way a mistake makes you a failure is if you fail to learn something from it.
3) Take Ownership of your own education!
a. What does this mean? My promise to you is: I will do everything in my power to provide you with the skills, resources, and information you need to learn and be successful. That being said, YOU are ultimately responsible for your learning. This means being proactive when you miss class/an assessment, actively engaged, completing work, asking questions, and getting extra help when you need it.
BEHAVIOR
As Raptors, students are always expected to hold to our core values and RISE Up. Our classroom will be a professional learning environment. It needs to be a safe place for everyone to learn, grow, and make mistakes that we can all learn from. To do this I need everyone to follow one simple rule: THE DO RIGHT RULE- Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there; do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it; treat others the way they want to be treated. DO RIGHT! If you do these things, we will have zero problems. If problems do occur, the “Redirect Process” discussed in the student handbook will be followed.
Attendance. Because scientific topics build on themselves, it is really important to be in class. Do your best to attend class regularly. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. Check the website (all class work can be found and downloaded there), e-mail me, or stop by as soon as possible. YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO BE COMPLETELY CAUGHT UP BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS!
Grading. Grades should not be the ultimate goal, but feedback about your progress towards the ultimate goal of learning biology. OUR GOAL SHOULD BE GROWTH!
Your overall grade will be a combination of class-work, labs, tests, projects and presentations. 60% of the grade will be dedicated to tests, assessments, large projects and the other 40% will be a reflection of learning experiences such as in-class work, homework, weekly quizzes and any other practice activities.
Late Work. The work you are assigned in class is an important part of the learning process. Assignments are not given to take up class time or for the sake of having homework. Therefore, I expect that you complete every assignment. If you are unable to complete an assignment by the original deadline, communication must occur immediately…PLEASE BE PROACTIVE.
Depending on the availability of the assignment to be posted electronically, I will post all work and helpful resources on our classroom website. The calendar tab will also give you a brief synopsis of what happened in class that day. If it is not available to be put online, make-up work will be in the appropriate make-up folder in the back of the class. Please email/see me if you have any questions about the assignment. The KEY is communication!
WORK THAT IS TURNED IN LATE WITHOUT PRIOR COMMUNICATION CAN BE TURNED IN UP TO 24 HOURS FOR HALF CREDIT. AFTER THIS TIME NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED (as discussed in the Student Handbook).
Academic Dishonesty. Stuart adheres to a strict policy regarding academic dishonesty (cheating). In science, the expectation is that you do your own work. Plagiarism—in any form (internet, classmates, etc.)—will result in zero credit and possible disciplinary action. Please refer to your student handbook for a more detailed description.
MATERIALS
Please come to class each day with the following materials:
Composition Notebook (just for Science!)
Colored Pencils Blue or Black Pen & Pencil
Highlighters Scissors (optional)
Glue/Glue Stick (optional) Markers (optional)
CELL PHONES/ PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Your phone, iPad, and/or laptop can be used as valuable learning tools. They can also be a major distraction used to check Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, watch YouTube videos, or to share answers with friends. You are allowed, and even encouraged, to use your Chromebooks appropriately (when directed to do so) during class. Devices causing distractions or used at any other time not directed by the teacher will be confiscated, and disciplinary action may be taken as prescribed by the student handbook. Any cell phone seen out during any time other than lunch will be collected and turned into the office (as discussed in the Student Handbook).
HOMEWORK
Several studies show that homework for the sake of rote memorization and reinforcement isn't an effective strategy to help students learn. In addition, I believe that students should have the freedom to be kids once school ends. I understand they have lives outside of school and are involved in several extracurricular activities; therefore, I rarely give homework. Because of this, I expect all my students to be focused, organized, and skilled time managers to get their required work done in class. If this does not happen due to lack of focus or failure to be on task then they will be held accountable for completing that assignment for homework.
Instead of homework, students will have 1 mini quiz each week to week and a half as a way to recall, review, and solidify the main concepts being investigated in class. Research also shows that frequent quizzing yields significant increases in retention of information which, in some cases, led to students scoring a grade level and a half higher than students who did not undergo frequent quizzing. These quizzes will be short and used as a way to help students determine what concepts they understand, and where they might need more clarification or help. Students will know about each quiz ahead of time and therefore should be prepared for it.
Welcome to 8th grade science at Stuart Middle School! By engaging in science class this year, you will be ready for high school. You will learn about a wide range of scientific topics including genetics, energy, astronomy, and weather/climate. All of these topics will provide you with the knowledge you need to for the next level of your educational journey. However, my ultimate goal this year is to help you develop the skills, habits, and experiences necessary to be competent and successful PEOPLE. In addition to learning about science, we will be practicing skills daily that are going to be beneficial throughout your life. I am excited for this year and I hope you are too!
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1) Embrace the struggle!
a. What does this mean? Science can be a very interactive, hands-on, and interesting class but it can also be challenging. To be successful, you will need to work hard to understand new topics. You will struggle at times but understand those struggles will help you learn and understand the content better.
2) Use mistakes as learning opportunities!
a. What does this mean? Often times we view mistakes in a negative light. However, in science and in life, mistakes should be analyzed and used to help us understand something more and make us better than we were before. The only way a mistake makes you a failure is if you fail to learn something from it.
3) Take Ownership of your own education!
a. What does this mean? My promise to you is: I will do everything in my power to provide you with the skills, resources, and information you need to learn and be successful. That being said, YOU are ultimately responsible for your learning. This means being proactive when you miss class/an assessment, actively engaged, completing work, asking questions, and getting extra help when you need it.
BEHAVIOR
As Raptors, students are always expected to hold to our core values and RISE Up. Our classroom will be a professional learning environment. It needs to be a safe place for everyone to learn, grow, and make mistakes that we can all learn from. To do this I need everyone to follow one simple rule: THE DO RIGHT RULE- Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there; do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it; treat others the way they want to be treated. DO RIGHT! If you do these things, we will have zero problems. If problems do occur, the “Redirect Process” discussed in the student handbook will be followed.
Attendance. Because scientific topics build on themselves, it is really important to be in class. Do your best to attend class regularly. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. Check the website (all class work can be found and downloaded there), e-mail me, or stop by as soon as possible. YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO BE COMPLETELY CAUGHT UP BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS!
Grading. Grades should not be the ultimate goal, but feedback about your progress towards the ultimate goal of learning biology. OUR GOAL SHOULD BE GROWTH!
Your overall grade will be a combination of class-work, labs, tests, projects and presentations. 60% of the grade will be dedicated to tests, assessments, large projects and the other 40% will be a reflection of learning experiences such as in-class work, homework, weekly quizzes and any other practice activities.
Late Work. The work you are assigned in class is an important part of the learning process. Assignments are not given to take up class time or for the sake of having homework. Therefore, I expect that you complete every assignment. If you are unable to complete an assignment by the original deadline, communication must occur immediately…PLEASE BE PROACTIVE.
Depending on the availability of the assignment to be posted electronically, I will post all work and helpful resources on our classroom website. The calendar tab will also give you a brief synopsis of what happened in class that day. If it is not available to be put online, make-up work will be in the appropriate make-up folder in the back of the class. Please email/see me if you have any questions about the assignment. The KEY is communication!
WORK THAT IS TURNED IN LATE WITHOUT PRIOR COMMUNICATION CAN BE TURNED IN UP TO 24 HOURS FOR HALF CREDIT. AFTER THIS TIME NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED (as discussed in the Student Handbook).
Academic Dishonesty. Stuart adheres to a strict policy regarding academic dishonesty (cheating). In science, the expectation is that you do your own work. Plagiarism—in any form (internet, classmates, etc.)—will result in zero credit and possible disciplinary action. Please refer to your student handbook for a more detailed description.
MATERIALS
Please come to class each day with the following materials:
Composition Notebook (just for Science!)
Colored Pencils Blue or Black Pen & Pencil
Highlighters Scissors (optional)
Glue/Glue Stick (optional) Markers (optional)
CELL PHONES/ PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Your phone, iPad, and/or laptop can be used as valuable learning tools. They can also be a major distraction used to check Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, watch YouTube videos, or to share answers with friends. You are allowed, and even encouraged, to use your Chromebooks appropriately (when directed to do so) during class. Devices causing distractions or used at any other time not directed by the teacher will be confiscated, and disciplinary action may be taken as prescribed by the student handbook. Any cell phone seen out during any time other than lunch will be collected and turned into the office (as discussed in the Student Handbook).
HOMEWORK
Several studies show that homework for the sake of rote memorization and reinforcement isn't an effective strategy to help students learn. In addition, I believe that students should have the freedom to be kids once school ends. I understand they have lives outside of school and are involved in several extracurricular activities; therefore, I rarely give homework. Because of this, I expect all my students to be focused, organized, and skilled time managers to get their required work done in class. If this does not happen due to lack of focus or failure to be on task then they will be held accountable for completing that assignment for homework.
Instead of homework, students will have 1 mini quiz each week to week and a half as a way to recall, review, and solidify the main concepts being investigated in class. Research also shows that frequent quizzing yields significant increases in retention of information which, in some cases, led to students scoring a grade level and a half higher than students who did not undergo frequent quizzing. These quizzes will be short and used as a way to help students determine what concepts they understand, and where they might need more clarification or help. Students will know about each quiz ahead of time and therefore should be prepared for it.