Mrs. Szych's 8th Grade Science Overview
Expectations:
Rule 1: Participate!
Rule 2: Come prepared
with a notebook and pen. Please have a seat.
Rule 3: Listen
carefully to all directions. This is a lab safety issue!
Rule 4: Listen
politely when others are speaking.
Rule 5: Raise your
hand if you wish to speak.
Also: Go to your
locker and the bathroom before class. Treat the science room, the furniture,
and science materials carefully. Do not touch science apparatus in the room
unless you are given permission.
Notebook: A science notebook is
required for every class. The notebook should be reviewed and studied daily.
Your notebook is a tool to be used as a reference during many tests.
Plan-book: Bring your plan-book to every
class.
Website: Use Mr. Hand's 8th
grade science website to play review games and to read information about the
current unit.
If you are absent: It is your responsibility to
find out what you missed. You may check the homework hotline (429-5004 x6303)
or the website for homework information (mmsnet.org then go to faculty
homepages then Mr. Hand).
Tests: Open notebook quizzes and tests
are given for the first unit. Tests are closed-notebook for the rest of the
year. Save and study your quizzes! Each unit test is derived from the
quizzes. 2-3 quizzes are given before each unit test. If you do well on the
quizzes, you are bound to do well on the test.
The mid-year exam is
cumulative. The final exam is cumulative as well, but it focuses on the second
half of the year. You will need to save your tests for the midyear and
final.
I do not give make-up
tests. However, in order to improve your grade, I will sometimes allow you to
do some extra work in your weak areas. In
addition, you may fix your tests and receive partial credit.
Grading (example): possible
points total points earned
Class participation 200 180
Chemistry Final 100 80
5 quizzes 100 92
Molecule project 50 45
10 Homework assignments 50 35
1.
432
= 86% or B
A+ = 100%-98%, A =
97%-93%, A- = 92%- 90%, B+ = 89%-87%, B=86%-84%, etc...
Cooperative group situations:
You are graded for your own work.
Homework: All work must be handed in on time: Extensions must be arranged
ahead of time. You will only receive half credit for late work. However,
success cards may be used to hand in an assignment one day late without a
penalty. In the case of an emergency, you may bring in a note from your parent or
guardian. For information, call the homework number: 429-5004, extension 6303.
Or, check Mr. Hand's 8th grade science web page: mmsnet.org. The
purpose of homework is for you to practice skills and/or finalize observations
made during class. There will be 1-2 assignments per week. It takes 20 to 45
minutes to complete an assignment. I will give you a couple of nights to
complete an assignment; this allows you the freedom to decide when to do your
homework. You will have up to a week to complete a bigger project.
If you need help:
I
am always happy to help during x-block or after school. Surf the science web
site (mmsnet.org). I sometimes have a study-group session after school before
major unit tests.
Units:
This
year, the focus will be on you doing science. You will be using science
process skills (observation, hypothesis, experimentation etc.) 75% of the time
you will be learning by doing hands-on experiments. 25% of the time you will be
learning by listening, writing and reading. The year breaks down as follows: 13
weeks of Biology, 5 weeks of Chemistry, and 16 weeks of Physical
science/Physics.
- Flight: 4 forces of flight, gravity, Bernoulli's
principle, Newton's third law, model building, and scientific method.
- Laws of motion: Newton’s laws, gravity,
momentum, friction, rotational inertia, centripetal force, roller
coasters, potential and kinetic energy, equations.
- Immune system: Immunity, Pasteur,
Fleming, Salk, antibiotics, vaccines, bacteria, and viruses.
- Energy: Heat and temperature, heat and molecular
behavior, pressure and molecular behavior, conduction, radiation,
convection, evaporation, energy transformations, work and power.
- Genetics: Human genetics, pedigrees and disease,
Mendelian genetics, punnet squares, protein synthesis, genetic
engineering.
- Chemistry: Periodic table, atomic
structure, covalent bonding, ionic bonding, chemical reactivity, chemical
reactions, and nanotechnology.
- Reproduction: The basic structure and
function of the male and female reproductive systems.
Extra credit and
challenging alternative assignments are available for every unit.
How to reach me:
Leave
a message: 429-5004, extension 303
email:
szychmn@mansfieldct.org
To check homework assignments: 429-5004, extension 6303. Or, check out
information posted on the science web site: mmsnet.org