Eighth Grade Science

 

My goal for this year is to present a curriculum that not only teaches basic scientific concepts, but also instills a desire to explore science and enjoy the process of learning.

 

You will have science on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in the afternoon. I am at school Monday-Thursday. If you have questions or need help, my office hours are at lunchtime on Wednesdays or 3:00-3:15 pm on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. 

 

Labs

Lab write-ups are due the Wednesday following our Thursday labs (unless otherwise stated).  Lab write-ups will be accepted on the Thursday following our lab for partial credit.  A grade of  Ò0Ó will be assigned to any lab write up that is not handed in on time. (Exception: absence, see absence policy).  Lab write-ups should be typed.  To receive full credit for lab write-ups that are not typed, a note, signed by a parent, must be included with the hand written lab write-up on the day it is due.

 

Class/Homework

Homework is due on the date assigned.  However, unless otherwise stated, students may receive partial credit for their homework if it is completed up to one week following the due date of the assignment.  All homework must be handed in prior to taking a test on the material. If a student regularly turns in homework late or neglects to turn in homework, that student will be required to meet with me on Wednesday at lunchtime, until the homework is handed in on a consistent basis.

 

Projects

Projects will be assigned every quarter.  Projects may be used to demonstrate mastery of the material we are covering or as a means for the students to experience the process of discovery that is science.  Requirements for projects, due date and method of grading will be explained when the project is assigned and will be posted on the Jr. High Science web page.  Projects are due on the date assigned.

 

Tests and Quizzes

There will usually be two major tests and several quizzes each quarter.  Tests will be announced at least one week in advance.  Students should review material prior to the test so that questions or confusion regarding the material can be answered and cleared up.  To receive credit, all homework must be handed in before taking the test.  Make up tests, due to absence, will usually be given on Mondays, during the lunch hour

 

Absence

The day you return to school, following an absence, you should contact me regarding the work you missed.  You will have an equal number of days to make up your missing work, including tests and labs, as you were absent. (Ex. If you miss two days of science, you have two days to make up what you missed).  Unless you have made special arrangements with me, work that is not completed within this time will receive a zero.  If you have any questions regarding the material you missed, talk to me immediately, do not wait until the work is due and then say, ÒI didnÕt understandÓ. Handouts from each week will be placed in the 8th grade plastic envelope located on the bulletin board in the science lab.

 

 

Grading

Grades are weighted in two ways: 1) by the total amount of points the assignment/test/ quiz/project is worth (which will vary) and 2) by the weight assigned to each area being graded. 

The typical weight of each area is as follows:

 

Projects                      20%

Lab Write Ups          25%

Tests                           25%

Quizzes                       15%

Class/Homework       15%

 

It is critical that the students hand in their lab write-ups, complete and on time, as they are weighted equally to tests.

 

Extra Credit

Although I occasionally will give the opportunity for extra points to be earned on some assignments, tests and quizzes, generally speaking, I do not allow extra credit to be done. 

This is because I want your grade to reflect your mastery of the material I present.  If the opportunity for extra credit is allowed, it will be announced well in advance, so students can take advantage of the opportunity.

 (Ex. Creek clean up on Saturday,)

 A STUDENT MAY NOT RECEIVE EXTRA CREDIT IF THEY HAVE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS, PROJECTS OR LAB WRITE UPS.

 

JUNIOR HIGH SCIENCE WEB PAGE

To access: Go to www.stmarygilroy.org

                Click on Class Pages

                Click on   Junior High Science

                Follow links to grade or class forms

 

General information, science standards, class procedures, class homework forms and lab forms can be found on this web page. In addition, web sites pertinent to the area we are studying, homework help sites and fun science sites are available. As projects are assigned, project information will also be posted.

Daily science homework will not be posted on this web page.  Daily science homework can be found only on the class page for the 8th grade.

 

 

Contact Information

I can be reached by email at stern@stmarygilroy.org. I can also be reached by phone at 408-842-2827, ext 125. Please remember that I do not check email or phone messages Friday-Sunday, or during holidays.