Mrs. Cain's 8th Grade Science and Physical Science Classes

Welcome to my class!

I am hoping for a great year ahead full of interesting topics, fun activities, creative projects, and awesome students!

Classroom Expectations

*Be on time to class with all of your materials. Be sure to have your pencil, paper, and other materials with you every day because we will be working every day.

This falls under READY and RESPONSIBLE.

*Be RESPECTFUL to EVERYONE at all times. No exceptions, no excuses!

*Keep your area neat and tidy. No slips, trips, or falls! Bookbags, with cell phones inside and off to the world, will be kept along the side walls of the class.

*Ask for help when you need it. I cannot read minds!

*Follow the school rules. Refer to the Student Handbook as needed.

Consequences:

Warning
Student–teacher conference and contact home.
After-school detention and contact home.
After-school detention and contact home–again
Office referral

Your goal should be to do the BEST you can on EVERY assignment and demonstrate good character in order to RACK UP PBIS points!!

What will you learn in 8th Grade Science this year? LOTS!!

*Atoms and Matter (structure, ions, bonding, physical states)

*Waves (parts of, interactions of, light, sound, lenses)

*Electricity and Magnetism (forces, current/resistance/voltage, polarity)

*Energy (energy transformations, heat transfer)

What will you learn in Physical Science this year?? LOTS!!

*Interactions of Energy and Matter (energy transformations; heat transfer; electric and magnetic forces)

*Structure and Properties of Matter (atomic structure and movement of particles; chemical and physical properties and changes)

*Waves (properties and propagation of waves; light and sound; lenses)

*Forces (friction, gravity, electricity, magnets; force fields; conductors and insulators)

*Motion (force and motion; speed and acceleration; velocity; Newton’s Laws of Motion; kinetic and potential energy

Grading Policy:

For 8th Grade Science:

Assignments (daily work, vocabulary, "formative" work)

Assessments (tests, projects, includes Benchmark scores)

The first and second semester grades are averaged together to form the yearly grade.

For Physical Science

Assignments 40% (daily work, vocabulary, "formative" work)

Assessments 60% (test, projects, labs)

The Assignments and Assessments make up 80% of the semester grade. The Semester Exam makes up 20% of the semester grade.

The first and second semester grades are averaged together to form the yearly grade.

Tests may be retaken ONE time IF remediation work is requested, completed, and shown to me. Remediation work and re-test deadlines will be given. The summative assessment can only be re-taken during the current grading period. Projects and labs cannot be re-done.

Keep up with your assignments. "A" students do not turn in late work.

Late and unfinished assignments are not helpful to you or to me. This falls under the RESPONSIBLE, READY and RESPECT categories. Late work will lose 10 points if turned in within 1 school day. Work turned in 2 days late or later will lose 20 points. Any work not turned in by the cut-off date for the grading period will not be accepted.

Materials Needed:

*Each student will need a pencil, loose-leaf paper in a binder with dividers to separate subjects, colored pencils, a calculator (4-function is fine), and a small pair of scissors.

*On occasion, I may request that some items for labs be brought from home. These would be items like paper towel tubes, clean empty plastic bottles, “Ziploc” bags, etc.

Restroom Visits:

We will have a scheduled restroom break each day during class.

Helpful Hints:

*Ask for help when you need it. Do not be embarrassed–be RESPONSIBLE!! I ask for help all the time!

*Learn the vocabulary! We will make various vocabulary study aids in class. If you don’t know the word, how can you answer a question about the word?

***Students are responsible for checking Google Classroom for assignments if they are absent.

***All assignments are expected to be completed within 5 days of returning to school.

Google Classroom codes:

1st period 8th grade Science: 7ktqtfi

2nd period Physical Science: a3nt72c

5th period Physical Science: 54fpi7z

6th period Physical Science: zyv2nov

Contact Information during school hours:

[email protected]

(706) 541-1252