8th Grade Science 2012-2013            

Mr. Arrowsmith’s Class

Classroom Expectations

1.      BE RESPONSIBLE!  Purchase a 100 page (8 ½ X 11”) spiral notebook for use in science class only.  Students must have these by Friday, September 7.  Also, bring a notecard box and a supply of 4X6 notecards.

Be in your seat, ready to learn, before the bell rings.

Come to class with your lab notebook, your planner, pencil, eraser, paper, and any homework you need to turn in.

Quietly begin the warm-up that will be on the overhead or white board.

2.   BE SAFE!!! IN SCIENCE LAB THAT MEANS: Follow the Laboratory Safety Rules.  These rules are posted in the classroom and a copy will be provided for your lab notebook.  Read them and ask questions if you don’t understand these rules. 

3.   BE SELF-CONTROLLED!

Keep your hands and feet to yourself.  Don’t fool around. N0 HORSEPLAY! is the # 1 rule in my classroom. Pay attention to directions. Keep all 4 chair legs on the ground.

4.   BE RESPECTFULL

Respect yourself. Respect other students. Respect your instructors. Respect the community that provides you with this opportunity to learn, and take care of the school property you use in class.

5.     BE KIND!

What happens if a student behaves according to these expectations? ☺

Students’ positive influence at Brown MS and in the classroom will be acknowledged with a “Great Panther” ticket, and praise! The tickets pay dividends!  Prizes and opportunities go to students who earn them.

What happens if a student misbehaves? 

1.      Warning – This is a reminder to the student: please behave correctly.

2.     Warning with time out in the hall - Student will fill out a “REFLECTION SHEET” and may return when it is completed appropriately. 

3.     Tracker – Parents and administrators are notified. 

4.   Administrative referral - Each referral requires a meeting with an administrator concerning the misbehavior.

5. Unsafe behavior and severe disruptions may result in immediate removal from the room and administrative referral.

Homework policy

Most days most students will not have homework in my class if they follow directions and use their class time wisely.  All assignments that have to be turned in will be listed in the classroom on the whiteboard at the front of the room under the heading “ASSIGNMENTS” and on the internet homework site for Brown MS at http://www.hsd.k12.or.us.brown/homework.asp. The due date will be listed with the assignment.  If a student does not finish their work in class, it is homework, and should be turned in on time.  If the unfinished work is a lab, the student must make arrangements with their teacher to use the lab before or after school or at lunch.

Grading Practices:

·         Students should make, keep, and use an assignment sheet that lists all assignments.  Each week’s assignments are posted by the assignment/homework turn-in trays and on the homework website: http://www.hsd.k12.or.us.brown/homework.asp .  “Favorite” this page on your browser!

·         Grades are based on 8^th grade state standards in science.  Grades are based on students’ performance on tests, quizzes, CIM tasks, lab reports, and presentations.  Tests and quizzes will account for 55% of the student’s grade.

·         Students may retake quizzes and tests to improve their grade.  The retake must be completed within two weeks of the date the graded test was returned to the student.  Students must complete retakes before school, after school, or at lunch on Days when Mr. Arrowsmith is available.  These days will be posted on retake sign-up sheets in class.  Students must sign up to retake tests (on the sign-up sheets posted in class) at least one day in advance.  Retakes may take a different form than the original test.

·         Written assignments may be improved and resubmitted for an improved score (same 2 week limit as above).

·         Lab notebooks and any assignments in them will be graded twice a quarter.

8^th grade Science Standards

Physical Science

·          7.2P.1 Identify and describe types of motion and forces and relate forces qualitatively to the laws of

·          motion and gravitation.

·          8.1P.1 Describe the atomic model and explain how the types and arrangements of atoms determine the

·          physical and chemical properties of elements and compounds.

·          8.1P.2 Explain how the Periodic Table is an organization of elements based on their physical and

·          chemical properties.

·          8.1P.3 Explain how the motion and spacing of particles determines states of matter.

·          6.1P.1 Compare and contrast the characteristic properties of forms of energy.

·          6.2P.2 Describe and compare types and properties of waves and explain how they interact with matter.

·          6.2P.3 Describe the relationships between: electricity and magnetism, static and current electricity, and

·          series and parallel electrical circuits.

Life Science

·          6.2L.2 Explain how individual organisms and populations in an ecosystem interact and how changes in

·          populations are related to resources.

·          8.1L.1 Explain how genetics and anatomical characteristics are used to classify organisms and infer

·          evolutionary relationships.

·          8.2L.1 Explain how species change through the process of natural selection. Describe evidence for

·          evolution.

Earth Science

·          6.2E.1 Explain the water cycle and the relationship to landforms and weather.

·          6.1E.2 Describe the properties of objects in the solar system.  Describe and compare the position of the sun within the solar system galaxy, and universe.

·          7.2E.1 Describe and evaluate the environmental and societal effects of obtaining, using, and managing

·          waste of renewable and non-renewable resources.

·          7.2E.2 Describe the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, how it has changed over time, and implications

·          for the future.

·          7.2E.3 Evaluate natural processes and human activities that affect global environmental change and

·          suggest and evaluate possible solutions to problems.

·          7.2E.4 Explain how landforms change over time at various rates in terms of constructive and

·          destructive forces.

·          8.2E.1 Explain how gravity is the force that keeps objects in the solar system.  Describe and compare the position of the sun within the solar system, galaxy, and universe.

·          8.2E.2 Describe the processes of Earth’s geosphere and the resulting major geological events.

·          8.2E.3 Explain the causes of patterns of atmospheric and oceanic movement and the effects on

·          weather and climate.

·          8.2E.4 Analyze evidence for geologic, climatic, environmental and life form changes over time.

Science Inquiry

·          8.3s.1 Based on observations and science principles, propose questions or hypotheses that can be examined through scientific investigations.

·          8.3s.2 Organize, display and analyze relevant data, and construct an evidence-based explanation of the results of a scientific investigation, and communicate the conclusions including possible sources of error.  Suggest new investigations based on analysis of results.

·          8.3s.3 Explain how scientific explanations and theories evolve as new information becomes available.

Engineering

·          8.4d.2 Define a problem that addresses a need, and using relevant scientific principles investigate possible solutions given specified criteria, constraints, priorities, and trade-offs.

·          8.4d.2 Design, construct, and test a proposed engineering design solution and collect relevant data.

·          8.4d.3 Evaluate a proposed design solution in terms of design and performance criteria, constraints, priorities, and trade-offs. Identify possible design improvements.

·          8.4d.4 Explain how creating a new technology requires considering societal goals, costs, priorities, and trade-offs.

Science Balanced Grading Scale	Grade	Score	What it means:
	A	4.1-5.0	Exceeds standard
	B	3.1-4.0	Meets Standard
	C	2.1-3.0	Nearly Meets Standard
	D	1.1-2.0	Does Not Meet Standard
	F	0.1-1.0	No Evidence

Progress reports will be sent home with your students every 4-5 weeks at the middle and end of each quarter. Call or e-mail if you have questions.  Calls & e-mails will be answered within 24 hours.