Demarest Middle School

8th grade Science

Mrs. Joanne Werner

werner@nvnet.org

Course Overview

The 2016-2017 year marks the beginning of a science teaching revolution (so to speak).  The schools of the Northern Valley have redesigned the science curriculum for grades 6-12 to incorporate the skills and knowledge set forth in the Next Generation Science Standards.  I view these standards as a way to use or reignite a student’s natural curiosity and have that drive instruction and, frankly, I’m excited about it.  

Classroom style

Multiple methods of learning will be used in 8th grade science.  I plan to incorporate a good amount of discovery based learning that will be reinforced in multiple ways.  There will be some direct lectures.  Sometimes students will watch videos.  Notes may need to be taken from textbook pages, websites, or other written material.  Guided formal labs will be done.  Open-inquiry, problem solving projects will also be assigned.  Most topics will have multiple methods in which the students will learn and process the information.

Classroom Behavior

1. Respect Yourself:

Try your best.  Always try to improve.  Come to class prepared and ready to learn.  Complete all assignments on time.  Dress appropriately for school.  THINK!    

2.  Respect others:

Listen to and follow directions carefully.  Respect the feelings, ideas, and property of the people around you.  Raise your hand and wait to be called on.  All appropriate questions are good questions.  Quietly listen when people ask questions.  You may learn something.    

3.  Respect your school:

Understand that you are here, first and foremost, to learn.  Stay on task and take advantage of this amazing opportunity.  

Consequences related to classroom behavior

If the above rules are not followed and it results in ANY interruption in learning, there will be consequences.  Minor infractions that do not put anyone in danger will get a warning.  If these minor infractions involve off-task behavior and continue passed a warning, 1 point will be deducted from the 20 point Lab Behavior grade for the marking period. If more than 2 points are lost in a class period an email is sent home.  If the infractions are more severe the student will be referred to the principal immediately resulting in Please note, detentions will not be given for off-task behavior.  Student participation and adherence to safety guidelines is not only an expected behavior but a course objective set forth by the Northern Valley Curriculum Consortium.  Failure to stay on-task and, thus, be safe demonstrates lack of proficiency for these objectives and the grade will reflect this.

Grading

Marking period grades will be determined using varied point values.  Small assignments like daily homework will be 2 points.  Short 5 question quizzes will be 5 points. Longer quizzes will be higher points not exceeding 25.  Tests and larger projects will be between 50-100 points.  There may be formative assessments given that will be recorded in RealTime Gradebook but these grades will not factor into the students marking period grade.  The teacher will use this data to guide instruction and parents/students can use it to gauge understanding prior to formal assessments (quizzes/tests).

Homework Policy

The majority of homework assignments will be reviewed the day after they are assigned.  These assignments can not be made up.  If it is not done on the day it is due, no credit is given.  Every student will be required to complete every assignment on time regardless of whether he/she was in class.  All homework assignments will be posted on line.

If a student is absent, most work will be accessible through Mrs. Werner's website.  This includes notes, worksheets, videos, etc.  It is up to the student to meet with Mrs. Werner to schedule make ups for labs if missed.  If the student is absent the day of a test or quiz, he/she must make up that assessment the day he/she returns unless the absence is prolonged.  In this case, an informal conference will be held with the student and teachers to create a schedule for missed work and assessments.

As stated in Homework Policy, daily assignments will not receive credit if late.  Larger assignments like labs and projects will lose 10 percentage points for each day late.  After 3 days a zero is recorded and can not be changed.  An email will be sent home the first day it is not handed in.

There are no extra credit assignments that will be available for 8th grade science.  If a student earns a score below passing (65%) on an assessment, he/she can make corrections to bring the grade up to 65%.  It is highly recommended that an appointment be made by the student to do these corrections with Mrs. Werner.  Corrections will be collected for up to 3 days after the assessment has been returned.

Discipline Policy/Point System

Points will be accumulated via Realtime and will be available to view at all times through the Parent Portal and/or Student Portal.  Each year, students will begin the school year with zero points.  The point system is as per the 2016-2017 Student Handbook, which can be found online or in the student agenda and below.