Introduction
In “Physical Sciences” students will learn basic fundamental concepts in chemistry and physics. These topics will form a foundation for learning additional chemistry and physics-related subjects in high school. Students will also learn about the Scientific Method (asking questions, forming a hypothesis, developing an experiment, evaluating the data, and developing a theory), proper measurement techniques, and lab safety.
Topics Covered
8th
grade Physical Science consists of two subjects: Physics and Chemistry. In the
first semester we will focus on Physics, where students will learn about
engineering, energy, waves, motion, and forces. In the second semester, we will
shift to Chemistry and learn about the atomic theory, the Periodic Table, chemical
reactions, ionic and covalent bonds, and balancing chemical equations.
Expectations
Students in middle school are expected to be more
responsible and less dependent on their teachers and parents. In other words,
students are expected to be on-time, to obey all rules, follow all procedures,
complete all assigned work, and to study after-school without the constant
reminders from teachers and parents!
Attention Students: You are no longer in elementary school… now is the
time to be the mature and responsible young adult that your teachers and
parents expect you to be!
Class Rules
1) Quietly be in your assigned seat before the tardy bell
rings.
2) Bring all necessary supplies and have all work ready to
turn in.
3) Raise your hand and wait to be called by the teacher.
4) Give your full attention to the person who is speaking.
5) Respect everybody in the classroom.
Note: The ARIS school-wide rules will be enforced at all
times. This includes (but is not limited to) gum chewing, dress code, no
tolerance policy on weapons / violence / threats, etc. For more information on
the ARIS school-wide rules, look inside the daily agenda planner.
Grade Scale
Grades are divided into the following categories:
- Homework
/ Classwork (20% of overall grade)
- Labs /
Projects (20% of overall grade)
- Science
Notebook (30% of overall grade)
- Tests /
Quizzes (30% of overall grade)
Letter grades are broken down in the following scales:
A+ : 97%
and above |
A : 93 – 96% |
A- : 90 – 92% |
B+ : 87 – 89% |
B : 83 – 86% |
B- : 80 – 82% |
C+ : 77 – 79% |
C : 73 – 76% |
C- : 70 – 72% |
D+ : 67 – 69% |
D : 63 – 66% |
D- : 60 – 62% |
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Fail (F) : 59.9%
and below |
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Excused Absence and Late Work Policy
Homework that was not completed due to illness or other
excused absences (such as a doctor’s appointment) will be accepted without
penalty on the following condition: The student has ONE day for each day they
were absent to complete and turn in the work. Students must remember that it is
their responsibility to find out what they missed.
Late work (including unexcused absences, incomplete work,
work left at home, student “forgot” to do homework, etc.) will not be accepted
for full credit. Students may turn in work that is one (1) day late, but will
only receive 50% of the possible points. Late work that is over one day late
will NOT be accepted.
If a student misses a test, quiz, or a lab activity, they
may make it up at their earliest convenience, but it must be done after-school.
It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to find out what they missed and to arrange
with the teacher when they can make up the test, quiz, or lab activity.
Projects are due on or before the due date. If a student is
absent the day that a project is due, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to
have another person turn in the project before the end of the school day.
Tardiness
Students are expected to be in their assigned seat before
the bell rings. The only exception is if the teacher excuses the student from
their seat or if they have a written note from another teacher or administrator
that excuses their tardy. All
tardies will be recorded on the online gradebook (“StudentConnect” and “ParentConnect”).
Absences
Regular attendance to all lectures and labs is necessary for
success in this class. The student is responsible for all work missed,
regardless of the reason why the student missed school. If a missed assignment
can not be done at home (for instance, a lab activity), it may be necessary for
the student to stay after-school to complete the missed assignment. Alternate
activities may be used to substitute for the missed assignment.
Required Supplies
Students must always have these necessary supplies with them
at all times:
- 3-ring
binder (1" thickness, D-style rings w/clear front pocket)*
- 2 pens
(black or blue ink only; no metallic colors)
- 2
sharpened pencils (mechanical pencils OK)
- Coloring pencils
- Daily
Agenda Planner
* Students must have a dedicated
3-ring binder exclusively for this class that will be used as their Science
NoteBook (SNB), which makes up 30% of their final grade. They will still need a
binder for their other classes. Students are NOT allowed to store work from
other classes in their SNB.
Text and E-mail Communication
In addition to letters sent home, parents and students can
receive updates and important messages through Remind, a text-based messaging
service. Simply text the message @VarelaSci8 to 81010 to sign up for updates
and important messages sent directly to your phone via text message.
E-mail is the quickest and most effective way to reach your
teachers. Mr. Varela can be reached via email: [email protected] Please include your name, student's name, and class period number in your message.
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I look forward to this new school year and helping your
child become successful!
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