Eighth Grade Science
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There will be a wide variety of activities during a typical week. We will have a lab on average once or twice a week. You can expect short homework assignments 4 times per week and a quiz and test about every 2 weeks.
Students will be required to take notes to complete a study guide starting on the first day of each new unit of study. Each day we will cover one or more questions from the study guide in class. This study guide will be used to prepare the students for the unit test. Students are expected to take notes daily and study those notes in addition to reading selected textbook pages Monday-Thursday for homework. If a student is absent it is their responsibility to get makeup work.
I may be contacted at school (878-8735) during 5th and 6th period. Since phone use at school is limited, the easiest way to reach me is by email annleo@pickens.k12.sc.us . I am always happy to discuss your child’s progress with you. Please feel free to contact me whenever necessary.
Being in the eighth grade shows that the student has advanced in age and maturity, therefore, students are expected to demonstrate maturity and take responsibility for their actions and learning.
Homework Policy
Homework is assigned to compliment activities completed in class. It provides practice and review. The next day’s activities are designed to build on that practice. In order for homework to be effective, therefore, it will be due the day after it is assigned. The only exceptions to this will be for excused absences. Students who have excused absences will have five days to make up any work missed on the days that they were absent. Since homework is for practice and review it will not be graded. I will record a daily grade of 100 for completed homework/class work. Partially completed or late homework will receive a 50. No homework results in a 0. All assignments will be turned into a red basket located in the classroom.
Attendance and Tardy Policies
Students must attend school on time and on a
regular basis in order to be successful in class. Students arriving at school
after 8:00 should go directly to the main office and get a tardy slip. Students
should also make sure at this time that they have an excuse for being tardy.
Evaluation of Student
Progress
Nine week averages will be weighted as follows:
Tests 40%-Students are allowed to retake a test once during the school year to improve their test grade. If a test is retaken the second score will be used(even if it was a lower grade than the first test). If a student chooses to retake a test it must be within a week of the original test date.
Homework/Quizzes 30%- Homework, Class work and Labs are graded on a basis of effort and completeness. Most work gets a check (ü) or 100. This can help students tremendously.
Class work (Lab sheets/notebook checks) 30%-Homework/Class work/Lab assignments are designed to practice skills that were taught in class that day. They are due, therefore, the next day so that I can address problems or questions before moving on to the next skill. Late and/or partial completion of work will not be accepted. Students who have been absent will receive five additional days to complete assignments. A grade of 0 is given when no work has been turned in. Ten points are deducted for students who turn in work without a name. Many assignments are left in the lab after class is over and are placed in a lost and found box. Students who are sure they have turned in assignments should check that box, their locker or home.
Extra Credit
Students have three ways to earn extra credit points during a nine week period.
If they turn in all of their assignments on time(no zeros) during the nine weeks they will earn two points added to their final average.
1. Students earn bonus points daily for good behavior in class and during labs. These points can be used for extra credit on assignments as follows:
| 1 point = 1 extra credit point on homework. |
| 3 points= 1 extra credit point on a lab/quiz. |
| 5 points= 1 extra credit point on a test. |
2. These points can be used any time during the school year. In order for the extra credit to be effective the points must have the student’s first and last name written on the back in pen and be stapled to the assignment when the assignment is turned in.
3. Students can illustrate vocabulary words(or make PowerPoint presentations about topics related to the unit we are studying) to earn extra bonus points. See me for a list of words/topics.
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be sent three times during a nine-week period. I will send one prior to and after interim progress reports. That way you should be well informed of your child’s progress before the report card comes home. Please sign and return them on the date they are due. Please note that all assignments are not weighted equally. Averaging the scores equally will not provide an accurate average. Refer to the grading scale to determine students’ final average.
Materials
The following materials should be brought to class every day.
| notebook paper |
| folder with pockets |
| graph paper with 3 holes punched and easy tear out on perforations |
| colored pencils |
| simple basic calculator |
| #2 pencils |
| black pens for bonus points |
| book to read |
| pencil pouch |
Textbooks and workbooks were received the first week of school. The students were instructed to take them home and not bring them back to school until the end of the year. This policy ensures that the students will always their books at home so they will be able to do their homework. I have a class set of books and workbooks at school so it is unnecessary to bring their copies to school.
