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  2. 8th Grade Science Syllabus

8th Grade Science Syllabus

Welcome/Intro

Hello! My name is Ms. Hussion. I am very excited to be your 8th grade Science teacher this year.  This will be my 3rd year as a teacher and my 3rd year with Blanco ISD. Before becoming a teacher, I worked in the medical field as a Respiratory Therapist for 18 years. Along with my medical experience, I also assisted in teaching martial arts to kids and adults, which is where I discovered my love for teaching.  I studied science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Science/Biology from Western Governors University. I am certified to teach Science in grades 4-12.  I look forward to meeting each one of you and helping you learn as much as possible about Science and how it relates to the world around you.

 

Teacher Contact Info

Blanco Middle School Office # (830) 833-5570

Email: angela.hussion@blancoisd.org

 

Conference Period

1:04-1:54 (6th period)

 

Office Hours

4:00 – 4:30 PM

 

Materials

1 inch – 3-ring binder

5 dividers with tabs

Notebook paper

Pencils/Pens

 

Science Notebook

*Place these items in your binder*

Periodic Table (I will give this to you in class)

Syllabus (keep in your notebook, return signed signature pages to Ms. Hussion)

5 Dividers – labeled: Warm-ups, Notes, Daily Work, Quizzes, Tests

 

Classroom Expectations

1. Arrive on time

2. Put your phone away in your backpack or in the phone holder at the front of the room

3. Be prepared by bringing your tools (pencils, pens, binder, notebook paper)

4. Give your best effort

5. Ask for help

6. Clean up after yourself

 

Rules

1. Be kind/respectful

2. Listen when others are speaking

3. Participate and help others

4. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself

5. Other rules as determined and agreed upon by students and teacher

 

Grading Policy

Daily Grades - 60% (classwork/homework)

Tests – 40% (tests/quizzes/projects)

Tests may be corrected up to a 70% by writing the question and correct answer twice on a separate sheet of paper. Staple the corrections to the test and turn in to the correction box.

If you score above a 70% on the test and would like to earn ½ of your points back, you may do so by writing the question and correct answer twice on a separate sheet of paper. Staple the corrections to the test and turn in to the correction box.

 

Absences

If you are absent or know you will be absent ahead of time, please be sure to pick up your work as soon as possible. Work must be turned in within 5 school days of your absence.

 

Late Work

Late work will be accepted within 5 school days of the due date with a maximum grade of 70. After 5 days late, the grade will be 0.

 

Course Outline

 

1st Six weeks

Introduction: Scientific Investigation and Reasoning

Unit 1: Atoms, Elements and the Periodic Table

 

2nd Six Weeks

Unit 2: Chemical Formulas and Reactions

Unit 3: Force and Motion

 

3rd Six Weeks

Unit 3: Force and Motion (continued)

Unit 4: Sun, Earth, and Moon

 

4th Six Weeks

Unit 5: Components of the Universe

Unit 6: Forces that Change the Earth (Plate Tectonics, Mapping Earth’s Surface)

 

5th Six Weeks

Unit 7: Global Weather Patterns (Atmosphere, Weather, Ocean Systems)

Unit 8: Investigating Interdependence Among Living Systems

 

6th Six Weeks

Unit 8: Investigating Interdependence Among Living Systems (continued)

Unit 9: Student-Designed Investigations

 

Lab Safety Rules

While in the laboratory, I agree to follow the rules listed below. The rules below are for the safety and learning of everyone in the classroom and must be followed. Failure to follow these rules will result in loss of lab privileges, parent contact, and possible referral to the principal.

  1. Always behave responsibly and respectfully (keep hands, feet, and lab equipment to self)
  2. Follow all lab instructions, ask for help if unsure what to do and only perform authorized activities
  3. Report unsafe behavior, accidents, injuries, broken glass, spills, broken equipment to teacher
  4. Notify teacher if allergies, asthma, or any health conditions may affect participation in the lab 
  5. Wear proper clothing on lab days – no open toe/heel shoes, no oversized clothing, long hair tied back
  6. Always wear appropriate protective equipment during lab activities (safety goggles, gloves, apron) and wash hands thoroughly after the lab activity
  7. Keep lab materials/equipment in the classroom and dispose of used materials in designated area
  8. Know where safety equipment is located: fire extinguisher, eyewash fountain, safety shower, fire blanket and first-aid kit

        Do not eat/drink/smell anything during lab without teacher permission

  1. Do not pour lab chemicals down drain or throw lab specimens in trash can.
  2. Dispose of used materials appropriately.
  3. Ask the teacher if unsure of where to dispose of used materials