1. NAME ________________ DATE ______________ PERIOD ____________ EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE SYLLABUS 2009-2010 Ms. Shannon Room #34 DAILY MATERIALS 1. Pencil (sharpened) and pen (blue or black) No other colors may be used 2. Science Binder - three ring with five dividers ( teacher will provide) 3. Completed Homework 4. Must have plastic zippered pencil/pen holder that fits in 3 ring binder with a supply of pens and pencils (not the hard plastic type) 5. Optional: Metric ruler, highlighters, and calculator CLASSROOM RULES 1. Be in your assigned seat with materials when the tardy bell rings. If tardy, enter class without disruption and sign in on TARDY sign-in sheet. 2. Respect the rights of the other students to learn and the responsibility of the teacher to teach. 3. Bring no food or drink to class. (Water is an exception GUM is NEVER allowed at school! 4. Know and follow the school rules and procedures in the Student Handbook. 5. Know and follow the the safety rules for science labs. 6. Be responsible for keeping Science Binder up to date and for completing all assignments. CALIFORNIA SCIENCE STANDARDS TO BE STUDIED Motion Forces Structure of Matter Earth in the Solar System Reactions Chemistry in Living Systems Periodic Table Density and Buoyancy Investigation and Experimentation GRADING Trimester grades will be based on points earned for assignments done in class and homework, lab reports, tests, organization of binder, reports, projects, class performance and participation. The key to success in this class is organization of materials and productive class participation. Homework counts for 20 percent of your grade and must be turned in on time! I have read and understand the requirements of this class. P(lease do not sign unless you HAVE actually READ the above. Thank you) ___________________________________________________________________ (Parent’s Signature)date ___________________________________________________________________ (Student Signature)date Do not cut off. This will remain in student binder. Parent may request a copy

2. SCIENCE BINDER You are required to keep a science binder for this class. It is important that you have the binder on your desk at the beginning of class everyday and that all student work be kept in the binder. You will receive a Monroe Science Binder. You will also receive a set of 5 dividers. All of your corrected and unfinished work will be organized in this binder. The Science Binder stays in the classroom. Label each section as follows: 1. Class Information Syllabus Packet (Course Requirements & Rules) Passes Informational Sheets 8th Grade Science Standards 2. DSQ & Journal/Reflections and Summaries All Journal Writing Assignments All Daily Science Questions (DSQ) 3. Notes and Assignments Notes taken in class Worksheets Directed Read Worksheets Homework Assignments Lab Reports Work associated with Science Reads All “Science in the News” Assignments 4. Vocabulary All vocabulary assignments will be kept ALL year! 5. TESTS/Extra Credit Corrected quizzes and tests. Extra Credit At the end of each unit, your papers will be collected in a unit portfolio. It should be in the appropriate order, with a divider for each section and a handmade cover. You are encouraged to be creative in doing the dividers and cover. Make the finished product something of which you will be proud. The portfolios will be graded. The Science Binder and dividers will be returned to Ms. Shannon at the end of the year. Do not write on the Science Binder or the dividers. Students will be charged if the binder and/or dividers are lost or damaged beyond regular daily use. There is a $5 replacement cost for the binder and $1 for dividers. I have read and understand the above: _________________________________________________________________ Student’s namesignature date _________________________________________________________________ Parent signature date

3. STANDARDS FOR WRITTEN EXPRESSIONS MONROE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ms. Shannon 1. Use this heading for all assignments. It must be placed on the upper right hand side of the paper with the margin on the left. First and Last Name Date Period TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT, INCLUDE PAGE NUMBER 2. Submit neat papers. 3. Write all answers in complete sentences. 4. Correctly spell common terms used in each subject including all Vocabulary words. 5. Write clear understandable responses in complete sentences. 6. Use a pen, blue or black, or a pencil for all class work. Do NOT use any other color for assignments (many are hard to read). Use a word processor for formal written assignments or a blue or black pen. 7. Use binder paper (8 1/2 x 11). Do not tear or rip paper from binder/notebook. 8. Use regular margins. Eighth grade Science students are expected to write in complete sentences that begin with a capital letter and end with a period. I expect all words to be spelt correctly, especially those that are in the text or have been our vocabulary words. All assignments must be turned in on the due date! There is no reason for late homework besides being absent. (There are exceptions, please see me.) Everyone is given the same amount of time. If a student needs help she/he may see me before or after school and at lunch by appointment. Please follow the Monroe Maverick Honor Code. Copying is cheating and anyone caught copying will receive a zero. The student who supplied the assignment to be copied will also receive a zero. Both papers will be torn up and thrown away. Students are encouraged to help one another BUT not to supply answers. I have read the above and understand the requirements: ----------------------------------------------------------------- -student signature date ------------------------------------------------------------------ parent signature date

4. Ms. Shannon’s 8th Grade Science Declaration of Expectations This is what I expect from 8th Graders in my Science class: 1)I expect you to come in to the classroom quietly and respectfully, get your binder and do your DSQ, write down the objective and/or the agenda, including homework and remain quiet until I have taken attendance and explain what we will be doing for the day 2)I expect you to come to class with a pencil, pen (blue or black) and binder paper 3)I expect you to have your homework the day it is due, no exceptions (absences excluded) 4)I expect you to show respect for yourself, your classmates, and me 5)I expect you to treat ALL classroom equipment with respect only for its intended purpose 6)I expect you to listen to and read ALL instructions before beginning any assignment or lab activity 7)I expect you to stay at your lab station all class period and not wander the room; only the materials manager should get and return equipment when told to do so 8)I expect you to be focussed on your class assignment and leave playground issues on the playground, the only exception is when you are reporting something to me 9)I expect you to know that I care about YOU, your academic success and your safety and well- being 10)I expect you to care about your academic success and to ask for help when you need it 11)I expect you to tell me when you think I have been unfair to you and if other students are treating you badly 12)I expect you to tell me when you don’t understand something and ASK questions 13)I expect you to be responsible for KNOWING and meeting the California Science Standards addressed in class Now it is your turn. On a separate piece of paper tell me what you think you should be able to expect from me and this class. Be very clear and thoughtful when answering. This is important. It is your chance to tell me what you need to succeed. I honestly want to know what you think and I will read with an open mind and heart what you have to say as I want this class to be as good as it possibly can be. Do you think any of my expectations are unfair?

5. MMS Homework Policy Purpose: Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline and life-long learning habits. It is the intention of Monroe Middle School staff to assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce state standards and classroom learning objectives. Homework should provide students with opportunity to apply information they have learned, complete unfinished class assignments, and develop independence. Types of homework include: Practice exercises to follow classroom instruction Preview assignments to prepare for subsequent lessons Extension assignments to transfer new skills or concepts to new situations Creative activities to integrate many skills toward the production of a response or product. Actual time required for assignments will vary with study habits, skills of the individual student and selected course load. Students are encouraged to pursue non-assigned independent leisure reading at all grade levels. As a rule, routine homework will not be assigned during vacations. Exceptions to this are independent reading and long-term projects. Eighth Grade Students: Daily homework should not exceed a total of 120 minutes per night, including an assigned reading contract. Exceptions include major long-term projects (i.e. Exhibition Project). Responsibilities of Teachers:  Assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework that reinforces classroom learning  Give clear instructions and make sure students understand the purpose  Give feedback and/or correct homework  Communicate with other teachers  Involve parents and contact them if a pattern of late or incomplete homework develops Responsibilities of Parents:  Set a regular, uninterrupted study time each day  Establish a quiet, well-lit study area  Help students organize materials  Expect and monitor the student ’ s daily assignment list  Help student work to find the answer, not just get it done  Be supportive when the student gets frustrated with difficult assignments  Contact the teacher to stay informed about the student ’ s learning process Responsibilities of Students: Write down assignments Be sure all assignments are clear; don ’ t be afraid to ask questions if necessary Set aside a regular time for studying Find a quiet, well-lit study area Work on homework independently whenever possible, so that it reflects their ability. Late Work Policy: Students who missed work due to absences will be given the opportunity to make up their work. They will be given one day for every day missed to make up the work. All other late work will be penalized. This, of course, can be modified based on specific, individual needs (IEP, 504). Long-term projects are not subject to the late work policy. Students who miss school work because of an absence will receive opportunity to make up the missed work.

6. STUDY BUDDIES A study buddy can help you keep track of assignments even when you are absent. Get the name and phone number of at least two classmates; write them in the space below. You can help each other out!! 1. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 2. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 3. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 4. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 5. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 6. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 7. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone) 8. ______________________________________________________ (name)(phone)  Keep this in a safe place where you can find it easily.  Make sure it is in the binder that you take home.  Each student is responsible for missed assignments.  Always ask your study buddies o r table partners first.  Don’t forget there is an assignment box on the counter.

7. Name______________________ dater____________________ period___________________ Getting to know you, getting know all about you! 1. Where did you go to school last year?_______________________________ 2. If you went to Monroe, who was your core teacher?____________________ 3. What is your favorite subject?___________________________________ 4 Why?_____________________________________________________ 5. Tell me about something fun you have done Science __________________ ___________________________________________________________ 6 Who was your Science teacher last year? __________________________ 7.Tell me about something you ’ve done fun at school.___________________ 8 What languages do you speak?_____________________________________ 9 What should I know about how you work in a class so we will work well together this year? ___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 10. Who do you live with? _________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Do you have pets? What kind? _____________________________________ 11. What do you absolutely LOVE?___________________________________ 12. What do you absolutely HATE?__________________________________ 13. What is your favorite kind of music?______________________________ 14 Who is you favorite music artist?________________________________ 15 What is your favorite t.v. show?_________________________________ 16. What good movie have you seen?_________________________________ 17. What is the best book you have ever read?_________________________ 18. What plans do you have for your future?___________________________ _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ 19.What do you wish people knew or understood about you? 20 What do you plan to do to be successful in 8th grade?__________________ _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ 21.What can I do to help you? _____________________________________ 22. What question do you have for me? ______________________________ Welcome to 8th Grade Science!! Ms. Shannon