Eighth Grade Integrated Science

Introduction:

Mrs. Bell and I will be teaching Eighth Grade Integrated Science this year. We will be covering the same content in all three classes. The only differences may be pacing and our personalities.

Philosophy:

I believe that students are responsible for their own learning. It is my job to provide you with as many different opportunities to be successful in learning the course material.

My job then is to be a facilitator of learning rather then the dispenser of information. I intend to provide situations where you have choices in how you may best learn the course material. It is my hope that by providing students choices on how they learn, we as a class can make this course a positive, enjoyable, and rewarding learning experience.

Course Description:

Our Integrated Science course is designed as a survey course. The students will have the opportunity to study the major topics of Life, Physical and Earth sciences to a level of understanding described by the Washington State Essential Learning’s (EALR’s) for Science. The course will be product driven in that students will be engaged in variety of projects through out the course. Some will be accomplished in a class period while others may take weeks to complete. Each of the products is designed to accommodate various learning styles. I am committed to providing product choices for my students whenever possible.

Classroom Work Environment:

Students will be allowed to work collaborative in groups as teams or individually on all daily assignments.

This privilege will be lost if a student’s behavior causes them to be off task, disrupts the classroom learning

environment, or interferes with another student’s right to learn.

Grading Policy:

Student’s final quarter grades are based primarily on their test scores. Daily assignments, projects, presentations, and entry tasks are designed to prepare the student to successfully master the course material as demonstrated by the student’s test scores. However, the instructor will weigh these activities in determining the student’s final grade for that quarter.

Approximate weight of each category:

Tests (and quizzes) – 50%

Assignments/homework-15-25%

Projects- 15-25%

Entry Tasks-5-10%

The instructor retains to the right to modify the weight of each category depending on the focus of the course at that time. Students and parents are encouraged to check with instructor if they have any concern regarding their grades. The instructor has been known on occasion to make errors. An error corrected early prevents hurt feelings later on.

Daily Routine:

-Entry Task:

-Review/Correct Entry Task:

-Instructor presentation or Class Activity

The instructor either presents information on a topic or the student’s are involved in an activity/activities

that is related to a presented topic.

-Activity/Work time:

If applicable for the topic of study, students will be given a block of time to complete instructor designed or

student designed projects.

Weekly Routine:

The routine for the week will be varied. There will be significant amount of reading in the text and supplemental sources- newspaper, magazines, and library books. The instructor may make several presentations during the week. Time for working on daily assignments (short answer questions, lab work, short or long term project work, or student presentations, will make up the remainder of the class time.

Course Outline:

Scientific Inquiry/Measurement

Matter

Heredity

Waves and Energy

Astronomy

Survey of Life/Adaptation and Natural Selection

Human Biology

Science Web Pages: (www.manson.org)

I have on my website (http://169.204.146.130/pauly/8th%20Grade%20Integrated%20Science%20.html)

a variety of resources: including interesting sites on the Internet, as well as courses information (lecture notes, assignment lists, enrichment activities, practice tests, project information, and a course calendar).

I encourage you and your family to use it both at school and at home.

Required Materials:

Students are required to have the following materials:

1. Writing utensils: a pen and one pencil

2. A 3 ring notebook

3. A spiral notebook to be used as learning log.

Students or Parental Concerns:

If students have any questions or concerns about the course at any time please feel free to

meet with me as soon as possible. If parents have a concern please contact me by email, a

note or a phone call. I will try to respond to you that same day.

C Pauly (cpauly@manson.org)