Student (print, sign & date) Parent (print, sign & date) Teacher Acknowledgement

8th Grade EARTH SCIENCE

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Hafa Adai! And wonderful school year to all! Welcome to 8th Grade Earth Science. This school year will be a new and fun learning
experience for your child and your fellow 8th grade Roadrunners. I am very pleased to have you and your child as part of this science
course. It is filled with stimulating activities, fun discoveries and new ideas.

The class includes lecture and laboratory. Content standards, topics and activities are aligned with the district’s adopted Next Generation
Science Standards. Students will be expected to participate to the best of their abilities in classroom, online, and at home activities, as
well as conduct relevant independent activities outside of the classroom (i.e. homework, current events, science projects, research, and
public service events). Students will be working individually and collaborating in a hybrid/variety of group arrangements.

The following is the alignment of objectives with standards. Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, which may include the following:
quizzes, class discussions, group presentations, science projects, exams, and other class activities.

8TH GRADE SCIENCE - PRIORITY STANDARDS, SKILLS, or TOPICS (SY2020 – 2021)

1ST QUARTER: 3rd QUARTER:
ESS1.B EARTH & THE SOLAR SYSTEM ESS1.C The History of Planet Earth

2.1 I can develop a model to represent the Earth-moon-sun and 1.2 I can construct explanations based on evidence about Earth’s
its positioning in relation to each other and use patterns in the history using the geologic time scale interpreted from rock strata
model to explain how the moon phases appear from Earth and fossil records.

2.3 I can develop a model to represent the Earth-moon-sun
system and its positioning in relation to each other to explain how
the patterns in the model results in the seasons.
ESS2.B PLATE TECTONICS & LARGE-SCALE SYSTEM
INTERACTIONS
1.1 I can design a model diagramming the interdependence of
the rock cycle and placement of fossils to pattern movements
within the Earth’s plates.

2ND QUARTER: 4th QUARTER:

ESS2.D Weather and Climate ESS3.C HUMAN IMPACTS ON EARTH SYSTEMS

3.1 I can develop a model to represent a system of how oceans 1.1 I can look for patterns in graphs, charts, and images, to
absorb energy from the sun as an indicator of weather and construct explanations on possible damaging effects of
climate. human activities

ESS2.D GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 1.2 I can explain cause-and-effect relationships between human
activity and its impact on Earth’s systems.
1.2 I can ask questions to clarify evidence of factors that have
caused a rise in the level of climate change

*Disclaimer subject to change.

CLASSROOM POLICIES & PROCEDURES

CLASSROOM^ / ONLINE* RULES
Wear YOUR MASK at all TIMES^ / SANITIZE your HANDS*
Practice PHYSICAL DISTANCING^/RESPECT personal space/ideas^*
Walk to your assigned seat^ / STAY seated ^*
Share your ideas*, NOT your BELONGINGS^
Come to class PREPARED (e.g. materials, assignments, etc.) ^*
Observe proper NETIQUETTE (online behavior)*
ATTENDANCE
FACE to FACE students who are not in class will be
required to provide an excuse note.
ONLINE LEARNERS will need to be present during
online class, which will be a form of attendance record.
HARD COPY LEARNERS will need to pick up & return
(completed) assignments for attendance record.
*Make-up work will be given/provided to students with pertinent excused. Ensure that you communicate any issues or circumstances that may arise that
will impact student class participation/attendance during the school year in advance or in a timely manner (refer to contact section on the next page).

ACADEMIC EVALUATION
QUARTERLY ASSIGMENT DUE DATES
CRITERIA CATEGORY
WEIGHT
FACE to FACE: Assignment will be due upon return or one
PERCENTAGE
week from assigned date.

90% - 100% A ONLINE STUDENTS: One week from the assigned date.
Formative assessments 35
80% - 89% B Assignments 30 HARD COPY LEARNERS: One week from pick-up date.

PROJECTS are due one week before end of the

70% - 79% C Quarter/Semester Projects 35 QUARTER/SEMESTER

***DUE DATES may be subject to change***

60% - 69% D

59% or LOWER F TOTAL 100

Students will be evaluated according to a combination of Category Weights & Points.

Proficiency Scale & Indicators
4 Mastery above target skill(s)
3 Mastery of target skill(s)
2 Mastery of basic skill(s)
1 With assistance, able to master
basic skill(s)
0 No progress
STANDARDS-BASED GRADING is an effective way to give feedback and evaluate student performance using clearly
defined and specific content learning standards. As a district, specific content standards have already been identified
and students are currently being taught and evaluated based on these standards and levels of proficiency. At Benavente
Middle School (BMS), teachers have been trained and continue to be trained in Standards-Based Grading practices.
BMS has identified priority standards for each content subject, created corresponding curriculum/consensus maps
aligned with the District’s maps, and continues to create proficiency scales to measure these standards. Currently, BMS
is utilizing traditional grading (0-100%), as reflective on PowerSchool. There will be a shift to remove traditional grading
practices and move towards standards-based grading of performance in specific areas. As such, percentage grades will
no longer reflect student performance nor be utilized. Instead, grades will reflect the following proficiency scale and its
indicators.

OPTIONAL VIDEO/VISUAL MEDIA (MOVIES, VIDEOS, YOUTUBE & INTERNET/ONLINE CLIPS)

It is important for the student and parent/guardian(s) to be aware that certain media will be viewed in (and outside of) class. All material
has been previously viewed and is considered appropriate for the student’s grade level content. The content matter is also part of the
approved curriculum and standards for this age group. The following is a list of films, but not limited to only these, for this school year:

Disney’s Earth (rated G) Disney’s Oceans (rated G) Ice Age (rated PG)
Unit 1, Exploring Planet Earth Unit 4, Earth’s Waters *alternate movie (incentive)

The Core/San Andreas (rated PG13) Into the Storm (rated PG13) Geostorm (rate PG-13)
Unit 2, Inside Earth Unit 5, Weather & Climate *alternate movies (incentive)
The Lorax (rated PG) Gravity (rated PG13) The Avatar (rated PG-13)
Unit 3, Earth’s Changing Surface Unit 6, Astronomy *alternate movies (incentive)
If the student’s parent/guardian does not approve of particular content to be viewed, a written notice must be provided to Mr. Natuel and attached to this
syllabus no later than two (2) weeks after receiving the syllabus (via email, upon return of students to school or during pick up/drop off of assignments)
along with the reason(s) for not wanting the student to view any particular material. (Please include the specific topic(s) of concern in your notice.) All
other visual media (science movies and videos) are not necessarily rated by producing educational companies, but are considered to be middle school
age-appropriate.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Ensure your child is fully aware of their scheduled class times and is always prepared for learning (online/Google Classroom, hard
copy, or face-to-face module).
2. Provide your child with daily guidance and assistance to succeed in their respective mode of learning.
3. Make certain that you and your child maintains open and consistent communication with your child’s teachers and other school
staff such as their grade-level administrator, counselor, etc.
4. Check that all school-related documents are signed and returned promptly by the expected due dates.
5. Regularly monitor your child’s attendance and academic progress through PowerSchool and verify if all assignments are
completed in a timely manner.

8A – EARTH SCIENCE Syllabus (SY20-21) Student Initial _______ Page 2 of 4

CONTACT
Parents/guardians or students are expected to communicate any questions/concerns/assistance/issues relevant to their child or
children’s education and well-being (e.g. academics, behavior, health, etc.). Please ensure that you and your child have access to
PowerSchool and to your child’s GDOE student email account. Please feel free to contact Mr. Natuel via GDOE email, phone call,
text, WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet. If I am unavailable, I can be contacted at the school’s phone number at 632-5647 (ext. 6425).
if I am unavailable, you may also leave a message with the Main Office. General information are also communicated through the
schools and team/content websites below:
https://vsabms.weebly.com https://8asilverwolves.weebly.com/ https://sites.google.com/gdoe.net/bms8thscience

CLASSROOM SCHEDULE OFFICE HOURS CONTACT INFO. LISTING

PER TIME MODULES
ONLINE Learners Email: mbnatuel@gdoe.net
1st 8:35 am – 9:20 am (Google Classroom Friday
mandatory) 8:30 – 3:30 pm Phone #s:
Face-to-face
Learners *Feel free to contact Mr. Natuel (671) 632-5647 (ext. 6425) (school line)
3rd 9:25 am – 10:10 am
(Google Classroom during his office hours. Office
available) hours are subject to change and
ONLINE Learners may conflict with scheduled (671) 487-9328 (mobile/WhatsApp)
4th 11:05 am – 11:50 am (Google Classroom school or parent-student
mandatory) meetings. You may make an
appointment for our mutual
Google Meet & Zoom (to be scheduled)
Face-to-face
Learners convenience.
6th 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm
(Google Classroom
available)
HARD COPY
Learners
8th 2:35 pm – 3:20 pm
(Google Classroom
available)

SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPROVED:

08/24/2020
MICHAEL NATUEL, 8A SCIENCE TEACHER (Date)

DR. EILEEN M. GOFIGAN, 8TH GRADE ADMINISTRATOR (Date)

STUDENT’S NAME & SIGNATURE (Date)

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S NAME & SIGNATURE (Date)

*By signing, you are acknowledging your commitment and involvement to the information aforementioned above.

8A – EARTH SCIENCE Syllabus (SY20-21) Student Initial _______ Page 3 of 4

*Please provide an updated contact information (phone/mobile no. & email address ).

_____________________________________________________________ Home Best time to call: ____________________

_____________________________________________________________ Mobile Best time to call: ____________________

_____________________________________________________________ Mobile Best time to call: ____________________

_____________________________________________________________________ Email address (if applicable)

_____________________________________________________________________ Email address (if applicable)

8A – EARTH SCIENCE Syllabus (SY20-21) Student Initial _______ Page 4 of 4