8th Grade Science Syllabus 2009-2010

Instructor: Mr. Bitzer Planning Time: 8:00am 8:56am School Phone: (251) 824-4134 Textbook: Glencoe Science Introduction to Physical Science 8th Grade Science Course Description
Eighth-grade students exhibit a wide range of learning styles and intellectual abilities. This diverse range of development requires the implementation of a science curriculum that is designed to engage students in multiple types of scientific inquiry. The classroom environment must provide opportunities for questioning, exploration, and an in-depth study of important concepts. Curiosity and creativity flourish as teachers develop activities that encourage students to use their imaginations for solving problems and designing investigations. As in other disciplines, students engage in higher, more abstract thinking processes as they become well-grounded in experimental, manipulative, and laboratory-oriented processes. They also work in a variety of groups to foster collaboration among their peers. Content standards in Grade 8 are inquiry-based and include concepts and skills in chemistry and physics that are considered foundational. This focus is designed to prepare students for the physics and chemistry courses that are often taken in high school. The scientific process and application skills should be integrated into the teaching of the required science content to allow students to combine reasoning and thinking skills with scientific knowledge. This Physical Science course provides eighth-grade students with a firm foundation for scientific literacy and for the pursuit of subsequent science courses. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore scientific ideas, and discuss issues concerning science and risk making mistakes. Students respond to activities, which require them to exercise their auditory, visual and tactile skills. They have a need for social contact with their peers, which helps them work well in small groups. This is an important part of science lab work. Student learning may be extended beyond the classroom by the science program and thus develop partnerships for further development in the future.

Course Requirements/Rules
All students: are required to bring the required materials to class. o This includes textbook, writing utensil, loose leaf paper, notebook, and lab book on lab days. will complete and turn in all classwork, homework, projects, reports, tests, and quizzes given. will be respectful to the teacher, peers, and the classroom/lab (all school property). will follow all safety precautions while in the laboratory. Failure to do so will result in being kicked out of the lab. refrain from using profane, inflammatory, harassing, or threatening statements. conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner. are responsible for their own work (no cheating). will obey all rules and regulations set forth by the school and the science teacher. follow all instructions given by the teacher.

Projects
Project will be given as needed by the teacher. Some projects may be large others may be relatively simple. The projects will be graded on accuracy, creativity, and thoroughness. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on the projects. Some of my best projects I have received have been made from materials lying around the house. It is this type of creativity and resourcefulness that makes a good project. However, it is still a good idea to have a good supply of poster board available because we do several posters every quarter.

Evaluation
The students performance will be evaluated by the following: Tests Quizzes Projects Journals Classwork Homework Behavior Criterion Reference Test

Grading System
The grading system used is as follows: 90 100% = A 80 89% = B 70 79% = C 60 69% = D 0 59% = E Tests and Quizzes All other work = = 60% of grade 40% of grade 100% Class Grade

Total Grade = 80% Class Grade + 20% CRT

Absences/Make-Up Work
Students have 3 days to make up any work they missed due to an excused absence. The student is responsible to get all missed work from the teacher. Failure to do so will result in the student receiving a zero for all work not turned in after three days of absence.

No work will be allowed to be made up if the absence is unexcused or if the student is suspended. However, the teacher may take make up work at his discretion.

Fees
There is an $8 lab fee, which is paid at registration. There is also a textbook fee if any student loses or

damages his/her textbook

Course Calendar
The following is a tentative schedule for topics covered this year. The dates are due to change according to teacher discretion.

First Quarter
WEEK
Week 1 Aug 10 - 14

Standards/Objectives
Introduction Objective 1.0: Identify steps within the scientific process. Lab Safety Establish classroom rules, procedures, and consequences. Objective 1.1: Express dimension, volume, and mass using Systeme International d Unites (SI units). Lab Safety (continued) Objective 2.0: Describe the atomic structure of atoms, including the location of protons, neutrons and electrons. Objective 3.0: Determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons and the mass of an element using the periodic table. Monday, September 7, 2009 Labor Day Holiday Objective 3.1: Identify periods, families, and elements Objective 3.4: Locate metals, non metals, metalloids and noble gases on the periodic table. Objective 3.2: Identify first 3 levels of the electron cloud configuration and state how many electrons can fit in each level. Objective 3.3: Identify the number of valence electrons an element has (groups 1,2 and 13-18 AND periods 1,2 and 3 ONLY) Objective 5.0: Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonds. Review for End of the Quarter Test End of the Quarter Test will be given here. Monday, October 12, 2009Teacher Work Day-NO CLASSES

Week 2 Aug 17 - 21 Week 3 24-28 Week 4 Aug 31 Sept 4 Week 5 Sept 8-11 Week 6 Sept 14 - 18 Week 7 21 - 25 Week 8 28 Oct 2 Week 9 Oct 5-9

Second Quarter
WEEK
Week 10 Oct 13 - 16 Week 11 Oct 19 - 23 Week 12 Oct 26 - 30 Week 13 Nov 2 - 6 Week 14 Nov 9 - 13 (Nov 11 off) (4 days) Week 15 Nov16 - 20 Week 16 Nov 23 - 24 Week 17
Nov 30 - Dec 4

Standards/Objectives
Objective 4.0 State the law of conservation of matter (Balance simple chemical equations by adjusting coefficients.) Continue week 10 Objective 4.0 State the law of conservation of matter (Balance simple chemical equations by adjusting coefficients.) Monday, October 19, 2009 Statewide Parenting Day (NO early dismissal) Finish Objective 4.0 State the law of conservation of matter (Balance simple chemical equations by adjusting coefficients.) Begin Objective 4.1 Identify types of reactions Finish Objective 4.1 Identify types of reactions Objective 6.0: Define solution in terms of solute and solvent Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Veterans Day Holiday Objective 6.1: Describe acids and bases based on their hydrogen ion content Continue Week 14 with Objective 6.1: Describe acids and bases based on their hydrogen ion content Thanksgiving Holidays November 25-27, 2009 Objective 7.0: Describe states of matter based on kinetic energy of particles in matter. Objective 7.1: Explain effects of temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalyst on the rate of chemical reactions Review for End of the Quarter Test
End of Quarter Test will be given here.

Week 18 Dec 7 - 11 Week 19 Dec 14 - 18

Third Quarter
WEEK
Week 1 Jan 5-8 Week 2 Jan 11 - 15 Week 3 Jan 19 - 22 Week 4 Jan 25 - 29 Week 5 Feb 1 - 5 Week 6 Feb 8 - 12 Week 7 Feb 18 - 19 Week 8 22 - 26 Week 9 March 1 - 5 Week 10 March 8 -12

Standards/Objectives
Objective 8.0: Identify Newtons Three Laws of Motion Continue week 1 Objective 8.1: Identify and calculate the elements of motion Monday, January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King Holiday Continue week 3 Objective 9.0: Describe how mechanical advantages of simple machines reduce the amount of force needed for work. Continue week 5 Objective 9.1 Describe the effect of the force on pressure in fluids. February 15-17, 2010 - Mardi Gras Holiday & Presidents Day February 17 to be used as weather day if necessary. Continue Week 7 Objective 10.0 Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy Review for End of the Quarter Test End of Quarter Test will be given here.

Fourth Quarter
WEEK
Week 11 March 16 19 Week 12 March 22 -26 Week 13 March 29 April 2 Week 14 April 5 9 April 12 - 16 Week 15 April 19 23 Week 16 April 26 30 Week 17 May 3 7 Week 18 May 10 14 Week 19 May 17 21 Week 20 May 24 - 25 (2 days)

Standards/Objectives
Objective 11.0 Explain the law of conservation of energy and its relationship to energy transformation, including chemical to electrical, chemical to heat, electrical to light, electrical to mechanical and electrical to sound ARMT Review Continue week 11 ARMT Review Continue week 11 (ARMT & ASA & SAT 10) Continue wee 11 (ARMT & ASA & SAT 10) Spring Break Objective 12.0: Classify waves as mechanical or electromagnetic. Finish Objective 12.0 Begin Objective 12.1: Describe how earthquake waves, sound waves, water waves and electromagnetic waves can be destructive or beneficial due to the transfer of energy. Objective 12.1 continued Objective 12.2 Describe the electromagnetic spectrum in increasing frequencies.
Continue with week 19

Review for End of the Quarter Test

End of Quarter Test will be given here. Tuesday, May 25 Last day for students Wednesday, May 26 Last day for teachers