Course Syllabus

8^th Grade Integrated Science Class Disclosure

Instructor:  Mr. Stewart          Email: jastewart@dsdmail.net          Website: http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/Domain/13373

Course Description

The goals of 8^th grade Integrated Science is to create a learning environment that allows students to explore the relationship between ENERGY and the CHANGES in MATTER.   To accomplish these goals students will analyze:
1) The nature of changes in matter, 2) That energy from sunlight is changed to chemical energy in plants and transfers between living things, 3) Changing the environment may alter the amount of energy provided to living organisms, 4) The relationship between energy and processes of rock and fossil formation, and 5) The relationship among energy, force and motion.

Materials Needed: Composition notebook, three-ring binder, paper, pencil/pen (blue or black ink only)
                                     *Other recommended materials: calculator, gluestick, colored pencils

Standards Based Grading Policies (SBG) and Information

Practice - Practice assignments are frequent and on-going and are not weighted in the grade book.  Practice is a more informal, planned process that elicits evidence of a student’s progress.  It is used to adjust instructional practices, and provide students with reflective information and feedback on their progress.  Practice assignments will occur more frequently (daily) and build toward a cumulative, summative assessment.  Failure to complete practice assignments will result in lower citizenship grade for non-participation in class.

Assessment – A summative assessment is given to demonstrate understanding and mastery of concepts taught in class.  Assessments will be aligned to the 8th grade science standards and based on a 0-4 grading rubric as follows:

Examples of assessments could be in the form of presentations, projects, paper/pencil tests, skill tests and written lab reports.  Sufficient notice will be given before a test.  Please check your student’s planner and/or the class calendar.

Assessment Retakes - Students will be able to retake an assessment after they have completed a re-teaching session. Re-teaching sessions will be conducted during plus period on Thursday’s. Examples of re-teaching session could range from help sessions to assigning of or redoing practice assignments. The requirements will be up to the teacher and depend on the needs of the students. The reassessment of the standard could also look different than the original assignment or test.

THERE ARE NO EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS AVAILABLE FOR GRADE IMPROVEMENT

Grade Reporting Criteria (GRC)

Grades will be based on the student’s ability to demonstrate understanding of the material. Categories are based on Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s) and Science Benchmarks.

Citizenship

Citizenship is the ability to conduct oneself in a public forum where many individuals interact with and around each other. Because school is a very public place it is therefore important for students to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the group as a whole. The measure of citizenship in our classroom will be tied directly to the student’s ability to meet the classroom expectations noted below. Citizenship points will be deducted for violations of school and classroom expectations. Citizenship grade will be based on a 100 point scale as noted below.    

H = Outstanding behavior/work ethic = 90 – 100 pts.

G = Good behavior/work ethic = 80 – 89 pts.

S = Average behavior/work ethic = 70 – 79 pts.

N = Poor behavior/ work ethic = 60 – 69 pts.

U = Very Poor behavior/work ethic = below 60 pts.

Note:  Behavior/work ethic level is tied to misconduct in class based on the number of expectation violations.

Class Policies

Any safe school violations, harassment or excessively offensive/disrespectful situations will be referred directly to the administration.   10 pt. deduction from citizenship

Citizenship Recovery

It is possible for a student to improve a poor citizenship grade.  In order to do so the student will need to make a “Citizenship Improvement Contract” with the teacher.  The requirements will be up to the teacher and based on individual circumstances/needs of the student.  Citizenship point recovery will be tied directly to the student’s improvement in meeting classroom expectations.  

If for any reason you need to get a hold of me, e-mail is the most reliable for a prompt response.  I check it daily and will be happy to reply to any concerns or suggestions you may have about or for our class.  I will also be communicating with you through email from time to time about the class and your student.

Thank You

Mr. Stewart

South Davis Jr. High School

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We have read and understand the rules and procedures of Mr. Stewart’s Science class. 

Student name (please print) _______________________________                                   Period _______

Student signature _______________________________________                   Date _______________

Parent signature ________________________________________                   Date _______________