Skip to main content
Geoff Symons » Syllabus for 8th grade physical science

Syllabus for 8th grade physical science

Dear Parents or Guardians:

 

This syllabus is to welcome you and your child to my science class, to introduce myself, and to give you an overview of what to expect during the year. My name is Mr. Symons and I am your son/daughter's science teacher at Hale Charter Academy.

 

Sincerely, Mr. Symons

 

  1.     Grading Policy:
  2.      Scale:

 

  • A = 90 - 100%
  • B = 80 - 89%
  • C = 70 - 79%
  • D = 60 - 69%
  • F = 0 - 59%

 

Requirements:

Class work:

This includes all the work done in the class, which is necessary to ensure the student will meet the requirements of the class.

 

Homework:

Students should spend 20 minutes a day (minimum) studying what was covered in class.

Homework will occasionally be given to reinforce a concept or skill taught in class. Any work not completed in class will become homework and due the next day.

 

Notebooks: In my class the students will be keeping a notebook.  This notebook will contain all the work we do in class, and a title page will be in front with all the assignments and the points each is worth. This is to be organized at home, and kept up to date. The notebook is to be used as an organizational devise, so students can keep track of their grades, have a place to go to study before an exam, and to see if there are any missing assignments. Parents are encouraged to check their child's notebook to see their progress in class. A completed notebook with all assignments given must be included to receive full credit. Each time I collect the notebook it is worth 15 points E.C. I will accept no late notebooks.

 

Tests and Quizzes:

 

Tests and quizzes will be given to determine the students progress in class. The student will be aware of the exam in class, in advance.

 

Projects and Labs:

  1. A project or a lab will be assigned to reinforce concepts being taught in class.
 

Participation:

Students should participate in group projects and in class discussions.  If a student does not participate during a lab or project, then that student will be given a supplemental assignment to do on his/her own.   

 

     B. Make-up work: Missed assignments may be made up by arrangement with the It is the students responsibility to ensure that missed assignments are made up. Make-up work is to be done with the district mandated time, after that the student will receive a grade no higher than 70%, and the grade could be lower due to the quality of the work.
 

     C.  Late work: Late work will be accepted if there is a note from the parent/guardian explaining why the              assignment was late or if I have a meeting with the parent/guardian. Late work will also only be                    accepted during the corresponding time allotted by the district.

           Late work will be worth 70% of the original points, and again be lower due to the quality of work                    submitted.

 

     D  Extra Credit: Extra credit opportunities will be given during the school year, and be announced in                  class to the students.

 

     E. Tardy Policy: Students are expected to be in class on Students who are tardy- unexcused will be                  subject to the following consequence;

     More than 3 tardies in any five week grading period will result in a "U" for work habits.

 

     F.  Classroom rules: No gum, food or drink allowed in

Keep hands and feet to yourself.

Bring all supplies to class: Paper, pencil, notebook, and pens.

No talking when someone is addressing the class.

Follow all school rules.

No cell phones are allowed during class.  This includes ear pods, smart watches etc.

Not following classroom rules could result in earning a "U" for cooperation/workhabits.

 

     G. Consequences: Verbal Warning

Phone calls/e-mails, home.

Parent/guardian conference.

Suspension from class.

 

      H. State Standards: The State of California requires all 8th grade teachers to follow the same The                    standards for 8th grade Physical Science are: 
 
  •      Motion: Students will learn that velocity of an object is the rate of change of its position.
  •      Forces: Students will learn that unbalanced forces cause changes in velocity.
  •      Waves: Students will learn the structure and parts of waves.
  •      Earth in the Solar System: Students will learn that the structure and composition of the universe can be learned from studying stars and galaxies.
  •      Evolution: The students will learn the evolutionary processes Earth has gone through since its formation.
  •      Natural Selection: Students will discover how natural selection drives the evolution of our planet.
  •      Engineering: There will be an engineering component where students must construct a working model.
  •      Density and Buoyancy: Students will learn that all objects experience a buoyant force when immersed in a fluid.
  •      Investigation and Experimentation: Students will learn that scientific process is made by asking questions and by conducting careful investigations.
  •      Astronomy: Learning our solar system, stars and galaxies. 

 

 

 

  1. Technology:  Your child will be using chrome books in the classroom at various times during the sschool year.
  2. During on-line learning students should adhere to the rules given by the district as to listening while on-line learning is going on, completing all class work given.
  3. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year, and looking forward to teaching your child some fun and exciting things in the world of science.