Week of 8/30/10 - 9/03/10

TEXTBOOKS

Students will be assigned their physical science textbooks during class on Monday. Because we currently do not have enough books for a full in-class set and for each individual student to take home, textbooks will be kept safely in class so students have access to them during lessons.  Each student is responsible for the care of their textbook.  It is up to the student and their family to replace any lost or damaged books. These books are only a few years old, so it is essential that we take good care of them to ensure they last for many more years!  The books are a great resource for studying and practicing new material.  They will be used frequently in class and will also be needed to finish homework assignments.


BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Back to School Night is this Wednesday, September 1st!  Classrooms will be open from 6:00 pm to 7:35 pm to allow families to rotate through their student's schedule.  See the school website or the purple handout that was sent home with your student for more information.  I look forward to seeing everyone there!


HOMEWORK

Monday (8/30): Safety Contracts due; bring colored pencils to class tomorrow
Tuesday (8/31): Was Goldilocks a Scientist?
Wednesday (9/1): Hilarious Hypotheses and Observations & Inferences
Thursday (9/2): None
Friday (9/3): None

Week of 8/23/10 - 8/17/10

We successfully completed our first week of school and are off to a great start!  During the second week, we will be setting up our science binders, learning about malleable intelligence, setting class and personal goals for the year, and observing safe science lab practices.

A science baseline benchmark will also be given at the end of this week.  The benchmark does not count for a grade but is used to determine each student's initial skills and knowledge of physical science.  Four benchmarks are given throughout the year to monitor students' progress.

Homework:

Monday (8/23): Scienceography (due Wednesday)
Tuesday (8/24): Scienceography
Wednesday (8/25): None
Thursday (8/26): None
Friday (8/27): Parents and students read, sign, & return Safety Contract

Week of 8/16/10 - 8/20/10

Homework for this week is as follows:

Monday (8/16): Scientific Summer (2 paragraphs)
Tuesday (8/17): Parents and students review and sign course syllabus (green sheet)
Wednesday (8/18): Parent/Guardian Letter & Survey (due Friday)
Thursday (8/19): None
Friday (8/20): Secret Student File (due Monday)

*All homework assignments are due the following day unless otherwise stated.

*Don't forget about the required class supplies that are due Monday 8/23!

Class Materials

Students are expected to come to class prepared everyday with the following supplies:

• 3 #2, sharpened pencils
• 1 pen, blue or black for correcting papers
• 1 pencil sharpener with a holder for shavings
• 1 set of coloring pencils
• 1 highlighter
• 1” three-ring-binder for science
• 1 pack of 5 dividers
• Binder paper which is 8.5” x 11” with three holes
•  No torn spiral paper accepted
• Willow Glen Middle School planner
• Calculator (optional)

 An optional donation of $10 will be greatly appreciated for a lab fee.  Our class is very hands-on and includes many labs and activities that require consumable materials.  

Supplies are due Monday, August 23.

Welcome!

Welcome to 8th grade physical science!  


The science curriculum in grade eight emphasizes the study of physical science.  The standards in grade eight present many of the foundations of physics and chemistry, including motions, forces, structure of matter, reactions, and the periodic table.  Although these topics may seem challenging, we will learn how each one relates to daily life.  Students will have an opportunity to apply what we have learned by participating in relevant hands-on activities, making observations, and asking questions.