Author: Windows User

September 3, 2013

Hamilton Science News

Welcome to 8th grade SCIENCE

Classroom Procedures
Be in your seat, working on daily warm-up at the beginning of class.
All due assignments will be labeled, legible, quality work completed in pencil or blue/black ink and turned in on time.
Restroom and locker trips will require your filled out planbook.
If you finish your work early; help others, or work on other tasks.
Follow all school policies and lab safety rules.
Clean up your area and wait for the teacher to dismiss you.
Materials Needed for Class:
3 ring binder & 5 dividers
Pencil, red pen, blue/black pen
Lined paper
Colored pencils, highlighters
Calculator
There will be classroom materials available.
The text book Prentice Hall Earth Science by Tarbuck and Lutgens will be used. Periodicals, the Internet, and other reference materials will also be used to supplement instruction.
Student Expectations
Be Responsible
Come on time & prepared with your book, binder, assignment and supplies.
Turn in your BEST work.
Make sure YOU get all your make-up work.
Have Resect
Show respect to all other’s space and property.
Clean up after yourself.
Be Organized
Keep your science binder organized and current.
Label all assignments in the upper right corner with your full name, date, hour and what it is.
LEARN
Ask questions & participate.
Have a positive attitude

Michigan Science Content Expectations & Next Generation Science Standards

About the teacher:
I earned my bachelors of science education from Ferris State University and my masters of teaching from Western Michigan University. I have been teaching in the Athens Schools for 15 years. I am passionate about caring for the Earth! When not teaching I am a wife, mother of three, coach, runner, reader, and life long learner.

This year is a development and transition year for science education. The Michigan Science Content Expectations are being replace by the Next Generation Science Standards.
Both these documents are available online:
http://www.nextgenscience.org/
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-38924_41644_42814---,00.html
Science Processes
Generate Questions
Designing & Conducting Investigations
Developing solutions to problems through reasoning and observation
Analysis & Communication of findings
Reflection

Special points of interest:
Environmental Club
Science Olympiad

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Page #

Hamilton Science News

Major Science Projects Course Evaluation

Science Binder:
All science work must be organized by categories in a 3 ring binder. During the marking period the binder may be used on some assessments and there will be a binder quiz grade at the end each marking period.
Categories:
Daily work: (Warm-ups & Exit tickets)
Homework
Labs & Activities
Quizzes & Test
Extra credit
Science Portfolio
The last project of the year is a science portfolio. You will need work from each unit throughout the entire school year. A portfolio is a collection of your best work and progress in science this year. There will be a place to store paper in the classroom.
For the 8th graders this is 50% of their last semester exam grade.
Research Papers
Students will use research skills to write several papers throughout the year. More information will come.
SCIENCE FAIR
Using the scientific method, students will complete a science fair project. Detailed information will come in November. Refer to the science fair planner to get a head start on your project. The science fair will be held in February.

Assignments will be divided into the five categories as the binder. Grades will be based on points earned. To determine your science grade take the sum of your points earned, divide by the sum of the total points and multiply by 100 to get a percentage.
Assignments must be turned in on time. Late assignments will be accepted the next day for half credit. It is better to turn in a late assignment than to not turn in any assignment.
Make-up work is your responsibility. The make-up work policy in the handbook does not apply to long term projects.
Progress reports will be sent home periodically. If it is signed by a parent/guardian and returned, 10 points extra credit will be given.
Extra credit opportunities will be given periodically.
8th grade Earth Science will earn one high school science credit with the completion of the course, 2 semester exams and a passing grade.
Grades can be accessed through the online site Skyward. Registration forms are in the office.

How to Reach the Teacher:
Melissa Hamilton
School: 269-729-5414
Planning: 8:30-9:20
hamiltonm@athensk12.org
mrsham.weebly.com

Grading scale:
A 100.00% 93.50%
A- 93.49% 89.50%
B+ 89.49% 86.50%
B 86.49% 82.50%
B- 82.49% 79.50%
C+ 79.49% 76.50%
C 76.49% 72.50%
C- 72.49% 69.50%
D+ 69.49% 66.50%
D 66.49% 62.50%
D- 62.49% 59.50%
E 59.49% 0.00%

Science Websites:
http://sciencespot.net
www.sciencebuddies.org
http://www.howstuffworks.com
http://dsc.discovery.com
http://www.nasa.gov
www.earthweek.com
http://www.noaa.gov
http://www.extremescience.com
http://www.popsci.com

Athens Schools

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