Science – Course Outline and Policies
Norm Yoast
[email protected]
mryoast.weebly.com
Course goal: For each student to discover and enjoy the process of science. For each student to achieve the Wyoming State Standards for Middle School science. For each student to understand the nature of science and be able to conduct scientific experiments.
GRADE 8 Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Physics motion, Newtons Laws, Simple Machine, Work and Energy and Energy
2. Chemistry, Matter, Elements, Compounds, Chemical Reactions
3. Astronomy- The Solar System
4. Geology Review
GRADE 7. Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Life Science, Cells and Heredity, Diversity of Life 2. Earth Science- Introduction to Geology
GRADE 6 Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Science and Technology 2. Water and the Atmosphere 3. Earth’s Surface
4. Some physical sciences with motion and matter
How to make science absolutely awesome!
1. BE PREPARED: You will need to have the notebook appropriate for that unit with you every day science book for the units we use them, at least two pencils, colored pencils, a RED grading pen- I supply graph paper, rulers and have a few calculators(8th grade)
2. CLASSWORK: This class will consist of daily warm-ups, in-class work/ homework, tests, and quizzes. All homework will be graded at the start of the next class. Extra credit will be offered periodically throughout the quarter - take advantage when it is offered!
3. LATE WORK: I expect assignments to be turned in on time. I know students occasionally have legitimate excuses for not getting homework in on time. “I forgot” is not an acceptable excuse. YOU ARE ALLOWED TWO LATE assignments per UNIT - they will be worth half credit. After 2, it will be a 0.
4. MAKE-UP WORK: Each student has the opportunity to complete missed work. For every day absent, they have two days to complete the missing assignments. Students are responsible for getting the missed work, from me, upon returning. Get notes and activities from missed days from your team. Assignments are also on the website.
5. BE ON TIME: Being late to class robs you of precious learning time. Your lateness will lead to consequences you choose PLUS-Tardy students will have the consequences as set up by Mr. Thomas. If your tardies become a problem for me, then you and I will also work out a policy.
6. RESPECT: Treat members of this class, guests, teacher(s), the school, and others’ property with RESPECT. Otherwise, treat others as you wish to be treated.
7. LISTEN to others when they speak in class. Please raise your hand when you have something to add or comment. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and classroom procedures. Ask good questions, show interest, and be a good participant.
8. NOTES: If I take the time to write something down on the overhead, board or on a power point presentation, you need to write it down. IT WILL BE ON TESTS AND QUIZZES, and you will need to know it in class. You are also responsible for taking notes on videos, slide shows and guest speakers.
9. SUBS: The sub has total control, do what they say or suffer the consequence. Good reports will also be appreciated and you may like the results. Do NOT take advantage of the subs - you know how to act and what is expected of you. There are consequences for your actions.
10. GRADES: Parents and students are encouraged to use the Power School to track grades and assignments. Grades will also be sent home every Monday and need to be returned signed on Tuesday. If you have a D or F plan to stay for Friday school so you can get caught up. Because of budget cuts and trying to save on paper. I will only send grade sheets home 2 times a quarter. 2 weeks, progress reports by school and then another of mine at 6 weeks.
11. LABS: We do have laboratory investigations that you are expected to follow VERY SPECIFIC lab rules that we will discuss later. Lab write-ups come in two forms: semi formal where you will fill out a lab packet, formal where you will submit a typed, formal lab write-up (one of these a quarter). Science can have loads of labs and activities, BUT they are not required. You will only do labs if work is turned in and if you show that you can work well during a lab. Labs depend on your work ethics.
12. QUIZZES: You will have a quick quiz about once a week. You may retake quizzes up to three times if you have corrected your quiz and noted where you found the correct answer. The first retake will only be able to score a 90%, the second retake an 80%, the third retake 70%. Tests may not be retaken. If you FAIL a test you will be expected to meet with me, we will set up a time to go over your test and work out a plan that allows you to show mastery of the subject matter.
13. Flipping the Classroom: I also flip my classroom, using the Internet to post lecture, demos, readings and homework videos. If you do not
have access at home to the technology I have 8 Chrome Book computers in my room that you may use before school, lunch, study hall(if you have one) or after school. I will usually give 2-3 days on a flipped assignment. They are short and simple and usually a follow up, or pre-lesson that is less than 10 minutes.
Weighting
In all science classes grades are weighted as follows:
Tests/Quizzes - 50% Homework/Classwork - 10%
Labs/Projects - 25% Warm ups/Participation/daily stuff - 15%
If you need help or to talk, my best times are before/after school, your lunch period, or my 4th hour plan(second hour also 1st quarter) - Come see me!
Email, is probably the best way to contact me because my Verizon phone does not have service. ( So I have to work that out with them)
School email is [email protected] my personal email is [email protected]
Norm Yoast
[email protected]
mryoast.weebly.com
Course goal: For each student to discover and enjoy the process of science. For each student to achieve the Wyoming State Standards for Middle School science. For each student to understand the nature of science and be able to conduct scientific experiments.
GRADE 8 Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Physics motion, Newtons Laws, Simple Machine, Work and Energy and Energy
2. Chemistry, Matter, Elements, Compounds, Chemical Reactions
3. Astronomy- The Solar System
4. Geology Review
GRADE 7. Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Life Science, Cells and Heredity, Diversity of Life 2. Earth Science- Introduction to Geology
GRADE 6 Course Content: We will be covering the following topics this year
1. Science and Technology 2. Water and the Atmosphere 3. Earth’s Surface
4. Some physical sciences with motion and matter
How to make science absolutely awesome!
1. BE PREPARED: You will need to have the notebook appropriate for that unit with you every day science book for the units we use them, at least two pencils, colored pencils, a RED grading pen- I supply graph paper, rulers and have a few calculators(8th grade)
2. CLASSWORK: This class will consist of daily warm-ups, in-class work/ homework, tests, and quizzes. All homework will be graded at the start of the next class. Extra credit will be offered periodically throughout the quarter - take advantage when it is offered!
3. LATE WORK: I expect assignments to be turned in on time. I know students occasionally have legitimate excuses for not getting homework in on time. “I forgot” is not an acceptable excuse. YOU ARE ALLOWED TWO LATE assignments per UNIT - they will be worth half credit. After 2, it will be a 0.
4. MAKE-UP WORK: Each student has the opportunity to complete missed work. For every day absent, they have two days to complete the missing assignments. Students are responsible for getting the missed work, from me, upon returning. Get notes and activities from missed days from your team. Assignments are also on the website.
5. BE ON TIME: Being late to class robs you of precious learning time. Your lateness will lead to consequences you choose PLUS-Tardy students will have the consequences as set up by Mr. Thomas. If your tardies become a problem for me, then you and I will also work out a policy.
6. RESPECT: Treat members of this class, guests, teacher(s), the school, and others’ property with RESPECT. Otherwise, treat others as you wish to be treated.
7. LISTEN to others when they speak in class. Please raise your hand when you have something to add or comment. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and classroom procedures. Ask good questions, show interest, and be a good participant.
8. NOTES: If I take the time to write something down on the overhead, board or on a power point presentation, you need to write it down. IT WILL BE ON TESTS AND QUIZZES, and you will need to know it in class. You are also responsible for taking notes on videos, slide shows and guest speakers.
9. SUBS: The sub has total control, do what they say or suffer the consequence. Good reports will also be appreciated and you may like the results. Do NOT take advantage of the subs - you know how to act and what is expected of you. There are consequences for your actions.
10. GRADES: Parents and students are encouraged to use the Power School to track grades and assignments. Grades will also be sent home every Monday and need to be returned signed on Tuesday. If you have a D or F plan to stay for Friday school so you can get caught up. Because of budget cuts and trying to save on paper. I will only send grade sheets home 2 times a quarter. 2 weeks, progress reports by school and then another of mine at 6 weeks.
11. LABS: We do have laboratory investigations that you are expected to follow VERY SPECIFIC lab rules that we will discuss later. Lab write-ups come in two forms: semi formal where you will fill out a lab packet, formal where you will submit a typed, formal lab write-up (one of these a quarter). Science can have loads of labs and activities, BUT they are not required. You will only do labs if work is turned in and if you show that you can work well during a lab. Labs depend on your work ethics.
12. QUIZZES: You will have a quick quiz about once a week. You may retake quizzes up to three times if you have corrected your quiz and noted where you found the correct answer. The first retake will only be able to score a 90%, the second retake an 80%, the third retake 70%. Tests may not be retaken. If you FAIL a test you will be expected to meet with me, we will set up a time to go over your test and work out a plan that allows you to show mastery of the subject matter.
13. Flipping the Classroom: I also flip my classroom, using the Internet to post lecture, demos, readings and homework videos. If you do not
have access at home to the technology I have 8 Chrome Book computers in my room that you may use before school, lunch, study hall(if you have one) or after school. I will usually give 2-3 days on a flipped assignment. They are short and simple and usually a follow up, or pre-lesson that is less than 10 minutes.
Weighting
In all science classes grades are weighted as follows:
Tests/Quizzes - 50% Homework/Classwork - 10%
Labs/Projects - 25% Warm ups/Participation/daily stuff - 15%
If you need help or to talk, my best times are before/after school, your lunch period, or my 4th hour plan(second hour also 1st quarter) - Come see me!
Email, is probably the best way to contact me because my Verizon phone does not have service. ( So I have to work that out with them)
School email is [email protected] my personal email is [email protected]