Mr. Krol- 8th Grade SciencePlan Time:
Class Objective
The most productive student is one who remains constantly active, both physically and intellectually. This class is structured to allow all types of learners the opportunity to experience success. Through a combination of experiential activities, problem-based learning, research projects, and content immersion a truly educated thinker is produced. Grading Grades are based on the standard percentage scale listed in the school handbook. All students and parents have 24 hour access to their grades via Power School. Class Assignments A variety of labs, projects, and general assignments are given throughout the course of the year. These assignments are designed to compliment the content that is covered in class or stress another critical aspect of cognitive advancement. All assignments are designed to strengthen independent thinking skills, develop vital problem solving strategies, improve scientific literacy, and advance overall scientific knowledge. Class assignments will be assigned through Google Classroom. A large percentage of assignments will be turned in electronically via Classroom as well.. Using Google Classroom should eliminate all possible discrepancies regarding assignments being turned in by expected due dates. All assignments are expected to be completed on time and turned in on the assigned date. If an extension is needed for any assignment the student must speak directly to me in order to request the extension. Students should not simply take it upon themselves to ignore assigned due dates and turn in work at their leisure. Assignments are graded on a "first come, first served" philosophy. All assignments turned in before the assigned due dates are generally graded before those that are turned in on the expected due date. Assignments turned in late are graded after all "on-time assignments" have been graded. If work is not turned in, students will receive a point total of 0 in Power School.
Homework Homework, more often than not, is an extension of the labs, projects, and assignments that students work on in class. If a portion of the assignment is not completed in the allotted class time then one is expected to complete the assignment independently at home and have it ready to turn in by the assigned due date. Quizzes Quizzes are given sporadically during the Genetics Unit and Elements and the Periodic Table Unit. Quizzes cover all content that has been discussed up to that point in the specific unit. Hille’s retake policy will be implemented for any student needing to retake a quiz. Independent Research and Technology Projects The ability for an individual to research a given topic and present his/her findings is an essential quality that all educated individuals must possess. Therefore, over the course of the year students will be given a variety of independent research assignments. These projects will involve the research and presentation of information via spreadsheets, Goole Slide presentations, I-Movies, electronic magazines, informational displays, etc. Participation and Effort Daily participation points can be earned for various projects over the course of each quarter. Participation points are based on an “all or nothing” philosophy. If the student works an entire class period and has shown courtesy and respect for the rest of the class then he/she earns all the points for that given day. If a student makes a choice to deviate from the planned assignment, project, etc. for that day then he/she will receive no credit for that day. Curriculum Assistance Over the course of the year students may find their schedules to be a bit overwhelming, specific aspects of their academic work to be a challenge, or they simply may need a quiet place to work. Any student needing a place to work on homework, time to complete a project, a quiet place to study for a test, etc. can work in my room during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the course of the year. Students are expected to come prepared with everything they need to complete their work. Once in the classroom they will not be allowed to leave until lunch is over. Students are also expected to check in with the lunch supervisors and inform them they will be working in my class. All students are expected to work during this time; if any student is asked to leave due to the fact that they are treating this time as a time to participate in a social gathering and not working then they will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the quarter. Work done during this time does not have to be only science work; students can work on any subjects they deem necessary. Units of Study Our units of study and tentative timeline for the 8th grade school year are: Data Collection/Claims and Evidence Review- 8/28/17 to 9/15/17 Genetics (Genetic Concepts and Issues in Genetics)- 9/18/17 to 12/21/17 Alternative Energy and Our Changing Climate- 1/8/18 to 3/16/18 Atoms, Elements and the Periodic Table- 3/19/18 to 5/29/18 “Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence- is the key to unlocking one’s potential.” -Black Elk (Sioux Nation Elder) |