Welcome to Science grades 5-8 ~ 2009
Welcome to Science at St. Michael’s
I am looking forward to working with the students, parents and volunteers of St. Michael Catholic School. The best way to reach me anytime is through e-mail. I will have posted all assignments and grades for my classes on www.trackmygrades.com.
Ms. Beth Romano,
B.S. Biology,
MSED Secondary Education-Science,
School office: 843-651-6795
Email: eighthgrade@saintmichaelsc.org
http://www.saintmichaelsc.org/school/8thgrade
http://www.saintmichaelsc.org/school/sciencefair
Classroom Rules
1. Be Safe
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Respectful
Grading Summary
* Tests 40%
* Quizzes, Labs, & Projects 30%
* Homework & Classwork 30%
* 5 points will be deducted for work
submitted on ripped paper, sloppy work or a missing name. Neatness counts. * A-OK homework passes will be issued for any “A” on a chapter test.
Late Work & Missing Assignments
* Students will not be allowed to take a retest. Study well the first time.
* Late work will be penalized one letter grade per day. It will not be accepted if it is more than 3 school days late.
* Assignments are due in class when I ask for them. Any students missing the assignment will write a “Missing Assignment Note to Parents”. Once three missing assignments are logged in a class then a disciplinary assignment or detention will be issued.
**Excused absences will have one day to make up work for each day missed. Tests and quizzes will be given on the day the student returns unless a medical excuse is submitted. Students must make an appointment to do a missed lab or earn a zero./SPAN>
Class Procedures
1. Enter the classroom in quietly and in a timely manner.
2. Assignments and notes from parents are always accepted in the silver bin in my classroom.
Do not put papers on my desk or hand them to me at random.
3. Take out composition notebook; begin by copying the date, daily objective, agenda and homework assignment. Students should only have out their notebook, and pen or pencil, and their textbook for science. Any other items are to be placed underneath their desk or kept in their locker. No food allowed in classroom or lab.
4. Stay alert in class, take notes, and complete classroom and lab activities.
5. Upon ending class, double check to make sure all home assignments are written down and understood.
TrackMyGrades.com
* Please send an e-mail to eighth@saintmichaelsc.org with student and up to 2 parents’ e-mail addresses so that I may register you for online grade access.
* I will update the website as papers are graded.
* The current average for each class will automatically be calculated as grades are entered.
* Special Codes You May See:
o EX – Excused Absence ~ this will not lower the grade.
o UN – Unexcused Absence ~ this will count as a zero.
o NC – No Credit ~ this will count as a zero.
o NA – Not Applicable ~ this will not lower the grade.
Projects & Classroom Presentations
* Expect a project in each class at least once a quarter. More than one grade will be earned for each project.
* Since public speaking is an important skill to practice and kids can learn from each other, most projects will include a classroom presentation.
Science 5-6-7-8
* Final exam questions will be drawn from Science chapter tests.
* Students are encouraged to make a 3×5-index card with notes for each test. They may use it during the test.
* The devoir is a set of worksheets designed to help the students study the chapter.
o Students receive the devoir about a week ahead of the due date so that they have time to complete the devoirs.
o Two A-OK passes are required for credit on a devoir.
* Most labs can be completed in class with analysis questions completed at home.
o Science labs will be conducted safely. Any horseplay will result in an automatic zero on the lab.
All notes for Science class will be done in a bound composition book and submitted for each chapter test.
o The Science journal will count as one classwork grade for each chapter.
Science Fair
This November, St. Michael’s Catholic School will be holding a science fair this year where all students will participate and compete for placement in the Regional Division of the South Carolina State Science Fair.
Lab grades
o 20% Technique & Lab Safety
o 40% Data Collection & Lab Notes
o 40% Analysis & Conclusion
Fifth Grade Science Outline
Period 3: Monday Friday
This year the fifth grade science will be exploring the exciting world of physical science. We will use the purple Science textbooks, by Scott Foresman, which will be assigned to each student at the beginning of the year. It is the student’s responsibility to cover the textbook and to protect it from becoming damaged. If students are absent from class, there will be a pink bin in the classroom where missed work can be picked up.
The students are to bring the textbook to class everyday, unless otherwise noted.
Here is a brief overview of the topics we will be studying:
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in” class=MsoNormal> 1. States of matter chemical and physical properties
2. Force and motion
3. Light and Sound
4. Electricity and Magnetism
Be sure to check www.trackmygrades.com for current and future assignments, as well as the student’s grade progress.
As always, feel free to contact Ms. Romano at the school via telephone or e-mail.
Sixth Grade Science Outline
Period 1: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Period 5: Monday & Friday (Opposite of Computers), Wednesday
This year students will explore the various Earth sciences, and touch upon some biological and chemical processes.
In addition to the normally scheduled science class, there will also be an enrichment class period 5 on Monday’s and Friday’s where students will apply science ideas various areas of study, including social studies, math and language arts.
We will be using the Science Explorer series for our studies. The books will be assigned to individual students at the beginning of each unit. If students are absent from class, there will be a pink bin in the classroom where missed work can be picked up.
Here is a brief overview of the topics we will be studying:
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in” class=MsoNormal> 1. Inside Earth Book F
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in” class=MsoNormal> 2. Weather and Climate Book I
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in” class=MsoNormal> 3. Bacteria and Plants Book A
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in” class=MsoNormal> 4. Chemical Building Blocks Book K
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in” class=MsoNormal> 5. Electricity and Magnetism Book N
Be sure to check www.trackmygrades.com for current and future assignments, as well as the student’s grade progress. As always, feel free to contact Ms. Romano at the school via telephone or e-mail.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Science Outlines
Period 2: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Period 6: Wednesday
Health Class
Period 4: Monday & Thursday
This year students will be studying the sciences related to Chemical and Biological processes. We will be using the Science Explorer textbook series, which will be assigned to each student. If students are absent from class, there will be a pink bin in the classroom where missed work can be picked up.
Here is a brief overview of the topics we will be studying:
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in” class=MsoNormal> 1. Chemical Building Blocks Book K
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in” class=MsoNormal> 2. Electricity and Magnets Book N
MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in” class=MsoNormal> 3. Earth’s Changing Surface Book G
4. Cells and Hereditary – Book C
All seventh and eighth grade students will also be enrolled in Health for two days out of the week. We will use the Science Explorer Human Biology & Health book, as well as other supplemental resources.
Be sure to check www.trackmygrades.com for current and future assignments, as well as the student’s grade progress. As always, feel free to contact Ms. Romano at the school via telephone or e-mail.