Syllabus

Instructor:

Mr. Robbie C. Keuchler, Jr.,

Contact Information:

Email:  keuchlerr1@duvalschools.org

Phone:  (904)924-3100

 Class Website: yellowjacketscience@blogspot.com

Textbook:

Holt Science & Technology: Physical Science, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2007

This book is a consumable and will not be taken home, with students. However, the book has sections that will be required to be torn out/ 3 holed punched, in class and placed in the student binder.  The teacher will assign sections for home learning and study material.  The student work will only be graded when assignments have been organized in student binders.  The teacher will conduct regular binder checks for grading and all assigned work is expected to be completed in student binder to be accepted for grade.   Student binders (provided by school) should have a section solely for Science with the following sectioned items for grading. 

1. Cornell Notes
2. Book Work
3. Warm-Ups 

Materials:

3 Ring Binder (Provided by school)   (Must Have Daily for Grades) 

 *Lecture Notes (Cornell Notes)
 *Book Work:  3 hole punched from textbook - (Whatever section class is currently covering)

 *Home Learning: (Homework) (Binder)

Portfolio ( will remain with teacher) 

*Warm-Ups (Portfolio)  

*Graded Papers (Portfolio)

*Unpacked benchmarks (portfolio)

Interactive Notebook

*(INB) - 1 Spiral Notebook (Interactive Notebook)    (Classwork- Teacher directed , Student Made )

Pencil

Colored Pencils/Markers
Glue Sticks
College Ruled Paper (no exceptions)

Course Description:

The 8th grade science class is a study of matter, energy, and their relationship.  This class covers basic chemistry and physics but also includes a review of some Earth Space

Science concepts.  Students will spend time working on laboratory activities to apply principles studied, improve laboratory techniques, and learn more about the world around them.  Being able to apply what is learned to everyday life is prime objective of this class. 
The major areas of study will include: learning to use different types of measurements, force, work, moving objects, classification of matter, the Periodic Table, patterns within the different elements, chemical reactions, simple and compound machines, waves, light, sound, heat energy, electricity and review Earth science concepts.
We will cover the majority of information in the text, but I will use other supplemental materials. There is an emphasis on scientific problem solving and higher level thinking skills. 

Classroom activities are:  laboratory exercises, YouTube videos, demonstrations, PowerPoint lectures, lab reports, Science Exploration, individual projects, & group projects.

** All activities and their plan times are subject to change due to yearly science budget, time constraints, progression of student achievement, & students being absent & etc.

Classroom Rules:

#1 Follow Directions Quickly

#2 Be Organized

#3 Make Smart Choices

#4 Participation is Needed

#5 Be on Time

#6 S.L.A.N.T: Sit up, Listen, Ask Questions, Nod Head, Track Teacher

#7 Take Good Notes

Consequences

1. Verbal Warning
2. Student Conference
3. Change Seat
4. Phone Conference
5. After School Detention
6. Referral 

           

Method of Evaluation:  Students will be assessed on worksheets, vocabulary foldables, tests, labs, lab reports, individual presentations, group presentations, quizzes, journal entries, classroom participation, Interactive Notebooks, Cornell note taking, & homework.

Grade Distribution:
Home Learning-20%
Quizzes/Tests-30%
Classwork-25%
Lab/Cooperative Learning-25%

Grading Scale:

100 – 90          A

 89 – 80          B

 79 – 70          C

 69 – 60          D

59 & Below    F

Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating will not be tolerated.   Anyone caught cheating (taking or supplying answers) will be given zeros.  Cheating is considered to be copying from any source or reproducing any ideas that did not originate from your own mind, including, but not limited to, classmates, friends, websites, books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and magazines.  Any type of plagiarism is to be considered cheating.  Plagiarism will be an automatic 0 with no opportunity to make-up. 

           

                                   

Make Up Work:  For every day a student is absent, two days are allowed to complete any missed assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete the make-up work.  If a student knows in advance that he or she will miss class, they need to make arrangements to have the assignment(s) completed before leaving.    If absent near the end of a grading period, discuss with me for appropriate deadlines.

Extra Credit:  

If extra credit opportunities are given, they will be available for all students.  And there will be no penalty if they are not completed.  Never depend on extra credit to raise your grade.