Gregory Palmer MAT, Ed.S.
Eighth Grade Physical Science
Friday, August 21, 2020
Monday, August 17, 2020
Monday, August 10, 2020
Syllabus
Grade 8 Physical Science 2020-2021
Instructor: Mr. Gregory Palmer
Contact Information
phone: 540-894-5457 Ext. 2108
Email: palmergm@lcps.k12.va.us
Course Goals:
Greetings and welcome! Together, in physical science, we will investigate and learn concepts about physics and chemistry. Whether you realize it or not, you already know much about the information we will cover. We will build on what you already know and explore topics in greater detail. After all, science is about exploration and investigation! There will be an SOL exam at the end of the course that will test you on 6th-8th grade science content.
Students are expected to follow the LCMS PBIS Student Responsibilities in class
● Enter classroom quietly and on time.
● Take out all needed materials and be prepared for class.
● Raise your hand to be recognized.
● Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
● Listen to directions of the teacher.
● Stay on task.
● Abide by the Code of Conduct (see agenda)
Due to the Covid-19 circumstances, most work will be presented and completed using your Chromebook. We expect all LCMS students to be good digital citizens.
Digital Citizenship Expectations
● Treat others the way you want to be treated. Keep your comments positive: Be truthful and polite. Think twice about what you are saying before you post or send it. Ask yourself, "Would I say this to someone's face?'
● "Be safe." Don't share any personal information, passwords, addresses, etc. with someone you don't know
● Be aware. We all need to look out for each other. If you see something that could be dangerous or hurtful, report it to an adult (parent, teacher, counselor, or administrator).
● Follow copyright laws. If you didn't create it, you don't own it. Be sure to give credit if you reuse or repost. Ask permission if required.
● Don't believe everything you read. Just because it's written online doesn't mean it's true. Fact check!
● Don't post anything that you don't want to last forever. Once you post something online, it is out there forever. Just because you delete it, does not mean it is deleted from cyberspace.
● Avoid suspicious email. If you receive an email from an unknown sender, do not open. Delete the email. Never click on a link if the email appears suspicious.
Textbook: McGraw Hill Virginia Physical Science
Physical Science Lab Safety Rules:
A separate hand-out will be provided detailing the laboratory safety rules. Please read over the rules in the safety contract (attached). Students will not be permitted to participate in labs and activities until the safety contract has been reviewed. Failure to follow lab safety rules will result in the loss of lab privileges, negative consequences, and the completion of an alternate assignment.
Grading Procedures:
Students will be graded on tests, quizzes, and other assessments including class assignments, projects and labs. Benchmark assessments will be given, as well as chapter tests. Final grades will be calculated based on a weighted percentage value assigned to each type of assignment (see below). Extra credit will not be given to replace incomplete or missing assignments.
Weighted Grades and Assignments
· Benchmarks and Tests - 35%
· Quizzes and Projects – 25%
· Classwork and Labs – 30%
· Homework - 10%
Homework Policy: Homework may be assigned as: practice of previously introduced material, review for quizzes, tests, and benchmarks or as introduction to new material. These assignments will cover concepts and skills necessary for building science foundations. Homework will be graded based upon evidence of effort and completion. If you do not understand a homework assignment, you must produce a written attempt for credit. See late work policy below.
Make-Up Work Policy: Students will have one day per day of excused absences to make up assignments. It is the student's responsibility to ask for the make-up assignments. If students are absent for labs and classroom activities, they will be either excused or made up at the teacher's discretion.
Late Work Policy: This policy applies to classwork and homework. It will go into effect upon completion of the make up work policy.
| 1st Semester | Students will have 3 days to turn in the assignment. After Day 3, score will stay a 0. Maximum score possible: Day 1: 85%, Day 2: 70%, Day 3: 50% |
| 2nd Semester | No late work will be accepted. |
Science 8 SOL Test: In addition, the Science 8 SOL Test will be assigned a letter grade based on the student score. This grade will count as a test grade during the 4th quarter.
| SOL Score Scale | Letter Grade | SOL Score Scale | Letter Grade |
| 567-600 | A+ | 452-467 | B- |
| 533-566 | A | 436-451 | C+ |
| 500-532 | A- | 420-435 | C |
| 484-499 | B+ | 400-419 | C- |
| 468-483 | B | 375-399 | D |
| 452-467 | B- | 374 and below | F |
Supplies/Materials for Class:
| Item | Quantity |
| Pencils | 1 pack |
| Lined paper | 1 pack |
| USB jump drive (can be used for multiple classes) | 1 |
| 1" binder | 1 |
| Personal packs of tissues | 3+ |
| Personal pencil sharpener | 1 |
| Headphones, earbuds, ect. | 1 |
Google Classroom Codes- use to join your science Google Classroom
|
1st Period Virtual Science | 3wunvln |
| 3rd Period Virtual Science | q4wotb6 |
| 3rd Period Blended Science A Group | 3r3lboc |
| 3rd Period Blended Science B Group | ufek27t |
| 4th Period Virtual Science | 7t7awz3 |
Course Outline: This course is designed to introduce the general principles of chemistry and physics and how these things affect the world in which we live, all while meeting the Virginia Standards of Learning. The principles will be introduced through lectures, videos, projects, labs, and activities. By utilizing both hands-on and personal experience, this course will challenge students to use creative and analytical thinking. We will spend approximately one half of the year on chemistry and the other half on physics. At various times throughout the year, we will be reviewing the 6th and 7th grade science curriculum, as this material will be on this year's SOL test. We will also be covering material not taught face to face in 7th grade science due to the closing of schools in March of 2020. The goal of the course is to give students a strong foundation that they will build on as they continue through high school level science courses.
Pacing Guide 8th Grade Physical Science 2020 - 2021
| Unit Title | Individual Topics | Unit | SOLs | Days | Nine Weeks |
| Pre-test |
|
|
| 1 |
|
| Scientific Method | measurements, scientific method, lab safety, graphing | Scientific problem solving | 1 | 6-8 | First |
| Classification of Matter | elements, compounds, mixtures (homo/heterogeneous) physical/chemical properties and changes | 1 and 5 | 2 | 7-10 | First |
| Phases and Phase Changes | Solids, liquids, and gases, kinetic theory, phase changes, heat transfer
| 6 | 2, 5, 7 | 7-9 | First |
| Benchmark Review and Benchmark 1 | Cumulative |
|
| 3-4 |
|
| Atoms and the Periodic Table | Structure of the atom, history of the atom, periodic table | 2,3 and 4 | 2, 3, 4 | 14-16 | First and Second |
| Chemical Bonding | Covalent and ionic bonding, organic compounds, water universal solvent | 4 | 2, 4 | 7-9 | Second |
| Chemical Reactions | Law of conservation of mass, evidence of chemical reactions, balancing equations
| 1 | 2, 4, 5, 6 | 7-9 | Second |
| Nuclear Chemistry | nuclear chemistry (fission and fusion) | 3 and 6 | 2, 4, 5 | 4 | Second |
| Acid/Bases | Solutions, acids, bases, salts, neutralization reactions | 5: lesson 3 | 2, 5, 7 | 7-8 | Second |
| Benchmark Review and Benchmark 2 | Cumulative |
|
| 3-4 | Second |
| 6th and 7th grade review/ Benchmark Remediation | If there is extra time. |
|
| 5-10 | Second |
| Motion | Motion, speed, acceleration | 7 | 10 | 7-9 | Third |
| Forces | Mass vs Weight, Gravity, Newton's Laws, Friction | 8 | 10 | 10-12 | Third |
| Simple Machines | Work, power, mechanical advantage, simple machines | 9 | 10 | 5-7 | Third |
| Energy | Kinetic and Potential, 6 energy types, energy transformations, renewable and non-renewable sources of energy | 6 | 6 | 7-10 | Third |
| Benchmark Review and Benchmark 3 | Cumulative |
|
| 3-4 | Third |
| Thermal Energy | Heat transfer and kinetic theory review, temperature scales, uses of heat | 6 | 6, 7 | 4-6 | Fourth |
| Waves | Wave motion, wave types, wave behavior | 10 | 8, 9 | 6-7 | Fourth |
| Sound and Light | Sound waves, light waves, electromagnetic spectrum | 11,12,13 | 6, 8, 9 | 6-7 | Fourth |
| Electricity and Magnets | Electricity, circuits, magnets, electromagnets | 14 and 15 | 11 | 5-7 | Fourth |
| SOL Review | 6th, 7th, and 8th grade SOL topics **Emphasis on 7th grade Life Science topics | All | 6th, 7th, and 8th | 10-15 | Fourth |
| Independent Project after SOL | Students will generate a project/model that demonstrates mastery of concepts previously covered in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade science curriculum. | None | 1, 6, 10 | If time | Fourth |
7th Grade Material Not Taught Due to COVID-19 - to be covered during Semester 1
| Life Science Lesson | Topic |
| 1 | Relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in food webs; niches |
| 2 | energy flow in food webs and energy pyramids |
| 3 | Complex relationships within terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems |
| 4 | symbiotic relationships |
| 5 | differences between ecosystems and biomes; biotic vs abiotic |
| 6 | land ecosystems |
| 7 | land ecosystems, continued |
| 8 | marine and freshwater ecosystems |
| 9 | adaptations that enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem |
| 10 | eutrophication, climate changes, and catastrophic disturbances. |
| 11 | food production and harvest |
| 12 | change in habitat size, quality, or structure |
| 13 | change in species competition |
| 14 | population disturbances and factors that threaten or enhance species survival |
| 15 | environmental issues |
Louisa County Middle School Science Safety Contract
Science is a hands-on class. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract. Additional safety instructions will be given for each lab.
- Follow all written and verbal directions carefully. Ask questions if you do not understand the directions.
- No horseplay! Appropriate behavior and use of equipment is required at all times.
- Do not touch anything in a science room until instructed to do so.
- Eating, drinking, and chewing gum is not allowed during labs. Never taste or smell anything during a lab unless told to do so.
- Wear goggles when indicated – No Exceptions to this Rule!
- Keep area clean and neat. Keep aisles clear – push chairs in when not in use.
- Perform only those experiments authorized by the teacher.
- Learn where the safety equipment is located (extinguishers & eyewash) and learn how to use it. Know where exits are located and what to do in the case of a fire drill.
- Dress properly – long hair must be tied back, no dangling jewelry or loose or baggy clothing.
- Accidents happen. Report all accidents and/or injuries to the teacher immediately.
- Clean, rinse, & wipe dry all work surfaces and equipment at the end of the lab. Return all equipment to its proper place. Follow directions for the disposal of lab materials.
- Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth & body. Wash hands with soap & water after cleanup is done.
*No system of rules can provide for every situation.
AGREEMENT
I have read & agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure my own safety, & that of my fellow students & teachers. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract may result in being removed from the lab, detention, and/or further disciplinary action.
STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO SIGN THE SAFETY CONTRACT GO TO MY WEB PAGE AND FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM.
PARENTS: Communication will be critical this year.
If you do not have an email address, it is very important that you get one. You can get a free gmail account at:Sign up for a Free GMAIL account
I will be sending out Weekly Lesson plans and expectations, it is CRITICAL that parents check their email at least once a week to ensure that you know what your student should be working on. Additionally, since I will not be seeing the students on a daily basis it is CRITICAL that you are checking Parent Portal.If you do not have an email address you must get one and let me know. I have added a form on my web page for you to enter your updated contact information.Mr. Palmer's Wed Page
Re: Allergy Issues-Science Classes
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you may already know, in science classes, students may conduct laboratory experiments to test hypotheses and investigate fundamental relationships among variables.
The Louisa County Middle School protocol for life threatening allergies requires that teachers provide an account of all substances used in the classroom to minimize the risk of exposure to allergens that pose a threat to students. The following list represents the substances that may be used in science classes in Grade 8 for the school year:
Vinegar *Sugar
Baking soda *Vanilla
*Milk Marshmallows
*Salt Corn syrup
Vegetable oil Food coloring
*Kool Aid Cabbage juice
Tums Chicken livers
Lemon juice Soda / carbonated water
Yeast Flour
Mentos Gumdrops and *bubble gum
Moth balls Ammonia
Soap
The items with an asterisk (*) next to them may be consumed at some time during the school year. If a lesson involves consuming any food, a separate letter will be sent home prior to the activity. Should your child have a life threatening allergy, his/her science teacher will contact you prior to any lab in which food items are used. An alternative assignment will be provided for all students who should not participate due to allergies to the food materials handled.
If your child has recently developed a food allergy, please inform Nurse Spencer at (540) 894-5457 ext. 2040
Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns at , morganrc@lcps.k12.va.us
Thank you,
Robert Morgan Sally Agee
Grade 8 Assistant Principal 8th Grade Department Chair
(540) 894-5457 ext. 2014 (540) 894-5457 ext. 2177
Gregory Palmer MAT, Ed.S.
Eighth Grade Physical Science
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