Mrs.

Nichollss Syllabus
8
th
Grade Science
Required Daily Supplies: Please label important items with your name!
o Continuous supply of #2 pencils (Pens may not be used on assignments)
o Continuous supply of notebook paper (spiral or loose, for some class work)
o 2 composition notebooks (One per semester)
o Colored pencils
o Graphing paper (loose or a pad)
o Simple calculator
Grading Policy:
o First 5 Activities-Class will begin with a 5 minute activity that will vary. The daily activities will be graded
for participation on most Fridays. This grade will be worth 10% of the students grade.
o Assignments-Daily assignments will vary and will be worth 20% of the students grade.
o Lab Notes, Lab Work, and Lab Reports-These assignments will be worth 20% of the students grade.
Notebooks will be collected at various announced timed for grading.
o Quizzes-Quizzes over Greek and Latin, vocabulary, and class content will be given often. These will never
be pop and will be worth 20%.
o Tests-Posttests will be given for each unit covered. These tests will be worth 30% of the students grade.
100%-90%=A 89%-80%=B 79%-70%=C 69%-60=D 59%-0%=F
Curriculum Schedule:
o First Semester Topics- Nature of Science: Scientific Method, Measurement, Dimensional Analysis,
Graphing Techniques, Lab Safety; Life Science: Classification of Organisms, Diversity and Adaptations
among Organisms, Fossil Record; Physical Science: Motions and Forces, Speed, Velocity, Acceleration,
Inertia; Earth Science: Plate Tectonics, Landform Formation, Weathering and Erosion, Earths Composition
and Structure
o Second Semester Topics- Physical Science: Physical and Chemical Change, Chemical Properties,
Conservation of Mass and Energy, Atomic Structure, Naming of Compounds and Molecules, Periodic Table
and Trends, Chemical Reactions, Density; Review of Topics; Biology Intro
Classroom Rules:
Be respectful.
Be polite.
Be helpful.
Be honest.
Be encouraging.
Be hard-working.
Be responsible.
Be forgiving of mistakes.
Be safe.
Be positive.