Student (print, sign & date) Parent (print, sign & date) Teacher Acknowledgement

8th Grade EARTH SCIENCE

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Hafa Adai! And wonderful school year to all! Welcome to 8th Grade Earth Science. This school year will be a new and fun
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learning experience for your child and your fellow 8 grade Roadrunners. I am very pleased to have you and your child as part of this
science course. It is filled with stimulating activities, fun discoveries and new ideas.
The class includes lecture and laboratory. Content standards, topics and activities are aligned with the district’s adopted Next
Generation Science Standards. Students will be expected to participate to the best of their abilities in classroom, online, and at home
activities as well as conduct relevant independent activities outside of the classroom (i.e. homework, current events, science projects,
research, and public service events). Students will be working individually and collaborating in a hybrid/variety of group arrangements.
The following is the alignment of objectives with standards. Students will be assessed in a variety of way, which may include
the following: quizzes, class discussion, group presentations, science projects, exams, and other class activities.

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8 GRADE SCIENCE - PRIORITY STANDARDS, SKILLS, or TOPICS (SY2020 – 2021)
ST rd
1 QUARTER: 3 QUARTER:
ESS1.B EARTH & THE SOLAR SYSTEM ESS1.C The History of Planet Earth

2.1 I can develop a model to represent the Earth-moon-sun and 1.2 I can construct explanations based on evidence about Earth’s
its positioning in relation to each other and use patterns in the history using the geologic time scale interpreted from rock strata
model to explain how the moon phases appear from Earth and fossil records.

2.3 I can develop a model to represent the Earth-moon-sun ESS2.B PLATE TECTONICS & LARGE-SCALE SYSTEM
system and its positioning in relation to each other to explain how INTERACTIONS
the patterns in the model results in the seasons.
1.1 I can design a model diagramming the interdependence of
the rock cycle and placement of fossils to pattern movements
within the Earth’s plates.

ND th
2 QUARTER: 4 QUARTER:
ESS2.D Weather and Climate ESS3.C HUMAN IMPACTS ON EARTH SYSTEMS

3.1 I can develop a model to represent a system of how oceans 1.1 I can look for patterns in graphs, charts, and images, to
absorb energy from the sun as an indicator of weather and construct explanations on possible damaging effects of
climate. human activities

ESS2.D GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 1.2 I can explain cause-and-effect relationships between human
activity and its impact on Earth’s systems.
1.2 I can ask questions to clarify evidence of factors that have
caused a rise in the level of climate change

*Disclaimer subject to change.

CLASSROOM POLICIES & PROCEDURES
CLASSROOM^ / ONLINE* RULES ATTENDANCE
Wear YOUR MASK at all TIMES^ / SANITIZE your HANDS* FACE to FACE students who are not in class will be
Practice PHYSICAL DISTANCING^/RESPECT personal space/ideas^* required to provide an excuse note.
Walk to your assigned seat^ / STAY seated ^* ONLINE LEARNERS will need to be present during
Share your ideas*, NOT your BELONGINGS^ online class, which will be a form of attendance record.
Come to class PREPARED (e.g. materials, assignments, etc.) ^* HARD COPY LEARNERS will need to pick up & return
Observe proper ETIQUETTE (online behavior)* (completed) assignments for attendance record.
Make-up work will be given/provided to students with pertinent excused. Ensure that you communicate any issues or circumstances that may arise that
will impact student class participation/attendance during the school year in advance or in a timely manner (refer to contact section on the next page).


ACADEMIC EVALUATION
QUARTERL ASSIGMENT DUE DATES
CRITERIA CATEGORY
Y WEIGHT
PERCENTAG FACE to FACE: Assignment will be due upon return or one
week from day assigned.
E

90% - 100% A Formative assessments 35 ONLINE STUDENTS: One week from the day assigned.

80% - 89% B HARD COPY LEARNERS: One week from day picked-up.
Assignments 30
PROJECTS are due one week before end of the
70% - 79% C Quarter/Semester Projects 35 QUARTER/SEMESTER

***DUE DATES may be subject to change***

60% - 69% D

59% or
LOWER
F TOTAL 100
Students will be evaluated according to a combination of Category Weights & Points.

Proficiency Scale & Indicators
4 Mastery above target skill(s)
3 Mastery of target skill(s)
2 Mastery of basic skill(s)
1 With assistance, able to master
basic skill(s)
0 No progress
STANDARDS-BASED GRADING is an effective way to give feedback and evaluate student performance using
clearly defined and specific content learning standards. As a district, specific content standards have already been
identified and students are currently being taught and evaluated based on these standards and levels of proficiency.
At Benavente Middle School (BMS), teachers have been trained and continue to be trained in Standards-Based
Grading practices. BMS has identified priority standards for each content subject, created corresponding
curriculum/consensus maps aligned with the District’s maps, and continues to create proficiency scales to measure
these standards. Currently, BMS is utilizing traditional grading (0-100%), as reflective on PowerSchool. There will be a
shift to remove traditional grading practices and move towards standards-based grading of performance in specific
areas. As such, percentage grades will no longer reflect student performance nor be utilized. Instead, grades will
reflect the following proficiency scale and its indicators.

OPTIONAL VIDEO/VISUAL MEDIA (MOVIES, VIDEOS, YOUTUBE & INTERNET/ONLINE CLIPS)
It is important for the student and parent/guardian(s) to be aware that certain media will be viewed in (and outside of) class. All material
has been previously viewed and is considered appropriate for the student’s grade level content. The content matter is also part of the
approved curriculum and standards for this age group. The following is a list of films, but not limited to only these, for this school year:

Disney’s Earth (rated G) Disney’s Oceans (rated G) Ice Age (rated PG)
Unit 1, Exploring Planet Earth Unit 4, Earth’s Waters *alternate movie (incentive)

The Core/San Andreas (rated PG13) Into the Storm (rated PG13) Geostorm (rate PG-13)
Unit 2, Inside Earth Unit 5, Weather & Climate *alternate movies (incentive)
The Lorax (rated PG) Gravity (rated PG13) The Avatar (rated PG-13)
Unit 3, Earth’s Changing Surface Unit 6, Astronomy *alternate movies (incentive)
If the student’s parent/guardian does not approve of particular content to be viewed, a written notice must be provided to Mr. Jordan and attached to this
syllabus no later than two (2) weeks after receiving the syllabus (via email, upon return of students to school or during pick up/drop off of assignments)
along with the reason(s) for not wanting the student to view any particular material. (Please include the specific topic(s) of concern in your notice.) All
other visual media (science movies and videos) are not necessarily rated by producing educational companies, but are considered to be middle school
age-appropriate.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Ensure your child is fully aware of their scheduled class times and is always prepared for learning (online/Google Classroom, hard
copy, or face-to-face module).
2. Provide your child with daily guidance and assistance to succeed in their respective mode of learning.
3. Make certain that you and your child maintains open and consistent communication with your child’s teachers and other school
staff such as their grade-level administrator, counselor, etc.
4. Check that all school-related documents are signed and returned promptly by the expected due dates.
5. Regularly monitor your child’s attendance and academic progress through PowerSchool and verify if all assignments are
completed in a timely manner.

8B – EARTH SCIENCE Syllabus (SY20-21) Page 2 of 3



CONTACT
Parents/guardians or students are expected to communicate any questions/concerns/assistance/issues relevant to their child or
children’s education and well-being (e.g. academics, behavior, health, etc.). Please ensure that you have access to PowerSchool and
your child or children’s GDOE email accounts. Please feel free to contact me via GDOE email, phone call, Google hangout/meet/chat.
If I am unavailable, I can be contacted at the school’s phone number at 632-5647 ext. 6495 and/or through my other school Gmail:
atcasta@gmail.com; if I am unavailable, you may also leave a message with the Main Office. General information are also
communicated through the schools and content websites below:

https://vsabms.weebly.com

CLASSROOM / OFFICE HOURS CONTACT INFO. LISTING

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1 8:35 am – 9:20 am ONLINE Learners (Google classroom mandatory) Emails
3
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9:25 am – 10:10 am Face-to-face Learners (Google classroom available) atcasta@gdoe.net
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4 11:05 am – 11:50 am Face-to-face Learners (Google classroom available)
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(671) 300.6495 (direct line)
6 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm HARD COPY Learners (Google classroom available)
8
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2:35 pm – 3:20 pm ONLINE Learners (Google classroom mandatory) Google Apps (Chat / Hangout / Meet)
https://sites.google.com/gdoe.net/bms8thscience
PER TIME MODULES

SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPROVED:

*APPROVED BY DR. EILEEN M. GOFIGAN, ASST. PRINCIPAL

ARIES CASTA, 8B SCIENCE TEACHER

8B – EARTH SCIENCE Syllabus (SY20-21) Page 3 of 3