8th Grade Science Syllabus

							                               8th Grade Science Syllabus
                                      Mr. Nauer
  Phone: 253-373-6437                                                    ron.nauer@kent.k12.wa.us

Science Department Mission Statement:
       The Meeker Middle School Science Department, by fostering an environment where students
and teachers work collaboratively, seeks to develop our students’ intellectual curiosity and provide all
students with a strong foundation in science principles and techniques and the ability to apply them.

Course Description:
       This class is designed to provide students with the opportunities to become proficient with
national and state science standards in the areas of chemistry, physical science, earth science, life
science, and environmental science.

Course Units:
    Safety, Measurement, and Scientific Method
    Chemistry
    Energy and Waves
    Earth, Moon, and Sun Relationships
    Biology and Classification
    Human Body Systems

Textbooks:
       Students have access to text books and resource books within the classroom. Textbooks may
be checked out overnight upon request.

Required Materials: (note: all of these materials were listed school wide for Meeker)
    Three-Ringed Binder
    8 ½ X 11 White Notebook Paper
    Pencils with erasers and/or blue or black pen
    Meeker Planner
    Note Cards
    Colored Pencils

    Note – a basic calculator will be helpful at times, but is not required

Grading and Late Work Policies:
        Grades can be checked online using the Skyward system. Students are to keep an assignment
sheet up to date in their binder. Graded papers are to be kept and organized in the binders. Grades are
total point based from the following categories:
     Participation (5 points per day, make-up assignments available to make-up points from absence)
     Class Work
     Homework
     Labs/Activities
     Quizzes/Tests


Syllabus                                                                            Mr. Nauer
Grading Scale: (as given in the planner)
      A      100 – 93%                          C       77 – 72%
      A-     92 – 90%                           C-      71 – 70%
      B+     88 – 89%                           D+      69 – 67%
      B      87 – 82%                           D       66 – 60%
      C+     78 – 79%                           F       Below 60%

Late Work – Meeker Middle School Policy
      1 day late:          10% deduction
      2 days late:         20% deduction
      3 days late:         30% deduction
      4 or more days late: 40% deduction

           Late work must be turned in before the end of the current unit, or with special permission.

Behavior Expectations:
        Since this is a laboratory class, which at times students will be using expensive and fragile
equipment, sharp instruments, and chemicals, horseplay and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
Students who are not paying attention, or are misbehaving during a laboratory activity and/or the
instructions to the activity may be removed from the lab. The severity of the consequences will be
determined on the seriousness of the infraction(s). As a class, we have gone over the Meeker Safety
Contract, which students and parents are to read and sign. Students will not be allowed to participate
in lab activities involving heat, sharp instruments, expensive equipment, or chemicals until they have
returned their signed safety contract.




Syllabus                                                                              Mr. Nauer