Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have been adopted by many states, including Iowa. Within NGSS each grade level in Iowa is required to cover specific disciplinary core ideas. Here are the following topics required for 8th grade: *Life Science: biodiversity, natural & artificial selection, & evolution adaptations *Earth Science: water cycle, weather, & humans impact on the environment *Physical Science: Newton’s Laws, synthetic materials, energy, & waves. *Within all areas of science Engineering will be incorporated through a variety of activities.
Tentative Timeline of Coverage of the Standards August-End of September Science Process Skills End of September Engineering Project-synthetic materials October-November Biodiversity November-December Natural & Artificial Selection Start Evolution Adaptations January J-term & finish adaptations End of January Water Cycle February Weather March-April Human Impact on the Environment End of April-May Waves & Newton's Laws
Materials for the Science Classroom Students must come prepared every day with the proper materials for science. These materials include: *3-ring binder or folder *Composition book for Science only *Laptop *Pencil *Highlighters-green, yellow, and pink are ideal *PaperReading book/E-Reader *Earbuds/Earphones (will need occasionally)
8th Grade Science Standards Each of the standards incorporates 1-2 of the eight different Science & Engineering Principles (SEP’s) outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.
For 8th grade Science the standards will be as follows: *Standard 1: Developing & Using Models *Standard 2: Analyzing & Interpreting Data *Standard 3: Constructing Scientific Explanations *Standard 4: Planning/Conducting Investigations *Standard 5: Communicating Information through Argumentation
Throughout the year within the DCI’s the standards will be practiced, scrimmaged (assessment like situation) and assessed (Game Time). Within the Powerschool Gradebook you will only be able to see the assessments for each skill. The practice & scrimmage time will be for feedback purposes and to allow the students to understand where they are at with their learning in order to prepare for the assessment (Game Time)
Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) Throughout the course the DCI & the SEP's (standards) will be weaved together along with the Crosscutting Concepts. Here is more information about the CCC's.
Genius Hour Students will have time at least one class period per week to explore areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) that are of interest to them. Some examples would be coding, robotics, CANstruction, Science Olympiad, online game creation, hands on creative activities, makey makey, aurdino, etc. Students will have the opportunity to practice completing standards with content of their choice. Each quarter it will be required that each student submit at least one standard of their choice with their chosen project for a formal grade in Genius Hour. Each student will conference with Mr. Hanson 2-3 times per quarter in order to determine the standard(s) that will work best for the project chosen.
Absences If you are absent it is your responsibility to get the work that was missed including scheduling to make up an assessment. After you have looked at the 8th grade website to check what we did for that day, you may email me or talk to me about any questions you may have or anything you need to pick up. You will have two days for every excused absence to make up the work.
Communicate with Me If at any time you have a question and/or you need to discuss something with me please do so. Here are the options to communication with me:
*Before school, I am usually here by 7:40 am *My team time in 9th period & my prep time is 10th period, feel free to stop by my room. *After school, I am usually here until 4:00 pm. *Email anytime, I check my email throughout the day and even each evening until around 9:00 pm, especially when something is due soon (project, paper, homework).
Class Websites You should bookmark each page for easy & quick reference. Each page is constantly changed & updated for current information.
*My Science class page (linked through the 8th grade team page) *My Genius Hour page (linked through my class website) *Google Classroom for occasional online assignments, which will be set up within the first few weeks of school