Welcome! I am truly excited to return to another great area of interest and teaching experience of mine: Integrated Science. I enjoy the inclusion of Earth, Physical and Life Science in one year of study. The recent addition of Engineering to the Next Generation Science Standards has brought a new perspective on scientific study and will be the focal point of a required project for the Engineering Fair. All topics and areas of study come from this California Department of Education framework.
We will be using FOSS kits and the Prentice Hall Focus on Earth Science, Focus on Life Science and Focus on Physical Science texts and workbooks. Various other reading sources: newspapers, informational text and source documents will be used to help learn effective reading and writing strategies.
Helping students become confident, responsible and respectful is an important part of my classes. Middle School is a particularly effective time to hold students accountable for their actions and this is an area of growth for most! Communication between student, parent and teachers is vital for student success. Towards that end, student planners are required for daily use and should be checked if questions arise.
Course Components:
Assignments will be both individual and group. Working cooperatively and solving problems involving communication and the shared production of results is an important life skill that will be worked on all year. Assessment will be both multiple choice quizzes, projects, presentations and formal writing. Every student will be required to participate actively. An Interactive Notebook (composition book) will be used for notes and many hand written/drawn assignments. These will be the core of information for assessments and projects. They will be kept at school in each student's mailbox and will be graded occasionally. The overall grade will be based on 50% Process of learning (classwork, homework, rough drafts, etc) and 50% Product of learning (tests, final drafts, presentations, etc). We will do a variety of activities and assignments that will require students to use the skills they have mastered, as well as pushing them to learn new ones. They will be encouraged to think beyond the obvious in order to begin forming their own questions to seek the answers to. At least one PBL (Problem/Project Based Learning) project that will involve writing, successful problem solving, time management and presentations will be required for each trimester. Students will be coached and assessed on successful learning habits (such as management of materials, resources and time) and group dynamics as part of these projects.
Class Requirements:
□ Bring your pen/pencil, highlighter, planner and independent reading book with you to class every day.
□ All assignments not done in the Interactive Notebook must be titled on the first line and have the proper headings (name, date, subject in upper left corner).
□ It helps to have a list of classmates’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses so you can find out the details of assignments that you might be unclear about or might have missed due to being absent or tardy. But, it is up to you, the student, to take responsibility to get the information you need to complete assignments outside of school and to communicate with me for any missed or confusing assignments.
Class Expectations:
Dixon Montessori Charter School strongly believes in encouraging academic honesty and independence through each student’s experience in the classroom. The specifics and illegality of plagiarism will be taught and penalties for this will be no credit for the assignment and the parent will be notified. Further infractions may result in failing the class.
Respect, responsibility and safety are important foundations for this class and our school community. All students will treat each other and all adults they meet as a part of this class with respect for their individuality, authority, belongings and wellbeing. Students will act responsibly by following directions and working towards completing assigned tasks. To promote these positive behaviors Kickboard points are awarded for and converted into MERIT money monthly. Students may participate in monthly events or purchase goods at “flash sales” with the MERIT money earned. However, if I believe that a student is struggling to fulfill these basic requirements, I will begin by conferencing with the student. Negative Kickboard points may be given. If the lack of respect, responsibility or safety continues or is of a higher level, discipline in the form of detention, parent notification and/or referral to the Dean of Students may occur.
I feel fortunate to share another year of learning and growth with you here at DMCS. I will be helping students learn the academic and life skills necessary to succeed in our complex world. I feel extremely lucky to be a learning coach and am looking forward to having a very successful year. Please feel free to contact me at any time in order to discuss this syllabus or to address any other questions or concerns that you may have.
8th Grade Integrated Science
Scope and Sequence 2018-2019
Mrs. Kemp
[email protected]
Trimester 1:
August 9-14
Norms and Procedures for Class and Middle School
August 15-October 12
Unit 1: Motion in the Universe
Types of Interaction
Wave Properties
Electromagnetic Radiation
Information Technologies and Instrumentation
Developing Possible Engineering Solutions
Optimizing the Design Solutions
October 22-November 1
Unit 2: Waves Part 1
The Universe and Its Stars
Earth and the Solar System
Forces and Motion
Trimester 2:
November 5-December 19
Unit 2: Waves Part 2
Types of Interactions
Definitions of Energy
Relationship Between Energy and Forces
January 15-February 22
Unit 3: Earth’s Impact on Evolution Part 1
The History of Planet Earth
Human Impacts on Earth’s Systems
Trimester 3:
February 25- March 15
Unit 3: Earth’s Impact on Evolution Part 2Human Impacts on Earth’s System
Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
March 18 -May 24
Unit 4: Human Influence on Genetic Variation
Inheritance of Traits
Variation of Traits
Natural Selection
Adaptation
May 28-June 5
Culminating Activities
We will be using FOSS kits and the Prentice Hall Focus on Earth Science, Focus on Life Science and Focus on Physical Science texts and workbooks. Various other reading sources: newspapers, informational text and source documents will be used to help learn effective reading and writing strategies.
Helping students become confident, responsible and respectful is an important part of my classes. Middle School is a particularly effective time to hold students accountable for their actions and this is an area of growth for most! Communication between student, parent and teachers is vital for student success. Towards that end, student planners are required for daily use and should be checked if questions arise.
Course Components:
Assignments will be both individual and group. Working cooperatively and solving problems involving communication and the shared production of results is an important life skill that will be worked on all year. Assessment will be both multiple choice quizzes, projects, presentations and formal writing. Every student will be required to participate actively. An Interactive Notebook (composition book) will be used for notes and many hand written/drawn assignments. These will be the core of information for assessments and projects. They will be kept at school in each student's mailbox and will be graded occasionally. The overall grade will be based on 50% Process of learning (classwork, homework, rough drafts, etc) and 50% Product of learning (tests, final drafts, presentations, etc). We will do a variety of activities and assignments that will require students to use the skills they have mastered, as well as pushing them to learn new ones. They will be encouraged to think beyond the obvious in order to begin forming their own questions to seek the answers to. At least one PBL (Problem/Project Based Learning) project that will involve writing, successful problem solving, time management and presentations will be required for each trimester. Students will be coached and assessed on successful learning habits (such as management of materials, resources and time) and group dynamics as part of these projects.
Class Requirements:
□ Bring your pen/pencil, highlighter, planner and independent reading book with you to class every day.
□ All assignments not done in the Interactive Notebook must be titled on the first line and have the proper headings (name, date, subject in upper left corner).
□ It helps to have a list of classmates’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses so you can find out the details of assignments that you might be unclear about or might have missed due to being absent or tardy. But, it is up to you, the student, to take responsibility to get the information you need to complete assignments outside of school and to communicate with me for any missed or confusing assignments.
Class Expectations:
Dixon Montessori Charter School strongly believes in encouraging academic honesty and independence through each student’s experience in the classroom. The specifics and illegality of plagiarism will be taught and penalties for this will be no credit for the assignment and the parent will be notified. Further infractions may result in failing the class.
Respect, responsibility and safety are important foundations for this class and our school community. All students will treat each other and all adults they meet as a part of this class with respect for their individuality, authority, belongings and wellbeing. Students will act responsibly by following directions and working towards completing assigned tasks. To promote these positive behaviors Kickboard points are awarded for and converted into MERIT money monthly. Students may participate in monthly events or purchase goods at “flash sales” with the MERIT money earned. However, if I believe that a student is struggling to fulfill these basic requirements, I will begin by conferencing with the student. Negative Kickboard points may be given. If the lack of respect, responsibility or safety continues or is of a higher level, discipline in the form of detention, parent notification and/or referral to the Dean of Students may occur.
I feel fortunate to share another year of learning and growth with you here at DMCS. I will be helping students learn the academic and life skills necessary to succeed in our complex world. I feel extremely lucky to be a learning coach and am looking forward to having a very successful year. Please feel free to contact me at any time in order to discuss this syllabus or to address any other questions or concerns that you may have.
8th Grade Integrated Science
Scope and Sequence 2018-2019
Mrs. Kemp
[email protected]
Trimester 1:
August 9-14
Norms and Procedures for Class and Middle School
August 15-October 12
Unit 1: Motion in the Universe
Types of Interaction
Wave Properties
Electromagnetic Radiation
Information Technologies and Instrumentation
Developing Possible Engineering Solutions
Optimizing the Design Solutions
October 22-November 1
Unit 2: Waves Part 1
The Universe and Its Stars
Earth and the Solar System
Forces and Motion
Trimester 2:
November 5-December 19
Unit 2: Waves Part 2
Types of Interactions
Definitions of Energy
Relationship Between Energy and Forces
January 15-February 22
Unit 3: Earth’s Impact on Evolution Part 1
The History of Planet Earth
Human Impacts on Earth’s Systems
Trimester 3:
February 25- March 15
Unit 3: Earth’s Impact on Evolution Part 2Human Impacts on Earth’s System
Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
March 18 -May 24
Unit 4: Human Influence on Genetic Variation
Inheritance of Traits
Variation of Traits
Natural Selection
Adaptation
May 28-June 5
Culminating Activities