Curriculum

**8th Grade Science Expectations - Mr. Condon ** America has become a technological society with scientific understanding at its foundation. The 8th grade science curriculum will help build your child’s understanding of the principles of science for success in high school and beyond. The curriculum is challenging with lots of new vocabulary and integrated mathematics, but the support offered to you and your child is in place to make everyone successful. To paraphrase Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb and hundreds of other devices, “Genus is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration.” Any child who puts in the effort will be successful this year.
 * STEM Middle Academy **
 * Philosophy: **
 * Curriculum Goals: **
 * 8th Grade science focuses on the physical sciences of thermodynamics (heat flow), chemistry, and physics.
 * Develop every student's science literacy, problem solving and 21st Century Skills.
 * Help all students become proficient with the State Frameworks
 * Prepare every student for success in high school
 * Prepare every student for success on the 8th grade Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS Exam
 * As an Expeditionary Learning School, we will explore these topics through small classroom expeditions and EL practices.
 * We focus on science literacy and the practice and procedures of true scientists. Our explorations will culminate with real world, authentic projects.
 * Grading: **Student grades will come from 5 sources:


 * Labs and their written reports
 * Projects: videos, posters, wikipages, etc.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Homework Assignments
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Portfolio Work
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tests and Quizzes

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Tests will count as 2 quizzes and will be announced at the beginning of the week and will be proceeded by review assignments to prepare for these assessments. Tests will not only offer a summative assessment of your child’s understanding of a topic, but will help prepare them for the 8th grade Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS Exam in May. Sometimes 8th graders prepare poorly for test and therefore score badly. Test retakes will be offered afterschool the week following any test. Students may retake the tests if they get your permission by simply signing the original test. I want you to know that they are taking responsibility for their mistake by correcting it. Retakes will be averaged with the original test grade for a final score. <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Please contact me if your child will be absent for an extended period of time. I can then send home work that they can keep them on pace with their peers. Should they only miss a day or two, your child and I will work out a schedule for completing the work they missed. Generally, one day for every day of their absence, but this is flexible to meet your child’s needs and not overburden them with work. <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> I stay afterschool for extra help, test retakes, and catch up work on Wednesdays. I am also available for afterschool help on Mondays and Thursdays if given a couple of days’ notice so that I can clear my schedule. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students need to come to class prepared for the day’s work. The following supplies will enhance their success: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">STEM Middle Academy will provide your child with an agenda book. Part of our daily classroom practice is to write their homework assignment in this book at the beginning of each class. There will not be a single day this year in which nothing is assigned as homework. Please check your child’s agenda on a regular basis to be sure they are fulfilling their responsibility. I will do so as well and may send notes home to you through their agenda. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Please help your child clean out their backpack on a regular basis. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Please use <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">http://stem2011.wikispaces.com <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> for updates and homework assignments. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If you have further questions or concerns, please call the school (787-6750) at any time to leave a message on my voicemail or email me at <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">condont@sps.springfield.ma.us
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Homework: 20% of grade **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">All assignments will be posted on our wikipage at <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">http://stem2011.wikispaces.com <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> There will be 3 to 4 assignments per week. At the end of each term, the lowest 2 grades will be dropped before a final homework grade is determined.Assignments will be graded on a 0 to 3 scale with the focus not on right or wrong answers, but whether the student made adequate 8th grade effort on the assignment.3 = done on time and with adequate effort, 2 = late, but done within the week, 1 = very late but completed, 0 = not done within 2 weeks of original due date.Some students who do exceptional work or go above and beyond what is asked can earn a 4 on their homework, this is like getting a 130% on a test.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tests and Quizzes: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Absences: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Afterschool Help: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">School Supplies: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">One-subject Notebook dedicated to just science.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A 2-pocket Folder for Homework Assignments.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">One inch 3-Ring Binder to be kept in my classroom as their Science Portfolio.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Everyday a working pen or pencil.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Backpacks and Agenda Books: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Contact Information: **