Welcome to Jr. High Science with Ms. Basayne-Smith!

This year in Science we will be studying the following topics:

7th Grade:	8th Grade:
Astronomy- The Solar System Geology- Structure of the Earth, Volcanoes and Earthquakes, Rocks and Minerals Biology- Ecology and Ecosystems	Physics- Motion, Forces, and Energy Chemistry- Atoms, Matter, the Periodic Table, Solutions, Acids and Bases Biology- Cells and Genetics
Health - Human Anatomy and Function	Health- Human Growth and Development

You are expected to bring at least one writing utensil and notebook paper (spiral notebooks with perforated pages or loose leaf paper are both acceptable) to class every day. You will also be expected to keep track of your notes and handouts from Science class, and are therefore required to have either a 3-ring binder or a folder. It is YOUR responsibility to be prepared for class every day.

Your overall Science grade is determined from your grades in several categories:

• Participation and Attendance (10%): This grade is a reflection on your attendance and engagement in the work we will be doing. If you come to school regularly, pay attention, and follow the class rules you will have full credit in this category.

• Homework and Classwork (10%): This grade is determined by the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of your homework and classwork. While homework will not be assigned daily, when it is assigned, you are expected to have it completed by the next class period.

• Cumulative Quizzes (15%): Cumulative quizzes will be given once a week and will cover any science material we’ve gone over (8th graders, this means some 7th grade material may appear from time to time!). Quiz scores are often a good measurement of how well you are paying attention to and your understanding of the material… if you attend class and review the homework and handouts on your own each night you should have no problem scoring full points on quizzes.

• Exams/Unit Tests and Vocabulary Tests (25%): Exams will occur at the end of chapters and units. They can cover material from several weeks before they are given, and will be announced the week before they occur. While review sessions will occur in class before an exam, it is YOUR responsibility to study a little bit at home every night, especially when you know there’s an exam coming up!

• Labs and Projects (40%): Activities in class will occur throughout the year that will demonstrate the concepts we’re learning; some of these activities will only last one class period, while others will take several classes to complete; some projects and labs will even include homework that you will need to complete and turn in the next day. YOU MUST BE IN CLASS TO PARTICIPATE IN LABS AND PROJECTS. Included in this category are Science Fair Projects, which we will discuss in more detail second and third quarters, and both individual and group presentations.

All work needs to be neatly written or typed, on clean paper. Anything messy and/or illegible will not be graded!

Each student is expected to have a school planner to keep track of their assignments; planners will be checked regularly and their accuracy will be reflected in the classwork/homework grade. Any incomplete assignments will result in 7th Hour.