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Earth Science 8 Syllabus
Goals: --To identify minerals and their uses
--To understand the rock cycle and the three main types of rocks
--To identify and understand Earth’s renewable and nonrenewable energy and mineral resources
--To understand the process of plate tectonics and the processes of seafloor spreading, subduction zones, and continental drift
--To understand and identify the causes of earthquakes and how they affect people
--To understand what causes volcanoes, identify the three main types of volcanoes and other igneous rock features
--To understand the importance of water to life on Earth and its many uses
--To understand and explore the different sources of water
--To explore the ocean and its different resources
--To understand how a wave moves and its different parts
--To understand how ocean currents are important and how they affect us
--To learn how to read a map and make a map
--To understand how water and wind can be a destructive forces and how erosion affects us and what we can do about it
--To understand how different fossils and carbon dating can be clues to how life once was on Earth in the “early” years
--To know the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere and how they affect life on Earth
--To understand how and where the Earth’s weather and climate affect mankind and life on Earth
--To understand and explore what causes different weather and climate
--To observe and learn how both water and air pollution is detrimental to life on Earth and how we can prevent it
--To observe how we are exploring space and other NASA programs
--To understand and explore the interactions of the Earth-Sun-Moon system
--To explore the planets of our solar system and other celestial bodies of space
--To develop a students’ work ethic, accountability, and responsibility to be a positive influence in society
Supplies: Agenda, Science Folder, notebook, black or blue pens, pencils, color pencils, highlighter, and calculator
Unit 1—Earth Materials and Processes
Chap.1 and 2: Minerals and Rocks
Chap.3: Earth’s Energy and Mineral Resources
Chap.4: Plate Tectonics
Chap.5: Earthquakes
Chap.6: Volcanoes
Unit 2—THE WATER PLANET
Chap.1: Water
Chap.2: Freshwater at Earth’s Surface
Chap.3: Groundwater Resources
Chap.4: Ocean Motion
Chap.5: Oceanography
Unit 3—THE CHANGING SURFACE OF EARTH
Chap.1: Views of Earth
Chap.2: Weathering and Soil
Chap.3: Erosional Forces
Chap.5: Clues to Earth’s Past
Chap.6: Geologic Time
Unit 4—The AIR AROUND YOU
Chap.1: Atmosphere
Chap.2: Weather
Chap.3: Climate
Chap.4: Air Pollution
Unit 5—ASTRONOMY
Chap.1: Exploring Space
Chap.2: The Sun-Earth-Moon System
Chap.3: The Solar System
Chap.4: Stars and Galaxies
Homework Policy: Homework is expected to be completed on time before class starts. Completing homework entirely and correctly is essential for passing this class. If homework is not done or incomplete, then the student will have an academic tutoring session after school (until 3:30 PM or 4 PM or until the assignment is done) for either that day or the next after school with the academic tutoring teacher.
The goal of homework is to aid the student in practicing doing the material, and through repetition, learn the material needed to succeed on the test. If the student doesn’t practice during class and outside of the classroom at home, then they will probably not perform well on the tests. Homework is also given to develop a student’s work ethic and learning to be a responsible and accountable member of society.
There will be a homework assignment or quiz/test to study for just about everyday, so your science book should always be taken home with you. The students usually receive about 20 minutes at the end of each class to work on homework and how efficiently they use this time will result on how much of it they have to take home.
Participation and Attendance: There will be a quiz everyday to start the class. Attendance is a must for this class, if a student is absent, then they cannot receive their participation points for the day.
Student Responsibility for class: Students are to have their book, writing utensils and paper (Calculator for physical science), along with their assignments every day for class. Students will be given warning for 1st offense for not being prepared and then assigned after school conferences for each offense after until 3:30 PM. If lack of responsibility continues, then a parent conference will be needed.
Labs and Activities: Students are to pass a lab safety test before they are allowed in the lab, as well as adhere to the lab safety rules. Horseplay will not be tolerated in the lab and will result in the removal of the student from the lab for that activity and be given alternative equal point assignments until they demonstrate the safety skills and self control needed to work in the lab again.
Extra Credit: No extra credit will be given until the student consistently does their regular work. Occasional opportunities may arise during the semester.
Grade percentages: Test 30%
(Approximately) Homework 40%
Quizzes (Participation/Vocab.) 20%
Labs and Activities 10%
Cell phones, IPods, Food, and Beverages are not allowed in the classroom and will be confiscated.
Please sign this sheet and neatly write down your email and telephone numbers so I may contact you if needed during the year and so that I know that your child has reviewed these three pages with you.
___________________ ___________________ ________________________
Parent Name-Print Parent Signature Parent email—please print clearly
___________________ __________________ ________________________
Student Name-Print Parent cell number Parent home number
The student is to have this sheet and the lab safety sheet turned into Mr. Beissenherz on Friday, August 15th, 2014 for 25 points credit as one of their first assignments.
I try and send out weekly emails to keep you updated with what is going on in class and about upcoming projects, assignments, quizzes and tests that you can help your child study.
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Parent: Please keep this information below so that you may contact me if needed.
Please feel free to email me anytime at beiz@concordia.k12.mo.us
Email is the easiest and most convenient way to communicate with me, but the school phone is 660-463-2246 if needed.