MS. A. MCGEE
8th Grade Science
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Ashley R. McGee
Contact Information
Phone #: 601-859-3741
E-mail address: ashleymcgee@cantonschools.net
Textbook: Glencoe Blue Science (8th Grade)
Description: Instruction in this area is designed to expose students to experience which reflect
how science should be valued, to enhance student’s confidence in their ability to apply scientific
processes, and to help students to learn to communicate and reason scientifically.
Pre-requisite: K- 7th grade Science
Course Description and Rationale:
The Eighth Grade competencies and objectives build on the Kindergarten through
Seventh grade concepts and explore the joint enterprises of science and technology and the
interrelationships of these to each other in the context of society and the environment. Eighth
grade science is designed to build connections that link technology and societal impacts to topics
such as properties and changes of properties of matter, motions and forces, energy transfer,
structure and function in living systems, and the structure of the Earth system. Throughout the
teaching process, inquiry, safety skills, the scientific method process, measuring, use of scientific
equipment, current events, environmental, and hands-on activities should be emphasized.
The mission of Nichols Middles School Science Department is dedicated to student
success including the improvement of student achievement in science in order to produce
citizens who are capable of making complex decisions, solving complex problems, and
communicating fluently in a technological society.
Course Expectation
Materials
Each student is required to bring a spiral notebook for bell ringers, journal writing and lab
activities. In addition to this, the school will be assigning a textbook to each child. The student
will be required to bring their textbook daily. Students should also bring general materials such
as: paper, pencil, pen and highlighters.
If there are any other materials needed the teacher will inform you.
School Wide Grading Scale
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79- 70 = C
69-60 = D
59 and below =F
Proficiency Levels
Minimal= 0-36
Basic= 37-50
Proficient= 51- 74
Advanced= 75-100
Late Work
Late work will be accepted, but there will be a 10% deduction in the grade for each day it is late.
If a student is absent he or she has the same number of days that he or she was absent to make up
any work. It is the student’s responsibility to request any missing work from the teacher
Behavior
To ensure all students have a safe and effective learning environment, students will be
expected to behave in a respectful manner towards everyone. Failure to abide by classroom or
school policies will result in the following consequences: warning, student-teacher conference,
letter home, call home, and referral to office.
1st Nine Weeks Exam or Benchmark
Unit 1
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
1. Draw conclusions from scientific investigations including controlled experiments.
CHEMISTRY AND THE PERIODIC TABLE
2. Apply concepts relating to an understanding of chemical and physical changes,
interactions involving energy, and forces that affect motion of objects.
FORCES AND MOTION/NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION
2. Apply concepts relating to an understanding of chemical and physical changes,
interactions involving energy, and forces that affect motion of objects.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY/ENERGY CONSERVATION
2. Apply concepts relating to an understanding of chemical and physical changes,
interactions involving energy, and forces that affect motion of objects.
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the universe, structure
and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
2nd Nine Weeks Exam or Benchmark
Unit 2
CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
VIRUSES, BACTERIA, FUNGI, AND PARASITES
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
ENERGY FLOW AND ECOSYSTEMS
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
GENETICS AND HEREDITY
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
3rd Nine Week or Benchmark
Unit 3
GENETIC ENGINEERING
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
ADAPTATIONS AND EVOLUTION
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of
living things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE EARTH
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
MOVEMENT OF THE EARTH
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
WEATHER PATTERNS AND FORECASTING
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
4th Nine Week or Benchmark
Unit 4
THE EARTH’S POSITION
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
STARS, GALAXIES AND THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEM
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
2. Apply concepts relating to an understanding of chemical and physical changes,
interactions involving energy, and forces that affect motion of objects.
DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
4. Describe the Earth’s System in terms of its position to objects in the
universe, structure and composition, climate, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.