Welcome to 8th Grade
Dear parents and students,
I am Mrs. Wickliff and I will be your 8th grade science
teacher. In this class good behavior is always
expected. In order to create a positive learning
environment for all students; each student is
expected to follow class procedures and
expectations. If you have questions or concerns
please feel free to contact me at the school phone
336-1150 or by email kay.wickliff@killeenisd.org.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1) Prompt: Be in your assigned seat and ready to work when
the class bell rings.
2) Prepared: Bring all required materials to class.
3) Polite: Students must behave positively and professionally,
and conduct themselves in a way that respects them and
others. No cursing, rude gestures, teasing or put-downs.
4) Productive: Complete all assignments on time and to the
best of your ability.
5) Proud: Follow all directions of school personnel and all
school and team rules.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Course overview
1st 9 weeks:
 Atoms
 Periodic Table
 Chemical
Formulas,
Equations, and
Reactions
2nd 9 weeks:
 Force and Motion
 Newton’s Law’s
 Forces that
change the Earth
3rd 9 weeks
 Climatic
Interactions
 Earth Cycles
 Light years and
Theories
 Characteristics of
the Universe
4th 9 weeks
 Interdependence
Among Among
Living Systems
 Worth the wait
Entering the classroom
Upon entering the classroom pick up any necessary papers and
or your INB and proceed to your assigned seat and get prepared
for class.
Being prepared
You are expected to come to class prepared with all necessary supplies. On a normal day that
should consist of: INB, pencil or pen and colored pencils.
Daily Science / Bell Ringer
At the beginning of class each day there will be a short assignment posted on the board.
These assignments will help you get prepared for learning, and will count for a grade.
Turning in assignments
All work must be turned in to your class period’s “In Tray”. If it is not turned in to
the appropriate place, you may not receive credit for the assignment.
Leaving the classroom
When you are dismissed, push in your chairs, throw away your trash, and leave in
an orderly fashion. Do not run or push each other out of the door.
GRADING SCALE
Formative- 45%
-This includes homework, quizzes, class
work, labs, science journals, reports, and
benchmarks. (Pre-AP 40% )
Summative- 55%
- This includes tests, major projects, and 9
week exams. (Pre-AP 60%)
Semester grades are averaged together to
get the overall average for the year.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones should not be on in
the school building. Text
messaging or making phone calls in the
classroom is not allowed. If a student’s cell
phone is visible to the teacher it may be
confiscated. Confiscated cell phones may be
given back at the end of the day or taken to the
office for the parent/guardian to pick up.
TUTORING
Tutoring will be available in my classroom from
3:30-4:30 on Tuesdays.
LATE / MISSING WORK
Late work will be accepted, but with a
deduction. For everyday day that an
assignment is late there will be a 5-point
reduction. If you accumulate more than two
zeros you will be required to attend tutoring
until your work is turned in. Failure to
attend tutoring will result in parent contact.
SEATING ARRANGEMENT
All students will have assigned seats
determined by the teacher and for the benefit
of the students and teacher. Seating
arrangements may change as needed
throughout the school year.
FOOD and DRINKS
MAKE-UP WORK
If you are absent from school it is your
responsibility to obtain your missing work.
There is a green crate where you can
locate missed assignments. Ask another
student for their planner notes and fill out
your planner for the days you missed
school. If your absence is excused, you
have 5 days to complete the missed
assignments. It is advised to get missed
work completed ASAP, so that work does
not continue to accumulate. After your 5
days have passed, penalties for late work
will apply.
GRADES
All grades will be available to view by
parent or student at any time on the
internet. This will be for all classes. The
program is new to middle school in KISD,
so please be patient. Also, please,
check the teacher web page for
assignments and extra information.
The following items are not allowed in my
classroom: food of any sort, gum or candy.
Water is the only drink allowed and it must be
kept in a clear container.
CONSEQUENCES
***These are for classroom misbehavior.
There is dangerous and/or expensive equipment in
the science lab, so students will be taught proper
procedures. Horseplay or misbehavior of any kind
will not be tolerated in labs and could result in
student being given a zero or assigned an alternate
assignment.
Step 1: Verbal warning
Step 2: Parent contact
Step 3: Teacher Detention
Step 4: Office Referral
CHEATING
Cheating is not permitted. If cheating occurs,
all students involved will receive a zero and
Step 4: Teacher Detention
parents will be contacted.
Step 5: Office referral