Welcome to Mrs. Doughty’s 8th Grade Science Class!
Red Team
Contact Information: phone 639-6000 email: doughtyc@charleston.k12.il.us
Classroom Policies and Procedures
Classroom Expectations:
Be Respectful: treat others how you want to be treated.
Be Positive: Celebrate yourself.
Be Responsible: You are responsible for your actions.
Be Prepared: Come to class on time and ready to learn.
Do Your Best: To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Supplies: Each day you need to come to class with your science notebook, pen
or pencil, and calculator. (The calculator you use in math will be just fine.)
Collaborative Groups: In this class you will be working together frequently and
should work with each member of the class at least once by the end of the
year. This is a time to learn how to work with different personalities in the real
world. Keep an open mind and be respectful.
Absences: When you are absent, it is your full responsibility to obtain and
complete what was assigned in class. For every day you are absent you have
that number of days to complete the missing assignments. Ex: You miss Monday
and are back to school on Tuesday you have until Wednesday to make up the
missing assignments.
Late Work: For each assignment given the student will have a due date. If the
assignment is turned in after that due date it will be worth 60% of the original
grade and be given a new “dead” date after which the assignment will not be
accepted. Additional points may be taken for incorrect answers.
8th Grade Science Curriculum
At CMS we use the FOSS Curriculum which stands for Full Option Science System.
This is a unique curriculum that provides students with hands on experience with
science and allows for connections to be made with the real world. Each
Quarter will spotlight a different topic.
Quarter 1: Chemistry
Quarter 3: Physics
Quarter 2: Chemistry/Weather
Quarter 4: Astronomy
Grading Policies
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89.99
C 70-79.99
D 60-69.99
F 0-59.99
Overall Grade:
Test/Quizzes 50%
Science
and
Engineering
30%
Formative
Assessment
10%
Common
Core
Assessments
Completion
10%
0%
Students will be assessed with investigation quizzes and
unit tests. These assessments are not traditional multiple
choice tests. Students will be expected to explain
concepts.
The 8th grade science curriculum is an inquiry based study
of physical and earth science. Students will be assessed
on their proficiency in developing and following scientific
procedures, following proper safety guidelines and
equipment usage, and developing valid conclusions
based on their investigations.
Periodically students will be assessed on one main
concept by solving one problem in class. This problem will
be collected and evaluated. The purpose of these
“concept checks” is to be sure of student understanding
before progressing to a new concept. These checks will
be administered after the information is presented in class
and after homework/classwork has been corrected or
reviewed.
Students will be assessed on reading, writing, speaking,
and math skills as they apply to the science curriculum.
Completion of assignments will be monitored, but will not
affect the grade.
Extra-Help
Each student learns differently. If you have questions, ASK THEM! If you don’t
want to ask in class or need help with a specific concept come in before or
after school or in home base. I am normally in my room by 8:00am to assist
students with questions.
Website: Please feel free to visit my website. I will post helpful links and a direct
link to the FOSS website. Go to the CMS homepage, click on the “staff” tab, find
the Red Team, and click on Ms. Doughty.
Parents/Guardians,
During our chemistry unit students will learn about phase changes by making ice
cream and during our physics unit students will build models of roller coasters. In
addition, other team projects require various art and/or craft supplies. These activities
require additional funding beyond our normal budget. Donations to assist in the
purchase of these supplies would be greatly appreciated. Donation checks can be
made out to Charleston Middle School.
If you have any questions about any features of my science class, please do not
hesitate to contact me. I would also like to enlist any assistance you can provide.
Please mark on the attached sheet any way you can provide support. You may call
me at school (639-6000) or by email at doughty@charleston.k12.il.us. To ensure that you
have received this letter, please sign and have your student return the attached slip.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Doughty
_________________________________ (student name)
Science period ____
______I have read your information letter and I do not have any questions or
comments at this time.
______I have read your information letter and have the following
questions/comments:
I would be able to help you by:
______ encouraging my student to complete his/her work and perform to the
best of his/her ability.
______ providing assistance during the school day. The best time for me to help
is ______________.
______ providing supplies for labs or other activities. (see attached list)
______ making a monetary donation to assist in the purchase of supplies.
___________________________________ (Parent/Guardian Signature & Date)
___________________________________ (Student Signature & Date)
Donation Supply List
Supplies needed:
 gallon freezer zip lock bags
 quart freezer zip lock bags
 rock salt
 plastic spoons
 plastic cups
 foam cups
 sugar
 vanilla extract
 baking soda
 glue for hot glue guns
 toothpicks
 Elmer’s glue
 Scotch tape
 Masking tape