Mr. Louie
2015-2016
Welcome to eighth grade! As a eighth grader in my class, I have high expectations. In order to have a successful year, you need to follow all rules, be prepared to explore and learn and
have all proper school supplies. This year is all about being an open minded, principled, caring, knowledgeable, reflective, and communicative thinker, risk taker, and inquirer
while learning eighth grade standards. I look forward to having you in my class.
Course Description:
Eighth grade science uses the Next Generation Science Standards and integrates the design cycle into a physical science content course. Students study thematic units, which include Investigation
and Experimentation, Energy, Matter, Waves, and Motion and Forces. Common tasks in this course include hands-on labs, research, and presentations. Students have the opportunity to use inquiry skills as they both practice the design cycle, and learn more about the science content. Eighth grade science prepares students--through the activities integrated into each thematic unit--for state and local assessments. This course helps students prepare for success in the IB Middle Years
Program (MYP) by cultivation inquiring minds, developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, examining local and global points of view on science and health, and building systems that observe, classify, explain, and relate information from a variety of sources.
Textbooks:
Students will be given the following textbooks in this class:
 Focus on Life Science, Grade 8
A set of books will be kept in class for student’s use and students will check out copies of these textbooks to use at home. Students are responsible for the safekeeping of these textbooks. Any textbooks checked out to students that are damaged or lost will need to be replaced by students.
Refer to the school handbook for textbook checkout policies.
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Supplies:
All students will be required to bring the following supplies by Friday, September 11, 2015. If a student will not be able to have all supplies by the deadline, please speak to me as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made. All students must have all supplies in class with
them daily.
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6 dividers (for the home binder)
1 class three ring binder (this binder will kept in class and will become students’ work portfolio, note that if a student is also in my math class they only need 1 class binder for math and science)
2 pencils
1 blue or black pen
1 red pen
loose leaf paper student agenda/planner (provided by the school) assignment log (provided by teacher) highlighters eraser
 chapter book
In addition, the following optional items can be donated to the class and are greatly appreciated:
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 facial tissue paper towels hand sanitizer disinfectant wipes (ex: Lysol/Clorox)
Absent Policy:
If you are absent, you are responsible for getting and completing the classwork and homework that you missed. There will be a file folder area that will have copies of all of the handouts that were given on the day you were absent. Assignments will also be written on the agenda board. To receive full credit, you must turn in your homework the day after you come back to school. For example, if you are absent on Monday, you will get your assignments on Tuesday, and you must turn it in on Wednesday to receive full credit. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. You are also welcome to speak to me to make an appointment to get help with anything that you missed or don't understand.
Homework and Assignment Log Policy:
Homework should be recorded in your student agenda book. All homework must be completed and turned in on or before the due date. An assignment log will be given to every student. Every day a homework assignment is completed, a stamp will be given for the day. If a student does homework, but it is incomplete, half credit will be given. If no homework is turned in, a dash will
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be marked on the assignment log. Every student must get their parent/guardian signatures on their assignment logs weekly. LATE CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Grading Policy:
Teachers do not give grades; students earn them! Grades will be determined by student’s participation and behavior in class, classwork, homework, quizzes, and exams. For work habits and cooperation, students will earn either an “E” (Excellent), a “S” (Satisfactory), or a “U”
(Unsatisfactory). The following scales will determine grades:
Grading Scale:
A = 90% to 100% = Excellent
B = 89% to 80% = Good
C = 79% to 70% = Average
D = 69% to 60% = Below average
F = 59% and under = Failure
Contact Information:
Work Habits:
E: missing 0 to 4 assignments per grading period
S: missing 5 to 10 assignments per grading period
U: missing 11 or more assignments per grading period
Cooperation:
E: 3 or less violations of classroom and/or school rules per grading period
S: 4 to 8 violations of classroom and/or school rules per grading period
U: more than 9 violations of classroom and/or school rules per grading period
I can be reached by email during the week at lloui1@lausd.net. I will do my best to respond to your email as soon as possible. You may also call the front office to leave a message for me at 323-
224-4700.
Agreement:
I have read all 3 pages of the 2015-2016 Physical Sciences Syllabus for 8 th grade. I understand and agree to all items discussed in the syllabus.
Student Name
Student Signature
Parent Name
Parent Signature
Parent Phone Number
Parent Email Address
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