Delta Woods Middle School
Honors Science 8 Earth Science
Course Syllabus
Instructor- Mr. Tyler Dykes
Plan Period- 9:35-10:20 (Third Period)
Email- tdykes@bssd.net
Room Number- 809
A. Course Description
This challenging, fast-paced course is designed to meet the needs of students with strong mathematics, reading
and writing skills, as well as being analytical thinkers. This course will provide a rigorous curriculum that
mirrors the Science 8 Earth Science Content but at a greater depth. Students enrolling in the Advanced
Sciences should have a desire to continue in academically advanced science courses in high school such as AP.
Students will utilize science process skills to design and conduct different types of studies to solve problems.
And research topics as part of their coursework. They will research, develop hypotheses, write procedures,
identify variables, graph results, write conclusions, and formulate explanations in reference to the universe and
earth systems such as meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and geology.
B. Evaluation/Assessment
Grades in this class will be calculated by using a weighted system. Coursework will constitute fifty percent of
the class grade while assessments will make up the other fifty percent.
Coursework
Class Participation
Students will answer a warm-up question at the beginning of every class. This question will either be a review
or a preview question and the answer will be identified so students can check and, if necessary, correct their
answers. Warm-ups will be turned in on the last day of each week.
Assignments, Labs, & Projects
Students will also complete an assignment following each set of objectives that are covered. Assignments will
ask students to show an understanding of content as well as skills that were covered. Assignments will
occasionally be homework, in-class assignments, labs, and projects.
Assessments
Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes will be given every 1-2 weeks to show an understanding of content and skills and will always be for a
grade. Students will always have advance notice of quizzes and will know what information and skills are to be
tested. Tests are given at the end of each unit and a study guide will always be provided. Students will also
complete a district-wide semester test in both December as well as June. Again, students will be provided a
study guide prior to completion of a semester test. Finally, students will participate in a science portion of the
MAP test in the spring which will test knowledge that was obtained during sixth, seventh, and eighth grade
science. However, the score that is earned on the MAP test will not be reflected in their semester grade.
C. Late Work
Work is expected to be completed and turned in on its designated due date. Work that is not turned in at the
specified time will be considered late, will be indicated as late in the online grade book, and receive a score of
“0” until the assignment is turned in. If the assignment is turned in one day late, then the student will earn 50%
of the points that he/she would have earned if the work were turned in on time. For example, if a student turns
in a late assignment and earns 20/20 points, then a score of 10/20 will be recorded. Beyond the one day, the
work should still be turned in to be checked for accuracy, but no credit will be given.
D. Units of Study
Semester 1
1. Scientific Inquiry
a. Hypotheses, Testable Questions, &
Variables
b. Observations
c. Data Collection & Analysis
d. Graphing
e. Metric Measurement
2. Earth Chemistry
A. The Periodic Table
B. Atoms, Elements and Compounds
C. States of Matter
D. Rock-forming Minerals
E. Rock Types & Formation
3. Astronomy
A. The Sun-Earth-Moon System
B. The Solar System
C. Stars and Galaxies
Semester 2
4. Geology
A. Plate Tectonics
B. Volcanoes & Earthquakes
C. Earth History
D. Weathering & Erosion
5. Earth’s Air and Water
A. Atmosphere
B. Weather
C. Climate
6. Human Impact on the Environment
A. Impact on the Land
B. Impact on the Water and Air
E. Behavior
Students are expected to treat others, the instructor, and class materials with respect. Failure to do so can result
in a misconduct slip, which will be sent home, as well as kept on file by the instructor that assigned the slip, and
finally a copy will be presented to the student’s “Gator Time” teacher. More severe behavior issues could
receive an office referral, assigned detention, and/or parent notification.
F. Attendance
Student attendance is vital to the overall success and retention of knowledge by a student. Many activities that
are conducted in class require specific materials and some activities may not be able to be completed when the
student returns to school. In case of an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to initiate a conversation
between him/herself and the instructor to find out what information the student missed, what work was turned
in, and what work was assigned. The student will be allowed two days to complete work for every day that the
student missed. For example, if a student was gone on a Monday and returned on Tuesday, then the student
would have until Thursday to complete the assigned work that was given.
G. Supplies
Students are expected to come to class with all necessary materials on a daily basis. On some occasions,
students will be asked to bring in additional supplies which will be used for activities in class. Materials that
are requested are done so with the understanding that they may/may not be altered, modified, or in some cases
destroyed. Information in regards to how materials will be used will be given by the instructor during material
requests and prior to use.
H. Technology
Students will be required to access different websites and web-based programs outside of the regular school day
throughout the year. This can be done via home access, mobile devices, public access (such as a public library),
or before/after school on student computers with adult supervision. If there is an issue with accessing these
types of technologies, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
I. Long Term Assignments/Projects
Larger and more significant assignments will be given periodically throughout the year. However, upon
assigning a project, a due date, a scoring guide, and a list of requirements will be provided to each student.
Costs for project materials should be kept to a minimum, and grades will be taken based on the completion of
requirements. If a parent or student should have any concerns about the project, they should first refer to the
scoring guide, list of requirements, and overall project description prior to directing questions/concerns to the
class instructor.