8th Grade Science Curriculum
2014-2015
Parents:
Welcome to Curriculum Night! I am Whitney Golden, your student’s science teacher. I
am looking forward to this year and working with your students.
Curriculum:
We will be following the Common Core and Model Curriculum, as well as, Ohio
Department of Education Standards for Science. You may access these on the following
website: www.ode.state.oh.us. The goal is to have the entire 8th grade standards covered
so all students can achieve their very best on the 8th grade proficiency assessment. To
achieve this, we will be covering the following content in the following order:
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Scientific Inquiry
Scientific Ways of Knowing
Motion, Force and Energy
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Earth Science
Change Over Time
Genetics and Adaptations
Grading Policy:
Targets: Each above topic will have targets that the students will need to understand to
maximize their potential as an 8th grade student, and as well as a member of a community.
Homework and Checkpoint quizzes (that are not recorded as a grade) will determine which
targets a student does or does not understand. From these assessments students will be grouped
accordingly to learn the targets successfully.
Homework: is to be completed to learn and understand the concepts covered in class. I will keep
track of who has completed homework, but it is only considered practice. The homework is to
help me as well as the students understand where they need more practice before their quizzes
and tests. This is why I only grade a few homework assignments each quarter. If there are any
questions on any homework item, please ask.
Quizzes:
Checkpoint Quizzes: These quizzes are for practice and not for a grade. I will have each student
grade their own quiz and it will get recorded in the Power School but does not count against
their average. I will collect it to observe how each student is making progress on the concepts
and the targets. After each quiz there will be an extension or an intervention activity based on
their percentage. The grade of 80% or above means proficient. The grade of 79% or below
means intervention will be provided to help the student become proficient in the standard. So
your child may end up with different homework than their friend in the same class because the
assignment is given on a need basis.
Science Quizzes: These quizzes are for a grade and will be recorded.
Tests:
Students will be given a grade to show how well they know the material at the end of each topic.
Some of the topics may be divided into more than one test based on the amount of concepts to be
understood. Students may retake one test per quarter during study hall if they schedule a date and
time with me prior to the last week of the quarter. If students do not have a study hall other
arrangements can be made with me. The highest score is taken not the average.
8th Grade Science Curriculum
2014-2015
Study Guides:
Study guides are given out at least 3 days before a test but usually a week in advance. They are
posted on my webpage under the unit folder we are covering. The answers to the study guide are
posted two days before the test on the webpage as well in a binder in my room.
Late Work:
Quarters 1, 2, 3: Points will be deducted for late assignments (depends on the assignment).
Quarter 4: To help prepare students for high school no late work will be accepted and result in
a zero.
Absences:
When students are excessively absent from school or are pulled from class on a regular basis,
they are missing valuable experiences. In an activity based program, it is difficult for students to
“make up” work at home. Learning results from the activities in class. However, I also realize
some absences from school are unavoidable. When a student is absent, he/she should do the
following:
1. Check and copy the missing assignment from Miss Golden’s Daily Log (either in the
class room or on Miss Golden’s webpage).
2. Obtain their missing work handouts from the Assignment Crate (in the class room)
or on Miss Golden’s webpage (under class handouts).
3. Turn in their homework in the turn in tray with the word ABSENT on it.
4. Students are responsible for scheduling a lab, quiz, or test makeup.
5. Students will have the same number of days to complete the assignment, as they were
absent.
Teacher Web Page:
Direct link: http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=4161
All homework assignments will be posted on my teacher web page daily. If a student is absent
this is another option to find out what they missed that day in class. Study guides for tests are
uploaded to the web page. Test and quiz dates are also posted on the web page.
How to access teacher web page:
1) Go to Westerville City Schools home page
2) Go to the “Our Schools” tab
3) Go to “Middle Schools” then click on “Genoa”
4) On the left hand side click on “Teacher Website Page”
5) Then click on “Golden, Whitney”
Contact Information:
If there are any questions please contact me. I appreciate your interest and support in your
student’s education. E-mail is the best way to reach me.
Whitney Golden
E-mail: goldenw@wcsoh.org