Eighth Grade Science Syllabus
Dahlstrom Middle School
Course Description
Eighth grade science, like other middle school science courses, is interdisciplinary in nature and is taught
through a series of units. The course is broad and covers concepts in chemistry, physics, biology, and
earth and space sciences. This year, units will be taught in the following order:
 Safety
 Atoms
 Periodic Table of Elements
 Chemical Formulas, Equations, and Reactions
 Force and Motion
 Newton’s Laws
 Forces that Change the Earth
 Climatic Interactions
 Earth Cycles
 Light Years and Theories
 Characteristics of the Universe
 Interdependence Among Living Systems
 Student Designed Investigations
Classroom Expectations
We expect students to follow the 4P’s: be Positive; be Prepared; be Productive; and be Prompt.
Adhering to these expectations will ensure a successful year in eighth grade science.
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Eighth grade science classroom rules: 1) show kindness and respect to people and their belongings; 2)
keep your hands and feet to yourself; 3) give your attention when others are speaking; 4) be in your seat
ready to learn when the bell rings; and 5) bring needed materials to class.
We use the CHAMPS classroom management system to guide classroom procedures and routines. The
CHAMPS acronym enables teachers to clearly define behavioral expectations as students engage in
various activities. CHAMPS stands for:
C—conversation. What is the conversation level for this activity?
H—help. How can students ask for help?
A—activity. What is the task or activity?
M—movement. For what reasons are students out of their seats during the activity?
P—participation. What behaviors indicate that students are engaged in the activity?
S—success! Students are successful when they follow the behavioral expectations.
Classroom Consequences
We enforce the classroom rules and Dahlstrom’s school rules with the following consequences:
1. Verbal warning
2. Planner space taken. Eighth grade teachers have decided that when three planner spaces have been
signed, the student will serve a lunch detention.
3. Teacher/Student conference with parent contact
4. Parent/Coach contact
5. Office referral
Please refer to the Hays CISD Student Code of Conduct and the DMS Student/Parent Handbook
Supplement for specific rules.
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Grading Policy
There will be a minimum of two major grades per nine week grading period and one daily grade each
week. Major grades count 60% and include major tests, projects, and lab reports. Daily grades count 40%
and include classwork, homework, and quizzes.
Late Work
Please submit all work on the assigned due date. If work is not submitted on the designated due date, a
student may be assigned science tutorials or Academic Triage to complete missing work. If a student is
absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to obtain the work or class notes that he/she missed.
Tutorials
Mrs. Smelser
Tuesdays, 7:45-8:10 a.m.
Thursdays, 3:25-4:30 p.m.
Or by appointment
Mrs. Lantrip
Tuesdays, 3:25-4:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 7:45-8:10 a.m.
Or by appointment
Materials
Students must bring their planner, lab journal, and a pencil to class every day. Students are expected to
copy the day’s agenda and homework responsibilities into their planners.
Planners also contain planner spaces. These are taken when students ask to go to the bathroom or water
fountain during class. Each grading period, students are allotted a specified number of planner spaces. As
previously stated, eighth grade teachers will take planner spaces as a consequence for misbehavior.
Website
The eighth grade science website can be found at 8sciencedms.weebly.com. Please utilize this site for
information regarding classroom activities, assignments, and tests. The website also links to the online
version of the science textbook and other helpful science-related sites.
Contact
The eighth grade science teachers can be contacted by phone (512-268-8441) or email
(lantripc@hayscisd.net, smelserc@hayscisd.net, or normanf@hayscisd.net).
About Me
I live in Buda with my husband and daughter. I also have lots of four-legged family members including
two dogs, a cat, fish, and a turtle. My teaching experience includes three years guest teaching in Hays
CISD and two years of teaching sixth-grade science and social studies at Dahlstrom. Teaching is my
dream job, and I cannot wait to teach your child the wonders of science!
I believe it is of the utmost importance that I recognize and nurture all of the different ways that students
learn by offering them a rich variety of activities and opportunities. I also believe in the necessity of
stretching students’ minds to their highest abilities. I am dedicated to providing your child a quality
education in an environment that promotes success and enthusiasm.
I look forward to an amazing year!
 CaraLantrip
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