Lanier Middle School Presents

Ms. Franks, Ms. James, Ms. McLendon, and Ms. Langhans Physical Science Classes

Physical Science is Energetic!

General plan for year: This is a High School course. 1st Semester: Chemistry, Thermal, Sound and Light 2nd Semester: Physics, Electricity, Magnetism, Radioactivity, Acids and Bases

This year is very different from previous years. Physical Science is difficult and students must work with it every day. We get to explain how the world and the Universe works.

High School Course FAQ

Counts as a Science course Better prepares students for the Honors and AP courses Counts for GPA, but not for HOPE scholarship Still needs to take an additional 4 sciences Frees up the high school schedule

FAQ- continued
You get to decide about the high school credit at the end of the year- It is optional 1st semester and 2nd semester GPA counts EOCT is at the end of the year and is 20% of the grade

Standards-based Grading
Standards-based grading goes beyond just giving students grades, but shows them what they are good at and what needs improvement. (Palamore, M., http://slidesha.re/dRW7VN)

Jim received an 80% overall. However, on standard 22a, he received a failing mark. He requests a reassessment over standard 22a. If on the reassessment Jim makes an 80 on the standard, then the teacher will change the 40 to an 80. His overall grade would then be 88%.

Grading Scale
Class work: 10% Homework: 5% Final Exam/EOCT: 20% Tests/ Large Projects: 40% Quizzes/Labs/small projects: 20% Interims: 5%
All assessments equal 85% of your students grade.

Responsibilities in 8th grade

1. Complete assignments on time and fully. Every night they have homeworkeither an actual assignment, Interactive Textbook, rereading notes or reworking, USAtestprep.com, etc. For science, they should be working at least 30 minutes a day. On average for 8th grade, they should have 2 hours of homework. 2. Be willing to work and do their best.

Activities to Expect
Homework virtually every night- for at least 30 mins Labs and experiments: including lab reports Interactive Textbook Projects: mostly in class, but may need to continue at home Tests and Quizzes- we have common assessments Various Online activities: webquests, portfolio, quizzes, tests, discussion boards

 How to find our Websites Go to: Step 1: lanierms.org

2nd Click on Faculty and then 8th Grade

Finally, click on SCI beside your teachers name

Things for This Year

1. No Textbook! 2. Students have their own portal for accessing their textbook, grades, and other resources. 3. Interactive Textbook for each student. Great practice for assessments, but also supporting Common Core standards for Literacy in Science. 4. Students will be writing a great deal in science. This will help to prepare them for the Writing Test in January. 5. Every unit has math this year. A simple calculator is encouraged.

What can you do to help your student succeed in the 8th grade?
1. Check Parent Portal on a regular basis --subscribe to Remind 101 (info available) twitter LanierBI 2. Provide a good place for them to complete their work or study that works best for them 3. Hold them accountable for the choices that they make (and they will make good ones and bad ones). 4. Drop your student off to attend help sessions

Tutoring Schedule
Monday: Social Studies Tuesday: Math Wednesday: Language Arts

Thursday: Science
Other days may be available- check with your teacher

Any questions? E-mail your students teacher for specific concerns