August 15, 2018

Main Street Middle School

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Welcome to the new school year. I am Ms. Welch and I will be (enter name)’s 8th grade
Physical Science teacher for the year. I received my teaching credential in Foundational
Science at California State University Fullerton where I also received my B.A. I also have an
MBA from Georgetown University. With a background in New Product Development, I bring
many years of applied science experience drawing from chemistry, physics and biology.

Leveraging my experience, I believe in fostering a positive learning environment that inspires and
encourages students to not just learn about science but to do science. This will allow students to
explore problems and develop critical thinking skills as they explore how science applies to their lives
– current and future.

Physical Science: Course Overview

Over the course of the year, students will be studying several areas of physical science. All content is
aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Additional details can be found by scanning
the Extended Digital Classroom Management Plan QR code below.

To highlight, core topics include:

Physics:
Forces and motion,
Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation
Energy
Chemistry:
Structure and Properties of Matter
Chemical Reactions

I encourage two-way communication. If you have any questions or concerns, the best method to
reach me is my email at Bwelch@mainstreetusd.org By phone, I can be reached before school (after
7:30am) and after school (before 3:00pm) by calling the school at 555-555-5555. I also invite you to
please stop by room #555 during the Back-to-School Open House.

I look forward to meeting,

Ms. Welch

Extended Digital
Classroom Management Plan
Enclosure: Classroom Management Plan for signature
WELCOME TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE!

During this school year you will be learning about several areas of science. This includes the physics of
forces and motion where you will learn how to analyze forces acting on an object and determine which
direction the object will move. Studying the physics of waves and electromagnetic radiation will involve
learning about light and sound waves. Studying chemistry, you will learn about the structure and
properties of matter, chemical reactions and more. All of this will be learned by doing science. You will
be observing, asking questions, making predictions, designing experiments and supporting your claims
with evidence to solve problems just like a scientist or engineer.

MATERIALS

Two pencils (mechanical) Glue (liquid is preferred, sticks are OK)

Calculator Mead Brand 5 Star spiral notebook (5
Colored pencils sections)
Pens: blue or black and red Metric ruler

GRADING POLICY

Grades are based on the accumulation of assessment points during the grading period. Student progress
including grades and assignments (complete and/or missing) can be viewed on Aeris portal. Additional
details for each area can be found by scanning Extended Digital Classroom Management Plan QR code.

Classwork Assignments 10%

Science Journals/Notebook 20%
Participation 15%
Projects 25%
Quizzes 15%
Tests 15%

Grading scale

90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
Below 59% F

Academic Dishonesty “ZERO” Tolerance

Cheating on quizzes and/or tests or plagiarism on writing projects will result in:

1. A ZERO on the assignment

2. Additional work (research/essay) will be assigned
3. School/district disciplinary consequences including a teacher-parent-student meeting
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

As part of the Main Street Middle School culture, students are expected to show:
Respect for others, their rights and property
Students will discuss and agree on what this will look like in their class community
Responsibility by coming to class prepared and ready to learn.
This includes following directions, completing assignments, having required materials
and an attitude to learn.
Integrity by doing your OWN BEST work for academic success.

Actions have reactions – both positive and negative. Excellent behavior will be rewarded, and
violations of school/classroom rules will result in immediate consequences.

Rewards Consequences

Verbal Praise & Positive 1st = Verbal warning (name on board)

Recognition 2nd = Student meeting with teacher (name checked)
Reward tickets & Advantage Coupons 3rd = Parent contact/phone call (2 checks)
Positive Referrals & Phone calls home 4th = Detention/parent meeting (3 checks)
Displayed Work 5th = Referral to Vice Principal
Pride, Success & Achievement

Records will be kept for tardiness, absences and cheating and will be dealt with according to school policy.
ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES

You will create a science notebook as we move through the year. Returned graded work, daily
assignments and notes will be added. Notebooks will be reviewed and graded periodically during every
trimester.
Unless excused, all graded assignments will be completed. If not completed during class, it will be
homework. If not completed at home by deadline, detention time will be given until complete.
Absences will follow school policies and procedures including making up late or missing work.
Starting Class/Tardy Policy: Students must be in their seats and prepared to work BEFORE the tardy bell
rings. Students will start each day by writing in their science journal.
Ending Class: Students will finish each class by writing in their science journals. Students must have
science journal stamped and be seated when the dismissal bell rings.
All lab safety protocols must be followed. Students will review a presentation, receive training and sign
a lab safety contract. Review video at https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFerimDvWy
Students will be assigned to collaborative project groups and roles.
Students can sharpen pencils, use the restroom or address other issues with permission.
Cell phones must be off and put away unless directed otherwise.
Fostering a supportive learning environment, students are encouraged to ask for help if they are not
understanding or have questions.

Physical Science Room 301

Ms. Welch

Print Student Name Date Science Period

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

 th NGSS 8th Grade Parent Guide
8 Grade Physical Science

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF SCIENCE LEARNING

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally
important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each
standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to
help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time.

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including
Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design. When these concepts, such
as “cause and effect”, are made explicit for students, they can help students develop a coherent and
scientifically-based view of the world around them.

Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what
engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry”
in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in
practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are the key ideas in science that have broad importance within or across
multiple science or engineering disciplines. These core ideas build on each other as students progress through
grade levels and are grouped into the following four domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space
Science, and Engineering.

Physical Science Major Strands:

 Forces and Interactions: Why some objects keep moving, why objects fall to the ground and why
some materials are attracted to each other while others are not. Students will answer the question,
“How can one describe physical interactions between objects and within systems of objects?” They
will apply Newton’s 3rd law of motion to relate forces to explain the motion of objects.
 Energy: Students will answer the question, “How can energy be transferred from one object to
another?” They will define energy, conservation of energy, and energy transfer. They will explore
the relationship between energy and forces and energy in chemical process and everyday life. They
will develop an understanding that the total change of energy in any system is always equal to the
total energy transferred into our out of the system. Students will understand that objects that are
moving have kinetic energy and that objects may also contain stored (potential) energy, depending
on their relative positions.
 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation: Students will answer the question “What are the
characteristic properties of waves and how can they be used?” Students will describe and predict
characteristic properties and behaviors of waves when the waves interact with matter. They will
gain an understanding of waves to send digital information.
 Structure and Property of Matter: Students will answer “How can particles combine to produce a
substance with different properties? How does thermal energy affect particles?” by building
understanding ow what occurs at the atomic and molecular scale.
 Chemical Reactions: Students will be able to answer “What happens when new materials are
formed? What stays the same and what changes?” by building understanding of what occurs at the
atomic and molecular scales during chemical reactions. They will provide molecular level accounts
to explain that chemical reactions involve regrouping of atoms to form new substances and that
atoms rearrange during chemical reactions.
 GRADING POLICY DETAILS

10% Classwork Assignments

Graded assignments that are not completed in class should be completed as homework.
Other homework may be given but not graded. This is for students to get additional
practice or study if needed. Assignments can include reading and writing, practicing science
concepts, and vocabulary.

20% Science Journals/Notebook

Students are required to write a daily Science Journal. This daily “exit ticket” includes
objectives, warm-up question(s) and summaries on activities and learning. In addition to
the Science Journal sheet, all assignments (graded and ungraded) are glued into their
Science Notebooks. Science Notebooks are monitored regularly and graded several times
per trimester.

15% Participation
Participation is an essential component of the class and learning how “to do” science. All
students are expected to contribute to discussions and a positive, collaborative learning
environment.

25% Projects
Ranging from individual to group, projects are emphasized to follow a phenomena and
answer driving questions to solve a problem. Projects include developing models, planning
and conducting investigations, research, analyzing data, and more. Details will be
provided.

15% Quizzes
There will be regular quizzes to monitor student progress. Not all quizzes will be graded,
however, at least one per chapter will count towards student grades.

15% Tests
There will be two tests per trimester covering core concepts. Students will be provided the
content covered, reviews and study guides.