Teacher: Kristin Page-Botelho
Email: kpage@asa.edu.py
Website: www.mrspage.com

Textbooks:Science and Technology: Physical Science. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2006.

Science is a process for gaining knowledge and understanding the natural world. For this reason the emphasis in this class will be on understanding and using science process skills. This class will require students to be active learners. It is not enough for students to read about science; they must do science. Throughout this year students will observe, inquire, question, formulate and test hypotheses, analyze data, and evaluate their findings. The students, as scientists, will have hands-on, active experiences throughout the school year.

This year students will be studying a broad range of science curriculum with a emphasis on introducing students to concepts related to chemistry and physics. First semester we will continue learning about the nature of science followed by units on atomic structure, properties & states of matter, the periodic table, and chemical reactions. Second semester we will focus on physical science concepts including units on force & motion, Newton's laws, simple machines, and electricity & magnatism.

To be prepared to learn and do your best in class you will need to have the following materials. Items with * should be brought to class every day! Not bringing items will result in the loss of participation points.

1. Binder or folder for all science papers*
2. Notebook Paper*
3. Pencils & Eraser *
4. Pencil Sharpener *
5. Set of Colored Pencils *
6. Agenda *
7. Regular Sized Spiral Notebook for Science Journal* (only to be used for your nature journal!)
8. Physical Science Textbook
9. Fine Tip Markers
10. Reading Book

It is the responsibility of everyone in the classroom to help create and maintain a positive learning environment in which all members feel safe, secure, and valued as unique individuals.

YOUR GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• 40% TESTS/QUIZZES
• 20% LABS/HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS
• 10% CLASSWORK
• 10% SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
• 10% PARTICIPATION
• 10% HOMEWORK

REMEMBER! GRADES AREN'T GIVEN… THEY ARE EARNED!

Middle school is a time for students to accept more responsibility for their own learning as well as develop habits and attitudes that will enable them to be successful in high school, college, and their future careers. For this reason we will be working throughout the school year to develop good work habits. The following guidelines will help students be successful in science class.

1. Daily Agenda Board: Daily Objectives and Assignments are posted on the Agenda Board in the classroom. Students are expected to record their assignments and due dates in their agenda.
   
   

Homework:Yes, there will be homework!
1. On nights that there is no assigned work, you should spend 10-15 minutes reviewing the day's work, or organizing notes, etc.
2. Any homework turned in after the start of class will be considered late, and will receive a 0 for credit. Students will not be allowed to return to their lockers for work or supplies.
3. Homework should have a complete heading and be done neatly. Take pride in your work if you want to receive credit.
4. All homework is to be filed in your science section of your binder or your science folder when it is returned to you!

Labs: I believe that the best way for students to learn science is to do science. For this reason I attempt to provide students with many opportunities for hands-on science experiences. While I believe these experiences are extremely valuable to students there are always risks involved. For this reason I have a lab safety contract that must be signed by both the student and their parents before a student will be allowed to participate in lab. Students who miss class during a lab day are expected to make-up the missing lab either before or after school unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher.

Late Work:It is the students responsibility to budget their time in order to complete assignments and turn them in on time.Incomplete, or late work is not accepted! If a student is having an individual problem with meeting a deadline they must talk with me before the assignment is due. Projects will be deducted 10% per day late.

Absences: Students are expected to make up all assignments given while they are absent! It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher to find out what needs to be made up, negotiate deadlines, and ask for additional help when needed. If you are absent, you will be given one day for each day absent to make up the work. If the absence is excused, any scheduled assessment for the day missed must be made up on the day of your return. This includes tests and quizzes. If the absence is unexcused, any assessment scheduled for the day missed will receive a zero.

I am available to help students or meet with parents during my office hours on Monday and Thursday's from 3:30-4:15. I am usually also available before school (7:30-8:00) and most days after school if students need additional help. Please make sure you let me know about before and after-school needs since some days I may have meetings to attend.

Thank you for your time. You can check the calendar to see what we are doing in class as well as homework assignments, project descriptions and deadlines, and upcoming exams. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at the email listed above. I will get back to you as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you throughout the school year!