Mr. Covington’s Course Syllabus 8th Grade Physical Science Teacher: Mr. Covington e-mail: rcovington@union.k12.ga.us Website: www.teacherweb.com Room # 605 Team 8B Course Content GPS Standards: S8P1 Students will examine the scientific views of the nature of matter S8P2 Students will be familiar with the forms and transformations of energy S8P3 Students will investigate relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects S8P4 Students will explore the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation S8P5 Students will recognize characteristics of gravity, electricity, and magnetism as major kinds of forces acting in nature http://www.georgiastandards.org/science.aspx My Rules and Expectations of the Student 1. Always give every task your best effort. 2. Come to class prepared with the proper materials. 3. Be respectful to everyone in the classroom. 4. No chewing gum, eating or drinking in the classroom. 5. Use the bathroom before or after class, on your own time, not during class. 6. Students are to be seated before the tardy bell rings. 7. Lab safety must be followed! Students who cannot follow the rules will be given an alternative assignment to be completed at home. 8. Raise your hand to ask questions and do not interrupt other who are talking. 9. Stay out of the designated areas unless you are authorized to do so. 10. Take care of the lab equipment and clean up after yourself. 11. Use of a cell phone is prohibited. I allow use of the class phone for emergencies. 12. Be honest, respect yourself, respect others, and bring a positive attitude. If you can bring these traits to class you have already succeeded. Grading Tests 50% Homework/Class work/Labs 50% Grading Scale A 90-100 C 70-79 B 80-89 F 0-69 Final Exams There will be a final exam at the end of the 1st and 2nd semesters. Students may exempt the final exam under the following criteria: • No more than 3 absences during the semester and maintain an A average • No more than 2 absences during the semester and a B average • Zero absences and a C average Attendance policy Coming to school every day is a high priority. We will be covering a lot of material and it is crucial that you are here to receive instruction; however, if you are absent it is your responsibility to make up work. Labs will not be made up but I will assign an alternative assignment. Until make-up work is received, in the allotted time, a ZERO will be entered in the grade book for that assignment. Lab Equipment When we do have lab activities, you will be responsible for the lab equipment. Restitution will be made by the student for any intentional breakage or destruction of lab equipment. All lab supplies and equipment must be cleaned, put away, and accounted for before class will be dismissed. Student Responsibility YOU are responsible for you learning and being prepared. If you do not understand something or are confused, please see me for help! Don’t wait until the test to ask for help- it’s too late by then! You cannot fail science (or anything) if you give 100% effort. So I expect you to always do your best and you will be on your way to success!!! Materials needed for class 1. Textbook 2. 3 ring notebook 3. Pencil or erasable pen 4. A 70 to 100 page lined notebook for notes 5. Graph Paper 6. Agenda