Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- In general, what is the 6-8 Science Program like?
- Why are the Cambridge Planning pads no longer required for science?
- What is the science grade based on?
- What should a student bring to science class every day?
- What can a student do if really struggling with something in science?
- What do you mean when you tell us to write up a Formal Lab Report?
- What if I don't have my homework done when I come to class?
- Is there anything I can do for extra credit?
- What does a 'Good' graph include?
- What is Science Current Events?
In general, what is the 6-8 Science Program like?
New for 2009-10,at St. Joseph's will use an integrated science program from
grades K through 5, from Macmillan-McGraw Hill, called Science Concepts. This
is a very activity-oriented program. The program is more challenging than in
the past as concepts are introduced earlier every year. The JH therefore must
also move to a more challenging level.
We have done this by setting up a 3 year program from Pearson/ Prentice Hall
that now includes 6th grade.
Sixth grade will study a full year of Earth Science, focusing on the earth's
activity and changes, meteorology, and astronomy.
Seventh graders will study a full year of Life Science, which is the
equivalent of a 1st year biology course.
Eighth graders will study Physical science, including a strong unit in
chemistry. They will also study force and motion, sound, electricity, light
and magnetism. Since most students take physical science as a freshman in high
school, this will make their first high school science class much easier. We
will also be covering topics that students won't study again unless they take
high school physics. We will cover curriculum that will make it possible for
the best students to move past freshman physical science into a biology class.
Our entire science curriculum meets and exceeds Minnesota State Science
Standards adopted in November of 2008. There are minor adjustments with the
grade level a few topics are taught, but nothing is left out.
Why are the Cambridge Planning pads no longer required for science?
The pads were recommended to go with the program for the student's real sense
of a true Science Journal. The graph paper format inside makes recording of
data and lab work easier, and more official;. Cambridge pads are no longer
easily found in retail stores, only on line, so I made the decision to change
to the 3-ring binder, using graph paper as needed for our lab work. Divider
tabs will also be needed for the binder. This also eliminates the need for a
separate folder for Science. I might recommend that a 3-hole paper punch be
available in the home since all papers going in the notebook will need to be
punched.
What is the science grade based on?
There are 3 weighted categories that determine the science grade.
Test & Quizzes 50%
Homework 25%
Lab/Project 25%
What should a student bring to science class every day?
The science textbook, science binder(with SCIENCE and the student's name
easily visible, on the front), assignment book (with student name on the front
outside, pen or pencil, and a readiness to do whatever we're doing!
What can a student do if really struggling with something in science?
Just talk to Ms. Kimmerling - anytime, and make arrangements to work
together on the class work. I am usually here early each morning, and often
don't leave until 5 or later. The JH staff does have a meeting in the science
lab every Wednesday morning, from 8-8:30, and the whole staff has faculty
meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 7:40 to 8:30, so those
are times I cannot be available to help you out. Again though, just ask, and
we'll get something worked out. If you run into trouble at home, you can
always
try e-mail, I may be able to help out on-line. Also don't hesitate to help
each other out, call a friend.
What do you mean when you tell us to write up a Formal Lab Report?
The Formal Lab Report (FLR) is described in the handout by that name. It is
available on the Handouts
page on the left, also. It refers to the following
setup: Title, Purpose (tell why you are doing the lab), Hypothesis, Materials,
Procedure (a brief
summary of what you did in the lab), Data or Observations (record any
numbers, or descriptions you made during that actual experiment), Answers to
Questions (this is where you answer any questions that are asked after the
data has been collected), Conclusion (this is where you state what you learned
by doing the activity; it should be an answer to the purpose you started
with).
What if I don't have my homework done when I come to class?
If you do not have your work the first day it is due(with you in class), your
grade will be reduced to 50% of what it could have been, if you have it the
next day. If you come a second day without it completed, your grade will go to
a zero, but you still have to do the work. A Late Work Notice; will also be
filled out and sent home to be signed by the parent(s). That is to be returned
the next day, with the homework completed. The sad part is that you still had
to do the work, only now it has no score value. Have your work done on time!!!
Is there anything I can do for extra credit?
Throughout the year, extra credit activities are offered. I do not create
extra credit to help someone at the end of a quarter. Students need to take
advantage of the offerings that go along with the subject being studied at
the time. You can see samples of these offerings on the extra credit page of
my web page, and the homework pages for each class. Students usually have
several days to a week to take advantage of these and earn the credit.
What does a 'Good' graph include?
In order to complete a graph for maximum credit, be sure to include the
following: Use a ruler to draw the vertical and horizontal axis lines, do NOT
draw in additional lines, have a title on the graph (not the words 'graph'),
be sure the spacings for numbers on each axis are equal, DO NOT USE THE DATA
NUMBERS AS THE NUMBERS ON THE AXIS!!, put the dots for the data points on
your graph, then connect the dots, ( if there is more than one data line on
the graph, be sure to color code, or provide a key to show what's what),
include both a label and the units of measurement on each axis of the graph
(example: 'Temperature' and 'degrees Celsius'.
What is Science Current Events?
Science Current Events was described on the Science Course Requirements
handout given the first week of school, that you and your student signed and
turned in a slip for.
It is done on special paper I provide at the beginning of each trimester -
holding on to that paper is part of the responsibility portion of the
assignment. I won't accept them on any other paper, but if that paper is
lost, they can ask for a second one but it deducts 2 points off the possible
20 points.
The first one is due November 20th, the second one is due March 2nd,
and the third one (for 7th gr only) is due June 2nd. It's always due about 1
weeks before the end of each trimester.)
It is to be a summary of a science article in a newspaper, or magazine
article that is science related, and dated within the months the trimester
covers. It could also come from an internet news site, like CNN.com or
MSNBC.com - not just any old web page. It cannot come from TV or general info
sites like Yahoo and wikkepedia.
