Eighth Grade Science
Honors Option

Are you a science buff looking for a challenge this year? Do you think science will be your career? Read on, discuss this with your parent, and then accept the challenge! You have until November 13,2009 to let me know if youd like to be part of the Honors Science Program for the Second term. Each term you will have the choice of taking the challenge and diving more deeply into topics we study during the year. If you drop out of the program or do not meet the requirements and are dropped from the program, you may not reenter it.

REQUIREMENTS:

CURRENT EVENTS: You will keep a folder or binder (Portfolio) in which each quarters requirements will be kept. This will be collected during the week before grades close. It counts as Two test grades per quarter. I will also ask you to meet with me to discuss your work for that quarter. The requirements are described below.
During each quarter you must find two articles related to the topics we are studying. Then for each article you must write an 8 plus sentence summary of the article, a 5 plus sentence explanation of why you chose it and how this is related to our present area of study, and a 6 plus sentence response to the article. Keep a copy of your Current Event article with the written summary.

RESEARCH: Using your folder or binder (Portfolio) to keep each quarters requirements, you will complete one (1) Web Quest for the quarter which will lead to a Concluding Activity. Submit the required written work no later than five (5) days before grades close for the quarter. This will also count as one test grade each quarter.

A Web Quest is a short or long term research assignment. The Web Quest can be obtained from the teacher or Silva's Science Site at the beginning of each term and will include the following instructions:

1. An introduction that will set the stage and provide some background information on the task .

2. The task that needs to be completed will be identified.

3. Information sources to complete the task will be included. Many, all-though not all, will use web sites on the Web.

4. The process is a set of steps you will follow in carrying out the task.

5. Organizing the information gathered, this will usually take the form of guiding questions or directions to be completed.

6. A Concluding Activity that brings closure and demonstrates what you have

learned.

Concluding Activities: Examples of concluding products might be:

• Develop a multimedia presentation
• Teaching a lesson
• Conducting an experiment
• Writing a research paper
• Other: Open to your creativeness

You will receive a handout explaining how to complete your web quest or you can creat your own (teacher approval) just follow the steps and demonstrate your new knowledge through the concluding activity outlined above.