About The Teacher

NAME: Ms. Gail Homan

SCHOOL: Upper Township Middle School

CLASS: 8th Grade Science

SCHOOL PHONE: 628-3500 ext. 265

Earth Science Curriculum and the Grading Policy

Eight Grade Science Curriculum
Earth Science is a vast area of science that incorporates all of the major 
disciplines within science:Chemistry, Physics and Life Science.  This year we 
will be covering geology,meteorology,astronomy,and oceanography. The course 
is designed as an interactive hands-on program in which your student will 
reinforce his/her keen sense for the scientific method, problem solving and 
skills in observing and writing scientifically. The program is designed to 
develop and /or increase your student’s abilities in various skill areas such 
as advanced processing, (posing questions,developing hypothesis designing and 
running experiments), critical thinking, (comparing and contrasting,applying 
concepts, interpreting, graphing, diagramming, problem solving and making 
educated judgments),information organization,(concept maps, graphic 
organizers, compare/contrast tables, flowcharts,and diagrams).

Classroom Assignments Grading Policy
My motto for grades is “I don’t give out grades you earn them.” Your 
student’s grade is composed of four areas. 

•Cooperation/ Participation- The student is attentive and cooperative, 
voluntarily participates in class discussions, completes daily classroom 
assignments, and is prepared.Current Event assignments are added into this 
part of the grade.  
      Percentage of Grade 10

•Projects/Tests – The student completes projects following directions 
and it is handed in on time. Any project handed in late will be accepted but 
a 5 point per day deduction in grade will result unless student has been 
absent and arrangements have been made for a date extension. Various 
testing styles will be used. Advance notice will be given for tests. 
      Percentage of Grade 40

•Labs /Quizzes– The student is responsible for preparing in advance 
when necessary for the lab experiment. Lab papers are complete which includes 
results and conclusions in the format that was discussed in class. A 
cooperative, serious attitude is necessary both for safety and observation of 
results during an experiment. A quiz will be a short test going over a small 
amount of information, vocabulary given for study homework or information 
derived through a lab. Short notice will be given. 
      Percentage of Grade 35

• Homework – The student completes assignments on time to the best of 
her/his abilities. Paper work should be clean, neat and readable.  If a 
student is absent work is completed after he/she has gone over the 
information. She/he is responsible for obtaining any notes or reading 
information that was read during class. 
        Percentage of Grade 15  

You can get information about notes and long-term assignments off of my web 
site at the school districts webpage. My e-mail is 
homan@upper.capemayschools.org please feel free to drop me a note. This is 
perhaps the best way to keep in touch. My classroom phone number is 268-3500 
extension is 265. I have voice mail so you can leave me a message there as 
well. I will get back to you as soon as possible but please be aware that we 
can not make calls from our phones to cell phones and some exchanges in the 
area. This may delay my response.  
I hope we have an exciting, fun filled and productive school year.

Mission For The Class

Encourage my students to develop a life long love for Science!