8th Grade Honors

Regents Earth Science& Research

Welcome to Mrs. Frankel’s Regents Earth Science class! From deep within the Earth to the most extreme and distant parts of our solar system, this year we are going to learn all about the world that surrounds us! Some of the topics we will cover include weather,

earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks & minerals, stars, planets, and more. We will learn by doing classroom activities, labs, and projects. This is a NYS Regents class, your FIRST high school level science class, which

means that in June all students in this class will be taking a New York State Regents Exam. Throughout the year we will cover the information needed to master the Earth Science Regents Exam…plus a lot more!

Daily Supplies Needed for Class Blue/black pens AND Pencils

1.5in green/lime/teal 3-ring binder

3 Dividers (classwork/homework/tests)

Binder pouch (to keep Earth Sci. supplies in)

2 folders with pockets

Colored pencils (12pk)

Highlighter (2)

Basic calculator

Research: ADDITIONAL 1 inch 3-ring binder (preferably with pockets) and 1 folder

Classroom Expectations

Respect: Everyone must treat others in a positive and polite manner. This includes respect for self, classmates, teachers, guests, and class materials. Disrespect and/or bullying will NOT be tolerated.

Honesty: Being sincere, truthful, and trustworthy in all activities/assignments is expected.

Pride: Be proud of your work, your actions, and the wonderful person you are! Always strive to become the best person and best student you can be!

Preparedness: Bring all supplies to class each day!

Promptness: Be seated and copy homework assignment in planner BEFORE the bell rings.

Homework Policy

Castle Learning assignments must be completed online by the given due date– incomplete assignments will NOT be reopened for completion. You always have at least 5 days to complete this, don’t wait until the last minute!

Written homework assignments must be handed in on the given due date for full credit. 1 day late will receive ½ credit, any later will result in a zero.

Absent – When you miss school it is your responsibility to complete the missed classwork as well as hand in any missed homework the day after you return. Network with friends in class to find out about assignments.

Assessments Tests/Quizzes – include material learned from notes, labs and homework assignments. All tests/quizzes will

be made up of NYS Regents questions (directly from Regents Exams from prior years) to better prepare you for the Earth Science Regents Exam. All tests must be signed by a parent and returned to class the next day – this counts as a homework grade!

Labs – New York State mandates that each student completes a specific amount of labs in order to take the Regents Exam. Throughout the year you will complete many labs, ALL of which count towards this requirement. *Very Important - These labs will be graded and MUST be kept in our classroom!*

Supplies Due: ______________

Parent Communication

Please feel free to call the school or email me directly at MFrankel@emufsd.us *Email is the fastest form of communication; Miss Denecke checks her email 1x/day

Grading Policy Tests = 50% Quizzes = 20% Labs = 20% Homework = 10%

Safety Policy The classroom should be a safe, healthy, and happy environment every day.

Horseplay or unauthorized experimentation will NOT be tolerated and will result in a ZERO for the day’s work/activities.

Each student is responsible for the care, return, and cleaning of all lab equipment.

There is to be NO eating in the science classroom/lab.

Honor Code Academic honesty and personal integrity is expected from each student every day!

Each of the actions listed below will be STRICTLY enforced to ensure good study habits and a successful learning environment.

Cheating, copying, and plagiarism on homework, labs, essays, projects, tests/quizzes, as well as talking during tests/quizzes will result in the following – Automatic ZERO on the assignment Phone call/email to parent

Research

All honors earth science students will be a part of the research program. This program was made to teach students the experimental process in depth, better prepare students for high school, inspire deeper interest in science, and help students to become independent thinkers. This is a GUIDED program in which students will select, research, conduct, and present a scientific experiment over the course of the school year. Students will be graded on the progress, effort, and involvement in Research Class separately from their Earth Science class.

Class Website

Please visit our class website for updates, documents, links, etc… http://loveearthscience.weebly.com *ADD IT TO YOUR FAVORITES* *All students should use this website frequently!*

Extra Help Extra help will be offered on the following day/time:

(Please don’t be ashamed to ask for help! Get help as soon as you need it!)

- _______________________________________________________________

A Note from Mrs. Frankel…

“Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.” - Albert Einstein I am excited to begin a new school year with all of you! I have high expectations for all of my students and I know that we will have a fun, exciting, and interesting year together. Science is my life! I LOVE to be outdoors exploring nature

and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us every day. Ever since I took Honors Earth Science in 8th grade I KNEW I wanted to be an Earth Science teacher! I hope that while you learn about our precious and magnificent home, the

Earth, you will be inspired and amazed… and I hope you enjoy every minute of it! Although every day I am split between Woodland MS (morning) and Clarke MS (afternoon), I promise to be there for

all of my students and their parents/guardians whenever they need me!

Have a wonderful school year!

Mrs. Frankel

DIRECTIONS: Keep the first page of the earth science contract in your binder. Return only THIS page to your teacher!!!

I, ___________________________________________________, have discussed the Parent/Guardian Printed Name

Earth Science expectations with my son/daughter _________________________________, Student

and understand the policies set forth by the teacher and the NYS Board of Regents.

___________________________________________ _____________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian Signature of Student

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Phone Number(s) of Parent/Guardian(s)

ATTENTION PARENTS: I am working on a parent email list. If you would like to be added to the list to be notified of upcoming class events and student progress, please complete the following: 1) Send Mrs. Frankel ( MFrankel@emusfsd.us) a short email from your most commonly used email address. ***Please include your first and last name and your child’s first and last name***

2) In addition, please CLEARLY PRINT your e-mail address in the space provided

_______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian E-mail Address

Thank You! I look forward to working with you and your child this year!

Mrs. Frankel

Student’s Personal Information Survey

Student Full Name: _________________________________________________

Guidance Counselor: _________________________________________________

Do you wear glasses or contacts? _____________________________________________________

Do you have any allergies? (If so, list them)_____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What are your interests?(What do you do in your free time? Sports? Work? Clubs? Feel free to tell me anything you would like for me to know.) ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

What are your goals for this class? What would you like to get out of this class? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

How do you feel that you learn best? (Ex: group activities, partners, practicing on your own, lots of studying) What techniques have worked for you in the past and what did not? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

What are your expectations of me as a teacher? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Tell me about one or two fun/exciting thing(s) you did this summer: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

What is ONE question you have about the Earth? _____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Describe yourself in ONE word: __________________________________

Science Research 8H

Each student will work with 1-2 other students to perform an experiment based on a research a topic of their choice.

Topic must be Earth Science related.

Each group will present their project and be part of a science competition within marking period 3.

Students will be guided through the process of choosing, performing, and reporting on their research. Staying focused, organized, and following all deadlines is crucial for being successful in this class.

Classwork/Performance: 30% Homework: 20%

Research Projects/Papers: 50%

(*The following is a tentative schedule and it may undergo changes/revisions throughout the year*)

• Marking Period 1: – Discover Earth Science Related Topics – Understand the scientific method & research process – Articles, articles, articles…! (sciencenewsforstudents.org is great!) – Choose a group, topic, & write procedure for project

• Marking Period 2: – Research chosen topic in depth – Write a research paper *INDIVIDUALLY* – Get all materials with group – Work on research project with group

• Marking Period 3: – Complete Research project – Gather/analyze all data – Create informative Project Board – Present at LISEF Competition- Crest Hollow Country Club

• Marking Period 4: – Reflections on research experience – Alternative Energy Project – Regents Review