8 GoldDiscovery

Mr. C’s 8th Grade Science!

The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them - William Bragg Sr.

ryanchristopoulos@sd54.org847-357-6780All class information will be posted at

frost.sd54.org/mrcscience

Bachelors Degree in Education – Augustana College (2009) Concentration in Earth Sciences (geology) Highly Qualified in Algebra, Art, Biological Sciences, Geography,

History, Physical Science, General Science Reading, Theatre, and Music Captain of the Augustana Men’s Lacrosse Team

Northwestern University Center for Talent Development Summer Instructor for Apogee Program (grades 5 – 7) Up, Up, And Away : The Science of Flight and History of

Aeronautics.

Mr. Ryan Christopoulos

“Homemade Science”Independent Scientific Inquiry.Students use the scientific method to conduct

their own scientific experiments.Students must complete 4 per trimester.

Common AssessmentsConsistent higher level questioning.Open ended short answer and essay questions.3 – 4 per trimester.

Exclusive to Discovery

Rocket Club Partnership with NASA Students work collaboratively to engineer rockets and understand rocket

flight State and National contests

GEMS/BASE Women’s/Men’s exclusive science inquiry club. Engineering and 21st century learning based activities.

CAN Club Students work collaboratively to plant and maintain a vegetable garden All produce is donated to Schaumburg Food Pantry

First Lego League Students work collaboratively to engineer Lego robots. Local, State, and National competitions.

Additional Science Enrichment Opportunities

Bell Ringers/Science JournalHomework/ Assignment Notebook

http://sd54.org/Frost - 8 Goldfrost.sd54.org/mrcscience

LabsQuizzesCommon AssessmentsParticipation (Effort, Cooperation, Being Prepared for Class)

Structure of Classroom

Point-BasedGrading

Task Points Percentage

Tests (3 - 4 per trimester)

100 25%

Quizzes (12 – 15 per trimester)

25 - 50 25%

Homework/Labs Homework – 10 pts. Labs – 50pts.

45%

Participation 50 points per trimester

5%

Common Assessments (Tests) Cut-off score is 75% If a student needs to be retaught and retested, a score of

75% will be received after meeting or exceeding the cut-off score on the test. Re-teaching and re-testing will occur before or after school.

Labs If a student is absent on a lab day, he/she will be exempt

from the assignment but they will still be responsible for learning the information

Assignments – All are due on the due date given!

Grading (continued)

Amount of Days Late Maximum Percentage1-3 days late 90%4-6 days late 80%7-9 days late 70%

10 or more days late 60%

A hard copy was given to each student on Sept. 4

An on-line version and additional resources are available at this website:www.my.hrw.comUser Name: christopoulo1Password: d6j3x

Textbooks

New this yearExclusive to the 7th and 8th grade

science classrooms.A variety of apps will be used to

enhance student learning throughout the year.

iPads

Scientific MethodPhysics

Forces & MotionSimple Machines Gravity

AstronomyPlanetsEarth, Moon, Sun,

StarsEnvironmental

ScienceNatural ResourcesEnergy Forms &

Generation

What will my student study?

Please feel free to email or call me. I will do my best to respond within

24 hours.This PowerPoint will be available on

the class website.The full syllabus can also be

downloaded from the website.

Questions?

I appreciate your attendance this evening!

Together, we can make this a wonderful year of discovery and learning for your child!

Thank YOU!