Dr. Bridwell's Science Class
2015-2016 Newsletter
Course Content
We will be teaching five units this year: Matter (Chemistry); Energy; Waves: Light & Sound; Forces & Motion; and Electricity & Magnetism. Course work will include classwork, homework, writing assignments, projects, quizzes, tests and mastery assessments. Students will complete work in a variety of settings including but not limited to; independently, in pairs, and in cooperative groups. Reading and writing is a major part of the science curriculum. Much of our work will be assigned and submitted in the Google Classroom.
A listing of the eighth grade physical science standards can be found at:
https://www.georgiastandards.org/Standards/Pages/BrowseStandards/ScienceStandards6-8.aspx
Materials & Supplies
Textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer - Georgia Physical Science
Student Materials: Headphones/Earbuds, Pencils with good erasers, pens, small binder or folder with notebook paper
Classroom Supplies: Tissues, Paper Towels, Hand Sanitizer, Cleaning Wet Wipes, Pencils
All students will be furnished with a Chrome Book to use in the classroom. These will not be available to take home.
GRADING POLICY
Since SMMS utilizes a standards based grading process, you may not see as many grades as you may be accustomed to seeing during a grading period. Standards based grading means that all student work relates to a specific standard; however, not every assignment that a student completes will be recorded in PowerSchool. Our goal is to ensure student mastery of the standard.
Graded assignments will be placed in PowerSchool according to the standard being addressed. These assignments may include classwork, quizzes, projects, etc. Standards within a content area will be divided into categories. The categories and weights for physical science are as follows:
15% LABS/PROJECTS
70% STANDARDS TAUGHT DURING THE TERM
15% MASTERY ASSESSMENTS
** All entries in the grade book will be correlated to the corresponding Georgia Performance Standard through the gradebook category and notes on each assignment.
Students who are absent are responsible for obtaining their own make-up work from their teacher and turning in those assignments within the allotted time. The make-up policy for assignments will follow the system policy of the number of days absent plus 1 day for make-up work. Please refer to the county attendance policy for excused and unexcused absences. Students are strongly encouraged to keep track of assignments in their provided school agenda.
Technology and Keeping in Touch
Students who do not have access to the internet or computers at home will be afforded the opportunity to stay after school to complete the assignment or an alternate assignment will be given at the discretion of the individual teacher.
You can keep up with what is happening in the classroom by visiting my website, Google Classroom, Power School, and by emailing me.
Please remember that teachers are the keys for learning, but parents are the keys for success. We look forward to a great year working together with all of you!
Email: sbridwell@camden.k12.ga.us
Website: http://tinyurl.com/DrBScience
Phone: 912-882-8626