Back-to-School NightBack-to-School NightG-8-ors TeamG-8-ors Team

ScienceScience

Jessica GeisslerJessica Geissler

Welcome to ScienceWelcome to ScienceJessica GeisslerJessica Geissler

2009-2010 2009-2010

jgeissler@waunakee.k12.wi.usjgeissler@waunakee.k12.wi.us

849-2060849-2060

Topics CoveredTopics Covered

Physical SciencePhysical Science Scientific MethodScientific Method MatterMatter

Properties of MatterProperties of Matter Interactions of MatterInteractions of Matter

Work and EnergyWork and Energy Forces and MotionForces and Motion

Earth Science and Beyond…Earth Science and Beyond…

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures

Home work vs. Class workHome work vs. Class work Expect class work every day, Expect class work every day,

occasional homeworkoccasional homework Discussed and placed in bindersDiscussed and placed in binders Occasional homework checksOccasional homework checks

Science Binders Science Binders Expectations: complete, accurate, Expectations: complete, accurate,

and neat/organizedand neat/organized

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures Grade SheetGrade Sheet

Students will keep track of their own Students will keep track of their own progress and gradesprogress and grades. They are . They are expected to know their current expected to know their current science grade at all times. science grade at all times.

AlwaysAlways located in the front of the located in the front of the science binder.science binder.

Please ask your student about this Please ask your student about this grading sheet throughout the year.grading sheet throughout the year.

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures

AssessmentAssessment QuizzesQuizzes

Given about every two weeksGiven about every two weeks Occasional retakes offeredOccasional retakes offered

TestsTests End of each main unitEnd of each main unit No retakes of testsNo retakes of tests

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures

Extra CreditExtra Credit Occasional bonus points offeredOccasional bonus points offered

Must be completed at that timeMust be completed at that time No other major extra credit No other major extra credit

“assignments” or “projects” “assignments” or “projects” will be offeredwill be offered

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures Unit ProjectsUnit Projects

Pick a project from a given set of Pick a project from a given set of choices on different subtopics relating to choices on different subtopics relating to the main unitthe main unit

Reflections upon progress throughout Reflections upon progress throughout the quarter are expectedthe quarter are expected

Project presentations given at the end of Project presentations given at the end of the unit the unit

Copies of unit project packet available Copies of unit project packet available (see me!)(see me!)

Classroom Expectations and Classroom Expectations and ProceduresProcedures General ExpectationsGeneral Expectations

Be prepared!Be prepared! When in science class, we will be When in science class, we will be

DOING SCIENCE the entire class DOING SCIENCE the entire class periodperiod

Be respectful!Be respectful! Know what it LOOKS and SOUNDS Know what it LOOKS and SOUNDS

likelike Assume personal responsibility!Assume personal responsibility!

Do your best work Do your best work

CoMPASS ProjectCoMPASS Project

What?What? Two exciting instructional units using Two exciting instructional units using

design-based hands-on investigations, design-based hands-on investigations, computer simulations, and a computer simulations, and a hypertextbook hypertextbook

Who?Who? Through University of Wisconsin-Through University of Wisconsin-

MadisonMadison Funded by the National Science Funded by the National Science

Foundation and the United States Foundation and the United States Department of Education’s Institute of Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences Educational Sciences

CoMPASS ProjectCoMPASS Project

Why?Why? To understand how students learn To understand how students learn

science best science best To foster deeper science learning To foster deeper science learning

of physics concepts of physics concepts To move beyond memorization of To move beyond memorization of

science vocabulary to science vocabulary to understanding and applying understanding and applying science ideas and principles. science ideas and principles.

CoMPASS ProjectCoMPASS Project

Why?Why? Opportunities to engage in Opportunities to engage in

authentic inquiry-based science authentic inquiry-based science experiencesexperiences

Encourages students to take an Encourages students to take an active role in their own learning active role in their own learning

CoMPASS ProjectCoMPASS Project

How?How? Students presented with Students presented with

engaging, real-life challenges engaging, real-life challenges Conduct research on the CoMPASS Conduct research on the CoMPASS

hypertextbook hypertextbook Manipulate simulation environments Manipulate simulation environments Test ideas during physical Test ideas during physical

investigations investigations

Second year participating in this Second year participating in this project!project!

And lastly…And lastly…

Students are welcome to Students are welcome to come in for help before come in for help before school, after school, or during school, after school, or during lunch. Feel free to contact me lunch. Feel free to contact me throughout the year with any throughout the year with any questions or concerns. I look questions or concerns. I look forward to an exciting year of forward to an exciting year of science!science!

Questions?Questions?