Welcome to Mrs. Leonard's Science Class
Welcome to 8th grade science! I am excited to have you/ your student in my class this year. Take a moment to look through the materials below. This website will be the location of many useful items. Homework assignments, documents, videos and presentations will all be located here for you. We will also be using Google Classroom this year as another means of communication.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM
All class notes and assignments can now be found on Google Classroom. Students have access through their WCPSS email accounts and should all know how to log in. Class codes are listed below in case a student has not signed up for my specific class yet:
2nd: 5w5skj6
3rd: bfl9aj
4th: a4rsirm
6th: grx4bew
7th: wx5dgz
2nd: 5w5skj6
3rd: bfl9aj
4th: a4rsirm
6th: grx4bew
7th: wx5dgz
The Kenan Fellows Journey
In the summer of 2014 I was chosen to be a Kenan Fellow in the Students Discover Pore Mites program. This program allowed me to spend my summer doing extensive professional development, research in a genomics lab, and developing a curriculum to be used with my students and other students in North Carolina. Our research centered around Pore Mites or more specifically Demodex Folliculorum and Demodex Brevis. These little guys (and gals) live in the pores on our face and can (we think) tell us a lot about ourselves, our history, and evolution. Not much is known about the mites at this time other than that almost all adults that have been sampled have them. Part of our goal in the project is getting students involved in REAL science. The lessons the mite team developed were designed to get students involved in the research process. One question we, and our students, had was "We know that all adults have mites, what about adolescent students?" About 200 middle school students across 3 classrooms in 3 different North Carolina school systems participated in helping us answer this question. Now, these students have contributed answers and research that has never been seen before! That is true Citizen Science. There is a short Nat Geo article and a video about my "Mite-y Experience"
National Geographic Article on Mites
National Geographic Article on Mites
*Announcements*
Supply List 2015-2016
MUST HAVES:
1 Composition Notebook
Binder or Pocket Folder
Pencils
SUGGESTED ITEMS:
Clear Tape
Glue Sticks
Colored Pencils
Highlighters
Markers
Scissors
1 Composition Notebook
Binder or Pocket Folder
Pencils
SUGGESTED ITEMS:
Clear Tape
Glue Sticks
Colored Pencils
Highlighters
Markers
Scissors
REMIND
You may have heard of the program Remind 101 in the past. The program has been updated and renamed REMIND. This program allows me to send group messages about class events, homework, reminders to everyone who signs up. The best part is that we all remain anonymous, I never see your phone number or email and you never see mine. Of course I am available via email for any specific communication we need, but this allows everyone to get a quick reminder from me.
If you are interested sign up here: https://www.remind.com/join/c9921
If you are interested sign up here: https://www.remind.com/join/c9921
Google Classroom!
Google classroom is a great way for teachers and students to communicate and file share.
Ask Mrs. Leonard for your class code to get started!
Ask Mrs. Leonard for your class code to get started!
Parent Letter/Syllabus
Let me begin by welcoming all of you to Ms. Evans’ 8th grade Science class. I am excited to begin another great year in 8th grade at West Millbrook. This year we will be completing coursework that corresponds to the North Carolina Essential Standards for Science and the Common Core Literacy Curriculum.
What we will learn this year:
Rules:
I have high expectations for all of my students and I truly believe that all of my students can achieve and meet their goals this year. In order for this to occur I need students to:
1. Come to class prepared each day (with notebooks, pencils, any assignments, etc)
2. Get to class on time each day.
3. TRY every day.
4. Follow all WMMS and WCPSS rules and policies.
Communication:
Assignments, announcements, helpful tips, and some pictures will be posted to my website weekly and as needed. My website address is: msevansscience.weebly.com and is also linked on the West Millbrook Homepage at www.wmms.net.
The best way to contact me is through email at: [email protected], however if you call the school I will try to return your call within 48 hours. WMMS phone number 919-870-4050.
This year I am using a new system to remind students and parents of assignments and announcements. The system is called remind and you can sign up here https://www.remind.com/join/c9921 to recieve text message or email alerts from me.
Grading:
The grading policy is as follows:
Tests/Projects: 35%
Classworks/Labs: 25%
Quizzes: 25%
Homework: 15%
If a student is absent they have 1 day per day absent to turn in late work without penalty. Unless the teacher was notified prior to the absence and provided work accordingly, then the assignments are due upon the student’s return to school.
Students will have a two week period to turn in missing assignments for partial credit. An assignment turned in during this two week period can earn up to 80% of the original point value.
I am looking forward to working with each of you and your students this year.
Maribeth Leonard M. Ed.
8th Grade Science Teacher
Science Department Chair
Kenan Fellow 2014-2015
What we will learn this year:
- Interactions of Matter (Chemistry)
- Where does energy come from? (How do plants make energy? How do our bodies use energy?)
- Diseases
- Biotechnology (What is it?, What is its impact on NC economy)
- Hydrosphere (streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans)
- Populations and Ecosystems
- Evolution of Landforms and Life forms
- Uses of Natural Resources
Rules:
I have high expectations for all of my students and I truly believe that all of my students can achieve and meet their goals this year. In order for this to occur I need students to:
1. Come to class prepared each day (with notebooks, pencils, any assignments, etc)
2. Get to class on time each day.
3. TRY every day.
4. Follow all WMMS and WCPSS rules and policies.
Communication:
Assignments, announcements, helpful tips, and some pictures will be posted to my website weekly and as needed. My website address is: msevansscience.weebly.com and is also linked on the West Millbrook Homepage at www.wmms.net.
The best way to contact me is through email at: [email protected], however if you call the school I will try to return your call within 48 hours. WMMS phone number 919-870-4050.
This year I am using a new system to remind students and parents of assignments and announcements. The system is called remind and you can sign up here https://www.remind.com/join/c9921 to recieve text message or email alerts from me.
Grading:
The grading policy is as follows:
Tests/Projects: 35%
Classworks/Labs: 25%
Quizzes: 25%
Homework: 15%
If a student is absent they have 1 day per day absent to turn in late work without penalty. Unless the teacher was notified prior to the absence and provided work accordingly, then the assignments are due upon the student’s return to school.
Students will have a two week period to turn in missing assignments for partial credit. An assignment turned in during this two week period can earn up to 80% of the original point value.
I am looking forward to working with each of you and your students this year.
Maribeth Leonard M. Ed.
8th Grade Science Teacher
Science Department Chair
Kenan Fellow 2014-2015
Parent Contact Information:
I would like to be able to get in touch with you!
Please take a moment to complete this SHORT survey providing me with your most up-to-date contact informtaion. I promise I am not going to spam your email! If you came to schedule walkthrough night or open house you do not have to fill out this form again. THANKS! -M.L.
Contact Info. Form
Please take a moment to complete this SHORT survey providing me with your most up-to-date contact informtaion. I promise I am not going to spam your email! If you came to schedule walkthrough night or open house you do not have to fill out this form again. THANKS! -M.L.
Contact Info. Form
iPad Apps for Science
We live in an "iWorld" these days. I know some of my students have iPhones, iPods, and iPads. Here is a list of some of my favorite apps that may be helpful for studying/exploring science.
Quizlet: FREE vocabulary flash card and game app. After you down load search for either me (mlevans2) or our vocab lists (8.P.1.1, etc.) to study and play.
CK12: FREE online textbook, look up topics you need more info on or read more about new stuff that interests you.
Science Friday: FREE new interesting articles each Friday about current events in science
Cool Science Facts: FREE random fun science facts to flip through.
EDMODO: FREE, looks and navigates like facebook, but it is for education! You can message and chat with me here (all WCPSS approved) and even submit assignments here :-0
Remind: an anonymous messaging service that allows a group leader (me) to send messages to my subscribers (students and parents) through SMS text messages and email. See announcement above to sign up!
I will continue to update as I find more.
Quizlet: FREE vocabulary flash card and game app. After you down load search for either me (mlevans2) or our vocab lists (8.P.1.1, etc.) to study and play.
CK12: FREE online textbook, look up topics you need more info on or read more about new stuff that interests you.
Science Friday: FREE new interesting articles each Friday about current events in science
Cool Science Facts: FREE random fun science facts to flip through.
EDMODO: FREE, looks and navigates like facebook, but it is for education! You can message and chat with me here (all WCPSS approved) and even submit assignments here :-0
Remind: an anonymous messaging service that allows a group leader (me) to send messages to my subscribers (students and parents) through SMS text messages and email. See announcement above to sign up!
I will continue to update as I find more.
Online Textbook
For many reasons the 8th grade science department does not issue textbooks to our students. There are several FREE online resources that are just as good if not better than the textbooks at school. CK12 is one of them.
Follow this link to open the online textbook. You can search by topic and keyword to find information to help with your homework menu or other assignments.
Follow this link to open the online textbook. You can search by topic and keyword to find information to help with your homework menu or other assignments.