Eighth Grade Science
During the course of the first quarter, eighth graders developed their understanding of the nature of matter including its classification, physical and chemical properties, and atomic structure. The second quarter begins the students’ study physics concepts and principles including force and motion in the context of automobile safety and continues with an examination of work and simple machines concluding with an introduction to an exploration of the forms, conversions, and conservation of energy.

Eighth Grade U.S. History
The historians of the eighth grade spent the first quarter gaining a better understanding of the major personalities and developments in U.S. history during the Civil War Era including the conflict over slavery leading to the secession, the Civil War itself, and the Reconstruction years.

The second quarter focuses on the political, social, cultural, and economic development of the nation from the end of the Civil War through the first years of the twentieth century including the settlement and growth of the Far West, the industrialization of the U.S., the growth of U.S. cities and immigration, and the reforms of the Progressive Era.


Seventh Grade U.S. History
Seventh grade history scholars spent the first quarter developing their understanding of the nature of historical inquiry and the work of historians followed by an exploration of the age of exploration and colonization and the founding of the British colonies in North America.

As the second quarter unfolds, the students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the Revolutionary Era focusing on the important persons, events and developments of the conflict between Britain and the colonies leading to the American Revolution, the American Revolution, and the Confederation Period ending with the Constitutional Convention and the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.

Course Description
U.S. History 7; U.S. History 8
The seventh grade course surveys the history of the United States from the period of exploration and colonization to the time of the Civil War while the eighth grade course completes the survey through the present day.

Both courses are designed to develop student knowledge and understanding of the persons, events, ideas, and themes related to the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States and the role played by the nation in the world. Both are also designed to foster student appreciation of, and the ability to use, the process of inquiry employed by historians.

The courses use the Prentice Hall textbooks, The American Nation: Beginnings Through 1877 and The American Nation: Civil War to the Present, written by James West Davidson and Michael B. Stoff.
Both courses include the Nativity Map Studies Program.

Science 8
The eighth grade science course focuses on physical science developing student knowledge and understanding of concepts and principles from the fields of physics and chemistry including matter (classification, states, atomic structure); mechanics (force, motion, work, simple machines); energy (forms, conversions, conservation); chemical bonding and chemical reactions. The course also develops student appreciation for the role of scientific inquiry in the development of scientific knowledge and their ability to use the processes of scientific inquiry.
The textbook used for the course is Prentice Hall’s Science Explorer: Physical Science by Michael J. Padilla and others.

Classroom Rules and Expectations
  • All are expected to come to class prepared with all needed materials (folder, textbook, pens and paper), completed assignments when      due, and having studied when tests and exams are to be given.
  • All are expected to respect the person, property, and feelings of others.
  • All expected to contribute in a positive way to the class learning environment by being constructively involved in all class activities.
  • All are expected to follow science laboratory safety procedures and directions for completion of laboratory activities exactly.
  • All are expected to comply with school policies, rules and regulations.

Grading
Grades are reported twice each quarter.
The Interim Grade is reported as scheduled on the school calendar.
The Interim Grade is based on the class requirements completed at the time the grade is reported.
The Interim Grade is determined in this way.
Points Earned are divided by the Points Possible and converted to a percent.
The school grading scale is applied to the percent obtained to determine a letter grade.
The Quarter Grade is reported following the end of the quarter as given on the school calendar.
The Quarter Grade is based on all class requirements for the quarter.
The Quarter Grade is determined in the same way as the Interim Grade.

Homework, Late Work, and Absence:
Homework is a daily activity of the class.
Homework includes completion of/time spent:
  • Maintaining the class folder
  • Completing reading assignments from the textbook, handouts, or an online source
  • Written assignments to prepare for, expand, develop, or reinforce class work
  • Research assignments
  • Review and study for tests and the quarter exam.

Acceptance of late work depends upon the type of assignment.
Written assignments are not accepted after the due date and receive a grade of zero.
Research assignments/projects are accepted past the due date but receive a reduction in grade.
In the event of absence, it is the responsibility of the student to determine what has been missed as a result of the absence.
Written assignments and research assignments/projects due on the day of an absence are turned in on the day of return to school.
Assignments given on the day of an absence are determined upon return to school and any needed handouts are obtained.
Arrangements to complete a test or quarter exam given on the day of an absence are made upon return to school.

Classroom Management
Most failures to meet behavioral expectations are handled within the classroom.
Persistent failure to meet expectations results in contact with the parent either by phone or e-mail.
Serious incidences of failure to meet expectations result in removal from the classroom and referral to the principal for his action.
Failure to follow laboratory safety procedures and/or laboratory directions results in removal of the student from the laboratory experience and receipt of a grade of zero for the laboratory activity.

Communication/Contact Information
E-mail: lucasnativity@fuse.net

Class information, including all assignments and test/exam dates, is available at the class Web site.
http://TeacherWeb.com/OH/Nativity/MrLucas/