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Course Overview

The beauty of integrated math/science is that it gives meaning to what you are learning. We will explore science through the language of math using mathematical principles, algebraic concepts, statistical calculations, and number sense. Math is in everything we do and science helps us to understand the world and how we can better use our scientific knowledge to improve our lives. 

Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist
THE MAN!!!

SEMESTER 1 SYLLABUS Google Doc

 

What is our perception of the world around us and how does learning change that? . Math and Science are all about discovering patterns and trying to make sense of them for us humans but all that we see and think is not always all there is to reality. Our goal this year for our 8th grade team is to learn about the structure of the universe and how our minds make sense of it! Perception is everything!

 

We have the opportunity to live in a technological age that gives us the tools to explore anything we may be curious about right here in the classroom. You are truly lucky to be in a school where the educational philosophy allows you to learn through projects and learn through experiencing. 8th grade Math/Science is hands on, cooperative, and FUN!

Welcome to the 8th Grade

Math Topics

This year a large focus will be on encouraging a growth mindset for math. This is the idea that everyone can learn to the highest levels in the context of the Common Core Scope and Sequence.

 

Each student will be keeping a math journal where they will work on challenging open-ended questions both individually and as a class. Students will be asked to reflect on their own understanding of the skills and concepts related to each problem.

 

The following is a breakdown of the topics we will be covering as well as a projected amount of time we plan to spend on each topic. This will always be adjusted based on the students’ needs.

  • The Number System

  • Expressions and Equations

  • Functions

  • Geometry

  • Statistics and Probability

Sylvia Earle
Marine Biologist

Science Topics

We will be one of the first schools in CA to be adopting the new NGSS, Next generation Science Standards, which is very exciting! This is a new approach to implementing 3-Dimentional learning: Scientific Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Corsscutting Concepts. We will be exploring various topics in physical science and engineering but aren't limited to and will probably have projects with many other topics included:

 

  • Matter and its interactions

  • Motion & Stability: Forces & Interactions

  • Energy

  • Waves and their applicaitons

  • Engineering & Design

Srinivasa Ramanujan
Mathemagition

Math Resources

We will be using many resources to egage everyone in math this year. In class we will be practicing math using Connected Math as a base for our classwork and Khan Academy as a resourse and practice. Please click on MATH RESOURCES page above and explore our tools.

Michio Kaku
Theoretical Physicist

“We are part of this universe; we are in this universe,but perhaps more important than both of these facts is that the universe is in us”

 

-Neil deGrasse Tyson

Evaluation & Goals

As an 8th grade team we have found that traditional letter grades are not always the best reflection of a student’s learning and can have very detrimental effects on a student’s confidence and learning progression. We have decided to grade in a more dialectical and holistic way to monitor student learning and progress. Students will still be receiving regular assignments and dialectical feedback on those that convey either a Mastery, Progressing, or Emerging understanding. Students will still be held accountable for completing all assignments and we will be completing weekly and unit reflections that we will be encouraging lots of parental input on.

Maryam Mirzakhani
Nobel Prize Winner Math

Community Expectations

All of us together are bound by one simple credo: we are a community of learners. All of us will rely on one another for help, aid, teaching, and learning! You will be expected to come to class each day to participate, investigate, and work toward learning. All I ask is that your behavior never interfere from another individual’s right and opportunity to learn. As a community, we will build our classroom expectations together. 

 

Wernher von Braun
Aerospace Engineer & Space Architect

Absences & Late Work

If you are absent check my DP for updated assignments and you will have exactly the same amount of days you were absent to complete your work. If you plan on being absent for 4 or more days please tell our site manager to set up a contract, you are responsible for work you miss. Becasue of the nature of project based learning you might also be missing key things involved in proejcts and group work so do you best to keep in communication when absent.

 

Nassim-Haramein
Theoretical Quantum Physicist

Tools

Please come to class with an open mind and ready to learn everyday. I recommend that you bring the following tools  but if unattainable we more than happy to supply them for you:

  • Pencil & a Pen

  • Lined paper

  • Scientific Calculator(optional but encouraged)

  • Expo marker(optional but encouraged)

  • Graphing Composition Notebook(optional but encouraged)

Yoda
Jedi Master

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