8th Grade Science
Miss K. Wirtz
2012-2013
OLHMS- Rm. 1017
1. District 123 Vision:
“Create a Dream, Make It a Reality”
2. District 123 Mission
The mission of Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123, as a district striving for excellence, is
to ensure that each student learns the skills, acquires the knowledge, and develops the
behaviors and attitude necessary to succeed in the future as a caring, responsible, and
productive citizen; this mission accomplished through a challenging instructional program that
is consistent with the state and local goals is provided by a caring and talented staff within a
safe and healthy environment in partnership with the entire community.
3. OLHMS Core Values
At Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, we are committed to SUCCESS by providing an
educational experience for each of our students that promotes CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT
and PROGRESS toward our three “Mustang Musts.”
Be Respectful refers to your ability to treat others the way you expect to be treated.
OLHMS students exhibit respect by…
- being polite and courteous
- following classroom expectations
- accepting teachers’ decisions
- cooperating and encouraging others
Be Responsible refers to your ability to take ownership of your actions. OLHMS students
exhibit responsibility by…
- being prepared for class
- following directions the first time they are given
- completing tasks
- using equipment properly
Be Safe refers to the role you play in maintaining a safe learning environment. OLHMS
students exhibit safety choices by…
- wearing school ID at all times
- avoiding harmful situations
- honoring personal space and materials
- entering and exiting the learning environment in an orderly fashion
4. Rationale
The purpose of 8th grade science is to investigate the three categories of science: earth, life,
and physical. Even though science has three different fields, we will use similar ways to think and
approach our work. As we study each unit, we will focus on the patterns that scientists have
found within that particular specialized branch. As we move from one unit to another, we will
blend knowledge from the different fields of science together to form a more general
understanding of our universe.
5. Objectives (3-5 BIG IDEAS)
ISBE Standards:
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GOAL 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate
questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
GOAL 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life,
physical and earth/space sciences.
GOAL 13: Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and
contemporary contexts.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Describe how the Earth has changed over time and continues to change.
 Trace the flow of water in the environment.
 Explain how water is a limited resource and how society depends on clean, safe water.
 Apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between
them.
 Summarize ways in which living things share common characteristics.
6. Daily Procedures
 Daily prompt
 Essential question and agenda
 Teacher instruction or demo
 Student lab or activity through guided instruction
 Closure/reflection activity
7. Expectations of Student
The student will:
 Follow the “Mustang Musts.”
 Arrive to class on time.
 Come to class prepared.
 Begin the daily prompt.
 Complete work that was not finished during class.
 Follow absent procedures.
Check Teacher Website
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Follow these simple steps:
www.d123.org
Click on: OLHMS
Click on: Teacher Pages
Click on: Ms. Wirtz
8. Expectations of Teacher
As a member of the OLHMS family, I understand the expectations for a positive learning
environment. I will model the “Mustang Musts” as way to ensure the opportunity for success on
behalf of each student. I will maintain standards of professional conduct to support student
learning and well-being.
9. Assessment Criteria
 Homework and class work will be graded on a point system (the number of points per
assignment will vary depending on the type and difficulty of the activity).
 Formative assessments will be given at the end of each lesson.
 Summative assessments will be given at the end of each unit.
10. Materials
 Textbook: Science- Integrated Course 3
 Binder
 Loose leaf paper
 Pen or pencil
 Red pen
 Netbook
 Markers or colored pencils
11. Instruction and Directions for Help?
District web site: www.d123.org
School Phone Number: (708) 499-6400
Email: kwirtz@d123.org