Welcome to 8th Grade Science!
Welcome to our new Arizona Science Standards!  We will be using  CK12 Education online Techbook (available at home by logging in to the site by logging in to the DVUSD Portal first then selecting Discovery Education).  We will also be using Canvas, an online instructional program that is in use at the High School, so great practice for next year!  

We are always updating and addressing ways to positively enhance this experience for both the students and the parents, so please send me an email, text or call if you have any thoughts or improvements!

How to Communicate: 

First lets talk about Communication.  The most important part of the learning process is that we have to communicate with each other as much as possible so that you do not feel lost, and so that we can have open discussions where you can voice thoughts and opinions based upon your research and learning.  The first weeks classes will just be the basics on how to Write a CER, Proper internet research and an Introduction to Canvas, and you will need to show your parents how you review assignments due and how to access info there.  If you or your parents have ANY questions please use one of the following methods to contact me,  I will be monitoring all of the methods, so feel free to use the method you are most comfortable with: 

1.  Email:  My email address is Mark.Sides@DVUSD.org 

2.  Canvas Messaging:  On the left side of your screen on Canvas there is an INbox.  If I am online it will ding and let me know that you have a question or issue.

3.  Discussions:  As we will do in the beginning of the year with our "Fact or Fake" assignment, you will be entering discussions each week about what you research and how you interpret those facts that you find.  Post your thoughts/response and then the program will allow you to view others responses.  Then you will need to reply to two (2) other peoples responses.

4.  Tutoring/ Office Hours : Monday through Friday I am available by appointment either at 0730 or after 1530 to provide tutoring or any assistance needed.  Due to staff and district meetings please schedule the days that you would like to see me so we can get it scheduled together. 

5. Grading  

Assessments, Assignments and Projects

We will be introducing Standards Based Grading, but still using the A-F grading scales and percentages.  This means you are only graded on your knowledge of the State Standards and NOT on behavior, homework completions, extra credit points, or other non-science related tasks. Grading for this class will be weighted as follows:

Projects/Assessments – 99%

Projects are combinations of Labs, Group Projects and Individual Presentations that directly address a standard.  Assessments can be retaken multiple times within the grading Quarter with a cutoff of 7 school days from end of grading period to improve grades.  However, after the initial assessment a retake can only be allowed AFTER all of the Learning Progressions for that standard have been completed with a minimum score of 70%, or receiving  3 out of 4 points.

Learning Progressions – 1%

Quizzes and Lab/Project Writing Assignments will be open at all times to aid in mastery of the information, you may continue to research and retake the quizzes until you achieve 100%!   Students have been given a Science Composition Book for Notetaking in class, and these notes can be used by that student during the assessment!

Stay safe online, and remember that all of the in class slides and lectures are posted in each assignment in Canvas!

Can't wait to see all of you again!