8th-grade students must earn a final grade of 60% or higher in order to successfully earn a passing grade for the class.
Class Assignment Policies:
Unless otherwise noted, all assignments will be posted and submitted on Google Classroom.
LOW
Google Form Activities
Each weekly module will include an online lesson activity designed to assess students engagement and success with the academic content required for each academic standard (module) on this website. Students will have regularly scheduled class time to complete and/or have additional support to complete these activities.
MID
Assignments
Assignments will include a variety of activities/exercises designed for the students to demonstrate their abilities to apply the knowledge they are expected to have learned during each module of the course.
Discussions
Module discussions will be assigned periodically and are designed to engage a student’s interaction with others in the course and provide constant, helpful feedback and assistance when dealing with various concepts of Earth science. Discussion postings should be courteous, thoughtful, and carefully written. To facilitate the discussion and prevent procrastination, two deadlines are scheduled for each discussion.
HIGH
Quizzes
Quizzes will be generally administered during each weekly module. Many of which will be averaged together for a single assignment grade. Most quizzes will be considered open-book which means student may consult all course materials, or even external Internet resources.
Science Journal
Students will be expected to keep a science journal each marking period. Each lab activity will include unique expectations for the student to record data, answer questions, summarize important information, take notes, and subsequently individually reflect on their own learning for each activity. Science journals will include a target goal in the form of points or stamps that will assess student engagement in the lab/classwork activities. Science journals will be graded two times during each quarter or marking period. Once prior to interim reports and again prior to report cards. Students who meet the assigned goal/target will earn 100% and students who exceed the target goal during each assessment period will earn extra-credit!
District Common Assessment Exams
After each unit of study Horry County Schools has created an exam designed to test students ability to successfully answer higher order questions using the scientific content learned during each unit. These questions are aimed at helping prepare and expose students to the types of ACT and SAT type questions they will likely experience the future. These exams will NOT be scored traditionally and will be scale scored. Following the exam every student will have the opportunity to complete a redemption activity/assignment to recoup points (if needed or desired) to earn additional credit for each exam. These exams are also designed to help teachers and students identify strengths and weaknesses to help foster individual student growth in preparation for high school and beyond.
LOW
Google Form Activities
Each weekly module will include an online lesson activity designed to assess students engagement and success with the academic content required for each academic standard (module) on this website. Students will have regularly scheduled class time to complete and/or have additional support to complete these activities.
MID
Assignments
Assignments will include a variety of activities/exercises designed for the students to demonstrate their abilities to apply the knowledge they are expected to have learned during each module of the course.
Discussions
Module discussions will be assigned periodically and are designed to engage a student’s interaction with others in the course and provide constant, helpful feedback and assistance when dealing with various concepts of Earth science. Discussion postings should be courteous, thoughtful, and carefully written. To facilitate the discussion and prevent procrastination, two deadlines are scheduled for each discussion.
HIGH
Quizzes
Quizzes will be generally administered during each weekly module. Many of which will be averaged together for a single assignment grade. Most quizzes will be considered open-book which means student may consult all course materials, or even external Internet resources.
Science Journal
Students will be expected to keep a science journal each marking period. Each lab activity will include unique expectations for the student to record data, answer questions, summarize important information, take notes, and subsequently individually reflect on their own learning for each activity. Science journals will include a target goal in the form of points or stamps that will assess student engagement in the lab/classwork activities. Science journals will be graded two times during each quarter or marking period. Once prior to interim reports and again prior to report cards. Students who meet the assigned goal/target will earn 100% and students who exceed the target goal during each assessment period will earn extra-credit!
District Common Assessment Exams
After each unit of study Horry County Schools has created an exam designed to test students ability to successfully answer higher order questions using the scientific content learned during each unit. These questions are aimed at helping prepare and expose students to the types of ACT and SAT type questions they will likely experience the future. These exams will NOT be scored traditionally and will be scale scored. Following the exam every student will have the opportunity to complete a redemption activity/assignment to recoup points (if needed or desired) to earn additional credit for each exam. These exams are also designed to help teachers and students identify strengths and weaknesses to help foster individual student growth in preparation for high school and beyond.
Class Participation
Depending on the class activities, you are responsible for completing weekly assignments, participate in class lab work and/or discussions, and check into Google Classroom on a daily basis.
Assignment Deadlines
You will always be given explicit instructions on where to submit your assignments. Assignments are usually due on a weekly basis on Google Classroom – the exact dates will always be found on Google Classroom. If you wish to complete posted assignment prior to the due date, you may.
Late Work Policy
Any good assignment or class will likely take a considerable amount of time. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you begin each assignment early. Work on it regularly over the week rather than waiting until the last day or two. This will allow you to have the chance to work out problems or get help in or out of class if needed to avoid turning in any late assignments.
Any assignments that are not turned in at the assignment due date will be put in the grade book as a 0 (even if a student is absent) to accurately reflect the student's current grade. Students may turn in assignments late; however, an online grade update form must be completed in order for the grade to be updated in the gradebook after the due date. However, the assignment may be subjected to a late penalty according to school policy. Grate Update Forms can be found within the Classwork tab on Google Classroom. All late work must be completed prior to the end of each marking period in order to receive any credit and may not be updated immediately, but will be graded as soon as possible.
Any assignments that are not turned in at the assignment due date will be put in the grade book as a 0 (even if a student is absent) to accurately reflect the student's current grade. Students may turn in assignments late; however, an online grade update form must be completed in order for the grade to be updated in the gradebook after the due date. However, the assignment may be subjected to a late penalty according to school policy. Grate Update Forms can be found within the Classwork tab on Google Classroom. All late work must be completed prior to the end of each marking period in order to receive any credit and may not be updated immediately, but will be graded as soon as possible.
Turnaround Time
The teacher will be monitoring Google Classroom on a daily basis. On-time submitted assignments will be graded and personalized feedback will be provided within 6 days after the module is concluded. E-mail messages will be answered within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends.
Opportunities to Earn Points Back on Assignments
For any weekly module you wish to earn additional points back you may have the opportunity to complete a different exercise for that particular module by notifying the teacher using a grade update form and re-submitting it in the same assignment area on Google Classroom.
Extra-Credit Opportunities
Extra-credit opportunities are always available in student science journals and may be occasionally provided by the teacher.
Incomplete
- A grade of incomplete may be granted to students who have suffered serious personal illness or critical emergency circumstances during the academic term, resulting in failure to complete all assignments by the end of the quarter.
- If any student requires additional time on an assignment please email the teacher prior to the due date requesting additional time if necessary.
Academic Integrity Policies:
Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with the teacher, faculty, administrative staff, and fellow students. Students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work that is not a product of the student’s own effort is considered dishonest. Please refer to the school and district policies for additional information regarding the policies on academic honesty.
HCS Academic Integrity Policy
HCS Academic Integrity Policy
Honor Pledge
"On my honor, I pledge:
From this day forward, I understand that my digital footprint on any document, including tests, papers, and other work submitted for a grade is a confirmation of this honor pledge.”
- that I will take responsibility for my personal behavior; and
- that I will actively oppose every instance of academic dishonesty as defined school and district policies.
From this day forward, I understand that my digital footprint on any document, including tests, papers, and other work submitted for a grade is a confirmation of this honor pledge.”
Visit Google Classroom to submit your honor pledge and your first response to the discussion question located in the class stream.