Welcome to the Grade 8 Science Website!
About Ms. Mack-
I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2016 with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and again in 2017 with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. This is my 7th year teaching and 6th year as the 8th grade science teacher at BMS!
When I am not teaching I enjoy playing soccer, softball or hanging out at the beach (or any body of water). I have 3 sisters and 4 CATS named Nutmeg, Winnie, Binx and Theo, they will pop up often throughout our school year together!
In my senior year of college I was fortunate enough to participate in a field study abroad to Iceland! I spent 10 days travelling around the southern coast of Iceland to study the local geology because rocks, ROCK!!!
Some of Ms. Mack's Favorites:
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee & Sprinkled DONUTS!!!
Giraffes
Sour Airhead Gummies and chocolate ANYTHING!
Harry Potter
Random Trivia Knowledge
A terribly good Pun
I look forward to our year of Science together!
Grade 8 Topics of Study-
Course Expectations & Guidelines-
Classroom Decorum & Behavioral Guidelines---
Proper behavior in the classroom is the norm, not the exception. There are 5 basic Guidelines:
Do not do anything that will disrupt instruction in any way.
Do not leave your seat without permission
Raise your hand if you wish to ask a question make a comment or raise a concern
Be respectful of your peers, faculty and the physical environment of the classroom.
Keep your hands to yourselves at all time
Expanded Guidelines---
Conduct yourself with appropriate classroom decorum at all times. (Decorum means: dignity or correctness that is socially expected.)
Be on time to class! You are considered late if you are not in your seat when the Classroom bell rings.
You cannot go to your locker once class has started. Plan ahead.
Stay on task! When working in groups your conversation should only pertain to the assignment not social commentary.
You should be well behaved when visitors or substitute teachers are in the room. Substitutes are required to leave me very detailed notes regarding the day's activities, especially concerning student behaviors. You do not want your name on ‘the report’.
Please keep the tables neat and push the chairs in place when you leave.
If you must use the lav facilities, please ask before we begin class.
Dismissal is by instructor only. Never stand in the door in anticipation of the class ending.
No backpacks or jackets are allowed to be brought into the classroom, the exception the rule is Period H where belonging should be stowed under the tables.
No gum in the classroom and electronic devices must be left in your locker.
Touch equipment only with my permission!
No whining-no excuses, all students are expected to give their best effort.
Lab Safety Information-
Remember:
Safety in the science classroom is
NO ACCIDENT!
CT Science Standards- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS
Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science.
When these concepts, such as “cause and effect”, can help students develop a coherent and scientifically-based view of the world around them.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES
Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.
DISCIPLINARY CORE IDEAS
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are the key ideas in science that have broad importance within or across multiple science or engineering disciplines. These core ideas build on each other as students progress through grade levels and are grouped into the following four domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering.