Last modified: November 11, 2022
Tricia Midgley
I love Science! There are phenomena all around us. I love looking for them, asking questions about them, and doing investigations to better understand them. This is why I love science! It’s so cool to me to figure out how everything around us works, and why it works in the way it does.
I am married and have 4 children. I moved here 4 years ago from Boise, Idaho, where I am originally from. I love living here in the shadow of these beautiful mountains. I enjoy going on walks, reading with my kids, playing board games and watching movies. My dream is to have a completely organized home and garage all at the same time. I know, seems impossible, but I’ll never give up on my dream. :-) My favorite possession . . . my label maker.
Science 8 Gifted
Course Description
The 8th grade gifted science curriculum focuses on energy. The disciplines of this course include chemistry, physics, and environmental science concepts. It is a hands-on course, which includes projects and supervised lab work. Students will have an opportunity delve deep into their own interest areas in each discipline. Independent and group projects will help them learn teamwork and collaboration.
Learning Expectations
- I can trace the conversion of energy from one form to another including potential and kinetic energy.
- I can describe the structure of matter by comparing and contrasting atoms and molecules.
- I can describe how heat energy affects density and the motion of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.
- I can identify observable evidence of physical and chemical changes.
- I can show that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction.
- I can trace the path of energy from the sun to mechanical energy in plants and animals through photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
- I can describe how carbon moves from one source to another in the carbon cycle.
- I can describe the structure of waves and how they transfer energy through different mediums.
- I can analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events.
- I can identify the factors that change global temperatures and how they affect regional climate.
- I can explain how geological processes cause uneven distribution of resources.
Assessment of Progress
Parents should check PowerSchool regularly to track their student performance. To find PowerSchool go to https://grades.provo.edu/public/ . Enter your student’s 6 digit ID numbers (this is on your student’s report cards and schedule) and the password is their birthdate using the following format 4/18/02. Do not use preceding zeros.
Grade Scale:
100-97 A+ 96-93 A 92-90 A-
89-87 B+ 86-83 B 82-80 B-
79-77 C+ 76-73 C 72-70 C-
69-67 D+ 66-63 D 62-60 D-
Below 60 Incomplete
In an accelerated course, you are expected to perform at higher levels. Students who do not maintain at least a C average for each term may be placed in a support class at the beginning of the following term. Please come see me if your child is struggling, I’d love to help!
Course Materials
Composition notebook
Pencil
Inquiring mind
Classroom Procedures
- Students are required to be in their seats with their journals out when the bell rings.
- Daily Energizers will be given the first few minutes of class. These Energizers are designed to assess student understanding from the previous class period. Energizers will be worth 5 points.
- Students must follow safety procedures when participating in labs, which will be often.
- We will do much of our learning on Chromebooks.
STEM Fair Due Date and Curriculum Schedule
- All accelerated science classes will be required to participate in Centennial’s Annual STEM Fair. Projects will be due JANUARY 18, 2019. This year’s STEM Fair will be held on JANUARY 24, 2019. Students will be required to stay after school on that day.
| Unit # | Standards | Topics Covered | # of Days | Dates |
| 1 | 8.1.1-8.1.3 | Fundamentals of Chemistry
Atoms and molecules, properties of matter, chemical reactions |
12 | Aug 21 – Sept 24 |
| 2 | 8.1.4-8.1.6 | Properties of Matter
Synthetic and natural materials, particle motion, density, temperature, states of matter, law of conservation of mass |
13 | Sept 25 – Nov 5 |
| 3 | 8.2.1 – 8.2.3 | Potential and Kinetic Energy
Energy transfer, potential and kinetic energy, thermal energy, friction, speed, velocity, mass |
6 | Nov 6 –
Nov 26 |
| 4 | 8.2.4 – 8.2.6 | Waves
Waves, properties of waves, light, sound, energy, wave behavior, digital vs analog |
9 | Nov 27 – Dec 20 |
| 5 | 8.3.1 – 8.3.2 | Living Energy
Photosynthesis, cellular respiration, molecular and energy transformation |
10 | Jan 7 –
Feb 5 |
| 6 | 8.3.3 | Flow of Matter and Energy
Ecosystems, abiotic, biotic, energy flow, carbon cycle, producers, consumers, decomposers |
4 | Feb 6 –
Feb 15 |
| 7 | 8.4.4 -8.4.5 | Natural Hazards
Climate change, forecasting natural disasters |
8 | Feb 20 – Mar 14 |
| 8 | 8.4.1 | Natural Resources
Limited and renewable resources, resource distribution |
8 | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| REVIEW FOR STATE TESTING | ||||
| STATE TESTING | ||||
| Engineering Design: plan, design, build, test, criteria, constraints, modifications, analysis, application |
Progress Reports
Grades are entered on a weekly basis. Check Powerschool on a regular basis for continued updates on how your child’s learning is going.
Connecting Home to School
Please email me anytime! I love your kids and want to help their learning in anyway I can.
triciam@provo.edu
Personal Statement
How to succeed in my class:
- Come every day
- Bring your journal and pencil
- Focus on me and what we’re doing every day
- Do the work
- Positive attitude
“There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.”