Earth Science Syllabus

American School of Tegucigalpa

Dear Earth Science Students/Parents:

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Science through the Earth Science Course for eighth grade. This course is widely described as a journey through Planet Earth and beyond our atmospheric boundaries. However, since the American School now offers the unique opportunity of preparing the students for International Baccalaureate studies through the Middle Years Program, it is also the foundation of a successful career in science. Let’s work together to excel in setting the right knowledge and attitude towards study in the students. Please take a few minutes to examine this short introduction and the classroom textbook to get acquainted with this course.

Course Compliance:
The course is designed to meet and/or exceed the requirements of the Ministerio de Educación de la República de Honduras and also the American School Science Benchmarks and Standards, which are based upon those suggested by the U.S. National Science Teachers Association, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Course Elements:
The course is supported by a textbook: Pearson Prentice Hall’s Science Explorer; M.Padilla, I. Miaoulis and M. Cyr, and is divided into four quarters:
First Quarter
Chapter 3: MINERALS
Chapter 4: ROCKS
Chapter 8: WEATHERING AND SOIL FORMATION
Chapter 9: EROSION AND DEPOSITION

Second Quarter:
Chapter 10: A TRIP THROUGH GEOLOGIC TIME
Chapter 11: ENERGY RESOURCES
Chapter 12: FRESH WATER
Chapter 13: OCEAN MOTIONS
Third Quarter:
Chapter 14: OCEAN ZONES
Chapter 15: THE ATMOSPHERE
Chapter 16: WEATHER FACTORS
Chapter 17: WEATHER PATTERNS
Fourth Quarter:
Chapter 18: CLIMATE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Chapter 19: EARTH, MOON, AND SUN
Chapter 20: THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Course Implementation:
In order to asses the student’s comprehension, the course requires a grading procedure divided as follows:
• On task 10%
• Homework and Classroom Work 20%
• Tests 25%
• Projects and Lab Activities 30%
• Quizzes 15%

You might have noticed that Class Participation is graded and required. I cannot stress enough the importance of personal attributes such as being prepared, on-time, follow directions, work well with others, show good classroom manners and display a positive attitude and effort all around, as these are roughly the matters that make class participation. Homework and classroom work are obviously graded to encourage completion of the assigned task. You might also have noticed that there are quizzes and tests. In a subject like Science, learning comes predominantly through observation, just like the original discoverers of many scientific processes did; Projects and Lab Activities will be part of the tools used to reinforce lectures, and will also be graded. Tests are chapter evaluations that will be announced and expected at the end of each chapter. Since students are also expected to review the material covered in class on a daily basis, they should be ready for a Quiz at any time, be it announced or unannounced.

Miscellaneous:
It is always important to read the Student/Parent Handbook as it is a good reference as to what is expected, permitted, prohibited and otherwise. If the need arises, you can contact me by making an appointment through the secretary to the Middle School Principal, or via email to the following address: merrazuriz@amschool.org

Best regards,








Marici Errázuriz-Giron