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Gar-Pal Middle School
Mike Patrick
School: 509-635-1331
Email: mpatrick@garpal.net
Welcome to Middle School Science. In middle school science we will focus on the following topic areas;
6th Grade - Physical Science
7th Grade & 8th Grade -
- Odd Years - Life Science
- Even Years - Earth Science
Each year is focused on the Next Generation Science Standards as we work to prepare students to be successful in high school science and in meeting graduation requirements. Middle School Science is designed for the teacher and students to work together to actively collaborate and to construct scientific explanations, argue from evidence, and develop models to understand the natural world. Essentually to practice as scientists and engineers with the proper support to be successful.
Science Curriculum
Worktext: Students will receive 3 to 4 worktexts each year. These replace the typical textbook and can be written as we work through our lessons. The worktexts are the students to keep.
Hands-On Activities: Enable students to practice the scientific and engineering processes.
Online Resources
Digital Worktexts: Available from any electronic devise that has internet access. Is interactive and can be read to the student if selected as an option. Contains videos to enhance examples and explainations.
Lesson Checks: Used as check points for understanding and for test review.
Checkpoints: Allow for measuring student understanding of lessons, concepts, skills and applications.
Vocabulary: Is highligheted adn clickable so students can link directly to the definition.
Take it Further: Empowers students to choose their own learning path so they can continue their studies in the areas that most interst them.
You Solve It: Challenges students with open-ended simulation-based learningwith multiple answer options.
Unit Practice and Unit Review: Provide opportunities for students to engage in unit level review and evaluation.
Classroom Requirements:
Binder: Students are required to have a 1/5" - 2" 3-ring Science Binder. They may use a large binder that contains all their classes if desired, however they will need to have a dedicated science section with dividers for lessons from each worktext. Each unit will need it's own section in the binder. See the link for the binder scoresheet - Binder Scoresheet
Class Syllabus: Use the line provided for see the science expectations and topics we will cover in this class. Syllabus
Evidence Notebook: This is a is to be a sub-section in each subject area. Students are to record information as they develop an understanding of the concepts learned as evidence of their understanding and to factually explain the topics learned. Quality evidence and a good understanding of that evidence usually results in high quiz and test scored. Students can expect to be asked to explain their evidence or reasoning in their own words.
You will find on the additional webpages the following:
Weekly class schedule that includes assignment due dates and test dates
Science Fair Information as it becomes available
We all have our own junior high memories and for many this stage of life can be difficult as students grow. While the focus is academics, middle school is much more than that. I have a passion for helping my students learn how to treat each other "kindly" along with challenging them to be the best "them" they can be. It will be a good year.
Meet Mr. Patrick
I am excited to be teaching at GarPal Middle School and as usually am looking forward to a new school year. I cannot imagine a better community or group of students to work with and hope I can positively impact them as they move on from here.
My wife and I live in Garfield and have two grown kids and five grandchildren that live out of the area. My wife and I enjoy the outdoors and can be often be found camping, kayaking, and fishing. We enjoy fly fishing and I engoy hunting. To be completely honest, start looking forward to the next hunting season as soon as the current one ends. I am a Seahawk and Mariner fan and most definitely a Coug! Most Sunday mornings will be spent in church and then as a family day whenever possible.
I have been teaching for 27 years both at the high school and middle school level. One of my goals is to be positive and make the atmoshphere here and in my classroom positive and supportive. You can expect me to have the same high expectations for your students as I do for myself and I will treat your child the same as I treated mine. They will have high expectations, and will be treated with care and compassion. Excuses will get a limited ear and reasons discussed. I look to find ways for every student to be successful with hardwork and persistence.
Why do I teach? I left teaching after 3 years to work on my wife's family’s dairy farm and after 8 years returned to teaching. That time was valuable as I grew and realized I had a passion to work with students. Simply stated, I returned to the classroom with a strong desire to positively impact my students in hopes of creating a brighter future for each of them. That passion remains and I relish the opportunity to impact my students as we grow through middle school.
Parents, as we partner together and assist our students, I may be reached at mpatrick@garpal.net or here at school at 509-635-1331.
Mike Patrick
