Science Binder Organization

Click here to download Science Material List

Grade 8 Science Blue Team

The Coakley binder system is designed to help you keep your papers, assignments, handouts, etc. organized and in a location where you can find them should you need to refer to them again. At least once per term I will conduct a binder check (rubric on back) that will count as a quiz grade.

Like any system, it requires practice and discipline until it becomes a habit. Having a system that works to keep your school work organized is key to your success in eighth grade and beyond

For science class you will need:

• One 1 inch binder
• Zippered pouch with holes to fit in binder (for your agenda binder)
• 5 – section tab dividers
• Two highlighters
• Two colored pens for corrections (not blue or black)
• Two pens and two pencils
• One spiral bound or composition notebook for the science journal (highly suggested, to be kept in class to be used daily)
• Lined filler paper for binder (more paper if not using a separate science journal)
• One accordion file

NOTE: Binders will be set up together in class on Thursday, September 3

ALL BINDER MATERIALS DUE Tuesday, September 8

Set up your binders in this way:

Working from the front, put the materials in the following order:

1. Divider labeled CLASS WORK/ HOMEWORK
2. Divider labeled STUDY GUIDES (these will help you study for your tests AND final exam)
3. Divider labeled MCAS REVIEW
4. Divider labeled TEST ANALYSIS/QUIZZES
5. Divider labeled LABS/PROJECTS

Use sections for homework, study guides, MCAS review, test/quizzes, etc. for one science unit (topic). When the science unit is completed, I will instruct you to move ALL classwork to your accordion file and label each section (i.e. PH book title). Save the accordion file at home to study for the final exam. Do NOT throw away study guides or old quizzes.

Some items will stay in your binder the whole school year. They should all be on green paper and include:

• The policies and procedures sheet signed by you and your parent
• This sheet detailing binder setup and materials
• Lab Safety Rules sheet/Lab Safety Contract
• Class Participation Rubric
• There may be other papers you are told to save for MCAS review. I will make this very clear.

Binder Checks

At least once per term you will have a graded binder check, that will count as a quiz grade. A sample of the grading rubric is shown below. If any changes are made to this rubric throughout the year, I will supply you with a new copy before the binder check.

Science Journal

You are expected to keep all science journal entries together for the whole year. In the past students who have chosen to keep a science journal in a separate notebook stored in science class have had much success in keeping the journal up to date and complete. As you can see from the rubric below, the science journal itself counts for 35 % of the science binder check (quiz grade). It also factors into the class participation grade given each term.

Sample Binder Check Grading Rubric

Science Binder Check           8 Green           Mrs. Bousquet

Student Name__________________________   Date _________

Task	Well Done	Mostly Done	Sometimes Done	Rarely Done	Your Score	Comments
Name and Subject on Binder Cover	5	3	2	1
5 Tabs Present and Labeled	10	7	5	3
Recent homework filed in numerical order (old homework OUT)	10	7	5	3
Class notes/handouts filed in tab	10	7	5	3
Science Journal: Date written daily	5	3	2	1
Science Journal: Question (or rephrasing of question) daily	10	7	5	3
Science Journal: Answer	10	7	5	3
Science Journal Reflections up to date	10	7	5	3
Tests/Quizzes filed in tab	10	7	5	3
Lab Safety Rules and Safety Contract filed under Labs	10	7	5	3
Agenda binder contains recent work only (last day or two) if not in folders	10	7	5	3
Total Score	100

Notes: