Course
Outcomes:
- Students will continue to
develop their understanding of science. Whenever possible, I will be
incorporating inquiry based learning in order to give students the
chance to interpret phenomena and determine the underlying principles
for themselves.
- Students will evaluate how the
ocean affects their daily lives in terms of health, economics, society,
and culture. (Much of this will be done by looking at events in the
news.)
- Our text book, Life On An
Ocean Planet, will serve as a reference as we study chemical,
physical, and biological oceanography.
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Required Materials:
Pens and Pencils
1 inch binder (Slightly larger is fine.)
Colored Pencils
Binder paper
Positive Attitude =)
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Grading
Policy
| 90 – 100 % = A |
10 % Final |
| 89 - 80 % = B |
10 % Organized Binder |
| 79 – 70 % = C |
15 % Quizzes |
| 69 – 60 % = D |
25 % Tests |
| Below 60 % = F |
40 % Assignments |
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Labs and Assignments:
Assignments:
- Most assignments will be in-class, but when there is
homework, it will be due the next day at the beginning of the
period, unless otherwise noted. Be sure to be thorough as
these assignments tend to be the ones that affect grades the most. If
you don’t know the answer, research it, and write something reasonable.
- Students will be allowed 3 late assignments a
quarter, but they will only be worth 50% of the points. Please do not
think this means a lot of late assignments will allow you to pass the
class. Remember 50% is still an F, it’s just better than having a 0.
Labs and Activities:
- Labs and activities are a HUGE part of this
course! As safety of the individual, and of the class as a whole, is
incredibly important, lab rules will be strictly enforced. If a
student does not comply with the lab procedures and expectations, then
he/she is risking an F on that lab and loss of lab privileges for at least
one additional lab. Finally, if a student is not careful with lab
equipment and damages any equipment then he/she will be charged, so BE
CAREFUL!!!! (The Science department has a fines list; if you would like
to view it, just let me know.)
- Students who miss a lab or activity must make them
up on designated days at lunch. A student will have 1 opportunity to make
up a lab, if the lab is not made up, the student will receive a 0.
- As this is a 3rd year science course, I
expect quality lab write-ups, and will grade them accordingly.
- Participation may be a component of some labs and
activities. If it is, you will be warned in advance, and your role will
be clearly outlined for you.
Extra Credit:
There will be several opportunities to obtain extra
credit this year.
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Studying:
Studying on a regular basis is the
only way to ensure that you will do well in this class. Homework
assignments will help, but just because I haven't assigned something doesn't
mean a student should not be working independently. STUDYING does not
mean flipping through your notes or the book! Some things to try are
flashcards, outlines, summarizing, explaining the concept out loud to a
parent or sibling, concept mapping, writing down questions about the notes
or text as you see them so you can come to me to get help, etc. Keep track
of what you're doing so that I am better able to help you if you are not
getting the grade you want.
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Binders:
Students are required to maintain a binder with all of their science work
for that quarter.
The contents of the binder will be in this order starting at the
beginning:
1.)
This course syllabus. Yes you must keep it all year!
2.)
Lab Safety Rules
3.)
Scientific Method and Lab Write-Up instructions
4.)
Assignment Sheet with assignment titles and numbers filled in.
5.)
ALL numbered assignments in chronological order. (Do not create
your own separate sections!)
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Late Assignments:
3 Late assignments will be accepted per
quarter
for 50 % of the points. Please do not think this means a lot of late
assignments will allow you to pass the class. Remember 50% is still an
F, it’s just better than having a 0.
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Absent Students:
Students are responsible for
obtaining their make-up work, and will be given one day for every day missed
to turn work in for full credit, unless otherwise arranged.
If a student is absent the day of a test
he/she must take it the day they get back.
He/She can take it before school, at lunch, or after school unless a
parent calls to make other arrangements.
Make-up tests will not be the same; they will be on the same content, but
will be made by the manufacturer of the text. (Students who
expect to take a make-up test should spend extra time reading the text.)
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Class Expectations:
In order to foster class discussions
and learning in general, students must feel comfortable in the classroom.
Therefore the cornerstone of our classroom must be RESPECT!
I have a ZERO tolerance policy for anything I or
the school considers to be negative towards any group, person, race,
ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference etc. This is a classroom
not a comedy club so there are no “funny” jokes that are negative – although
you may feel like the person you’re joking with understands, you have NO
idea how someone around you may feel. As all of my students are
young adults and I expect that they understand respect extends to property,
space, the teacher, and YOURSELVES!
I’m sure all of the following
expectations are fairly obvious and easy to follow, but I would like to make
sure that your transition into my class goes smoothly so…
- Be sure to be in your seat and QUIET when the bell
rings or I will mark you tardy and you will risk losing points.
If there is a warm-up written on the board then it
is your job to quietly begin working on it as soon as the bell rings – you
can use notes so there is no excuse not to try! I should not need to
ask you to get quiet or to start work on the warm-up, it should become
automatic.
Realize that any behavior that disrupts another’s
learning environments is disrespectful and will be met with some sort of
consequence.
CD players and cell phones etc. are NEVER to be
seen in my classroom. I will give one warning, but the next time there is
a problem I will collect the item and call a parent.
(Parent/Guardians: Often times the person calling is an adult, so please
do not assume your child has turned off their cell phone. If you need to
contact you child during class time, please call the office.)
Graphing calculators being used to play games will also be taken.
No food or drink with the exception of water. If a student is having
problems buying food at snack, I encourage him/her to bring one because I
will not make any exceptions.
BHS is going to begin enforcing its dress code more strictly and I
intend to support their decision, so please do not come in clothes that do
not comply with the dress code.
I do not expect everyone to
understand everything all of the time, but I do expect you to let me know
when you no not understand so that I can help you!
Have Fun! I will do my best to
relate this to your lives in some way, but you’ve got to try hard, find ways
to interest yourself in the subject matter, and stick through the parts that
are either tougher for you, or dare I say it … boring for you. I am ALWAYS
available for help both before and after school unless I notify you
otherwise. It may be best to let me know in advance however, so that I
can plan for it.
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