Course Syllabus

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Course Outcomes	Binders
Required Materials	Late Assignments
Grading Policy	Absent Students
Labs and Assignments	Class Expectations
Studying

Course Outcomes:

Students will come to understand science as a way of thinking – It is being aware, asking why, and testing accepted answers as new tools and new pieces of information become available.

Students will evaluate how scientific concepts affect their daily lives in terms of health, economics, society, and culture. (Much of this will be done by looking at events in the news.)

As BHS has only a 2 year Science requirement, the freshman Science class is designed to address the High School science standards that are not met in Biology. While some are related to what students did in middle school, we will go more in depth and students will be expected to use their critical thinking skills at a more advanced level.

Subjects we will be studying include: Chemistry, Physics (motion and forces, waves, electricity, and magnetism), and Earth Science (Astronomy, California Geology including the use of topographic maps, and the Atmosphere)

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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	10 % Quizzes
69 – 60 % = D	20 % Tests
Below 60 % = F	50 % Assignments

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Labs and Assignments:

Most assignments will be in-class, but there will be at least one take-home project a semester, and when there is homework it will be graded and due the next day at the beginning of the period. Homework will always be given a point value, so be sure to be thorough as these assignments tend to be the ones that affect students' grades the most. Expect homework an average of 1 to 2 times a week.
Labs are an important 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!!!!
Complete all assignments and always give reasonable answers as I will be looking at all assignments and grading most! Thoughtful answers will generally receive at least half credit, so always try your best.

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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. If a parent would like to check on a student’s progress in class, looking at the binder is a GREAT way.

The contents of the binder will be:

1.) This course syllabus.

2.) Assignment Sheet with assignment titles and numbers filled in.

3.) ALL assignments in chronological order starting with one at the front of the binder. (Do not create your own separate sections!)

4.) Optional: A separate section for “warm-ups”. Warm-ups are to be written on binder paper (It is ok to put more than one per sheet.), dated, and turned in each unit on the day of the test. They are not given an assignment number, and technically do not need to be turned in with the binder.

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Late Assignments:

Late assignments will be accepted 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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