COURSE: Earth Science is a year long course that studies introductory concepts in geoscience via "inquiry" and "activity based" pedagogy. The larger objective of the class is for the student to understand basic theories, rules, laws as they apply within geoscience, and to understand the connections between the many Earth systems (spheres), as well as to come to a greater appreciation for the natural world and the universe that we are a part of. The immediate purpose is to prepare the student for additional science classes in high school and college. The course is designed to be interesting, challenging, and grade level appropriate.
CURRICULUM SEQUENCE: Science Fundamentals: Lab Safety, The Metric System, Unit Analysis, Methods of Science, Matter/Energy, and the following thematic units of study in the following sequence: Unit 1: Earth Science, Unit 8: Beyond Earth, Unit 2: Composition of Earth, Unit 3: Surface Processes on Earth, Unit 4: The Atmosphere and the Oceans, Unit 5: The Dynamic Earth, Unit 6: Geologic Time, Unit 7: Resources and the Environment. The study of Earth Science utilizes the traditional sub-disciplines of Physical Geography, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Astronomy in the pursuit of this understanding.
TEXTBOOKS: Supplemental text, Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe (Glencoe Science, NGS) to be used in the classroom. In addition, one district adopted text by Holt: Earth Science for the student to keep at home and have access to without having to carry the text to and from school. Both textbooks correlate nicely by topic.
See Glencoe On-line Learning Center for Earth Science: http://www.earthgeu.com
http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078664233/
STANDARDS: This course is designed to support California state standards for Earth Science.
California State Earth Science Standards: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/sciencestnd.pdf
EXPECTED SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING RESULTS (ESLRS): Physical Science is designed to help students with achieving the ESLRS. Patrick Henry students are: ("The 5 C’s")
1. Communicators, Readers, and Writers
2. Critical Thinkers
3. Computer Literate and Technologically Aware
4. Community Members and Responsible Citizens
5. Culturally Aware Individuals
BEHAVIOR: You are expected to approach this class as if it were a job and a paycheck depended upon your behavior and work habits. Your future education and career goals and choices greatly depend on how well you behave and perform in school. Your presence in class is important. An excellent attendance record is not only terrific training for work, but will contribute to your success in school. Make a commitment to yourself to be your best! And always bring a positive attitude to class :-) !
SUPPLIES: Always bring the following items to class everyday:
* regular notebook paper (no lacy edges from spiral notebooks)
* pencil and pen (blue or black ink)
* scientific calculator, ruler, and protractor. A calculator may be checked out of the library for students with need.
* textbook as required by the teacher
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned two to four times a week and will be about 30 minutes in length. It must be complete and turned in at the beginning of class on the day it is due for full credit. Tardy students will not be allowed to turn in their homework for on time full credit. Late homework automatically drops to 70%. No late homework will be accepted after the folder is collected.
WORK FILES/FOLDERS: Students will create and maintain a Science File for each unit. Files will consist of class work and homework. Students are responsible for all assignments and must make up all missing work by the time folders are collected. Total homework and classwork points will be recorded in the gradebook only after the work files are collected on a specified due date. Folders will be evaluated for quality and completeness. There are 2 scored files per semester. They are in essence like long term projects.This allows maximum time for students to finish work, and cuts down loss of curriculum time by limiting admin time. (9th graders: It is essential to save all of your work in the hanging file that is provided for you in the classroom!) Save all of your scored files to use as study guides for tests and for end of semester finals. Do not throw anything away until summer!
ASSIGNMENT LIST: Each student will maintain an assignment list indicating the date the assignment was given, the due date, the title of the assignment, and specific instructions for the assignment. Parents, the best way to oversee your student's classwork and to know what homework is required and when it is due is to request from your student their assignment list on a daily basis.
MAKE-UP WORK: This is your responsibility---not the teacher's! Students must make-up all class work and homework within two days of a legitimate absence. Some assignments, such as labs, will be impossible to make-up for full credit. Plan to take a make-up test within one week of your return. An alternative agreement can be made if the absence was lengthy. No make-ups will be given for class quizzes or for tests not taken within one week of your return. No make-up work will be allowed for unexcused absences or truants. Long range projects and assignments are always due on the assigned date --- regardless of your attendance. You may drop off your work at the front office if necessary. Important: Check the assignment list in class to see what assignments you are responsible for during your absence (this is a self-serve system) or copy the instructions and update your assignment list with another student in the class.
GRADES: Folders: in class work/homework 60% Tests/projects: 40%
Grades will be calculated on a point system. Students are expected to put their best effort forward, be conscientious about all assignments, and participate in their own learning. Obviously, any work that is obtained through cheating or plagiarism will be given a zero and disciplinary action will be taken.
GRADING SCALE: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F
SEMESTER GRADE: The semester grade will be based on a cumulative total from the entire semester. In other words, your points divided by the total points possible X 100 = ___%. The same grading scale will be used as mentioned previously.
EXTRA CREDIT: Self-guided field trips with worksheets are available for extra credit. Each field trip satisfactorily completed will add approx. 2.5% to your semester grade. All work must be neat, complete, including any required "rubbings," and signed by a parent. Two field trips per semester are allowed. Field trip worksheets will be due prior to the end of the semester grading period.
CITIZENSHIP: For progress report grades, no student will receive higher than a "S". Students receiving a "S" during the semester will receive a "G" or "E" for a final semester grade (which is then a permanent record). This is done to encourage you to be on your best behaviour. Show-up on time, participate, learn, behave and you will get the citizenship grade you deserve.
ATTENDANCE: 18 or more absences may result in an automatic "F" for the course.
TARDIES & TRUANTS: Students arriving late to class (see beginning of class bell policy) frequently disrupt the teaching and learning process. It is very important to plan your day so that you can arrive on time. All tardies and truancies will face the same consequences as other conduct problems. As the administration has said, "If you are late, you are late. No excuses." Tardies and truancies affect your citizenship grade negatively. No make-up work will be allowed. The front office only allows 72 hours to clear attendence.
PERIOD ABSENCES: Mr. Simpson uses the seating chart to take roll, and takes roll 2X per period and very carefully. Students not in their assigned seats will be marked absent. Students are always warned prior to taking roll. Period absences must be cleared with the front office within 72 hours of being contacted by the school. Any disbutes must be cleared with Mr. Simpson within the same 72 hours.
SECURITY CAMERAS: are used in class for student/teacher safety and security, as well as additional deterrent against theft and vandalism. Smile and be on your best behavior :-))
COMMUNICATION: I have an open door policy for students. I am generally available after school until 3:30PM. I prefer to discuss issues regarding grades and homework with the student directly. For parents it is best to contact me via email. I do not respond to emails regarding grades and homework from parents and/or guardians without discussing the matter with the student first. The student must initiate the conversation. Grades are available online in Student Connect. Please ask your son/daughter for their username and password to view. Mr. Simpson does not have access to user/password information. It is my expectation that when a student is absent he or she will contact another student to inquire about missed notes and homework. Circumstances are different for every student and I am willing to work around them as appropriate.
DAMAGE TO CLASS/LAB EQUIPMENT OR TEXTS OR ELECTRONICS: If the damage is caused by accident, misuse, or abuse, the student/parent will be responsible for the cost to fix or replace the item. Care and safety procedures must always be abided by.
RULES FOR PROPER CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
1. Beginning of Class Bell Policy: Be in your seats, attentive, and quiet by the last tardy bell.
2. Everyone, including the teacher, will be treated with respect.
3. No profanity, put-downs, hurtful comments or actions will be tolerated.
4. No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning or teaching process.
5. No food, drink, candy, or gum. Bottled water will be allowed.
6. No hats will be worn in class.
7. Raise your hand and wait to be called on to ask a question, or to get out of your seat for a legitimate purpose. (Obviously this doesn’t apply during labs.)
8. End of Class Bell Policy: Straighten up classroom. Pick up any trash and place in waste can. Be in your seats before the dismiss bell rings. Remember: The teacher dismisses the class, the bell does not !
CONSEQUENCES: Any student who chooses to break the rules will face the following discipline measures:
1. If the infraction is relatively light, the student will be reminded of the rule and then be kept after class to provide a service. A call home may also be made.
2. If the warning is not respected, or the infraction is more severe, the student may recieve "time-out" (outside the class), a referral, serve formal detention time and/or be kept after class to provide a service. A call home will also be made.
3. A further non-compliance or any seriously disruptive or defiant behavior will result in a referral to the counselor or vice principal. A call home will also be made.
4. Further infractions will result in a referral and increased consequences from the counselor and/or vice principal's office.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign and return to Mr. Simpson by due date:________________
I have read and understand the Academic and Classroom Behavior Plan for Mr. Simpson's Earth Science class. (School Year 2014/2015)
Print name of student________________________________ Class period_____
Signature of student_________________________________ Date___________
Print name of parent or guardian_______________________________________
Signature of parent or guardian________________________________________
Day time phone #___________________ Evening phone #__________________