CLASS EXPECTATIONS FOR EARTH SCIENCE
with MS. YOUNG
I. Welcome to Earth Science in room B317. I am looking forward to an exciting and challenging year. Earth Science involves investigations in Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography, and Geology. You will be doing a variety of activities and assessments based on individual learning style, readiness level and/or interest. You will work cooperatively and individually to meet the established benchmarks.
The main goal, however, is to help you to become a more environmentally aware and geologically knowledgeable steward of this planet.
II. Rules of this classroom:
A. RESPECT – It is expected that you will adhere to the ODS honor code and respect and treat others as you would want to be treated. All items not belonging to you should be treated with care.
B. No food or drink* will be allowed in class unless otherwise specified.
(* A water bottle is acceptable, but must have a spill-proof top.)
C. All VBCPS policies and lab safety will be followed and enforced. Infractions of the rules will follow the division’s discipline policy.
D. Cleanliness – Each class is responsible for picking up after themselves. You will not be dismissed until the room is in order. Please return materials to the place where you found them – unless otherwise noted. Free advice – clean up as you go.
E. Tardiness is unacceptable. You will be required to sign a “tardy” book each time you are late. The first time, you will receive a verbal warning. The second offense will result in parental contact. Third offenses warrant a detention (time to be determined by teacher). The fourth infraction will result in an administrative referral. More free advice – do not be late to class!
F. You will be dismissed by the teacher, not the bell.
G. All homework should be completed on time. If a student comes to class unprepared for the lesson, they may be required to complete the assignment before moving on with the days’ lesson.
III. Here is how your grade will be calculated in this class. Every graded assignment you do will be worth a certain amount of points. Quizzes, labs and performance tasks are generally worth from 50 to 100 points. Tests are in the 100 range, while summative tasks are usually closer to the 150-200 range. The more points something is worth, the more it will affect your grade. Your grade is calculated by dividing the total number of points you earned, by the total number of points possible. You may access the science department’s grading guidelines at:
IV. Absenteeism - It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to see the teacher for all make-up work. Students should be proactive during an absence when possible by e-mailing the teacher, other classmates, and/or checking the class website to get homework and other class information. If an absence is known in advance, the student must complete and turn in the work before the absence. For work assigned the day of the absence, the student will talk with the teacher about a reasonable deadline for making up the work. When a student is absent, the homework due that day is expected the day the student returns. A
“make-up page” will be made for students that outlines what was missed, but it is the student’s responsibility to pick it up from the designated area.
V. You will need a 3-ring binder with 4 dividers and your planner to get you organized for this class.
VI. Individual v. Collaborative work – While some of the work done in class may be collaborative,
all work is expected to be completed individually unless specifically directed by the teacher. Collaborative work must involve the agreed upon input from each member of the group.
VII. Communication – Building a working relationship with each student by involving his or her family is essential to a student’s success. I will be communicating on an ongoing basis via the division’s new platform, Schoology, the weekly MySchoolMail, the student planner, phone and email and texting through the Remind app. Feel free to reach me at [email protected]. More information about joining some of these will be forthcoming.
VIII. Capstone Project: As a part of our regular studies in Earth Science, students will analyze data, conduct experiments, and reach conclusions. Students will also be participating in an interdisciplinary “Capstone” project (Citizen/Community Action Project) in collaborative groups that integrates science inquiry and sustainability from Earth Science and citizenship, economics and local, state and national government from Civics. More information will be provided in late September when we get started.
IX. Earth Science Text: The Earth Science text is occasionally used as a resource in our curriculum. Students will be given a book to take home and keep at home. There will be a class set of books in the room for our in-class use. Replacement cost is $75.00, so please return the book at the end of the year in the condition received.
X. Standards of Learning – The Commonwealth of VA have adopted Standards of Learning for this course (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/). Therefore, it is extremely important that students complete all assignments, tests, and projects, as all of these methods will be used to impart knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the SOL test at the end of this course. Additional SOL information will be forthcoming.
Finally, this is a high school credit-bearing course. You will be required to challenge yourself while utilizing time management and organizational skills. Written homework is minimal, but do not take advantage of that. When it is assigned, make sure you complete it. You should spend at least fifteen minutes reviewing new material every night. If any problem comes up, you need to come to me immediately so that we can work out a resolution. I am available during lunch, FOCUS, and after school (by appointment only).
I look forward to a relationship with each of you, and hope that I instill a love of science and a respect for all the beauty that surrounds you!
Acknowledgement and Signature Page for Osprey Earth Science
for ______________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Student: I have read the Class Expectations for Earth Science and I understand what is required and expected of me. I agree to comply with it in order to have a happy, productive, and fun-filled year of learning. I also acknowledge that this is an SOL course and contains an SOL End-of-Course (EOC) test.
Signature ____________________________________________ Date: _________________
Parent/Guardian: I have read the Class Expectations for Earth Science. I plan to help my child comply with this so that my child’s learning experience will be maximized. We have discussed goals for the desired outcome of this H.S. class. I also acknowledge that this is an SOL course and contains an SOL End-of-Course (EOC) test.
Signature ____________________________________________ Date: __________________
Comments/Concerns:
Grading and Evaluation Practices
Approval Path for Secondary Schools Checklist
School: Old Donation School
Grade Level: 6, 7, 8
Department: Science
Teachers working within their school communities and with their administration shall determine how best to achieve consistency within a school and across departments and grade levels. As such, school staffs will come to a common agreement about specific practices suggested in the guidelines. To accomplish this, each school either by grade level, department or specialized course, shall annually develop and submit grading expectations that adhere to School Board Policy and Grading Guidelines to the Department of School Leadership beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
Teachers’ development of grading and evaluation practices
Teachers
Check when Completed
Homework
Daily homework assignments are formative and will not count towards the student’s cumulative grade.
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Late Work:
When an assignment is not completed by the date due, teachers shall exercise informed professional judgment to determine consequences and adjust deadlines if appropriate, taking into account the following:
- the nature and purpose of a particular assignment
- the timeliness of the assignment as it relates to the current instruction
- individual circumstances
Students will submit work when due. Depending on the nature of the work, an alternative assignment or time during the following FOCUS period will be provided to complete the work as per the discretion of the teacher.
Teachers shall strive to empower students to exercise developmentally appropriate responsibility through built-in processes, such as strategic planning for long-term assignments.
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Zeros
In assessing student learning, all student work is to be carefully considered. Reasonable efforts should be made to hold students accountable for completing missed assessments.
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Reassessment
Students who would like to demonstrate mastery may be given an opportunity for additional instruction to be able to do a reassessment on pulse checks provided that the student has completed all assignments including homework leading up to the task. The reassessment must be completed before the next topic is assessed.
Teachers shall exercise informed professional judgment to determine when additional opportunities for reassessment are appropriate and/or necessary in order to obtain evidence of student learning as it relates to curricular objectives.
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Make-Up work:
When a student is missing work due to an excused absence, teachers shall
- provide all relevant assignments
- consider the length and reason for the absence when determining which assignments will be assessed and when they are due
- accept and assess all assigned make-up work
- provide reasonable and flexible deadlines that take into consideration a student’s individual circumstances
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of established guidelines and to follow those guidelines to make up the assignment.
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Extra Credit
No extra credit opportunities will be available.
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