Earth Science Guidelines 2017-2018

Earth Science Guidelines 2017-2018 Ms. Donna Walsh Room B-201 Gorham High School Email: [email protected] Web: mswalshscience.wikispaces.com

Welcome to Earth Science class. I am very excited for this year and to work with all of you. Earth science (ES) is a science class that covers many interesting topics and science skills. The units we will cover this year are Science Basics, Geology and Earth & Human Activity. Some pieces may be familiar to you from Middle School. We will work with that information and move forward in your learning. If you come in to science with an open mind ready to learn and have some fun, I know you can be successful.

Here are the guidelines to help us have a successful year of learning:

Course Materials: Come prepared with the following items daily:

 1 1/2- inch binder for this class only  pen AND pencil (graphing and math are done in pencil)  laptop and charger  completed assignment (if any)  textbooks can be taken home or left in your locker but MUST BE COVERED

Students are expected to:

1. Show respect for themselves, others and the lab/classroom equipment. 2. Arrive to class on time with the above items. 3. Arrive to class with homework/work that is due completed. All assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated by the teacher. Late work will receive a reduction in grade. No late work in a unit will be accepted after the test on that unit. At that point, you didn’t do it, hopefully you did learn it. 4. Homework will be given as a part of the learning/practice process. 5. Work will be in groups on many occasions. Students are expected to cooperate with their classmates and the teacher. When working in groups, all students will be expected to do their share and all students will be responsible for the outcomes. 6. Ask questions! Students are responsible for their own learning. If you are having difficulties in class, please see me for extra help during Auxilium time, or after school. Just let me know when you want to stay. 7. Assignments “copied” from a friend will be scored as a zero for both students involved. Copying from other materials and presenting it as your own is called Plagiarism and will earn you a zero.

1 8. Students may bring small snacks and drinks with a secure cap – NO CANS. All trash and bottles must be cleaned up before the end of class. There is no food or drink allowed at the lab tables when labs are in session.

9. Students may NOT use ear buds or cell phones in class. Students MAY use ear buds during individual work with teacher’s permission. Laptops must be used for schoolwork only. Please review the electronics policy in the student handbook. Cell phones in this classroom will be stored upon entering the room in the cell phone ‘hotel’.Cellphones that are out during class will become the visitor to the ‘cell phone jail’. Students can obtain their phone at the end of the day. 10. Safety is an important part of science learning. Follow all safety rules given by the teacher. Any student not following the safety rules will be asked to stop the lab and given a grade of zero (0).

The teacher is expected to:

1. Respect all students. 2. Present material clearly and in multiple ways. 3. Explain all assignments. 4. Be available for extra help. 5. Return all graded assignments in a timely manner.

Grades: Note: Honors Challenge is available and will be discussed at a later date.

Tests, Major Summative assessments: 30% Labs, Projects, presentations/research: 30% Quizzes, Minor Summative assessments 25% Homework, classwork: 15%

Additionally, students will be assessed on the following standards;

*Stability and Change *Cause & Effect *Structure & Function *Matter and Energy *Developing and Using Models *Planning and Performing Investigations *Organizing and Evaluating Data *Constructing and Communicating Explanations *Math and Computational Thinking *Skills for Life: Students take responsibility for learning. Students behave ethically and respectfully.

2 Homework for Parents/Guardians:

Print Student Name: ______Period: ______

Print Parent/Guardian Name:

Who is the primary person to call or email about class concerns? Mom? Dad? Other?

______

Should I Phone: work/home/cell? Can you be contacted at work? Yes or No

Home phone:______Cell phone:______

Work phone:______

Mailing Address:______Parent Email:

(1)______

(2)______

***Do you wish to receive my biweekly class emails? Yes or No If yes, please make sure above email is clearly written! Thanks.

Please sign to indicate you have gone over these guidelines with your son/daughter:

______(parent/guardian signature)

Is there anything you would like me to know about your student? I will keep all in strict confidence. I look forward to meeting you at open house/conference time. If you have any questions on concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me or call me at school.

3 Please return to Ms. Walsh, Room B201, Gorham High School. Thank You.