Environmental Science s2

Teacher: Mrs. Ko Room: 121 Email: [email protected] Phone: (323) 987-2144 Office Hours: Tuesday 3:30-4:30 or afterschool by appointment

Environmental Science Course Syllabus 2014-2015

Objectives The first purpose of this course is to improve your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. The second purpose of this course is to promote in you a heightened awareness of and curiosity about the natural world.

Classroom Expectations: Be Respectful, Try Hard, Be Neat  I expect you to be on time: If you come late, you will make up the time and work you missed during lunch, break, or after school.  I expect you to be prepared for class: You should always have a pencil, pen, highlighter, binder, paper, and homework on your desk.  I expect you to ask for help: If you do not understand something we are doing in class, or you are having trouble with homework, you need to tell me. I will ALWAYS make time to help you.  I expect you to work with your classmates: To be successful you will have to work cooperatively with other students in this class.  I expect you to make this classroom a safe place: Negative comments towards others are not acceptable.

Required Materials Everyday You must carry around with you all required school supplies. However, the following are VITAL for Environmental Science every single day: -Binder (see below for more information) -Spiral Notebook (8 ½ x 11 size) -Writing utensils (blue/black pens only, pencils, & highlighter) -Paper -Note cards

Science Binder & Spiral Notebook Two of the most important tools to success in this class are your binder and spiral notebook.

One section of your school binder will be dedicated to Environmental Science. In this section, you will include all assignments and handouts given to you in chronological order. These materials are useful to review and study for assessments.

The second success tool is your notebook. In this notebook you will take class notes, do homework, collaborate on projects, and reflect on your progress throughout the year. This spiral notebook should be 8 ½ x 11 so that you can staple/ tape in handouts that are given to you.

Homework and Classwork You will be assigned homework and classwork regularly to review what you learned, to increase understanding of course content, and to prepare you for exams. All homework must be completed and submitted at the beginning of class during the “Do Now” when I walk around to check each individual’s assignment. Students with incomplete homework or classwork will not be able to complete the daily quiz and receive a 0 in their grade book. Parents/ guardians will be called for incomplete homework or classwork.

Absences It is your responsibility to catch up on work you miss due to absence. Please contact me as soon as you return to school (after class or during break, not in the beginning of class). The work that was due on the day of your absence is due when you return to class. Grades A large portion of your grade will be based on your demonstration of what you’ve learned and can apply on assessments. Homework will also be calculated into your grade. Varied forms of assessments will include:

 Tests (exit slips, quizzes, group exams, unit exams, benchmark exams, final exams)  Writing tasks (essays, well-developed paragraphs, short answers, lab reports)  Projects (individual and group, including technology requirements)

I use a 4-point grading scale (4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=NP or Not Proficient). A “O” will be given for any formative or summative assessment that is missing, therefore it is up to you to ensure that you make up any missing work.

Office Hours I will remain after school every Tuesday until 4:30 p.m. for office hours. You are welcomed and encouraged to come to my classroom for help and/or enrichment studies. Please see me if you are unable to make it during this time and would like to set up an appointment to meet with me.

Cheating Cheating in any form will not be acceptable in this class. In a science class where students often work with lab partners there are circumstances where some information will be identical. It is acceptable to have identical data and graphs, but lab procedures, discussions and conclusions should be in the individual student’s own words.

Basic Rules  You must be in compliance with the school uniform to enter my classroom.  Chewing gum is NOT allowed.  If seen or heard, all phones/iPods will be taken away and given to Administration. Only your parent/ guardian will be able to retrieve it.  Earphones/ earbuds that are seen will be confiscated as well as the device to which they are connected.

Ladder of Expectations We cannot learn effectively if our classroom is not running smoothly and efficiently. If you choose to not be on focused and on task, the following disciplinary actions will result:  Level 1: Warning  Level 2: Student seating/group change  Level 3: Conference with student and parent phone call home  Level 4: Referral to the administrators

Laboratory Policy & Procedures Please see and sign the separate lab safety policy.

Signatures By signing this syllabus, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the class expectations, grading policies, classroom rules, and discipline policy. Student Name: ______

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

Parent/ Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______