Marine Science Syllabus s1

Marine Science Syllabus

Mrs. Jennifer Fagan Email: [email protected] Text: Marine Science the Dynamic Ocean Voicemail: 26439 Extension: 26259 Edmodo code: ______

Course Goals: Through the successful completion of Marine Science, students will understand the following key principles of Ocean literacy:  1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features.  2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.  3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.  4. The ocean makes Earth habitable.  5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.  6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.  7. The ocean is largely unexplored

Materials Needed:  Textbook: Marine Science The Dynamic Ocean published by Pearson. Book must be covered at all times, and fines will be assessed if the book is not returned at the end of the school year.  Black or blue pens and #2 pencils  5 subject spiral bound notebook - All coursework will be kept in this notebook. * Please make sure that an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper will fit completely inside your spiral notebook  Each student is asked to donate a ream of paper, colored pencils, and 5 glue sticks for class use. Grading Policy: Grades will be posted online throughout the course using the following percentage points:  Tests/Quizzes 40%  Laboratories 30%  Classwork/Homework 30%

Assignment Due Dates: Assignments are due on the stated due date. Assignments turned in 1 day late will be graded at 60%, after that all assignments will be valued at 50%.

Attendance and Make-up Work: Academic success is based on active involvement in daily class activities. In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to find missed work in the daily work folder. I will not remind you to schedule make up exams, quizzes or labs. You need to sign up in my room. If you do not show up on time on the contracted date, you will receive a zero for that missed assignment. Unexcused absences earn a maximum of 50% credit. Notebook: Each student needs to keep a 5 subject spiral notebook specifically for Marine Science. Keep all through the entire semester as they will make valuable study guides come exam time. Notebooks will be checked periodically and graded on completion and organization.

Laboratory Activities: At least one period per week will be spent completing laboratory activities. Safety is the top consideration while participating in lab activities. All safety rules must be followed at all times. Students need to be on task and working quietly with their group. Gum chewing, eating and drinking are not allowed. Please wear closed-toe shoes on lab days. The lab safety contract must be read, signed and turned in prior to participating in any lab activities. Lab reports may be handwritten (blue or black ink only) or typed. Any typed assignment needs to be in 12 point Times New Roman with one inch margins.

Discipline: All rules stated in the Student Code of Conduct and by the administration will be enforced. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for themselves, their peers, school property and all faculty and staff members. All students are expected to be in the classroom and in their seat ready to begin when the bell rings. Tardiness and disruption of class will not be tolerated. NO personal music players or gaming devices, gum, or soda will be allowed in the classroom. Cell phones must be turned off and out of view. Electronic devises will be confiscated if they are used. The dress code will be enforced at all times.

To Be Successful: a. Do the assigned reading: the textbook is an invaluable resource, so to force you to read it, there will be a quiz every few days. It is in your best interest to keep up with the reading. Take notes as your read and use them to study for tests. b. Do your homework: These are mostly questions from the text that will apply to the test, response papers, and packets of free response questions. c. Take notes: Take your notes in a notebook that will be used only for this class. I will grade them at the end of every unit. Rewrite and re-read your notes before a test. d. Use your resources: I have a website through Nease’s page. Here you will have access to some notes, review information and copies of the laboratory handouts. If you do not have computer access at home, it is available in the library. e. Come to class: The number one reason that students do poorly in this class is lack of attendance. If you are not here you will miss important discussions, labs and tests. f. Find what works for you: Just memorizing all of the material in the text and in your lecture notes will not be enough to do well on the exams. The exams will ask you to apply the information in new ways or from different perspectives. Whatever method you choose, be sure to invest legitimate time studying. Suggestions include rewriting notes, making flashcards, completing the review sheets, completing questions from the textbook and forming study groups with classmates.

Marine Science Field trips:

All students will be required to attend 1 field trip to the Guana Education Center to study water quality and the marsh ecosystem. The cost of each trip is $10. The dates are as follows: Field Trip Saltwater Seining 2nd pd October 30 3rd pd October 31 4th pd November 6 6th pd December 4 7th pd December 5 ***Parents – I will need at least 2 chaperones for each of these field trip dates. If you are interested please email or call me and complete a volunteer form in the front office. Name: ______Date: ______

* Please sign each section below: *I have read and understand the Marine Science classroom guidelines.

______Student’s signature

*I have read and understand the Marine Science classroom guidelines.

______Parent’s signature

*Honesty Pledge I understand that honesty is an integral part of a successful society. Stealing, whether it is of objects, ideas, or credit for work done, quickly dissolves the bonds that keep any group together and functioning well. My family, my class, my school and my society are weakened when we create contempt and distrust by stealing from each other. When I help others steal, or allow them to steal from me, I am helping make them less able to deal with life’s problems in a healthy way, and therefore am actually doing them harm.

I understand that dishonesty includes:

1. Stealing someone else’s homework by copying it; or allowing someone to steal my homework in the same way. This includes lab reports. While I am encourage to discuss what should go on the report, when it comes time to write I need to write my own report. It is not permissible for each group member to turn in the same report. Copying is not the same as “getting help”. 2. Stealing someone’s test answers, or allowing them to steal mine. 3. Taking credit for group work when I did not do my fair share. 4. Stealing someone else’s ideas from a book, journal, website, etc. by copying or paraphrasing them without giving the author proper credit (plagiarizing)

I understand that I must accept the consequences of dishonesty, namely: 1. I will receive a 0% on the assignment involved, and my parents will be informed. 2. Repeated violations will receive a disciplinary referral to the Dean and a parent conference.

Student Signature: ______

*Webpage picture permission: Webpage found at: http://www.nhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/teachers/Jennifer_Fagan%27s_Website/

_____ I hereby give permission for my child’s picture to be published on the class website. _____ I do not give permission for my child’s picture to be published on the class website.

Parent signature: ______