MJHS - 8Th Grade Earth Science

GPJ H - 8th Grade Earth Science COURSE SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. A. Vanderford CLASSROOM: M-126 CONFERENCE: 10:04 - 10:59 M-F PHONE: 361-777-4042 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

A. DESCRIPTION This course involves an examination of the nature of science to include matter and energy, forces and motion, Earth and space, and organisms and living systems. It is an exploratory course using labs, and other hands on activities. B. CLASSROOM RULES 1. Be in your assigned seat and ready to work with supplies when the tardy bell rings. 2. Bell does not dismiss you, I do. Remain seated and make sure that all supplies/ journals have been put in appropriate place otherwise the class will not be allowed to go. 3. No food or drinks allowed. 4. Follow instructions the first time they are given. 5. If you are tardy, walk in quietly and sign tardy log with date and time. If you have an excuse you are still expected to sign tardy log for my records. Leave your excuse in front pocket of binder. 6. As per school policy electronic devices are banned during class hours and will be confiscated if seen. Leave in backpack or pocket but do not take it out in my classroom. Consequences: 1. Warning 2. Parent Contact 3. Teacher Detention 4. School Conference 5. Office Referral ** Any severe disruption will result in an immediate office referral Tardies: 1. Warning 2. Teacher Detention 3. Parent Contact and 2nd Teacher Detention 4. Office Referral

C. SUPPLIES  Composition book  Pencil/ Pen  Hand Sanitizer  1 box of Kleenex

D. BATHROOM POLICY You are expected to use the restroom and get water during the passing period. However, there will be instances when you need to go during class. You are allowed to go to the restroom once a week in my class. It is your responsibility to bring me your journal so that I may sign before you go as well as for you to sign out in the binder. You may not use the restroom during the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of class or when the teacher is explaining a concept during class. ** If you have a medical condition and your parent/ guardian provides proper documentation to the nurse this policy will be waived. ** This policy is a privilege and can be revoked at teacher’s discretion.

E. GRADING CATEGORIES Coursework will be weighted as follows: 1. Daily Work 20% 2. Labs 20% 3. Projects 20% 4. Quizzes 15% 5. Technology 5% 6. Test 20% F. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION ASSIGNMENTS: In order to ensure that assignments are graded fairly and returned quickly, you are asked to follow these procedures. If they are not followed, the work may be returned to be redone and will be counted late: 1) Students must use clean whole sheets of paper. 2) Use proper heading in the upper right corner of paper. 3) Handwriting must be legible (including but not limited to size of writing, and neatness) 4) Students must use dark inks or dark pencil, or keyboard their assignment neatly. 5) Papers with too many mechanical errors or scratch outs may need corrections before grading. EXTRA CREDIT: Special extra credit assignments are NOT available. You should earn your grade based on your regular course work. LATE WORK: Assignments will be done in class. Assignment will be due and turned in before the dismissal bell rings for that class period. Failure to turn in when I ask for assignment will result in a late assignment. Homework will be due the next day no more than 2 minutes after the tardy bell rings for the class period. **Work turned in after the due date will lose 10pts for each late day until third day then assignment grade will be 0. Warning: Late assignments are graded as time allows. It may be several days before a student's grade is changed after late work is turned in. This may affect eligibility for extracurricular activities. MAKE-UP WORK: You have one school day for each day absent to turn in all makeup work (unless arrangements are made with me for more time). It is your responsibility to request makeup work upon return or prior to absence. If you wait several days to get your makeup work you will find your work counted late for the appropriate number of days. Makeup assignments may not be identical to the assignments given in class depending on the nature of the work missed, length of absence, etc. RETAKE/ RETEST: You will need to attend two tutorial sessions of at least 30 minutes each prior to retaking a test or quiz. Daily work assignments cannot be corrected if they are turned in after the due date. You will not be allowed to retest on unit assessments. G. INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS: All students will receive progress reports at 3 and 6 week intervals. Report cards will be issued at 9 week intervals.

H. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Engaging in any action deemed by a teacher or other authority to compromise the results of a test or any other grade will be considered cheating. Any student found to be academically dishonest will receive a zero for the assignment/ test. Examples (but not limited to):  Access backpack or other materials  Talking to other students  Consulting electronic devices or having review out on desk during test