Honors EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE
Course Syllabus
August, 2008-June, 2009
Ms. Leslie Chamblin
Course Description: Earth Science in the Community was developed by the American Geological Institute to raise public awareness of the Earth Sciences and the role they play in mankind¡¦s use of natural resources, understanding natural hazards, and stewardship of the environment. This course is designed to allow students to broaden their approach to learning science and see immediate applications of the concepts presented. Since so many important decisions are made everyday that affect our lives, the understanding of how Earth Systems work and interact, will allow students to be knowledgeable about decisions impacting their future. They will learn new vocabulary and immediately apply concepts to our lives.
Objectives: Present course content will satisfy state standards in multiple ways to allow students to maximize learning of course concepts. In addition, students will be exposed daily to successful life skills. These skills include helping students understand the impact of their choices they make daily, goal setting, time management skills, teamwork and respect.
The format is hands-on, very interactive and inquiry-based. Students will work in pairs and teams applying cooperative learning techniques. The Activities in each chapter allow for multiple types of instruction. Homework is required usually four-five nights per week and is a very important part of their success and grade in this course.
In addition to group work, students will have an opportunity to express their unit content knowledge through projects that vary from reports to pamphlets or PowerPoint presentations. This allows students to share their talents and creativity with their classmates.
Weekly practices in reading for comprehension and clear communication in writing are a major part of the evaluation processes.
Textbook: EarthComm, 5 Modules (Blue text). Homework is assigned about daily: These assignments should take approximately 20 minutes. Vocabulary and reading assignments may take some students longer than 20 minutes and will be more successful if students read out loud or study with some assistance. All assignments will be recorded in the ¡§Record Keeper¡¨ so your parents can assist by checking the work for completion and scores.
Respectful behavior is always required. A positive attitude and openness to learning is the key to success. Disruptive behavior will be handled immediately. I will not allow disruptive students to take away the learning opportunities for others. I will contact you immediately if this is an issue with your student.
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SCIENCE HONORS STUDENTS!
After School Help: By appointment, most days until 3:00. Drop-ins are welcome, but those who sign-up receive priority.
Science Tutor: Every Thursday, 2:30-4:30. Activity bus provided.
Remediation: Grade Recovery will be scheduled immediately after report cards are distributed. The student must make up missed/below standard work in the classroom after school. This does not guarantee a grade of C. The work must display evidence of mastery of the standard(s). The current adopted Grade Recovery Policy will be followed: four or more absences excludes this privilege of grade recovery opportunity.
Progress reports are distributed every two weeks.
Assignments, including homework, are kept in the 3-ring binder in the assigned section divider. Notebooks will be collected intermittently to grade lab work/homework and organization. Students will receive a minimum of a weekly schedule on the first day the class meets each week. Students are responsible for all make-up work and for scheduling any quizzes or tests they have missed. Students are given a day for a day missed (absence) to make up work. Homework assignments are posted on a board inside the class. Ms. Chamblin will not track missing work.
Attendance is vital for success. Robert E. Lee High School is on an A/B day block schedule, which means we meet 90 minutes every other day with your student. Your student will move more quickly through our courses, and may then think they have a lot of homework. They only have four classes at a time. Please help our school by encouraging attendance. It is very difficult to catch up on missed work. My daily work is posted on the schoolnotes.com regularly.
Class Policies and Procedures:
Class Rules
1. Come to class on time, prepared and ready to work. Materials should be out and ready for bell work once the bell rings. Go to the restroom BEFORE class.
2. Raise your hand to speak or to move from your seat during teacher-led time.
3. All food and drinks should stay in the cafeteria. Only water is permitted.
4. Profanity will not be tolerated.
5. Follow the three R¡¦s (Respect for yourself and others, Restraint and Responsibility for your actions.)
Disciplinary Procedures:
I have a zero tolerance for misbehavior. Each student has the right to a safe and civil environment. If a student becomes disruptive in class, the following actions will be taken:
1. Warning directed at the student to let them know about the behavior, as immediate feedback.
2. Teacher/Student conference in the hall when the disruptive behavior continues.
3. Phone call to parent or legal guardian.
4. Parent/Teacher/Student conference at school
5. Referral to the assigned Assistant Principal/Student Services. (If the student chooses not to correct misconduct, s/he will be referred to the Community Assistant Principal immediately.)
If disruptive behavior continues in the future, individualized consequences will be taken in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct Handbook. Recommendations of the AP and/or Guidance Counselor.
Hall Passes:
You are expected to use the restroom, get a drink of water, go to your locker, etc. between classes using the five minute passing period. Otherwise, there are no hall passes at R.E. Lee. If an emergency arises, security will be called to escort the student to the restroom, or any other area of the school grounds. I will keep a record of these emergencies as documentation that the student was out of the classroom, missing instruction.
Notebook and Materials:
„Ï You must bring all materials daily to my class. We use the book, notebook, and other handouts daily.
„Ï All homework must be in your notebook in the correct order to receive credit for the assignment.
„Ï Notebooks and materials will be checked periodically for a grade.
Rewards:
Students will receive ¡§Bonus Bucks¡¨ for various positive behaviors and academic performances in class. Positive behaviors include attendance. Students who have perfect attendance for a week at a time will be awarded 5 Bonus Bucks extra. These rewards will allow them to make up a few points they may have missed on an assignment. Students must turn them in ¡V in the quarter they are rewarded, the last day of each grading period. The student is responsible for keeping track of these rewards.
Make-Up Work
Make-up work will only be accepted from absent students. Missed tests and quizzes must be made up before or after school. Students will have one week to complete the make-up work or the grade will be zero. It is the student¡¦s responsibility to make up work that is missed.
Grades:
Students will be given a progress report the third week of each grading period. They will sign a ¡§Received¡¨ sheet. Assignment Recovery is expected at this time. Grade recovery is offered after the end of every grading period (all assignments must have already been completed and graded).
Planning: 7:15 ¡V 8:30 am
Robert E. Lee High 381-3930
Whatever it Takes,
Sincerely,
Leslie Chamblin, Instructor
EarthComm Honors
Biology I
Ecology
EARTH/ SPACE SCIENCE Honors
PARENT/GUARDIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
August, 2008-June, 2009
Ms. Leslie Chamblin
I have read and understand the procedures and expectations of my student,
___________________________________________________,
(print first and last names)
In Earth/Space Science Honors class (EarthComm):
I will encourage my student to keep up with homework assignments, try his/her best each day, and to practice good attendance.
I understand that a Science Fair project is required for all science Honors students. This project will be due before the end of the 1st semester with regular grading updates throughout the 1st and 2nd grading periods.
(Parent / guardian print name)
(Parent / guardian signature)
Date Phone work. Cell
(Student print name)
(Student signature)
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