Class Policy
Welcome to your
science class at Chamberlain! I am excited to get to know each of you. I teach
science because I believe it is one of the coolest, most important subjects
you can take. Even if you are not planning on being a “scientist,” you will
learn many important skills in this class. I also think will have a lot of fun
as we learn about the Earth or Chemistry and Physics together.
In order to
succeed this year, we will all operate under certain guidelines:
• Respect each
other, your teacher, and our classroom.
• Participate actively and safely.
• Follow all other school rules and policies.
One way to participate actively is to bring
required materials to class each day. I will check for these supplies on Monday,
August 24, 2009→
• Science Notebook (100 pages minimum,
FIVE STAR recommended)
• Colored Pencils (set of 8)
• Highlighters
• Calculator
• Pencils
Where does my grade come from in
this class?
Participation (25%): This grade comes from your composition book, which will
not only include class notes, but also many labs and other activities. You are
not penalized for mistakes on these assignments. I am looking for evidence
that you tried your best (what would this look like for you?), which means you
actively participate, complete, and correct assignments.
Lab Reports/Reflections (25%): This grade comes from lab conclusions,
procedures, lab reports, and other reflections for activities we’ve done in
class (some of these may be done in your composition book). These are
individual assignments meant to show me what you know. You may self-assess
these assignments, and you may also receive feedback from your peers and me.
You may redo/improve these as many times as you like until you get the score
you want…
Tests/Projects (25%): There will be 5-6 projects throughout the year that are meant
to be alternatives to quizzes and tests. These projects will ask for you to
show what you know about a topic in a different way. Projects may not be
redone. There will be from 6-8 tests during the year. These will cover big
concepts in science, and you will be asked to apply your understanding of a
concept to new situations. Test corrections are highly encouraged and can earn
you up to ½ of your missed points back. Test corrections are required when you
earn a D or F on a test.
Quizzes (15%): There will be a small
quiz usually each week. Quizzes are meant to be short, simple, and not tricky.
They are also meant to give you an opportunity to learn small important parts
leading up to the big picture of a test. They may not be retaken.
Final (10%): You will take a final each semester. These may not be retaken.
A Final test will not be given in 8th grade.
I hope you something important here. You
have many opportunities to improve your initial performance on something if
you didn’t do well. The emphasis in class, and in your grades, is to improve
upon where you started from. You are only limited by the effort you are
willing to put forth to get the grade you want. You will succeed in science if
you try. Succeeding in this class isn’t about your science knowledge. It’s
about your ability to try and grow. Try, ask for help when you need it, and
pull out of this class the skills necessary to analyze something critically.
That’s what it is all about!
Getting Help:
Get familiar with my website and the resources available there. The daily
agendas are there, copies of my class notes, copies of handouts, links to
topics, links to your online textbook, etc. This is a great resource for you
if you are absent, misplace something, or need some extra help.
Please feel free to come in and work with
me if you need help. I arrive in the morning around 7:45AM, and I usually don’t
leave before 4:30PM. Also, feel free to use my e-mail if you have questions,
or if you would prefer to e-mail me assignments from home. It is perfectly
acceptable to turn assignments in this way.
General Class Info (Including homework policy):
If you pay a bill
late, you get charged a late fee (in this case, study session with me). Let me be
clear: you may turn assignments in late for full credit,
but you must pay a “late fee”. Furthermore, this is a limit to how late you
can be. All assignments for each chapter/unit need to be turned by the end of
that unit. A much better plan would be to ask for an extension in advance if
you know you will have trouble completing an assignment.
Interactive Science Notebook:
Your science notebook is a huge part of this class. We set it up in a very
specific way, glue all labs into it, do labs in it, do reflections in
it…..basically about 90% of your class work goes into your notebook.
Thus, it is very important that you have it with you in class by Monday,
August 24th. On this day, we will set up your book. Also, we will use
colored pencils and/or highlighters every day in class to color code things in your notes. It is
also very important you have these.
You have the option of leaving your
notebook in my classroom in a bin or taking it with you. Also, if you do not have time to review your notes
in class or if you did not finish an assignment during class, I expect that
you take it home to finish. I do random and scheduled notebook checks, so your
science notebook needs to be kept up to date at all times.
Groupwork:
This class will involve a great deal of lab/group work. This tends to worry students. Let me ease your mind and tell you this:
1. You will receive an individual grade for
your work and your participation. While the lab may be done in a group, the
written post-lab work is yours and yours alone.
2. Lab groups are changed every 1-3 labs. You have some choice in this matter.
Miscellaneous suggestion:
Your attitude is the most important thing you (and I) can bring with us to
class every day. If you are in a bad mood, leave the issues at the door when
you come in, or pretend you’re in a good mood. In all fairness, you expect the
same of me….for me to not take out a bad mood on you, and for me to be happy
to answer your questions. I strive hard to practice what I preach.
How Can I Succeed in
Science?
1. Turn in all of your work.
The sole reason students do not do well in this science class
is failure to complete and turn in work (not failure to understand what we
do). If you're not completing and turning in your work, not only are you not
learning what you need to for the assessments, but you're also not getting
your participation points in class.
2.
Always shoot to improve.
Look back over the grade structure. You have a number of opportunities to
improve upon previous scores on assignments. You are only limited by what
you're willing to put into this class.
3.
Ask questions when you do not
understand something. As an 8th or 9th grader, I expect you to
take initiative and come ask for help when you need it. I am available to help
you both before and after school. I get here at ~7:30AM and leave at the
earliest at 4:30PM. Plenty of time to answer questions...
4. Look back over notes and
handouts on a regular basis, not just before a quiz or test.
Studying the night before a quiz or a test is not a smart practice. If you
determine that you do not understand something, it is hard to find the time to
get help if you've discovered this last minute. In addition, all research
shows that you remember the material better if you study as you go along.
5. Participate actively.
Always play an active role in labwork, and do your own
questions for labwork. (You're not being graded on accuracy of answers
anyway...you correct them in class). Correct answers for labwork and ask
questions.
6. Review goals from all
assignments. Sometimes you'll go through an assignment where
everything makes sense. Go back and revisit the goals. Did you get out of
the assignment what you were *supposed* to get out of the assignment?
7. Use the website I've
provided you. You can find out assignments there, download
copies of handouts and labs if you are absent or lost your copy, and find
links to help you understand concepts.
8. Send me an e-mail.
I'm a techie geek. If you're having trouble with homework or concepts,
e-mail me. I'm very responsive to student e-mails.
9. Have fun!
Whether you want to be a scientist or not, you will always do better in
science if you have a good attitude and enjoy yourself.
10. Ask for extensions on
homework. Planning is rewarded. If you figure out you won't
have something in on time, you need to come talk to me BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT
IS DUE. (Not the day of, and not right before class).
Required Class
Supplies:
Students should bring these items to class with them every day. Failure to do
so will result in students missing opportunities for key instruction.
1) Notebook for science class only!
2) Set of colored pencils (8 colors are plenty).
3) Highlighters
4) Scientific calculator (one that does exponents and scientific notation)
What Lab Safety Rules
Apply in Mrs. Powers' class?
There are many specifics in the
lab safety contract, but there are also some general guidelines in place in
our classroom to keep you safe
1.
Students will refrain from needless wandering around.
We
sometimes deal with glassware (breakable things), chemicals, and hot things.
It is easy to walk into the path of someone carrying these items. There is a
sink at your lab station....most of the things you need are there. If you
need to ask me a question, raise your hand and wait...PLEASE! If your lab
group needs to get supplies from the front of the room, designate ONE person
to always get supplies for your group.
2.
Students will wear goggles when dealing with fire, hot substances, and most
chemicals.
...and not on top of your head either!
3.
When in doubt: read your lab sheet, ask your lab group, and if your question
still isn't answered, ask me!
I
shouldn't be your first resource, but you shouldn't be afraid to ask me a
question about how to do something if you really don't understand.
4.
Consequences are more severe during lab.
These rules are here for your safety. If I see you repeatedly breaking the
rules, I will remove you from the current lab activity, and maybe for more
labs, depending on the particular case.
