2009

Science 8 Class Expectations

General Class Rules and Requirements

1. You are expected to maintain a notebook for this course. The notebook must be a bound, composition style note book. Spiral and loose-leaf are not acceptable for class notes but may be used for class assignments.

2. You will maintain a folder in class of all completed work this year.

3. During class, you will not interfere with the education of others. Students who choose to prevent the learning of others will be removed from class.

4. All students will have a writing utensil, notebook and a folder in class every day unless specifically told that these items are not needed.

5. You will be expected to participate in class activities. Students who choose to not get involved actively in their education may be given additional out of class assignments to reinforce the materials that they did not to in class.

6. Tests must be made up after school in Room 217 within one week of missing a test. TESTS MAY NOT BE MADE UP BEFORE SCHOOL OR DURING BLOCK ONE

Course Content

Meteorology Rocks and Minerals Geologic History Astronomy

Plate Tectonics Oceanography and Limnology

Class Requirements

You are expected to complete all of your assignments to an acceptable standard and in a timely manner. Sufficient time will be given for all assignments. As a general rule, there are no overnight homework assignments. Quizzes that are given will usually be open note. Listed below are examples of the types of assignments.

Types of Assignments

Exams

These are given in class without the use of notes. You will be given a list of items that you must know , understand, explain or be able to demonstrate that you have mastered the topic. Most exams are essay/diagram type.

Class Notes

Notes will be graded on test days. Students will be taught the expectations of note taking and study skills so that clear consistent expectations presented and practiced

Projects

There will be a variety of projects that will be completed. Most of these will have a presentation component, oral, written or visual. There will be a grading rubric provided for major projects.

Study Guides

Chapter study guides will be used for each unit to help focus the reading of the textbook. These will be extra credit and are optional.

Review Guides

Review guides are given out two class days prior to a test and cover material that will be on a test. These are optional assignments but will provide extra credit if turned in the day of the test.

General Assignment Guidelines

Study Guides

These are in each unit and are designed to match the chapters in the appropriate books. They can be completed at any time but there will be due dates assigned as we move through the units.

Review Guides

These are designed as preparation for specific tests during the year. These are handed out 2 days before the test and are due the day of the test. During the year, new ones will be created specifically for each test this year

Notebook

Students are expected to take note in class in bound notebook. This type of notebook will ensure that the students notes remain complete and clear. The expectations of the notes will be written in a handout.

Tests

Test done in class will be completed without notes unless it is specified otherwise.

Projects

Projects are assigned in each unit. The students will be involved in the design the grading scales or rubrics for these projects in class. As soon as the rubric is designed, it will be posted on this web site and e-mailed to each student.

GRADING

Late work: No points are awarded for late assignments unless it is due to an excused absence. Work that is due during the time of a pre-approved excused absence is due before the absence. Work that was assigned prior to the absence is due upon return.

A Completion of all assignments in a timely manner. Awarded at

least 90% of the possible non-extra credit points.

EXTRA CREDIT CANNOT BE USED TO BRING A GRADE TO

AN A.

A GRADE OF AN A MUST BE EARNED WITHOUT EXTRA-

CREDIT.

B Completion of assignments in a timely manner. Awarded

at least 80% to 90% of possible points.

C Completion of assignments. Awarded at least 70% to 79% of possible points. Participate in all group assignments.

D Completion of assignments. Awarded at least 60% to 69% of possible points. Participate in group assignments.