Class Information

Online Textbook

To access the online textbook, go the following site and use the access code given below:

Online Textbook

Access Code – D1FCC2AA6A

Class Rules

The rules in my class are pretty simple.  Basically, I expect respect.  Students should respect each other, property, me, and most of all, themselves.  I follow the school-wide pyramid discipline system.  Though I don’t expect to have problems, my general rule is that we try to work it out between us first.  Typically, we can come up with something that makes sense and creates a more positive work environment.

I like to keep the class busy and enjoy giving the students the opportunity for hands on learning, whether that be a lab or a project of some sort.  This means that we have to work hard on cooperative learning and teamwork.  It requires the ability to follow rules and directions in order to complete tasks.  My goal is to help students learn how to be more productive and successful adults by helping them learn these skills now.  We’ll practice and may have some bumps in the road, but I believe that with coaching and positive feedback, every student can succeed at these tasks.

Students know I keep a supply of pencils, erasers, and paper just in case something happens and they need them.  However, if it gets to be an issue where they are without those things continuously, I’m likely to call or email to see if we can rectify the situation.  The rule is to let me know before class starts if you need supplies, not as we’re getting ready to take notes, which will be on a regular basis.

Classwork and Grades

Class will begin with an “Eye Opener” every day.  This may be a question relating to previously covered material, a brain teaser, puzzle, writing prompt, etc. There will be 5 minutes from the time the tardy bell rings to finish this task.  These are for a grade, so it’s important to make sure you’re ready with your materials (pencil, notebook, folder, etc) as soon as the bell rings.

We have discussion group almost every day and use a very open “lecture” model with guided notetaking that we do in our science notebook. There are also videos, online science activities, science games, and labs that help us learn material.  We have participation grades, quizzes, tests, task rotations, vocabulary activities, drawings, on-demand writings, and some worksheets that make up the grades.

We also work on test taking strategies, answering open response questions, and critical thinking strategies.  We start out doing many things as a group and then begin gaining more independence as the year progresses.  Typically, this means it gets harder, but in gradual steps.

Homework Policy

We will only have homework on certain days of the week.  For this school year, you will have homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  In fact, you can guarantee that you will have homework on those nights.  Tests days may or may not be Wednesday or Friday, so studying for a test could happen on any night of the week.

When I give homework, I expect it to be completed.  It usually is either important practice or an activity that only takes a few minutes to finish.  Sometimes, these will be for extra credit .  Other times, it is used to enhance instruction the following day.  Sometimes, it will be graded.  Others, it will be an effort grade.  Whatever the end result, the homework is normally very independent work and can be done without much help at all.

There will be times when homework will be tougher.  Those are usually cases where the homework grade will be one for effort.  If no effort is put in, you can expect your grade to reflect that.  However, if you try your best, everything should be fine.  Homework is never done to hurt your grade, only help it if you give your best effort.