Classroom Expectations for Concepts of
Our Dynamic Earth
Students and Parents/Guardians:
Science is mostly common sense. It tells you how things work and makes
your life easier. In this class we study the Environment here on Earth. You
are expected to define problems and their solutions. Expect to study, read
and learn. This is about making you better than you are.
Since this is the first year for all four of these “Concepts” classes, we
will be smoothing off the rough edges as we go. “Be Flexible” is our motto!
We will have class sets of two texts, and do readings from the internet and
class sets of appropriate articles. Most of the work is “class work,” and
will be completed here at school, instead of “homework”, since you won’t
have a text at home to use. You will have only a few assignments outside of
the classroom, mostly studying for your tests and the work you do on the
performance events. Writing should be in paragraph form, in English, with
corrected grammar and spelling. Never copy work from idiots. (Idiots are the
ones who let you copy their work.)
We will use some labs and activities from the last 3 years that worked well,
and add some new ones. We will have a M/C test and a performance event at
the end of each ~ three-week unit. The final will also consist of both M/C
questions and a performance event. The assessments will include
‘application’ questions that require you to apply what we learned in the
unit. They require logical thought, reasoning ability, some opinions, and
communication skills. You will not usually find answers in the textbook you
can just copy, and if you find yourself doing that, you are probably not
answering the question very well, and not going to earn many points.
You will be working at your own pace (to a certain degree,) pulling
hardcopies of worksheets and labs you need from the file when you need them,
and turning them in, preferably the same day. Do NOT pick up more than one
assignment at a time! Nearly all paperwork will be available on my website,
in addition to in the file in class, so you may print them at home. You must
demonstrate a mastery of one unit before moving on to the next. If you
finish one of these Concepts classes early (in less than one semester) you
may move on to the next.
Your grade will be about ½ tests, ½ class work/labs/activities. I make the
final determination of grades. I determine what is fair in my classroom.
Anything happening in my class IS my business.
All school guidelines will be strictly enforced, so please review the
expectations of behavior, attendance, tardies, hall passes, etc. in your
handbook. The back of this page has a brief summary of the school’s policies
on the usual: grade scale, behavior, important dates, etc. In general,
follow the golden rule: TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. Be here
every day, on time, and prepared (with text, paper, pen, and pencil) to
learn. Put a little effort into it, be nice to each other, and let’s have
fun!
