· Various materials will be needed for projects through out the course. A minimum of a week notice will be given to students.
Attendance Policy and Classroom Expectations:
· Attendance is crucial to the learning process. Students should be in the classroom working on the Starter Activity before the last bell rings. If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain information regarding the missing assignments in a timely manner. Refer to student handbook for more information.
· Cheating will result in a loss of assignment credit, a call to the parent, and a referral to the principal.
· Students are expected to participate in all lab activities and use the equipment as it is intended. If any misuse should occur, the student is responsible for replacing the equipment and/or supplies.
Assessment/Grading:
Grading:
90-100: A 60-69: D
80-89: B Below 59: F
70-79 C
Category Weights
40% Assessments
30% Projects/Lab
20% Daily Activities (discussion, homework, daily work, starters, and participation)
10% Semester Final Exam
Semester 1
Assessments:
3 Unit Tests, 3x100=300 points
10 Quizzes, 10x20= 200 points
2 Benchmarks, 2x10=20 points Projects/Lab:
5 Projects, 5x50=250 points
5 Lab Activities, 5x10=50 points
5 Lab Reports, 5x10=50 points
Daily Activities:
15 Daily Activities, 15x10=150 points*
Semester Final:
1 Final Exam, 1x200=200 points
Semester 2
Assessments:
4 Unit Tests, 4x100=400 points
12 Quizzes, 12x20=240 points
2 Benchmarks, 2x10=20 points Projects/Lab:
6 Projects, 6x50=300 points
6 Lab Activities, 6x10=60 points
6 Lab Reports, 6x10=60 points
Daily Activities:
18 Daily Activities, 18x10=180 points*
Semester Final:
1 Final Exam, 1x200=200 points
*(At the end of each week, you will get a grade based on a rubric.)
An explanation of each of the assignments and a space to enter your grade is on the sheet that follows this syllabus. In order to be able to calculate your grade, you will be required to keep track of every grade and enter it on the sheet provided. This is to be kept in your notebook at all times.
Teaching Strategies
Ø Lectures/Discussions: Power points and the use of the smart board are used to provide a basis for discussion.
Ø Assessments: Assessments are used as a basis for checking understanding and remediation. Be prepared to defend your answers with reason and facts.
Ø Homework Reading & Note- taking: Students are expected to use the Cornell Note-taking method or Concept mapping for homework reading assignments. Notes will be checked weekly to make sure you are keeping up with the reading assignments and are recording ideas of what you read.
Ø Grand Conversations: This is a group discussion method that includes students bringing at least five questions and five comments based on a reading assignment or topic on which the group discussion will be based. We form tables in a conference-like manner and students take turns either presenting a question or comment of theirs while classmates delve into discussions based on each question or comment. Points are given for turning in questions and comments, discussion participation, and notes taken during the group discussion.
Ø Group Presentations: Since students tend to learn better from teaching others, periodically various topics will be assigned to individual students or small groups of students on which they are to put together a PowerPoint presentation or a quick lecture to present to the rest of the class. (Group grades should not be weighted in such a way that it affects an individual student grade. In other words, each person will be graded on his or her part of the presentation.)
Ø Peer Reading Circles: Student essays will be handed out to different students in the class and students will score and comment on each essay using the appropriate rubrics. Students are usually required to read and score at least 3 different student essays within a class period. Comments and scores are then given to the student to see how their peers scored them and offer constructive criticism to each other. The final homework grade comes from the teacher.
These are examples of the type of activities that will make up the bulk of the class. If you or your parent has any questions, please fill free to contact me. The best way to reach me is by e-mail.