Students are expected to come to class prepared to learn every day. Students will bring their Interactive Science Notebook*, science textbook (depending on unit), Agenda, and a pencil with eraser daily. Other suggested materials are: a pack of colored pencils, roll of clear tape, calculator. Most importantly, bring a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

All students will start each trimester off with 100 points for preparedness! Depending on the day, students who do NOT have the necessary materials will lose a point for each one.

*Students are required to have a notebook to use for science class. The notebook should be single subject, college-ruled (120 pages), spiral bound with a protective cover and inside pocket. I recommend the Mead Five Star with Spiral Guard.

DO NOW JOURNAL

As soon as you come into class, fill in your agenda and take out your science notebook to get started on the DNJ. The DNJ will be a question related to what we are studying at that time.

REFLECT AND CONNECT

You will select a science-related current news article. The article (not a picture caption or short blurb) can come from a newspaper (the library has these available for you), a magazine, or an online news site. Some suggested online news sites are: www.sciencenewsforkids.org, www.cnn.com, www.msnbc.com, www.time.com, kids.nationalgeographic.com. Please select an article that you UNDERSTAND and have an interest in. Hand in separately and tape into your notebook upon return.

Your Reflect & Connect will be written in 2 paragraphs of at least 5 sentences each—no fluff! Be specific and add DETAILS.

·         Paragraph 1 answers these questions: Why did you select this article? What is this article about, briefly?

·         Paragraph 2 answers these questions: How can you relate to this article? Does it remind of you of something you’ve learned about previously? Can you connect the article to a past personal experience? 

HOMEWORK

Homework assignments are posted weekly on the calendar located on the chalkboard. These are to be written down in your agenda first thing on Mondays. All assignments are posted on my website, as well.  It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of your science assignments and if absent, to complete any missed assignments upon return to school.

LATE-ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Labs/Homework/Reflect & Connect assignments will be accepted 1 day late for ½ credit.

Projects will have 10% removed from grade each day late.

RE-TAKE POLICY

Re-takes are given on tests only. Re-takes are required on tests with a score of 69% or lower. Re-takes are given after school on Thursdays.

EXTRA HELP

Extra help day for science is Thursday. Extra help is only for students who would like help and/or to work on science assignments.

EXTRA CREDIT

Extra credit assignments are available to work on after quizzes and tests for additional points. Extra points may be given for other activities during the year.  Every student has the same opportunity to earn extra credit points and should take advantage of it. No exceptions will be made.

 

Grades are calculated cumulatively for each trimester (points earned/possible points).

·         Homework/ Classwork                  10-20 points

·         Reflect & Connect                        20 points

·         Do Now Journal                           2 points each

·         Preparedness                              100 points

·         Labs                                          50-100 points

·         Quizzes                                     40-60 points

·         Tests/Projects                            100-200 points  

·         Notebook                                   100 points