Environmental Science

Grading and Expectations

Welcome to science class! I hope that we have a great year together and that you enjoy coming to class all year long, but most of all I hope that you will learn to ask questions, look for answers, make connections, and examine the world around you in a new way.

*****My classroom rules are simple--I expect you to show respect (raising hands and not talking while others are talking are signs of respect), follow all directions, whether written or verbal, and stay focused on the assignment at hand******.

Overall, grades will be based upon the following:

1. Tests and Quizzes (40%): Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Tests will include all material that is covered during that unit including labs, class notes, reading assignments, vocabulary, worksheets... Usually 2-3 tests will be given during each quarter. Quizzes may be given on assigned readings, vocabulary, lectures, or laboratories. They may or may not be announced. Quizzes should only take about 10 minutes at the beginning of class.

2. Laboratory/Participation/Projects (40%): 2 types of laboratories/investigations will be assigned.

a. Investigations that require a formal written laboratory report. These Experiments will involve collection and interpretation of data.

b. Investigations that are activities requiring a less formal write up and involve the use and interpretation of given data.

The number and type of laboratories will vary each quarter. Investigations are to be kept in a laboratory notebook that may be checked at any time. A 3-ring binder that holds many laboratories is recommended.

Participation in laboratories and other group work is required.

Projects and Labs can be turned in late only for the first semester and you can only turn in late labs and projects up to one week from the due date. Late assignments will be worth reduced credit. All labs and projects can be corrected and resubmitted up to one week from the return date.

3. Homework and Class work (20%): Homework will never be busy work. Homework will help students properly learn and master the material being covered. Maximum benefit will be gained if the assignment is completed and turned in when it is due. Homework is due at the start of class. You will not be given credit for late homework. Homework will be assigned about 4 times per week. Homework will generally take 30 minutes per assignment. Students who use their time wisely in class will have less homework. Reading assignments are homework, and it is very important that readings be done the night it is assigned. Some written homework will be assigned such as questions from the reading along with definition of vocabulary words. Papers partially or poorly done will receive a deduction in points.

Some longer homework assignments will involve a critique or summary of an article, essay, or a short report. These longer assignments will be worth more, and you will be informed of the higher point values when the work is assigned. We will have one critique/summary due in September, but most months will have 2 critiques/summaries due.

Expectations and some classroom procedures:

I will be using my web page ( http://skipper.mecnet.net/~hrhspage/class/christoferson/ ) to list homework, classroom activities, and other important information for you and your parents (you can also reach my website by visiting HRHS.net, clicking on Teacher Websites in the right side column, and then clicking on my name). You may find copies or links to some classroom handouts if you have lost your original.

I am asking all students to make a donation to the classroom . This is your classroom also, and I want you to have a sense of ownership. I want you to realize that all the supplies in this class are provided by someone and need to be shared by all of you. I expect all my students to respect each other, their teachers, their classrooms and their school--this includes not wasting or destroying equipment or supplies. There is a more comprehensive list in the classroom and on my website, but I am looking for items that will be used throughout the year by all students during activities and daily classroom use. For instance, a box of tissues, empty egg cartons, pencils, crayons, food coloring, markers, zip lock bags, empty coffee cans, construction paper, oversized paper, etc. would be great. I am only looking for one thing/student.

At the start of each class you need to be seated and quiet by the time the bell rings--please pick up any handouts on the front desk on your way into the class. Everyday except maybe test days, you should 1) take out your homework and place it on your table, 2) take out your planner and write down your homework assignment that is found on the small white board entitled Environmental Homework located to the left of the large whiteboard. (Note: The agenda for the class is found on the whiteboard propped over the large whiteboard). Finally, 3) Start your Warm-up which is below the Agenda. As your homework is being checked and attendance is being taken you will also be graded on this opening warm-up. For every minute you are late to class you owe me 10 minutes after or before school.

Classes will involve a variety of tasks that you are required to do on your own or in groups. We will do experiments, demonstrations, investigations, research, presentations, and projects. You are required to participate--Science requires you to demonstrate skills, follow instructions, and carry out experiments--you will earn a 0 if you do not participate and you will lose points if you are not on task, not following directions, and generally not following classroom procedures and rules. In order for you and your classmates to participate in experiments and demonstrations it is very important that you follow all directions and stay focused . If you are unable to focus, please take a break away from the work area. Please realize that during experiments and some demonstrations disruptive behaviors will result in immediate removal from the class.

Absences: If you are absent from class, you are responsible for making up all material that you missed. You have as many extra days to make up the work as the number of days that you missed. Maximum amount of time for making up material is 2 weeks. Please see me if you are having difficulty making up missing materials. Any work not made up within the appropriate time frame will be recorded as a zero.

Work cannot be made up for unexcused absences. Work from suspension must be turned in the day you return to class. Missed lab work must be made up unless I have given other instructions.

Classroom Behavior: All students are required to behave appropriately and respectfully in class. You should display common courtesy to everyone, and disruptive or disrespectful behavior will NOT be tolerated. If your behavior becomes a problem, your parents will be contacted, a detention will be assigned and if necessary you will be removed from the class and sent to the office. All safety procedures must be followed. We need to work together to create a classroom that is safe, productive, and fun.

Extra Help: I will be available after school one day a week for extra help. My office hours will be posted in the classroom and on my website. If you need help please ask! Any labs not completed in the assigned time frame must be made up during help hours or some other prearranged time.

Preparation/Materials: You need your own 3-ring binder, white-lined paper, and writing utensil for science class. If purchasing any of these things is a problem for any reason, please see me or have your parent/guardian talk to me. It would also be helpful to have a highlighter and a calculator. I do have these materials to lend out, but some students are more comfortable having their own.

If you or your parents have any questions about my policies or expectations, please ask. Also, please remember that my number one classroom rule is to be respectful to others. I am looking forward to working with and getting to know all of you. I hope we have a great year ahead of us!

The following is an assignment from the 2007/2008 school year:

Experimental Methods

Purpose: In small groups you are to design an experiment and research the methods you would need to use in your experiment. You must also research your topic and each group member needs to summarize an article. You will then write up your methods, practice these methods and then teach them to the class. Your classmates will practice the methods by collecting data for your experiment.

Day 1 and 2: using the websites below and the material provided your groups need to determine the method they would use for their experiment and then outline the steps they will need to follow. Also start determining how you will present this to the class. Will you teach the class as a whole and then break into smaller groups to practice or will you break into smaller groups right from the beginning. Will you present your method in a powerpoint?...

General Search Engines:

zoo.com

Transects and tree identification:

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest

Trees

tree identification

how to i.d. trees

Water Filtering: