You will find necessary handouts for general class use if you scroll below. Please look for the Table of Contents documents under each unit of study. August 10, 2011 Dear Science Student and Parents: Welcome to a new year in science! I am so glad you are here! I am very excited to have you in my class. I hope your family had the chance to spend quality time together over the summer. I feel it is important that you know about me and so I will share lots of information about myself and I hope that as we get to know each other you will feel comfortable doing the same. I invite you to talk with me by email, phone and/or by appointment any time you feel it’s necessary. Many of my students have emailed me with questions instead of asking me in class. I still have students that contact me from time to time just to say “hi”. I have spent time planning lessons that will make science relevant, personal and meaningful to the interests you have. This year we will be learning about exciting topics in science that are connected to your world. Before we start though, there is some class information, procedures and expectations we need to discuss. COURSE DESCRIPTION: There are 6 strands outlined in the Arizona Science Standard. The first 3 are process oriented: Inquiry, History & Nature of Science, and Personal & Social Perspectives, The last 3 are content related: Life Science (7th & 8th), Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics for 8th, no standards in 7th grade) and Earth & Space Science (for 7th, but not taught in 8th grade). Remember, Science is a way of thinking and approaching problems. Science is hard fun! Attention is given to building a scientific community in the classroom, one that fosters trust and growth of scientific understanding through communication. CLASS EXPECTATIONS: § This is a learning environment, so we QUESTION, THINK and DISCOVER! If you don’t understand something, ASK! If you still don’t understand, ASK AGAIN! This is a sign of intelligence! § Everyone is expected to be engaged (paying attention, using the materials, completing work, etc.) at all times. § Participation in discussions with partners, group members and with the whole class is extremely important. This is where most of your learning will take place. § Everyone is expected to be on time and prepared for class. This means you are seated and working on the Bell work by the time the bell rings. At the time of your 3rd tardy, you will be assigned to lunch detention at the lunch detention table. Please use the restroom and get drinks on your passing period unless it is an emergency. § There is no eating in class. At times we will work with items that may be dangerous if near or mixed with food. Also, it will keep the bugs away. You may bring water only, if it is in a covered container. § As this is a science classroom, you need to follow all directions especially as they relate to safety. If you choose unsafe behavior during any part of a lab or activity, you will immediately be sent to another classroom with an alternative assignment. § Remember the Golden Rule – Treat others as you wish to be treated. This classroom is a place where we are all respectful and respected….MUTUAL RESPECT! I will show you respect by being on time, being prepared, smiling, setting high standards, communicating what is expected until you understand, giving you my time and attention, respecting your property and being fair. I know you will respect me. SUGGESTED MATERIALS: While you are not required to purchase these materials, students will benefit from bringing these to each class period: ü 2 Mead Flexible Composition books (with graph paper inside, not lines! One is for 1st semester, and the other is for 2nd semester) ü Blue or black ballpoint pens ü Number 2 pencils ü Colored pencils ü Cross Middle School Assignment book/Handbook CLASS PROCEDURES: § You will keep a science lab notebook. More information regarding this is provided on a separate handout. § Integrity is important in science. If you decide to copy someone else’s work, test, etc., you can expect to share the grade, as can the person who gave his or her work away (ex. level 3 - each of two people would get a 1.5 on the rubric). § If you have a problem with someone in class, a grade you received, groups you are working in, etc. please see me. Part of the process of growing up and becoming independent means resolving conflicts on your own. I really respect students who speak to me about concerns they have in class. ASSESSMENTS: You will have opportunities to be graded in a variety of ways: q Scientific Lab Book q Labs q Essays q Projects q Collaboration (ability to work with and help others) q Presentations of Websites (power point, podcasts, digital stories) Students often comment about how much harder my class is than others. This is because I ask them to explain what they have learned about each concept we explore and I do not attach many points to the few assessments I give that only asks them to regurgitate information. I have found that when students are asked to explain large, deep concepts (i.e., what is motion? How do forces affect motion?) they can synthesize from the many labs and readings they complete to then talk and write about what they’ve been able to understand and pull meaning from. This kind of knowledge and ability to think will serve them well in their high school science classes and will also help students who will be on the AP or IB track. TEXTBOOKS: Textbooks are used in this classroom as a resource and are not issued unless a student asks. In our world today, many resources are used by people to learn (books, computers, video clips, simulations, etc.), my classroom reflects this 21st century change. There are enough texts to give students who are interested in doing more reading about science than is required and request a home copy. GRADING AND GRADE ACCESS: My students can re-do some assignments (lab book checks and projects, but not quizzes or collaboration grades) to receive a higher score. Students should use the feedback given to improve on their work in order to show me a higher level of understanding. Students show their changes by drawing a line and writing the new changes with a different writing instrument. They then hand back in their work, showing me what is new. With this system in place, all students should get A’s or B’s in this class (no excuses!!). If your grade is a D at the end of a quarter, the work habit grade given will automatically be an N for “needs improvement”. A grade of an F at the end of a quarter will automatically result in a U for “unsatisfactory” work habits. You can access your grade and find out other important information about this class on my website: www.amphi.com/teachers/dfife. Your parents will be given information on how to access your grade online through the parent portal. Grades will be as up to date as possible. Students and parents should access grades often to keep track of academic progress and grade fluctuations as the current grade link and report cards are the best way to avoid unwanted surprises at the end of a marking period. MY PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy of teaching influences every decision I make as an adolescent science educator. My goal is to have students discover concepts, not simply cover information about science. I focus on students’ understanding of key concepts as identified by the Arizona State Science Standards and do not prescribe to covering a multitude of concepts with minimal focus on the underlying ideas in science. Students learn science best when it is presented through student directed lessons designed to take them through the process of thinking while “doing” a lab. TEACHER AVAILABILITY: I am available for students before school, during AFT on Wednesday’s, and after school. Please talk with me about questions, getting extra help, and/or about a grade. I am available to talk with your parents as well. Parents should call or make an appointment to meet with me in person. I can be reached best by email: dfife@amphi.com If a phone call works better for you, my number is 696-5971. Please keep in mind that I have students most of the day and can only return phone calls before or after school. WOW! We have taken a lot of time and energy to go over this form. It contains vital information. You will put this in your science lab notebook so that you can refer to it during the school year. Have a great year! Sincerely, Mrs. Fife |
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General Handouts