Course Rules and ExpectationsMs. DeLong Classroom: JM 203 Email: mdelong@esusd.k12.ca.us Phone: 310-615-2690 x6203
Rules 1. Be ready and prepared to learn 2. Create a productive learning environment for yourself and others 3. Treat people and property with respect 4. Follow all school rules
Consequences 1. Visual and/or verbal warning 2. Detention and log-entry 3. Detention, log-entry and a phone call home 4. Parent-student-teacher conference Rewards 1. A positive, productive learning environment 2. A good participation grade
Materials
Textbook Focus on Physical Science: California (2008). Boston, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc. This book can be accessed at http://www.phschool.com
Class Preparation and Attendance Always bring your binder reminder, three-ring binder (with paper or notebook), pencil, pen, and homework. At the start of each class, you are required to be seated, in your assigned seat (unless directed otherwise) and working on the opening assignment. The opening assignment is given daily and is to be worked on in the first 3-4 minutes of class. All opening assignments are collected at the end of each trimester and graded for effort and completion. Attendance is taken immediately after the bell rings. If you are not in your assigned seat after the bell, you will need to have a signed pass to be excused. Consequences will be assigned for frequent unexcused tardies.
Participation Participation includes your presence, preparedness, contributions (answering/asking questions) and behavior (during class discussion, group work, and labs). Please be aware that your daily class participation also affects your academic performance.
Homework Homework (worksheets, reading, studying, etc.) will be given on a regular basis. You are responsible for writing the assignments listed on the board in your binder reminder at the beginning of class; assignments will also be listed on SchoolNotes (http://new.schoolnotes.com/msdelong/) as a backup. Homework will be graded for effort and completeness, unless specified otherwise.
Tests and Quizzes Generally, tests will be given at the end of each unit. Several quizzes will be given, intermittently, between tests; I recommend using returned quizzes as a tool (but not the only tool) for test preparation. Tests and quizzes will be announced in advance. In addition, a cumulative final exam will be given at the end of the year. I HIGHLY recommend saving all papers and materials that you have accumulated throughout the school year.
Lab Reports and Projects Labs and other hands-on activities will be performed regularly. Lab reports may range from answering a few questions to a full-length lab report; point values will reflect the amount of effort required. Please be advised that a pre-lab and/or the completion of a lab report may be assigned for homework. A variety of projects, such as models, presentations, computer-based work, and research papers, will be assigned throughout the year. Format requirements and grading expectations will be described for each assignment.
Grading Your grade will be calculated using the following point system: Tests = 30% Quizzes = 20% Lab Reports/Projects = 30% Homework = 15% Participation= 5%
The scale used will be: A = 100% - 90% B = 89% - 80% C = 79% - 70% D= 69% - 60% F = below 60%
In addition to a letter grade, you will also receive a citizenship grade: S = SATISFACTORY N = NEEDS IMPROVEMENT U = UNSATISFACTORY
Grades will be updated in PowerSchool (http://education.esusd.k12.ca.us/public/) on a regular basis so that you and your parents/guardians can be informed of your progress. Absences In the event of both unexpected (e.g. illness) and expected absences it is YOUR responsibility to turn in any assignments that were due on the day(s) of your absence and to make up any homework and/or classwork that was assigned on the day(s) of your absence. It is YOUR responsibility to check the “Absent Binder” in the classroom for the classwork and to check SchoolNotes for the homework that was missed. You should also talk to a study buddy immediately following an absence and come see me before school, after school, during snack or during lunch if you have any questions.
Study Buddy 1: ______________________________ Phone: _________________________
Study Buddy 2: ______________________________ Phone: _________________________
Make-up and Late Work The amount of time given to complete make-up work (work missed due to an absence) is equal to the number of days absent plus one day (i.e. If absent 1 day, you have 2 days to complete the assignment; if absent 2 days, you have 3). If you are absent on the day of a quiz, test, or lab you will be expected to make it up on your own time (before/afterschool, snack or lunch) and in a timely manner; failure to make up the quiz, test, or lab will result in a zero.
All assignments are due on the date assigned. Work will be accepted late; however, late homework will receive a 50% loss of credit and labs/projects will receive a 10% loss of credit each day that the assignment is late. Any homework missing after two days and any labs/projects missing after one week will receive a zero. Consequences will be assigned to students with excessive zeros.
Academic Integrity Cheating, of any form, will not be tolerated. Under most circumstances, cheating for all persons involved will result in a detention, a zero for the assignment, and parent notification. In some cases, a school administrator may be left to determine the consequences.
Extra Credit Throughout the year, there will be several opportunities offered for extra credit, worth up to five points. These opportunities can take various forms and are to be completed within the time frame specified. Extra credit will NOT be given upon request.
Extra Help Extra help is available everyday before school, during snack, and after school (except Mondays). I am also available during lunch, but advance notice is preferred. Please come see me if you are confused or think you might need help. No question is too big or too small, and I am here to help you.
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