Syllabus - Discovery Science

Mr. Matthew Richardson

• • Email = mrichar@hpseagles.net

  • Website = Located on Baldwin St. Middle School staff web page

  • Powerschool = Grades online and updated weekly.

  • Agenda = Students fill this out daily with class assignments, materials to bring, reminders for upcoming important dates.

Understanding

Discovery Science is a fun and engaging course offered for students that allow the experience of science to be a hands-on, problem based approach. Students learn by doing, so that’s the goal for this class! Students will learn to approach problems with a sense of confidence, figure out a way to solve the problem, and learn from the situation. We will be using the same process many scientists and engineers use in their regular jobs to solve problems. We will be reflecting on what we have done and what we have learned in order to grow to become excellent problem solvers!

Grades

80% of the science grade is performance (quizzes, tests, presentations) and 20% is practice (labs, projects, science starters and other classwork).

• • All students are notified of upcoming quizzes, projects, and presentations at least a week in advance. Most likely projects and presentations will be something the student has been working on for multiple weeks before they are asked to present.

  • Homework will not be a main priority in this class, however many of the things we do in class will be able to be done at home! So it is greatly encouraged to share those experiences!

  • Rubrics will be used to grade projects and presentations. If you have questions about your students grade please ask to see the rubric for more explanation regarding points earned.

Life Skills

Students are graded in two categories: Work Ethic and Classroom Behavior. Comments will be added if scores change from PRO (proficient) to NW (needs work). If the score is blue in powerschool double click to read the comment. A conference with the student will occur if a score drops into NW. Parents will be contacted if a student moves to an UN (unacceptable) score. Please see the student agenda for an explanation of the Life Skills.

Absence Responsibility

Students are responsible for any class work missed because of absence from school, preferably before they miss (if applicable). Students will not be required to make up the assignment, but they will need to ask peers about the experience that they missed and be caught up to speed on how to help upon their return. If the experience the student missed was graded they will receive an excused grade, meaning it neither hurts nor helps their overall score.

Deadline Expectations

Students are expected to be ready to present/explain projects when deadline is named. If a student is not prepared, this will affect their life skills grade and the quality of their project. Once the twelve week class has finished, there will be no opportunity to turn in projects or presentations.

Beginning of Class

All students will enter and head to their seat and begin working on what I call a "get done" activity . The goal of the "get done" activity is to use their time for the good of preparing for the class period that day. This time will be brief, but students are encouraged to use the whole time to be helpful, with whatever task needs to be continued, either as an individual or as a team/group.

End of Class

Class will be dismissed by Mr. Richardson with a concluding thought or reminder, not the bell or students filling the hallway. Students will push in their chairs and make sure all materials are picked up before they leave.

Lab Behavior

While labs are being performed in class, students must listen to all directions first before doing, unless instructed differently. Horseplay or other behavior that hinders the learning process will warrant a conversation with the student(s). If the behavior continues the student will be ask to sit in their seat, watch from outside the class, or leave the classroom to go to the office and will miss out on participating in the experience. These instances will be documented in Power School and will affect Life Skill grades.

BEST Effort

A student’s best effort is expected at all times. This includes during activities, while communicating with others in groups, working/presenting in groups, discussions/reflections, etc.

Pencil Sharpeners

Pencil sharpeners can be used when a person (student included) is not addressing the class. This includes Mr. Richardson giving directions, guest speakers, student presentations, etc.

Classroom Expectations

I, like you and your family, want your child to be the best leader, architect, athlete, business person, secretary, barista, or whatever else they may become in their life. Because of this I will strive to make them a better person by focusing on the following things in their working groups, during competitions, in the hallways, and anywhere else I interact with your child. The 5 things below are the attributes of a responsible, engaged student and citizen, and that is my hope for your child.

• • Trustworthy

  • Truthful

  • Active Listener

  • No put-downs

  • Personal Best

*We are the best role models for the way in which we want our children/students to act, therefore I will be following the same guidelines!