Year-round Information
Homework Policy
Homework will be assigned on a weekly basis and will include work that is done in connection to what we're doing in class. Homework will be due on the day specified by the teacher. Also, anything we do in class that you do not finish will be expected to be completed as homework.
Assessments
You will be expected to study for tests and quizzes. Assessments may be based your guided notes, activities/labs, group work, lessons, class discussions, and the CPO text. Any quizzes or tests that score lower than 60% may be re-taken for a higher grade. You may receive a different version of the assessment when you re-take it, and you will only have this one chance at a higher score. It is recommended that if you do poorly the first time around, find out what you missed points on, go home and review the material some more, then come back and re-take the quiz/test.
Science Binders
Most of your work in science will be documented in your science binder so you have ONE place to always go to and refer to when studying for science. This is done by hole-punching handouts you receive during science class and putting them into your science binder. (Make sure handouts are in order according to the Table of Contents!
Each page in your binder will be stamped for completion. As long as you show that you've completed the page to the best of your ability and put thought into it, you will get full credit! (This means Ms. Sun will not be grading each page in detail, so it's incredibly important that you are aware of your own learning and how much you understand — and to ask for help if you need it). You will receive 0 credit for work that shows little effort or thinking.
A+ Notebook Checks
You will have two notebook checks per semester. Since they are a big chunk of your grade, you should continue to keep your binder organized and complete at all times. Notebook checks consist of:
Checking for neatness/organization of the pages kept in the binder, as well as completion of the Table of Contents.
A self-scavenger hunt for certain pieces of information (listed on the notebook check answer sheet you will receive on the notebook check days) in your binder. If you've done a good job with completing everything, you will get 100%, no problem!
Checking for stamps you received on each page. Usually, if you complete the work on time, you will receive a "happy stamp" which is worth two points. However, if it is incomplete or blank, you will receive a "late stamp" which is worth zero points. If you show on Notebook Check Day that you've completed that assignment after getting the "late stamp," you will receive one point. Since 1 out of 2 points is better than 0 out of 2 points, you should always try to complete your work even if you did not do so on time. IT'S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!
Participation
Part of your science grade is based on participation. You will be receiving participation points each day. Participation includes, but is not limited to:
on-task behavior
completing activities in a timely fashion
asking/answering questions
sharing during discussions
work quality during lab and in group activities (and following lab protocols)
