Class Rules & Policy 

Course Philosophy

"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking." -Albert Einstein

Science is a way of approaching the world we live in. It is about looking at things from lots of perspectives and thinking critically.

"We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." -Albert Einstein

In this class, more than anything, you will be asked to think.
We will strive to have fun, work hard, and exercise our minds.

Your Responsibilities

Your education is mostly your responsibility but, part of the responsibility lies with me as your teacher. There are some high expectations in this class that I am sure you can meet if you dedicate yourself. I can promise you this class will not be easy, and it will not be boring. I will work to teach you science in a way that is interactive and exciting, and I will treat you with respect and fairness. In return, I ask the following from you:

• Attendance & Tardies  Coming to class is the first step to understanding science. If you are tardy you will miss important information and disrupt others. If you have to miss class, it is up to you to ask for and to make up the work you missed.  All assignments will be posted on my online classroom at panthercountry.org and classroom.google.com.

• Hall Passes  Just as attendance and tardies can cause you to miss important information, so does leaving the classroom after class begins.  I understand that you may forget something in your locker or may have to leave the room for other reasons, so I will allow each student to have three passes. At the beginning of each grading period, students will receive a card with three spaces for each class to be marked once a pass is used.
  Note: If all of the passes are marked or the card is lost, during a grading period students will not be allowed any of the advantages listed above without other consequences or detentions being issued.

• Assignments  Most of your grade will depend on how you perform on assignments in class, and some will be homework.

  • Late Assignments: You are expected to hand in work on time, however, I understand that sometimes things happen that prevent you from turning in your work on time. Late assignments may be completed during detention for full credit.

  • Missing Assignments: Missing assignment detentions may be given to any student who does not complete an assignment by its due date.
    
    

• Google Classroom All assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. All students have access to the classroom which allows them to track, print, and complete their assignments online.
  
  

Google Classroom is a secure learning network for teachers, students, and schools. It provides a safe way for us to connect, share content, access homework, participate in discussions, and receive class information. Using Google Classroom allows you and your child to access coursework at any time online and through any devices with Internet capabilities—including smartphones, computers, tablets, and Chromebooks. Additionally, the use of Classroom will help keep students and parents informed of due dates, assignments, and grades. Classroom is also useful to check on work missed when absent and to ask questions about assignments.

Note: Google Classroom is only for posting and completing assignments. Google Classroom will not show posted grades. All grades will be posted on ProgressBook

• Materials  Each day you must bring a pen and/or pencil, Paper, a science binder (or section in another binder), and the textbook to class.

• Behavior Your actions affect others. Unfortunately, many do not see how their behavior affects the people around them. When you choose to study, participate, and work hard, your knowledge and focus help the class learn more. If you engage in disruptive behavior, the school’s Detention System will be used as a punishment.
  
  

• Classcraft Classcraft is a Classroom Management System (similar to the “card” or “clip” system used in Nolley) that mimics an in-class video game. This system is designed to encourage teamwork, boost participation, and increase motivation in a learning environment. For more information about Classcraft please read the information about Classcraft on my online classroom.
  
  

Grades

• The academic grade is based on an earned points system, which is then converted to a percentage. In some classes, it has been said that if you complete all of your work you are guaranteed to pass. In this class, the only thing that can be guaranteed is that if you complete all of your work, then your grade will accurately reflect what you learned. Science tests, quizzes, and inquiry lab scores can make up to 70% of your total grade, while all other work will make up the other 30%.

• Test corrections will be allowed once per test within one week of the original test date.
  Test corrections must be initiated by the student during study hall.

• You have the right to access your grade anytime on ProgressBook - https://pa.neonet.org/
  ProgressBook will be the only place grades will be posted (Google Classroom is only for posting assignments)

• The grading scale for this class is as follows:

A+ 100-98% | A 97-93%  | A- 92-90%

B+  89-87%  | B 86-83%  | B- 82-80%

C+  79-77%  | C 76-73%  | C- 72-70%

D+  69-67%  | D 66-63%  | D- 62-60%