Syllabus

As everything incorporates science, science incorporates everything. We will be reading, writing, learning new vocabulary, using math, setting up and performing labs, research, exploring social implications, looking at where science has come from and where it is going in our modern society. We will be citizen scientists to help add to the knowledge base of some ongoing projects. Some topics are more challenging for students and some are not as interesting. Hold on, hopefully we will cover some topics that you do find interesting.

I have an open door policy and I am always willing to listen to solutions to any problems life is throwing at people – not excuses. To me, failure is not an option but it is a choice. Integrated science is a freshman class only. If a child fails science they must repeat it during the summer. Summer classes are not free and they tie up the family summer vacations. Not to mention it is not exactly enjoyable having to redo what was done during the year. High school classes are not quarter or yearly, credit is earned by the semester; half a credit per semester.

The best way to contact me is via e-mail. Karriaunna.Scotti@tusd1.org. I am very good about returning emails. If parent or student has not heard from me within two days, please resend as the likelihood is it did not go through. For those who do not have access to email, the same applies to a written note. I often stay after school a few hours for tutoring and setting up the next day for class. You are welcome in to come talk with me and you are always welcome to sit in on classes.

I am looking forward to working with parents and students this year and engaging our natural curiosity in a safe environment. High school is one of the few places we get to do that in this busy world. My class is not an easy class as there is so much that is to be done and learned, but a student who is willing to work can earn the grade of their choice.

Work expectations:

Homework for science is every night for approximately thirty-minutes, depending on student’s abilities. Most of the reading is done at home for the simple reason everyone reads at different levels and speed. Class time is primarily set aside for lectures and labs. If a student is actively involved in extracurricular activity that is GREAT! However, it is important that students learn to balance their time. Reading assignments are given in advance so that some homework may be done on the weekend to help balance out extracurricular activities. These are located on the syllabus (do not lose it) or you can go onto the website. Most of the work will be reading from the text book each student will take home. This includes taking notes from that reading and answering questions in it. Each week a current event is due. There will occasionally be other short assignments and projects are often done partly at home. All work is due either Keep track of the due dates as there is no pattern; work is due when we finish a chapter or the following day if it is outside the book or it could be weeks down the road if it is a project. Late assignments are marked down one grade for each day late. If there is an appropriate reason for an assignment being late, a parent/guardian must write a note.

Quizzes will often be given at the beginning of each class. Tests are often given after each chapter that is finished. Both the quizzes and tests are tied to the books. As society changes so do our ability to memorize. I understand this, which is why students are allowed to use the notes they will be keeping in one of the composition books. An exam is given at the end of each quarter and will cover only what was covered during that quarter from the book and the labs.

Science Journals are one of the college ruled composition books where lab assignments are completed in. They are rarely to leave the classroom except for finishing write-ups as needed or when parents want to look at student work. Every scientist keeps a journal of their work and during my class all students are citizen scientists. These journals are not to have pages torn out or random art work done in them. They are expected to be organized.

Note Journal is just for that, taking notes as homework is done and class lectures given. These are written in the second college ruled composition book. It is meant to go home each day so that notes from the homework can be written in them and returned each class to take notes from any lecture that might be given. It is this book alone that is allowed to be used during tests. This is graded under class work even though some of it is done as homework, giving it greater point value.

Projects are given for each quarter and are expected to be completed by the end of the quarter. Projects will vary depending on student choice. Unless a student is perfect, failure to do a project often ends up with an F for the quarter.

Extra Credit: For students who struggle with test taking, making up points for a late assignment and/or are just trying for that better grade. A project chosen for class work points. These are not difficult and often do not take long in the doing but can be time consuming in gathering the material to perform them. Chapters we do not have time to do will be given as extra credit for homework points. All extra credit is due two weeks before the end of the quarter so that I have time to grade them.

Grades will be based on a combination using the Point System and a Rubric. Labs and projects are graded using a rubric and are assigned F – A – M or E, for FAME. Quizzes and tests are graded using the traditional point value system. Both will be totaled at the end of each quarter to determine a student’s grade. Grades will be based on:

Points Rubric

90 -100% = A E = Excels (The student has taken the work beyond what was asked.)

80 – 89% = B M = Meets (Student has done what was asked of them and done it well.)

70 – 79% = C A = Approaches (Student is approaching; they have the basic concepts.)

50 – 69% = D F = Falling bellow (Student has done the work, but does not understand concepts)

0% NC = Not Completed (Student needs to finish for the grade to be figured out)

Grade break down:

Science Journal /class work 40%

Tests and exams 20%

Homework 20%

Project 20%

Classroom general routine:

Upon entering the room, students are to get their science journal and an audience responder and take their assigned seats. Please be in your seat by the time the final bell rings. Students are expected to remain in their assigned seats at all times unless permission is given or they are dismissed. Many days will begin with a quiz of a question or two about the topic of reading to have been completed. You cannot make these up. Do not be late.

On the board will be the expectations for the day as well as any homework. Homework as well as test and project dates are to be written in your agenda. After the quiz, we will discuss and answer any questions pertaining to the reading. Sometimes a lecture will be given to help clarify the reading assignment and students can add to their notes for the test. Labs or other work will then be given. At the end of the period, we clean up and you will have a closure assignment which should not take more then ten minutes.

Class begins with the bell, but it does NOT end with the bell. Please remain in your seats until dismissed.

Policy on discipline:

Everyone in my class is a young adult who fully knows the rules of behavior in the classroom and are expected to follow them as a good student. This is a science class. The rules are for safety as well as for allowing everyone the chance to learn. A student does not have the right to prevent others from learning.

Tardies are disruptive. After the forth tardy, you can be assigned lunch detention or mandatory conference. After that, for each tardy you accumulate, you are assigned lunch detention. Refusal leads to a referral and assignment to the liaison officer for further action. A student more than 25 minutes late is considered absent. Be sure to sign in when you are tardy. This guarantees that should I forget to alter the attendance, there is a record you were there.

Cell phones are not to be on or used in my classroom. This is your one and only warning. If a cell phone is out, it can be confiscated. If that happens, it becomes a parent pick up. Your time to socialize is morning, between classes, lunch and after school. When you are in my class, you are expected to be on the job not the phone.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the building and defiantly not in a science classroom where a spill can alter data. Water is however allowed.

Misbehavior: Some days just do not go right and a warning is needed for unacceptable behavior. If a warning is not enough the student will be taken into aside to discuss the problem. If that is not possible do to classroom activities, a, student will be given a formal notice to arrive for conference. If we cannot resolve a problem or the situation is a safety hazard during a lab, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and a call home to the parent will be made. If the situation continues, a conference will be set up between myself, parents, the individual and if needed, the counselor, to discuss the situation. If a parent refuses to come and the child’s behavior remains unacceptable, the student will not be allowed back into the classroom until such a time as the conference can occur with the vice-principal now included. A referral will be written up for continuous unacceptable behavior and the liaison officer notified.

Monday Conference: I am here before school by 7:30 and remain after school Mon, Tues, & Thurs, to assist parents and students as needed. Monday is an official conference time set aside for students and teachers. Students are allowed to come and due homework, finish work, make up tests or work due to absences, discuss class issues, or whatever is needed.

Bathroom/Water breaks: Students must sign out and in as well as take the pass. If there is no pass, someone is out and they must wait. They may not go the first and last 10 minutes of class: school policy. They may not go during a video, lecture or when instructions are given. They are to return quickly as it is unfair to others if you take your time. A student can be marked as absent if they have not signed out.

Classroom Rules

Rule #1: Treat each other with respect.

Rule #2: No excuses, find solutions.

3. When I am talking to the class, or anyone else is, you are to be listening. It is Common Courtesy.

4. Come to class prepared to learn. This includes bringing your curiosity, supplies, & homework.

5. Follow all instructions/procedures; those who cannot remain on task will not be permitted to do labs.

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