Greetings fellow Geologist!

This class is considered an advanced Earth-Space class due to its primary focus being the geosphere. What that means is that Earth is a complex system of interlacing subsystems; like a puzzle – it is not complete without all the parts. There is the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and cosmosphere. And all five of these pieces intertwine with the other pieces when it comes to Earth. In Earth-space we give a wink at all these different pieces. But at Tucson High, we are lucky to have three classes that go into depth in these areas: Geology, Oceanography, and Astronomy.

A brief intro: I started off my college studies in the field of oceanography, specializing in geology. Marrying an astronomer tied me to Tucson - at one time the astronomy capital of the world. This put a dampener on my continuing in the field of oceanography (no current oceans in the desert). I then went for a degree in archaeology and later narrowed that into the field of dendro-archaeology where I worked on a few projects at the Univeristy of Arizona. But the changing field and two small children had me needing to choose another career closer to home and schools.

I earned a degree in science and teaching music with a minor in native american studies at the University of Arizona in 1998. This May 2020 I earned my masters degree in education with an emphasis in geoscience and industry through the University of Arizona. I enjoy all areas of the sciences and in the sharing of that knowledge as there is nothing in this world that science does not touch in some way or another. My two children, now grown , both attended Tucson High School by choice. I have been teaching science for 21 years. This will be my 11th year at Tucson High.

This year I will be teaching: Geology 2nd Period and Earth-Science 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, online using the flipped classroom model

So, welcome to Geology!!! It is my favorite of the Earth science topics next to oceanography. And within these areas my top interests are Volcanism and mineralogy. This is my 11th year at Tucson High. I have two children who graduated from Tucson High looooong ago. Had I a different life, I would have gone into planetary geology, a profession that did not exist when I was at the university, or marine geology. I am married to an astronomer and artist who works on the Space Watch Project.

While our focus is mainly on the geosphere itself, the state has added standards of chemistry and physics that will be in testing. It should not be that difficult as to understand minerals, we need to understand the elements and to understand mining, we need to understand aspects of physics. It is possible Juniors will be taking the test this year, but that is still very nebulous. And because things are a bit nebulous, I do not have a specific curriculum set up.

One of the sad things about this pandemic, is it limits are ability to do fieldtrips. But I still have hope for next semester. Meanwhile, those of you who are really interested in rocks and minerals, I will be setting up the geology club where I hope we can do a few fieldtrips on the weekend, so keep that club in mind. If you are interested in Astronomy, I also have the Astronomy club for those who want to learn how to explore the night sky. My husband is mostly in charge of that.

I have an open door policy and I am always willing to listen to solutions to any problems life is throwing at people, especially during this unprecedent time. Life happens and all of you have different home lives; we will learn to work with or around it. So to fail my class is a choice both parent and student have made.

Parents, the best way to contact me is via e-mail: Karriaunna.Scotti@tusd1.org. Students, for work you want to send me or asking questions outside of school hours, email me at: ScottiTHMS@gmail.com. I am very good about returning emails. If you have not heard from me within two days, please resend as the likelihood is it did not go through.

I am looking forward to working with parents and students this year and engaging our natural curiosity in an unusually safe environment.

Work expectations:

Come to Zoom class prepared!!!

Be on time!!! Coming late to class, whether physical or online is a bad habit that translates over into future work and loss of jobs. Not only is it a bad habit, but students often miss out on important information and it can also harm your grade over time. Please keep your bell schedule on hand. We will often start with a short quiz.

Class set-up: To accommodate our shorter periods of class time during the week, only 2.5 hours, many classes will be doing what is called a flipped classroom to cover the other state required minutes. Some of you may be familiar with this. It is where individual work is done at home, on your own, and the activities and discussions are done in class. In this case you are at home for both, but you have teachers available during BPH time and office hour times to help. My assignments are often both emailed out (if I have your email) and attached in synergy; Clever is also a possibility I am looking into. And as noted above, we will be using zoom. Sorry, some teachers prefer zoom and some google classroom, I like zoom.

Homework is not an option as it really is not homework. What it is, is flexible. You may work on it whenever you wish (I strongly suggest you use "office hours" and BPH time), you just have to have your work done before the start of next class or the date given. You may be assigned readings, PowerPoints, videos, current events, research, etc. that you will need to have prepared for class for discussion or for your group projects.

Class time is meant to be for discussions, quizzes, group work, etc. If you do not honor the asynchronous part (not in class) you will quickly fall behind.

Assignments will be located in synergy where they will also be uploaded. I will also email assignments out to those who have given me their non-tusd email and possibly Clever. The TUSD email has a limit on size and what can be sent.

Formal Evaluations will vary in format, but is usually quizzes, tests, or a finished product.

• • Quizzes may be given at the beginning of class after a reading assignment is due or after a lecture.

  • Tests may be given after each topic.

  • Exams may be given at mid-term and finals. Keep all your notes; you are allowed to use them.

Science Journals are used for labs as well as field work. They can be either a plain, lined or graphing composition book. For the serious rockhound/geologist, you will also want an all weather geology field notebook. 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. For online, you will be taking pictures of your notebook assignments to turn in.

Note Journal is just for that, taking notes during class or homework. This can be anything. Many students often use a 2nd composition book.

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 for ALL science classes:

Synchronous (In class work) 30%

Asynchronous (solo work) 30%

Assessment (projects/quizzes/groupwork/tests...) 40%

Late Policy for ALL science classes:

Late work is automatically -15% when it is due. That does not mean the end of the day date, though it could. Usually it means by the START of your class. Remember, this is a flipped class and it is important you come to class prepared.

With a password, both student and parent/guardian can keep track of grades. If you do not have a password, check with your counselor Note: The date of the grade you see is the date it was due, not the date it was graded. Grades are usually entered within a week after they were due unless it is a project, which can take longer to grade.

Classroom general routine:

Upon entering zoom, your webcam is on and your mic is on mute; if there is a reason your webcam needs to be off, we can discuss it BEFORE class. There will be an agenda which we will follow. I foresee a short quiz or a discussion of homework. While you are working on the class opening activity, I will take attendance. You are expected to be in class and focused at all time. Yes, I know it is challenging at times to be focused; especially as the day advances. Hopefully the set up will work for some. Have patience, this is all new for me as well.

After about half an hour, I will give you a biobreak to stretch, use the restroom, get something to drink, or munchies. I ask that you remain in class until that time. Feel free to remind me if I forget.

At the end of class, you will have a ticket to leave and what you are supposed to finish on your own time.

5 Easy-to-Follow Etiquette Rules for the Zoom Classroom

You've had years to learn how to behave in a face-to-face classroom but what about an online classroom? Here are five easy-to-follow rules to ensure you are making the best virtual impression.

• Clothing is NOT optional.

  • Remember that, even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can SEE you! While attending class in your pajama bottoms is a tempting option, you'll want to make sure that you are presenting yourself in the best possible light at least from the waist up. Put on a clean shirt. Run a brush through your hair. Brush your teeth and put on deodorant... no, they can't smell you through the screen but that is just good common hygene.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

  • Your professor and classmates can also see BEHIND you. Make sure that there is nothing in the background (traffic, other people, a pile of laundry) that may distract from the class. While it is not necessarily the best choice to attend class from your messy bedroom, it may be the only place you can find peace and quiet away from roommates or family members. If that is the case, you can employ a Virtual Background to hide what you don't want seen.

• Mute is your friend.

  • Once you log in to the virtual classroom, be sure to mute your microphone (lower left-hand corner). This will help to eliminate background noise that could distract others.

• Raise your hand and wait to be called upon.

• If you wish to speak, either physically raise your hand or use the "Raise Hand" button at the center of the bottom of your screen. Once the teacher calls on you, unmute yourself and begin speaking. When you have finished speaking, indicate you are done by saying something like "That's all" or "Thank you" and then mute your microphone again.

• If you don't have anything nice to say...

• The Zoom chat feature is a tool to make comments and ask questions without interrupting the speaker but be aware that your comments are public and are recorded in the minutes of the session. As you most likely learned in your first face-to-face classroom back in kindergarten, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

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 and over time they effect ones grade. You are also creating a bad habit for your future job: It is hard habit to break bad habits. School Policy: Tardy Policy Online:

By the 3rd tardy: Teacher conducts student conference and contacts parent/legal guardian. This is documented in synergy.

By the 6th tardy: Teacher sends referral to grade level/alpha administrator and documents intervention in synergy, and minor incident.

By the 9th tardy: Teacher sends referral to alpha administrator and documents intervention in Synergy. Student is assigned with ISI support person.

10+ tardy: Teacher sends referral to alpha administrator and documents intervention on Synergy. Administrator will determine next level of consequence.