Syllabus

Marine biology is an integrated science as it covers many aspects of the science world: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Engineering as they apply to geology, meteorology and oceanography. Many of today’s political issues revolve around Earth's changing climate and how that affects our planet. To make the best decisions, understanding the basics of our planet is essential in meeting the environmental challenges and natural resource limitations of our world and lives. It is also important in understanding that our world is a living world that is not static. We will be looking at various aspects of the oceans from the physical and chemical properties of water, its environment, its affect on Earth, and the life within. When possible, assignments in this class will be group projects centered around inquiry and/or problems. While knowledge is power, it is important we know what to do with it in learning.

I have an open-door policy and I am always willing to listen to solutions to any problems life is throwing at people. To me, "failure is not an option" (Apollo 13.)- but it can be a choice.

Parents, the best way to contact me is via e-mail. Karriaunna.Scotti@tusd1.org. Students, for asking questions outside of school hours, email me at: ScottiTHMS@gmail.com. I am very good about returning emails (weekends not included). If you have not heard from me within two days, please resend as the likelihood is it did not go through. Parents, you are welcome to come talk with me, just set up an appointment and you are always welcome come sit in on classes. Please, it is important everyone keeps their contact up to date. For me, that is your emails as that is usually how I communicate.

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.

Again, Welcome!

Work expectations:

Come to class prepared!!!

Homework: Is for learning... I know how busy we all are, especially as a Junior or Senior. And I understand that with everything going on in folks’ lives, which vary greatly, homework is one of the last things you want to do. However, there are some things I need you to do at home. Reading assignments are often done at home due to all the various levels of readers here; I will try to give these to you for the weekend before. PowerPoint Note taking is done at home. I will put the ppts online before class so that you can gather the notes beforehand and be prepared to ask questions during the lecture. Again, students are different in taking notes between taking to many, like me, to taking a long time to write.

Most of the assignments you will need will be located on TEAMs. The district is looking at shifting over to another platform, but until that happens, most students are now familiar with TEAMs. Should anyone have any problem with their assignments, they can email me or come briefly after school or during 2nd lunch. There is also conference and Badger Power Hour on Friday.

Assessments: Quizzes can be given whenever to check for student understanding. Formal Assessments are often given after each unit is finished. Final: There may be an end of the semester final. Those with an A do not have to take it. Projects: Units may have a project and/or a presentation that are usually graded with rubrics. Until a testing area is set up, make-up and retakes of tests/quizzes are only given during conference hour. NOTE: You must have your computer for taking tests; you may not use your cell phone. Cell phones out during tests are marked as cheating and cannot be retaken.

Science Journals are an important component of science and engineering. Every scientist keeps a journal of their work and during my class all students are citizen scientists. Journals are for keeping notes which may often be used on quizzes and tests as well as used for classwork. You are of an age that I will NOT grade notes. I will grade the assignments. These should be brought to each class. If you prefer to separate your notes from your classwork, feel free to have another notebook... I actually encourage it. Taking notes is an important skill as well as reflecting.

Assignments: Many class assignments are group work. Note: Students are not penalized for a groupmate who does not do their part. All assignments have a due date. Life happens - If there is a reason for an assignment to be turned in late, parent or student can inform me. Should a student do poorly on a completed assignment, they can have the option to fix it within a week for a better grade with no penalty.

Late Work: Again, life happens. Let me know in advance if there is going to be a problem - email is a wonderful thing. There is a grace period of two days. After that, if I have already graded the class work, it is 25% off. what you have earned. Any work turned in after a week is 50% off and it will be graded when I get around to it.

Fieldtrips: The Gem and Mineral Show is mandatory. For this we only need chaperones not vehicles as we walk to the TCC and it is free for us. For anything else, it will depend on parent drivers or fees. I would like to be able to go to Biosphere II and a trip to a beach. These two however are costly and will depend alot on parent involvement in getting us there..

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:

Class assignments: 50%

Homework Assignments: 15% Given as a completion grade - pts are given for completion, not accuracy.

Assessments: 35%

Keep track of your grades through synergy. There is no excuse for not knowing what assignments are missing. You do not need to ask your teachers.

Keep your email address updated as I will often send out reminders for your benefit.

Classroom general routine:

Check the whiteboard and overhead for the day’s agenda and supplies as well as objectives. You should have a planner to make note of expectations and due dates. Most of you have one on your cell phone. Please be in your seat by the time the final bell rings. Most days will begin with a bell assignment and end with an informal assessment of some form with activities in between.

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.

Policy on discipline: Check student handbook.

Tardies are disruptive. Check student handbook for consequences. A student who is more than 25 minutes late is considered absent. When tardy, it is important to sign in. This is a record that a student was actually here and corrections can be made later. If a student does not sign in when late, they are absent. Please do not ask me to change your attendance for an absence if you did not sign in. You are expected to be in your seat when the bell rings - attendance is taken by the use of a seating chart at the beginning of class. At the end of the day, I double check the tardy sheet.

Cell phones: All teachers are required to have a “cell phone free zone” within the classroom; this includes any accessories that are synced to phones (watches, earbuds, etc.). Educators understand that cell phones have great utility, but cell phone use has increasingly become a source of distraction in the classroom decreasing student engagement and time spent on learning. With one on one computers, we should not need cell phones, but if we do, I will let students know. All cell phones are to remain in backpacks, school bag, or purse. In case of emergencies, parents can reach students through the main office at 225-5000 or 225-5002. Please note: loss or damage of a cell phone is not a teachers responsibility.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the building and definitely not in a science classroom where a spill can alter data or damage technology. Water in a closed container is acceptable and encouraged as this is Tucson.

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 aside to discuss the problem. If the problem cannot be resolved or the situation is a safety hazard during a lab, the student will be asked to go to time out in room T165 or T150 or a monitor will be called to take them to the security office. A call home to the parent will be made. If the situation continues, a conference will be set up between myself, parents, and the individual to decide on the next steps needed to resolve the issue.

Conference & Badger Power Hour is built into students schedule on Friday. If a student has a grade less then a C in any of their classes, or they need a place to do homework, or they need time to finish work, or they need help from their teacher, etc.… take advantage of it. The time given is not meant to be extra sleep in time.

Bathroom/Water breaks: Only ONE student at a time has permission to leave the classroom. They are expected to take care of their needs and return immediately; it is unfair to make other students wait. It is school policy that students sign out and sign in and take the pass with them. To help promote that, in this class, I ask you trade me the cell phone for the bathroom pass.

Weekly Contact: I usually send one or more email home each week. These emails are often reminders of assignments due, upcoming events or extra credit, or what is going on in the classroom. It is important that students AND parents read their emails. If you do not read the emails and you do not make use of a planner, the responsibility of something missed or forgotten is that of the student. Both parents and students PLEASE keep your synergy email up to date!!!

Classroom Rules

Rule #1: Treat all within 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; Simple Courtesy.

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

5. Follow all instructions/procedures for your own safety as well as others.

For some of you this is your last year of high school and for others, you have one or two more to go. I hope you will enjoy my class as you learn about our oceans.

Welcome to Marine Biology