Welcome to STEM: Sustainability. This is a freshman class designed to teach you the foundations of Physics (1st semester) and Chemistry (2nd semester) building upon your studies form middle school sciences. We will be looking at sustainability within these topics as we look at authentic real world, relevant topics. We will engage in science practices that incorporate cross-cutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas along with engineering. Each unit will reflect a basic content involving a local and/or global issues related to sustainability.
The environmental, economic, and social consequences of unsustainable practice affect us on all levels-individually, locally, and globally. We will look at how some communities have applied scientific knowledge, engineering, and technology to address their local resource challenges. We will estimate how our own lifestyles impact the ecological sustainability of the planet; apply the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and investigation.
We will also look at careers in the science and engineering areas; areas were people are needed in increasing demand as our world of technology changes. Many traditional jobs are vanishing and if we do not considering opportunities outside of traditional jobs, our students will be left behind in our changing world.
The district has adopted new books and new standards. There will be modifications throughout the year as we integrated these changes into our class. The text book has an electronic version that students will have access to at home. So there will be no physical text books taken home for reading homework.
Students love fieldtrips. However, they are very hard to put together as we need parent drivers and chaperones on top of the entry fees. One of the fieldtrips I would like to do is Biosphere II. This is an all day trip. with a fee of $35 per student.. We will talk more about this once school is in full swing. But parents, if you are able, please begin to think about this. We will take one or two trips to the university. There is a mandatory fieldtrip in February to the Gem and mineral show. We are able to walk to this event and there is no fee, only what monies students want to purchase items. Depending on PARENT participation will determine future fieldtrips.
Tucson High has MANY after school clubs and sports, including some in areas of science and engineering. I STRONGLY recommend students find something that interests them to get involved.
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, life happens, but we learn to work with or around it. Built into students schedule is a conference period. When students are struggling, need to make up work or a test, need a place to study or do homework, that is what it is for. Conference is on Friday morning. This time is given so students who are a absent, behind, or need extra help, have that opportunity. It is NOT meant as a day for sleeping in. Badger Power Hour, BPH, is Friday's after 2nd period. Students who are failing classes, specifically core classes, are asked to attend BPH in another class or they stay with me. This is a study hall time. In my class, students will be able to complete their reading assignment for the following week if they have not already done so.
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. For those who do not have access to email, the same applies to a written note. Parents, you are always welcome to come talk with me and you are always welcome to sit in on classes. I myself am taking classes after school at the university. We will need to set up appointments to fit into yours and my time in advance.
I am looking forward to working with parents and students this year and engaging our natural curiosity in a safe environment.
I try to be available for parents and students. If there is another time you need to meet, please let me know.
Work expectations:
Come to class prepared!!!
Homework: Is for learning... I know how busy we can all be. 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 we have in class; I will try to give these to you for the weekend before. You will have them for doing during BPH. Those of you who take notes from powerpoints, will find those online in advance. Students are different in taking notes between taking too many, like me, to taking a long time to write them down. And I do not want to waste students time. Our new text book as a Cornell set up I suggest you follow. The notes you taking from your reading are what will be on your quizzes and tests.
Most of the assignments you will need will be located on Canvas which most students are familiar with. Should anyone have any problem with their assignments, they can email me or come briefly after school or during 1st lunch.
Assessments: Quizzes can be given whenever to check for student understanding. Formal Assessments are often given after each unit is finished and are open notes. Final: This is at the 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 in place of or in addition to a test. Your quizzes and tests come from the book. Doing your homework is important for success in these areas. NOTE: You must have your computer for taking tests; you may not use your cell phone. If you forget to bring your computer, you will have to come during conference to take the test. TESTS, not qizzes, mid-term, or final may not be retaken during conference the following conference day. Cheating: Any cheating results in a zero that cannot be made up and remains on your record. Cell phones out during tests are marked as cheating and cannot be retaken..
Composition books: 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. Projects, class assignments, and labs will go in this book. At the end of the semester, this journal will earn 100 pts for upkeep. The Notebook is for keeping notes to study and may be used for tests. During the school year, you will take a picture of your work from your journal and upload it onto Canvas.
Assignments: Many class assignments will be group work. 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/guardian or student can inform me. Should a student do poorly on a completed assignment, they have the option to fix it within ONE week for a better grade.
Late Work: Again, life happens. Let me know in advance if there is going to be a problem - email is a wonderful thing. I usually give a grace period of two days. Once I begin grading, for every two days it is late, it will be marked down 10% I will not take work beyond 2 weeks without prior communication.
Fieldtrips: There are a few fieldtrips planned for this class, These are not manditory. You will do make-up work in class. The Gem & Mineral show will be 3rd quarter and is manditory. One of the key components are parents willing to chaperone and in some cases drive; we walk for the gem and mineral show and the university. I will send out emails in advance so parents can plan to join us.
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
105% E = Excels (The student has taken the work beyond what was asked.)
90% M = Meets (Student has done what was asked of them and done it well.)
75% A = Approaches (Student has the basic concepts.)
50 % F = Falling bellow (Student has done the work, but does not understand concepts or has chosen not to finish it)
0% NC = Not Completed (Student needs to finish for the grade to be figured out)
Grade break down:
Class assignments: 30%
Homework Assignments: 10% Given as a completion grade - pts are USUALLY given for completion, not accuracy.
Quizzes 10%
Assessments/Projects 50%
Keep track of your grades through synergy. There is no excuse for not knowing what assignments are missing or what your grade is. You do not need to ask your teachers. As personal work is often put on TEAMs, you know if you have turned your work in or not.
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 (Your cell phones have callandars). 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 if you do not have a hall pass (preferred). 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.
Absences are frustrating to everyone. This class will have projects you will be part of. It makes it a challange to do projects if one or more of your group is missing. Life does happen and when possible you can make up your part or will be given an alternative assignment if it is a long term absence; stay in touch not only with your teachers should this occur but your partners. District policy allows a student 10 unexcused absences. After ten unexcused absences, a student is given an NC = no credit. This means that a student will have to repeat the class physically, they are not given the opportunity to replace the grade online.
Cell phones & electronics: 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, including earpods, headphones, and other technology distractions 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. If something is going on in a students life that they need to have the cell phone handy, let the teacher know. Please note: loss or damage of a cell phone is not a teachers responsibility. If you find you are unable to leave your cell phone alone, your cell phone will be stored at the front of the room to be collected at the end of the period.
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 or projects. Water in a closed container is acceptable and encouraged at this school. We even have drinking fountains to accomodate water bottles. Please make sure you have your name on your water bottle in case you forget it.
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, possibly an administrator or counselor, 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 core 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. And if you are good to go? Bring something to occupy yourself during that time period. BPH will be a good time to do your reading homework. Cell phones are not an option during BPH.
Bathroom/Water breaks: Only ONE student at a time has permission to leave the classroom; this is district and school policy. Students are expected to take care of their needs and return immediately; it is unfair to make other students wait because you have an itch to wonder. Passes are digital this year. Please note, school policy says if you are gone more then 15 minutes, it becomes an automatic unexcused absence. And students are not to be out the first or last 15 minutes of class.
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 most of you this is your first year of High School. Freshman year is often considered the hardest as there are so many different changes going on around you and in your life. Remember though, what you put in is what you will get out. The more you put in, the more doors are opened for you for when you graduate. Take advantage of all the offerings here at Tucson High whether they are classes or clubs. When you need help, seek help, don't wait until it is too late or teachers drag you in. Think twice as you make decisions in your education these next four years as they are actually decisions that can impact the life you want. It is here at high school that you have begun to take charge of your future. I hope you have a good high school experience.