Syllabus

Welcome to STEM: Sustainability. This is a freshman class designed to draw students into the science by learning and understanding the world around you and the importance of sustainability. Using sustainability as an authentic real world, relevant topic, we will engage in science practices that incorporate cross-cutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas of physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science along with the knowledge and skills gained from middle school. Each unit will reflect basic content involving local and/or global issues related to sustainability. Because this class is also a preparatory class for your future science classes, you will find that chemistry underlines alot of your learning.

One of the critical global issues of our time is how to live in ways that will sustain our planet’s systems and resources. In this introductory course, you will investigate what it means to live in a sustainable world. 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.

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. Another fieldtrip which is mandatory will be 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.

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!!!

Be on time!!! Some students have a bad habit of making it to class late. This is a bad habit that translates over into their 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. Class begins on the bell. All students have a bell assignment that last 5-10 minutes. The points are all or nothing. If you arrive late and are unable to finish the assignment it is a zero unless the tardy is excused. Make sure you have an excused slip to staple to your paper.

Homework will vary. It is given to prepare, reinforce, or for those who need more time to finish items; it is not "busy" work. Assigned homework is to be turned in on the due date given. Once an assignment is returned in class, you are unable to make it up unless there is a very good reason... talk to me.

    • Most reading is done at home. Students read at different paces and it is unfair to students who need more time as well as to the student who reads fast to do the assignment in class. It is also harder to focus on what you are reading with so much around you. . You will want/need to take notes as you read. Assignments and or quizzes can accompany the reading.

    • Once a month a current event is due which could be presented in class.

Assessments will vary in format. They are due when they are due. If there is a reason for an assignment to be late, let me know as soon as possible. Depending on the assignment, late assignments are either not accepted or marked down: Teachers discretion.

If you have an EXCUSED absence you have till the next conference period (Monday) to make it up; you can also set up another day/time in-between.

    • Quizzes may be given at any time, usually after a reading or lecture.

    • Tests may be given after each topic.

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

    • Projects tied to a unit.

Composition Books: You will be keeping two different note books. One will be your science journal and the other will be used for notes.

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. If you need to take it home to finish work, you are able to, but they are not meant to leave the classroom.

Note books are just that. You will be taking notes and writing reflections EVERYDAY. Being able to take notes is an important skill that will help you throughout life and in my class, on your tests.

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. There are various and free scientific events throughout the year around Tucson. If you know of one, let me know. Attending , participating, and sharing is a way to get points. Do NOT wait till the last month.

Fieldtrips: There are fieldtrips planned for this class: How many will depend on chaperones. Parents, we get desperate for chaperones. One trip will be to the Planetarium in (?), one will be to Biosphere II in November, and one will be to the Gem & Mineral Show in February. I will let you know about others if they come up.

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. These are often done as a group or with a partner and fall under Group work which is also a group grade. Student work is work that is done by the individual, such as homework. Quizzes and tests are graded using the traditional point value system. Some units have only a product which will be placed under assessment. All sections will be totaled at the end of each quarter to determine a student’s grade. We all make mistakes which is part of learning. Depending on time and dedication, students are allowed to correct some assignments for a better grade (this is NOT done during class time). 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:

Student work 35%

Assessments/Product 30%

Group Work 30%

Student notebook 5%

Classroom general routine:

Upon entering the room, students are expected to look at the board or projector for any specific needs. Be in your seats by the time the bell rings so attendance is accurate. If you are not in your seat when I finish the attendance, you are late. Students are expected to remain in their assigned seats at all times unless permission is given or they are dismissed.

On the board (or overhead) there will be the expectations for the day. If there is homework, put the due date into your planner/calendar/agenda. The day will very with lectures, discussion, activities and/or labs. At the end of the period, we clean up and you will have a closure assignment which should not take more than ten minutes.

We will occasionally use a computer. It is important that you treat your assigned computer with care. When you look at the board and it says to get your computer, then get YOURs and log in. Then put the computer at half mast and begin your bell work. If you do this, it will save time later. The computer is not a toy. If there is any problem with the computer, please note it on the paper on the charging station so we can get it repaired. If there is something wrong, tell me at the beginning, otherwise you end up with the blame for any damage.

Class begins with the bell, but it does NOT end with the bell. Students are NOT to leave the classroom a mess. Please remain in your seats until dismissed; do not hover around the door.

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: 1-3 Parent Contact & Documentation. 4-6 Parent Contact, Referral, Restorative Practice. 7-9 Parent Contact, Referral, Restorative Conference, Community Service. 10+ Referral, Parent Conference, Appropriate Discipline, In-house detention/contract. If you are tardy, you are expected to sign in. If you do not sign in, I cannot change the absence record later as I may not remember who came in late. If you come in more then 25 minutes late, it remains an absence unless you check in with the attendance office.

Cell phones are not to be out during class time (unless you have special accommodations for using the phone for notes). Tucson High is a no cell phone school Please keep them on silent and tucked away. If a cell phone is out, I will point to the hanging bag and a student will immediately place it into the pouch. It can be collected after class. If there is any argument, security will be called and someone will come to collect the cell phones and take them to the office, where parents will have to pick them up. Repeats will require a conference between parent, student, and administration. Parents, do not call your child on their cell . For any emergencies, you can reach your student through the main office at 225-5000 or 225-5002 or they will have access to their phones during passing periods and lunch. If something important is going on and they need to expect a call from you, give them a note. Research has shown cell phones are very distracting and are linked to students with poor grades. Please note: cell phones lost or stolen are not the teachers responsibility.

Tucson High Magnet School believes in maintaining a safe and effective educational environment for all of its students, and we as 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. To avoid these concerns, I will be enforcing our District Cell Phone Policy. Tucson High Administration has sent home communication regarding the policy explaining how we plan to create a culture of maximizing student learning by enforcing our cell phone free learning environment in the classroom.

We believe this will allow our students to be:

  • Engaged in classroom activities and assignments

  • Less dependent on electronics to do classwork

  • Less likely to engage in conversations around bullying

  • Less likely to be distracted and procrastinate on assignments in class

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

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 that is not possible do to classroom activities, a, student will be given a formal notice to arrive for conference. If the problem cannot be resolved or the situation is a safety hazard during a lab, a monitor will be called to take them to the security office 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 and or administrator, 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 and the situation will be turned over to the administrator to deal with. In all cases after a warning, a note will be placed in their record and a referral is possible.

Mandatory Conference: I am often here before school by 7:30 most days to assist parents and students as needed; Friday is an official conference time set aside for students and teachers. Students are expected to go to any class and do homework, finish work, make up tests or work due to absences, discuss class issues, or whatever is needed. Students who have less than a C are EXPECTED to be at conference.

Bathroom/Water breaks: Only ONE student at a time has permission to leave the classroom WITH the pass. Students are expected to take care of their needs and return immediately. It is not fair to keep others waiting. Be responsible.

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.