Class Expectations

1. Respect others by acting in a polite, helpful, and considerate manner at all times.

2. Maintain a clean and organized science binder, folder and notebook.

3. Be prepared for class, including being on time in your seat, completing all assignments, and bringing all necessary materials.

4. Follow instructions/directions the first time they are given.  

5. Keep tech devices, headphones or airpods & cell phones away and out of sight unless used for academic purpose.

6. Use the restroom at appropriate times, like before or after class.

 Violations can result in any of the following consequences: 

Verbal warning, Teacher - Student Conference, phone call home, SEL intervention, referral and etc.  

1. Projects:  Students will be required to engage in many projects on various topics throughout the semester.  Projects may involve research, writing, presentations, drawing, etc.  

2. Warm Ups: Every day, students will complete a 5-point warm up at the start of class. 

3. Labs:  Students will be required to complete lab investigations inside the classroom, at the computer lab, and even outside.    

4. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given throughout the year on class material.  They may not always be announced.    

5. Tests:  Students will be given a test at the end of each unit.  Typically tests will include application-type questions, not multiple-choice questions.  A midterm and end of the year final will also be given.  Seniors are exempt from the final exam if they have earned at least a B average in the class.

6. General Assignments: Such assignments could include: section review questions, practice worksheets, and group activities, among others.  

7. Videos: Several videos represent real life environmental issues that have occurred throughout history.  These will be shown at the conclusion of the appropriate units.  Examples include The Cove, Food Inc, GATTACA and Blackfish

This section should include the percentage given in the following: 

AP Environmental Science

• Tests = 50% (3-4 unit tests per marking period, labs and projects are test grades.)

• Quizzes = 25% (There will be a quiz for every 2-3 sub-units individual, group, or online). Flipped lecture notes are quiz grades and the focus sheets.

• Classwork and Participation = 15% (This includes the assignments done during class time; participation in lab activities, notebook activities, and teacher-prepared worksheets that go with the lessons, and following lab safety procedures and class expectations. Class participation is a Pass or Fail daily grading.

• Homework = 10% (There will be homework assignments every night.)

Lab Environmental Science

• Tests = 40%  (There will be unit tests for every Unit and labs are test grades.)

• Quizzes = 25% (There will be a quiz every unit - individual, group or online).

• Classwork = 20% (This includes the assignments done during class time; participation in lab activities, notebook activities, and teacher prepared worksheets that go with the lessons and following lab safety procedure and class expectations.)

• Class Participation = 5% (Daily grade based on participation, lab safety and class expectations.)

• Portfolio = 10%  (This includes the projects, lab reports and other writing assignments on content covered which will be graded using a rubric.)

• Students are responsible for turning in assignments on time or on the specified due date.  

• If students fail to do so without making other arrangements, it is considered LATE WORK.  At this point, only half credit can be earned. Under extenuating circumstances, discretion will be used in dealing with specific situations. 

• Students who are absent are responsible for picking up their missed work on the day of their return. These assignments must be made-up in a timely manner. Typically, these assignments should be submitted within one week of the due date. After this time goes by, students can earn a maximum of half credit. 

• Extra credit opportunities will be given to the students throughout the semester-.  It can potentially bring up a student’s grade by a few percentage points.  

Cheating (or “copying”) is strictly prohibited.  Cheating includes copying homework assignments or warm ups, looking off someone’s test, plagiarizing a project, using someone else’s project, working together on an individual assignment, etc.  

• Internet access that includes chromebook or tablet (You may ask for your technology access via guidance counselor)

• You are required to keep a class notebook. (e.g. composition notebook for class notes, doNows and etc.)

• 3 ring binder (2 inch binder is preferred) with section tabs.

• Writing instrument (pen/pencil) and coloring materials

All students and parents must read and sign a safety agreement and contract before the student is permitted to work in the biology lab or at home.  Students may go outside for a lab activity and may participate in a food lab as well. Proper behavior and appropriate clothing are required.  The teacher must be aware of any medical concerns. Please see the Safety Contract tab to complete the Agreement form.

All the important announcements, copies of notes, extra credit, etc are located in our google classroom. All students must be enrolled in google classroom at the beginning of the school year.