Earth Science Syllabus
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Course Outline
In recent years, the study of Earth has undergone profound changes. It has expanded from surface geology and the recovery of economic resources toward global change and Earth systems. Concurrently, research methods have changed from solely using human observations and mapping, to using remote sensing and computer modeling. The advent of technology has made it possible to conduct more integrated and interdisciplinary research to view the Earth as a single dynamic entity composed of four interacting systems.
Reading and interpreting data, analyzing data, and formulating conclusions based on that data will be stressed in this class.
The typical Unit sequence is as follows:
Day 1: Lecture and Film
Day 2: Exercise
Day 3: Computer Lab ( Online 40 hours per year / 20 hours per half year)
Day 4: Discussion/Test/Study Guide
Attendance Knowledge in this class is often cumulative, meaning consistent attendance is required to fully understand the course material. All students are expected to be in his/her seat, quiet and prepared to begin class when the bell rings. This includes having your notebook, textbook, paper, calculator , and pencil/eraser with you every day. NOTE: Class activities and assignments should be completed in pencil unless requested otherwise by me. Mistakes should be neatly erased and corrected before turning in the assignment.
School attendance policy will be followed.
Grades
Students will only receive credit in Earth Science based on the State of Michigan requirements and the School District policy of meeting or exceeding 70% of the objectives. Final grades will be determined by in class activities and successful completion of state testing. The in class activities will meet the criteria for successful completion of the scientific inquiry and the scientific reflection and social implications expectations.
Your grade is based on labs and exercises. Each of which is worth 15 pts. Your tests will be 10 pts. The tests will not count on your grades, but rather determine whether or not you will receive credit in class.
The grading scale will not apply until a student has successfully passed the district mandate of 70% on the State of Michigan Earth Science Requirements.
100-90 A 89-80 B 79-70 C Below 70% will not receive credit in the class.
Expectations This class will be a combination of classroom activities, lab work, videos, computer activities, homework, and lectures / discussions. I expect each student to maintain a class notebook. Instructions for maintaining the notebook will provided in class. Each notebook will be reviewed and graded at announced times throughout the marking period (usually on test or quiz days). The student should have a notebook that they can turn in for grading.
No food or drink will be allowed in class. These science rooms have chemicals being used in them, dissections being performed, and rocks and dirt spread around. This is not an environment for food or drink. Please plan accordingly.
Behavior: I expect students to treat me, their classmates, and the classroom with respect. For the safety of each student, no horseplay will be tolerated during class. Detrimental behavior will result in immediate removal from the classroom. If asked to leave, the student will report to the appropriate class administrator and explain the situation. A behavior referral will follow. Additionally, students are expected to keep the classroom clean. You will not be able to leave the classroom until your area is clean. Restitution will be required, and a referral will be made if a student is found defacing, damaging, or destroying school property.
Homework: Complete all assignments by the due date. Assignments will be “due” when I request them at the beginning of the class period. Any work turned in after I have requested it from the class will not be graded. Please make sure that all assignments are written legibly; if I can’t read it, you can’t get credit for it!
If you will be in school, but will miss my class due to a planned event (i.e. a field trip, a student council meeting, an athletic event, a music event, a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, etc.), you will be expected to turn in your class assignment on the day it is due. You may turn the assignment in early, or ask the General Office secretaries to please put your homework in my mailbox. Plan ahead accordingly! NOTE: Please be careful about giving your work to another student to turn in for you. If that student fails to turn in the work, you will be penalized.
Plagiarizing or Cheating: Plagiarizing and cheating will not be tolerated. Please do your own work! Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own. The work or idea does not have to be an exact copy to qualify as plagiarism. If you use a source for a classroom assignment, give credit to your source. When activities are done as a pair or group, each students report will have the same data in them, but each student should not have the same exact discussions or conclusions; students are expected to write out answers in their own words. It is very important for each student to understand the difference between “How do you do this?” and “What is the answer?”
Cheating (or the intent or appearance of) on any homework, class work, or assessments (exams, tests, or quizzes) will be treated according to the Public School Discipline Policy. This includes “sharing work” or “working together” when not specifically permitted by the teacher. It is considered cheating if you look on another student’s exam/test/quiz, have unauthorized materials with you during the exam/test/quiz, or obtain information about the exam/test/quiz in advance. Talking while any exam/test/quiz is being taken will result in a zero for the offending student(s).
All parties involved in cheating or plagiarizing will be disciplined.
Extra Help: Please see me if you are having any problems with your classwork. I can’t help you if I don’t know that you are having a problem. I am available before school, during my preparation hour, and after school to provide you with assistance. However, please make an appointment with me so we can arrange for a time to get together that is good for both of us – I want to avoid conflict with any after school meetings or appointments I may have. I can also be available during lunch time by appointment.
Communication: Communication between student and teacher as well as parent/guardian and teacher is always an important part of any school year.
Please feel free to contact me concerning your student. It is very easy for me to reply to emails, so I encourage you to communicate with me in this manner. Feel free to email me as often as you would like. Many parents have decided this is an excellent way to keep up with their student’s progress during the semester/year.
www.annarborearthscience.weebly.com
Course Outline
In recent years, the study of Earth has undergone profound changes. It has expanded from surface geology and the recovery of economic resources toward global change and Earth systems. Concurrently, research methods have changed from solely using human observations and mapping, to using remote sensing and computer modeling. The advent of technology has made it possible to conduct more integrated and interdisciplinary research to view the Earth as a single dynamic entity composed of four interacting systems.
Reading and interpreting data, analyzing data, and formulating conclusions based on that data will be stressed in this class.
The typical Unit sequence is as follows:
Day 1: Lecture and Film
Day 2: Exercise
Day 3: Computer Lab ( Online 40 hours per year / 20 hours per half year)
Day 4: Discussion/Test/Study Guide
Attendance Knowledge in this class is often cumulative, meaning consistent attendance is required to fully understand the course material. All students are expected to be in his/her seat, quiet and prepared to begin class when the bell rings. This includes having your notebook, textbook, paper, calculator , and pencil/eraser with you every day. NOTE: Class activities and assignments should be completed in pencil unless requested otherwise by me. Mistakes should be neatly erased and corrected before turning in the assignment.
School attendance policy will be followed.
Grades
Students will only receive credit in Earth Science based on the State of Michigan requirements and the School District policy of meeting or exceeding 70% of the objectives. Final grades will be determined by in class activities and successful completion of state testing. The in class activities will meet the criteria for successful completion of the scientific inquiry and the scientific reflection and social implications expectations.
Your grade is based on labs and exercises. Each of which is worth 15 pts. Your tests will be 10 pts. The tests will not count on your grades, but rather determine whether or not you will receive credit in class.
The grading scale will not apply until a student has successfully passed the district mandate of 70% on the State of Michigan Earth Science Requirements.
100-90 A 89-80 B 79-70 C Below 70% will not receive credit in the class.
Expectations This class will be a combination of classroom activities, lab work, videos, computer activities, homework, and lectures / discussions. I expect each student to maintain a class notebook. Instructions for maintaining the notebook will provided in class. Each notebook will be reviewed and graded at announced times throughout the marking period (usually on test or quiz days). The student should have a notebook that they can turn in for grading.
No food or drink will be allowed in class. These science rooms have chemicals being used in them, dissections being performed, and rocks and dirt spread around. This is not an environment for food or drink. Please plan accordingly.
Behavior: I expect students to treat me, their classmates, and the classroom with respect. For the safety of each student, no horseplay will be tolerated during class. Detrimental behavior will result in immediate removal from the classroom. If asked to leave, the student will report to the appropriate class administrator and explain the situation. A behavior referral will follow. Additionally, students are expected to keep the classroom clean. You will not be able to leave the classroom until your area is clean. Restitution will be required, and a referral will be made if a student is found defacing, damaging, or destroying school property.
Homework: Complete all assignments by the due date. Assignments will be “due” when I request them at the beginning of the class period. Any work turned in after I have requested it from the class will not be graded. Please make sure that all assignments are written legibly; if I can’t read it, you can’t get credit for it!
If you will be in school, but will miss my class due to a planned event (i.e. a field trip, a student council meeting, an athletic event, a music event, a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, etc.), you will be expected to turn in your class assignment on the day it is due. You may turn the assignment in early, or ask the General Office secretaries to please put your homework in my mailbox. Plan ahead accordingly! NOTE: Please be careful about giving your work to another student to turn in for you. If that student fails to turn in the work, you will be penalized.
Plagiarizing or Cheating: Plagiarizing and cheating will not be tolerated. Please do your own work! Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own. The work or idea does not have to be an exact copy to qualify as plagiarism. If you use a source for a classroom assignment, give credit to your source. When activities are done as a pair or group, each students report will have the same data in them, but each student should not have the same exact discussions or conclusions; students are expected to write out answers in their own words. It is very important for each student to understand the difference between “How do you do this?” and “What is the answer?”
Cheating (or the intent or appearance of) on any homework, class work, or assessments (exams, tests, or quizzes) will be treated according to the Public School Discipline Policy. This includes “sharing work” or “working together” when not specifically permitted by the teacher. It is considered cheating if you look on another student’s exam/test/quiz, have unauthorized materials with you during the exam/test/quiz, or obtain information about the exam/test/quiz in advance. Talking while any exam/test/quiz is being taken will result in a zero for the offending student(s).
All parties involved in cheating or plagiarizing will be disciplined.
Extra Help: Please see me if you are having any problems with your classwork. I can’t help you if I don’t know that you are having a problem. I am available before school, during my preparation hour, and after school to provide you with assistance. However, please make an appointment with me so we can arrange for a time to get together that is good for both of us – I want to avoid conflict with any after school meetings or appointments I may have. I can also be available during lunch time by appointment.
Communication: Communication between student and teacher as well as parent/guardian and teacher is always an important part of any school year.
Please feel free to contact me concerning your student. It is very easy for me to reply to emails, so I encourage you to communicate with me in this manner. Feel free to email me as often as you would like. Many parents have decided this is an excellent way to keep up with their student’s progress during the semester/year.