Class Expectation                                                         Date this is Due_______________

Name ___________________            Date _________          Period____________

It is my pleasure to welcome you into Science 8. I plan on having a lot of fun this year as well as learning from you. I hope you plan on doing the same. To help you with organization check out http://www2.rcscsd.org/pobrien This web site is updated often so please hit the refresh button every time you log on.

1.         STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:

·  Be on time to class every day and begin writing about your daily journal question in your journal without reminders.

·  Bring a pen (Blue or Black ONLY), pencil, calculator, steno pad, and Science notebook to class daily, as well as any assignments that are due. Steno pads will be stored in the classroom.

·  Complete all assignments on time and to the best of your ability. All work is to either be done with a pen or pencil. Work will not be accepted in any other color then Blue or Black.

·  Behave in a manner that is not disruptive.

2.         For your SCIENCE NOTEBOOK, you will need a 3-ring binder with a supply of loose-leaf paper. The use of folders as a notebook is not acceptable.

3.      After you have been absent it is your responsibility to do the following:                    

·  Contact a classmate or other friend to find out what you missed.

·  Get all handouts from the handout shelves.                                    

·  Make arrangements to make up a quiz or a test. (Period 10)

·  Hand in all assignments that were due the day you were absent the day you return.

Assignments must be made up within three days of returning to school. No credit will be given after that point.

4.      DISRUPTIVE IN CLASS: Any behavior considered by me to be disruptive to our class will result in the following actions:

·  Verbal Warning

· 

Discussion during Period 10

·  Phone call to parents

·  Referral to the office

5.      DO NOT interrupt the class for a question that pertains to only you. Such as “What is my grade?” See me before first period or after school if you need help with such matters.

6.      Permission to leave the room will be left up to the teacher. Only emergency requests will be considered. If possible wait until instructions are given and we have begun to work individually before requesting to leave the room.

Grading Policy

1.      HOMEWORK (10 %)- Your HW graded will be as an √ = 100%, √- = 85%, √-- = 65%, 50% or a 0% based upon effort and completeness, not necessarily correctness..   Homework will be given almost every class day. If absent expect that you have missed a homework assignment as well as class work. Homework is the practice and building on concepts learned in class. It is highly important that homework is given an effort because this practice will allow you to be successful in class. Homework is due the following day unless I tell you different.

2.      CLASS WORK AND LABS (20%) – Labs in science offer you an opportunity to get hands-on experience doing real science. To get full lab credit, you must complete all labs to the best of your ability, and conduct yourself in a safe manner. Lab safety will be reviewed and is a very important part of every lab we do.

PARTICIPATION: PLEASE ask questions. I don’t know everything and neither does anyone else, so if you’re lost, chances are someone else is too! Contribute to the class discussions on a regular basis. Your ideas matter and you’ll find you enjoy science more.

COOPERATION: You will be expected to work on various activities and labs as part of a cooperative group (usually 3-4 students/group). Those groups will be changed periodically, so if you are in a group with someone you do not like you will not be with that person the entire year. I think you will find that helping one another learn really works.

3.      ASSESSMENTS & PROJECTS [QUIZZES (15%), TESTS & LAB PRACTICAL (30%), PROJECTS (25%)]- Most of these assessments will be announced in advanced on your monthly calendar. Due to this those that are announced, you will have ample time to prepare for. There may be a few pop quizzes given, however they will usually follow a homework reading assignment. All Lab Reports will count as a project and should be viewed as an opportunity to bring up any low test or quiz grade. Consider the quizzes as “warning flags” for how well you’ll do on a test or lab practical. If you’re not doing well on quizzes, you need some help. I am more than happy to give you that help. Don’t be afraid to ask I am a teacher so that I can help you learn.

For those thinking ahead, there is a New York State Assessment given in Science this year, with both a written and lab practical portion.