EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE SYLLABUS
2014-2015
Instructor: Dr. Dent Teacher E-mail:
Websites: http://drdentsdomain.weebly.com/ Assignment Email:
Textbook: Tarbuck, Lutgens, & Tasa. Earth Science, 12 Edition
Online Textbooks: http://www.earthds.info/
or
http://www.ck12.org/earth-science/#Introduction-to-Earth-Science
Course Objectives:
One objective of this course is to provide an overview of the major developments in Earth & Space Science. These developments were the result of scientific investigations performed by men and women seeking answers related to the Earth as a system. Space will be studied as it relates to the Earth and its systems, so many topics associated with a traditional astronomy course will not be covered or will receive only limited attention. If you are more interested in space, I suggest you see your counselor and transfer to my Astronomy class. Thus, a second objective of this course is to develop each student’s abilities to collect and analyze data, and to make reasonable and defendable scientific explanations based on data. It is also my intention that the student gain an appreciation for this amazing planet that we reside upon.
Supplies: For class, you must ALWAYS bring the following materials:
· Composition Book
· Binder & Paper
o Keep everything until end of semester!!!!
· Pencils
· Protractor
· Scientific Calculator
Class Expectations:
RESPECT - Students are expected to treat each other, school property, the teacher, and themselves with respect. Out of respect for others, there should be no talking when others are talking; no profanity; no abuse of equipment/materials; and, no horseplay.
BE PREPARED - Most planned classroom activities require the use of notebooks, calculators, and writing implements. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO CLASS ON TIME WITH THE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND PREPARED TO WORK ON EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE.
COLLABORATE - Sharing ideas and information is important to learning science. However, do your own work. Copying answers from someone else’s homework/lab is not permitted and will result in a failing grade for both copier and the copied.
ASK QUESTIONS - Questions are the essence of science. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor his or her own understanding. If you don’t understand the material, ask questions and come in for tutoring.
Class Rules
1) Be on time and prepared.
2) Stay on task during all work times.
3) Use appropriate language and actions.
4) Follow all outlined procedures.
Consequences If You Don’t Follow The Rules?
1) Verbal warning
2) Call to parent or guardian
3) Detention - Loss of time or time owed (before or after class or during lunch)
4) Office Referral and Call to Parent
Policies and Procedures:
Website:
A website (see URL above) is provided to students on the first day of each week. Students should refer to this website to keep on top of class assignments.
Warm-Ups:
Students should check the board or overhead for an assignment once they have entered the classroom. If an assignment is posted, students are expected to begin the assignment immediately.
Homework
Homework will be assigned consistently. You will be responsible for assigned homework as well as work not finished in class on your own time.
Turning in Work
Unless otherwise stated, assignments must be placed in the In Box at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Assignments not in the In Box once attendance has been taken will be considered late.
Tutoring Lunch M, T, Th After School M – Th 4:15 – 4:45
Astronomy tutoring is strongly encouraged for students who are struggling with the course content. The earlier you identify an area of concern, the easier the course will become. Tutoring works best when the student has reviewed the difficult material prior to arrival at tutoring. If you can ask the tutor specific questions or show us what aspect of a concept you don’t understand, then tutoring has more value to the student and makes the best use of both the teacher and student’s time. The astronomy tutoring schedule will available within the next few days.
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be given upon request. They are accurate up to the time they are printed. Grades in TEAMS will be inputted within a week of collection of the assignment unless otherwise stated.
Testing
Re-testing is allowed only for students who have COMPLETED and TURNED in a TEST REVIEW BEFORE the test. Tests with a score below 70% , and no more than a 75% can be earned on the re-test. Students who wish to re-test MUST come in during tutoring times to review their failed exam and do corrections before re-testing. An alternate form of each test will be given and the student will only have 5 days after the original test date to re-test/test. Re-testing will occur every day after school from 4:30 – 5:00 during these five days.
If you have an unexcused absent on the day of the exam, you will be expected to take an essay or oral exam the following day in class. If a student earns a 70 on a test, they may do test corrections without re-testing for up to a 75 on the test.
Extra Credit
Extra credit will be curriculum-related and available on an irregular basis. It is not something that should be counted on to save a failing grade at the last minute.
Late Work:
All assignments are due on the assigned date during class, if the assignment is not ready a “pink slip” will be collected in its place. A pink slip must be turned in if you want to turn in a late assignment for credit.
Late assignments will be accepted up to three days late (days NOT blocks).
10% of the assignment grade will be deducted from assignments up to one day late,
20 % for assignments up to two days late,
30% from assignments up to three days late.
Assignments that are more than three days may NOT be accepted unless arrangements with the teacher have been made. Anticipated conflicts with due dates must be discussed with the teacher prior to the due date.
Tardies:
Students will adhere to the Austin High Tardy Policy detailed on the tardy sign-in sheet; this means that tardy students must sign in on the tardy sheet upon entering the classroom.
Absences:
In the event of absences, students will be expected to turn in assignments assigned during their absence within four days of the date the student returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments he/she missed (consult the calendar OR ask another student before asking me), and to complete the work within the required time period. Any anticipated problems with this procedure must be discussed with the teacher prior to the due date.
Missed Exam:
Rescheduling of missed exams must be arranged with the teacher the day the student returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to make these arrangements with the teacher. Please note that if you miss an exam, you must present an excused absence slip. Otherwise, as per the AISD Student Handbook, the maximum grade possible on a make-up exam may be a 69.
Missed Lab:
It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed laboratory activity within one week of the activity. If a student does NOT complete the work within this time, the student will receive a zero for the lab grade. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher to complete lab work.
Academic Dishonesty:
Any student caught cheating on an assignment or test will receive a ZERO for that grade. Please consult the Academic Dishonesty Policy for further clarifications.
Cell Phones:
Cell phones must be turned off and kept away unless Dr. Dent gives you permission to have them out. Cell phones that are out for texting, or other unauthorized use will be collected according to AISD Policy.
Grading
The six-weeks grades will be weighted as follows:
50% Exams (Projects might be assigned up to once a six weeks and count as a exam grade)
20% Quizzes
20% Labs and Investigations
10% Daily Work (Warm-Ups, in-class assignments, and homework)
Formal and Informal Lab Reporting: Guidelines for lab reporting will be provided separately.
Earth and Space Science Success Requires The Following Commitments:
ATTEND CLASS.
Most of the concepts in Earth & Space Science build upon each other. Missing class not only means that you miss material covered during your absence(s), but also that when you do return to class, you may have difficulty understanding new material based on material you missed.
TAKE GOOD NOTES.
It is important that you take notes in class. Some of the material I cover in class is NOT covered in the textbook. Look over your notes after class, and make sure they are complete and make sense to you.
DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!
Although homework accounts for only a relatively small percentage of your grade, I cannot stress enough the importance of doing your own homework. It is nothing short of essential to your understanding the subtleties of the material. If you are having trouble with the homework, you will no doubt have trouble with the quizzes and tests. When you need help, don’t hesitate to come get help before the assignment is due. It is only when you attempt the homework ON YOUR OWN that you find out what you don’t understand.
STUDY!
Do you need a paradigm shift in your thinking on “smarts”. You may think that Jimmy and Janie Smartypants don’t have to study... that they always get A’s in science classes because they are “naturally smart”. As with all things, there are some folks who don’t have to work as hard at Astronomy as others. However, most students really need to work to keep on top of the material.
What should you study? Study your notes, homework problems, astronomy websites, the textbook, and any other materials we cover in class. Make sure you are familiar with the equations and variables needed to solve problems. Also, rework homework problems, particularly if you had difficulty with them the first time around… they do get easier with practice.
I strongly suggest you don’t resort to “cramming” for an astronomy test. Your life may be much simpler if you spend the time we have together in class trying to understand the material.
Web Homework:
Internet-based homework from various websites will be a regular assignment. These assignments are computer graded and may be taken as many times as needed for a good grade. When you are ready to turn in the homework, email a copy to results must be emailed to Dr. Dent at [email protected] and a copy to yourself (the one you mail to yourself is insurance in case I do not receive the original). Internet homework is must be turned in by the due date listed in TEAMS and on my website.
Please keep this information in your binder.
You are responsible for following these policies.
A Syllabus Quiz will be given the next class period after you receive this syllabus.
Websites: http://drdentsdomain.weebly.com/ Assignment Email:
Textbook: Tarbuck, Lutgens, & Tasa. Earth Science, 12 Edition
Online Textbooks: http://www.earthds.info/
or
http://www.ck12.org/earth-science/#Introduction-to-Earth-Science
Course Objectives:
One objective of this course is to provide an overview of the major developments in Earth & Space Science. These developments were the result of scientific investigations performed by men and women seeking answers related to the Earth as a system. Space will be studied as it relates to the Earth and its systems, so many topics associated with a traditional astronomy course will not be covered or will receive only limited attention. If you are more interested in space, I suggest you see your counselor and transfer to my Astronomy class. Thus, a second objective of this course is to develop each student’s abilities to collect and analyze data, and to make reasonable and defendable scientific explanations based on data. It is also my intention that the student gain an appreciation for this amazing planet that we reside upon.
Supplies: For class, you must ALWAYS bring the following materials:
· Composition Book
· Binder & Paper
o Keep everything until end of semester!!!!
· Pencils
· Protractor
· Scientific Calculator
Class Expectations:
RESPECT - Students are expected to treat each other, school property, the teacher, and themselves with respect. Out of respect for others, there should be no talking when others are talking; no profanity; no abuse of equipment/materials; and, no horseplay.
BE PREPARED - Most planned classroom activities require the use of notebooks, calculators, and writing implements. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO CLASS ON TIME WITH THE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND PREPARED TO WORK ON EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE.
COLLABORATE - Sharing ideas and information is important to learning science. However, do your own work. Copying answers from someone else’s homework/lab is not permitted and will result in a failing grade for both copier and the copied.
ASK QUESTIONS - Questions are the essence of science. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor his or her own understanding. If you don’t understand the material, ask questions and come in for tutoring.
Class Rules
1) Be on time and prepared.
2) Stay on task during all work times.
3) Use appropriate language and actions.
4) Follow all outlined procedures.
Consequences If You Don’t Follow The Rules?
1) Verbal warning
2) Call to parent or guardian
3) Detention - Loss of time or time owed (before or after class or during lunch)
4) Office Referral and Call to Parent
Policies and Procedures:
Website:
A website (see URL above) is provided to students on the first day of each week. Students should refer to this website to keep on top of class assignments.
Warm-Ups:
Students should check the board or overhead for an assignment once they have entered the classroom. If an assignment is posted, students are expected to begin the assignment immediately.
Homework
Homework will be assigned consistently. You will be responsible for assigned homework as well as work not finished in class on your own time.
Turning in Work
Unless otherwise stated, assignments must be placed in the In Box at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Assignments not in the In Box once attendance has been taken will be considered late.
Tutoring Lunch M, T, Th After School M – Th 4:15 – 4:45
Astronomy tutoring is strongly encouraged for students who are struggling with the course content. The earlier you identify an area of concern, the easier the course will become. Tutoring works best when the student has reviewed the difficult material prior to arrival at tutoring. If you can ask the tutor specific questions or show us what aspect of a concept you don’t understand, then tutoring has more value to the student and makes the best use of both the teacher and student’s time. The astronomy tutoring schedule will available within the next few days.
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be given upon request. They are accurate up to the time they are printed. Grades in TEAMS will be inputted within a week of collection of the assignment unless otherwise stated.
Testing
Re-testing is allowed only for students who have COMPLETED and TURNED in a TEST REVIEW BEFORE the test. Tests with a score below 70% , and no more than a 75% can be earned on the re-test. Students who wish to re-test MUST come in during tutoring times to review their failed exam and do corrections before re-testing. An alternate form of each test will be given and the student will only have 5 days after the original test date to re-test/test. Re-testing will occur every day after school from 4:30 – 5:00 during these five days.
If you have an unexcused absent on the day of the exam, you will be expected to take an essay or oral exam the following day in class. If a student earns a 70 on a test, they may do test corrections without re-testing for up to a 75 on the test.
Extra Credit
Extra credit will be curriculum-related and available on an irregular basis. It is not something that should be counted on to save a failing grade at the last minute.
Late Work:
All assignments are due on the assigned date during class, if the assignment is not ready a “pink slip” will be collected in its place. A pink slip must be turned in if you want to turn in a late assignment for credit.
Late assignments will be accepted up to three days late (days NOT blocks).
10% of the assignment grade will be deducted from assignments up to one day late,
20 % for assignments up to two days late,
30% from assignments up to three days late.
Assignments that are more than three days may NOT be accepted unless arrangements with the teacher have been made. Anticipated conflicts with due dates must be discussed with the teacher prior to the due date.
Tardies:
Students will adhere to the Austin High Tardy Policy detailed on the tardy sign-in sheet; this means that tardy students must sign in on the tardy sheet upon entering the classroom.
Absences:
In the event of absences, students will be expected to turn in assignments assigned during their absence within four days of the date the student returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments he/she missed (consult the calendar OR ask another student before asking me), and to complete the work within the required time period. Any anticipated problems with this procedure must be discussed with the teacher prior to the due date.
Missed Exam:
Rescheduling of missed exams must be arranged with the teacher the day the student returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to make these arrangements with the teacher. Please note that if you miss an exam, you must present an excused absence slip. Otherwise, as per the AISD Student Handbook, the maximum grade possible on a make-up exam may be a 69.
Missed Lab:
It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed laboratory activity within one week of the activity. If a student does NOT complete the work within this time, the student will receive a zero for the lab grade. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher to complete lab work.
Academic Dishonesty:
Any student caught cheating on an assignment or test will receive a ZERO for that grade. Please consult the Academic Dishonesty Policy for further clarifications.
Cell Phones:
Cell phones must be turned off and kept away unless Dr. Dent gives you permission to have them out. Cell phones that are out for texting, or other unauthorized use will be collected according to AISD Policy.
Grading
The six-weeks grades will be weighted as follows:
50% Exams (Projects might be assigned up to once a six weeks and count as a exam grade)
20% Quizzes
20% Labs and Investigations
10% Daily Work (Warm-Ups, in-class assignments, and homework)
Formal and Informal Lab Reporting: Guidelines for lab reporting will be provided separately.
Earth and Space Science Success Requires The Following Commitments:
ATTEND CLASS.
Most of the concepts in Earth & Space Science build upon each other. Missing class not only means that you miss material covered during your absence(s), but also that when you do return to class, you may have difficulty understanding new material based on material you missed.
TAKE GOOD NOTES.
It is important that you take notes in class. Some of the material I cover in class is NOT covered in the textbook. Look over your notes after class, and make sure they are complete and make sense to you.
DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!
Although homework accounts for only a relatively small percentage of your grade, I cannot stress enough the importance of doing your own homework. It is nothing short of essential to your understanding the subtleties of the material. If you are having trouble with the homework, you will no doubt have trouble with the quizzes and tests. When you need help, don’t hesitate to come get help before the assignment is due. It is only when you attempt the homework ON YOUR OWN that you find out what you don’t understand.
STUDY!
Do you need a paradigm shift in your thinking on “smarts”. You may think that Jimmy and Janie Smartypants don’t have to study... that they always get A’s in science classes because they are “naturally smart”. As with all things, there are some folks who don’t have to work as hard at Astronomy as others. However, most students really need to work to keep on top of the material.
What should you study? Study your notes, homework problems, astronomy websites, the textbook, and any other materials we cover in class. Make sure you are familiar with the equations and variables needed to solve problems. Also, rework homework problems, particularly if you had difficulty with them the first time around… they do get easier with practice.
I strongly suggest you don’t resort to “cramming” for an astronomy test. Your life may be much simpler if you spend the time we have together in class trying to understand the material.
Web Homework:
Internet-based homework from various websites will be a regular assignment. These assignments are computer graded and may be taken as many times as needed for a good grade. When you are ready to turn in the homework, email a copy to results must be emailed to Dr. Dent at [email protected] and a copy to yourself (the one you mail to yourself is insurance in case I do not receive the original). Internet homework is must be turned in by the due date listed in TEAMS and on my website.
Please keep this information in your binder.
You are responsible for following these policies.
A Syllabus Quiz will be given the next class period after you receive this syllabus.