Instructor: Ingrid Salim
teacherweb.com/ca/FrancesEllenHarper/salim
cell phone: 530-304-5476
Earth Science is a yearlong course focused on the earth and the physical sciences that apply to events on earth. In this course, you will mostly be observing phenomena designed to help you build current scientific models in the major fields of earth science, and you will design your own experiments to test your models. You will engage in various processing and reflective activities, both in groups and individually, and you will practice how to communicate your understanding. Most of the graded work will consist of your experimental data and observations, your own drawn and described models, responses to reading and writing prompts, and special projects.
Attached is a curriculum calendar that shows you the general topics and models we will work with. For each topic you will receive a list of specific learning targets to be mastered. All of these are will also be available on the website.
Grading
|
A+ = 98-100% A = 93-97% A- = 90-92% |
B+ = 88-89% B = 83-87% B- = 80-82% |
C+ = 75-80% C = 70-74% C- = 65-69% |
D+ = 60-64% D = 55-59% D- = 50-54% |
Assignments and activities will fit into one of the following categories and will be counted towards your grade as follows.
Assessment 40%
LAB Notebook 30%
Group Participation/Binder 20 %
Homework 10%
Extra Credit Options
This alternatives list provides many options for you to do science-related work if
● You missed a day where we did a lab or video and need to make up credit
● You don’t like my choice of assignments and wish to create your own
● You missed an assignment deadline and need to make up those points
● You simply want to earn extra credit.
● You have already mastered content targets without the need for practice or review, can demonstrate that on an assessment but will still be required to learn new science.
● You love to do science-related academic activities in your free time.
● You want to push yourself to become a scientifically literate person.
Homework/Late work
You will receive a homework assignment once a week, usually on a Tuesday. It will be due the following Tuesday. These assignments will require about two hours over that time (appropriate to the subject and your age).
My goal is to help you learn how to manage your time. So, if you have not finished homework on time, or if you forget it, (or any other assignment), you will have one more week to turn it in without penalty. After that, I won’t accept it. To get credit for the late work, you will need to complete a ‘late assignment form’ and have it signed by your parents. These forms are on my wall in a folder.
Make-up Work for absences
When you are absent you will be responsible for making up work, getting notes, warm-ups etc. Many of these you will find on the wall at the front. You are also free to ask a friend, and, eventually, to get things on line on my web-site.
Assessment
As with any learning, the best way I know what you know is to have you show me. It doesn’t ultimately matter whether you come to class and hang out: if you aren’t actually thinking and learning, the time is not very well-used. Assessments in here will come in various forms: large tests you know about and can study for; pop quizzes on which you can use your notebook; partner and group projects. If the activity is called ‘assessment’ that’s what it counts as in my grade book.
Office Hours
If you need help with anything (organization, ideas, etc.) my room will be open at lunch every Tuesday, and more if we need it.
Supply List
● Large binder (for all classes)
● 3-hole punched notebook for a lab journal (graph paper recommended)
● 3-hold punched folder for handouts
● writing utensils
● at least one dry erase marker
Recommended: colored pencils, metric ruler, calculator, colored markers, tape, glue stick, white-out