Earth
Science
Instructor: Ingrid Salim
isalim@djusd.k12.ca.us
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
