- When is after school help available?
- How can my child continue to do well in your class?
- How can I keep track of my child's progress?
- Do you accept late work?
- How can I reach the teacher?
- How can I monitor my child's science notebook?
- How can my child be prepared for science class?
- What should I do if my child is absent for an extended amount of time?
- What if my child's handwriting is difficult to read?
--------------------------------------
When is after school help available?
After school help is available to any student in my class on Tuesdays and
Thursdays unless other arrangements are made between teacher and student.
--------------------------------------
How can my child continue to do well in your class?
Students should come to class prepared each day with a pencil, science
binder/notebook and an agenda. A vital component of preparation is keeping
the science notebook up-to-date. All science documents should be completed
and kept in NUMBERED order following my sample notebook check chart on the
wall of the classroom. Students are required to bring their agenda to class
and record homework assignments on a daily basis.
--------------------------------------
How can I keep track of my child's progress?
Students are required to enter ALL grades onto a gradepage that is given to
them each quarter. The gradepage should be document/page # 2 in the front
of their notebook in a plastic sleeve. Your child is required to enter
grades for assignments on the front of his/her gradepage, and test grades
get entered on the back. You will be able to see your child's current
average at any given time.
To calculate the average, all your child has to do is write the following
formula on back of gradepage: side A = ( %) + side B = ( %) = TOTAL/2
Then "plug" in the average (in percent) from most recent line on side A
(front of gradepage) and "plug" in the average (in percent) for side B (back
of gradepage).
All students have been shown exactly how to calculate their grade by writing
a DETAILED formula on the back of their gradepage with the date they last
calculated. This formula/calculation is frequently assigned for homework.
You can ask your child to see his/her gradepage. Please be sure it's
complete, meaning all columns are filled in on both sides and formulas are
written on the back. Tests are worth 50% of the grade, and
classwork/homework is worth 50% hence the reason for the formula.
In addition, you may check your child's agenda on a nightly basis. Tests
are always announced atleast one week in advanced.
--------------------------------------
Do you accept late work?
Homework can be turned in up to two days after the due date. However, late
work is subject to a 30% penalty as specified by the science department. If
answers to a homework assignment are reviewed in class the day the
assignment was due/checked, then the student cannot receive credit for that
assignment.
--------------------------------------
How can I reach the teacher?
You can call the school at 613-6700 and leave me a voicemail message.
I will do my best to get back to you within one school day.
--------------------------------------
How can I monitor my child's science notebook?
The science notebook is the most crucial component of your child's success
in this course, as we do not rely soley on a textbook because there is no
textbook that covers the extensive and intensive curriculum taught in 8th
grade. PLEASE, check your child's notebook and look for document numbers
written in the top right corner of each "handout" or notes/HW/LAB, etc.
Your child is responsible for keeping his/her documents in numerical order
on a consistent continuous basis as this binder is essentially his/her
textbook and should be relied upon for studying purposes. In class an
enlarged "Notebook Check Chart" is displayed for students to check and
update their notebooks on a daily basis. This chart is considered a table
of contents. The table of contents for the science binder is also on this
site.
--------------------------------------
How can my child be prepared for science class?
Your child should come to class with his/her science binder, agenda, and
pencils each day. Homework should be turned in at the beginning of class on
the specified due date.
--------------------------------------
What should I do if my child is absent for an extended amount of time?
Please contact your child's guidance counselor to request work that is
missed and schedule a time with guidance to pick up the work. If your child
knows that he/she will be absent for more than one day its a good idea to
alert the teacher ahead of time in order to schedule any lab make-ups or to
get work in advanced when possible.
--------------------------------------
What if my child's handwriting is difficult to read?
Student work needs to be legible for credit. Typed work from the computer
is always accepted and encouraged especially if handwriting is an issue for
your child.
