Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
At school: 898-6388 ext 125, voicemail 734 or find me in my homebase (M12) or classroom (M6) On line: E-mail - sdero@bosqueschool.org (This is the best way to reach me!) Web page - www.bosqueschool.org then go to the faculty linkBack to Top
RESPECT!!! People - peers, teachers, staff, adults, guests, YOURSELF Places - the school, the environment, field trips Property - the school's, other people's, your own SAFETY - both in the lab & field - is ESSENTIAL at all times!Back to Top
What do I need for field work?
Proper shoes & long pants Dressed for weather Water Hat (warm hat or sun hat, depending on the weather) Sunscreen and Bug spray are available in class ***ALWAYS ASSUME WE WILL BE IN THE FIELD!***Back to Top
Each assignment will be given a point value. Assignments include class work, projects, field notes, homework and tests. The grade for a given assignment is calculated by dividing the points received by the total points possible. You will be given a percentage and letter grade for the assignment. Your letter grade for each semester will be determined by dividing the total number of points you earned by the total points possible for the semester. Science Binders are worth a full project grade (25 points) EACH SEMESTER. You will keep ALL classwork and fieldwork plus a table of contents with your grades in your science binder. LATE WORK: Any assignment turned in more than 2 weeks late will be given a grade of 50% (F).Back to Top
What if I don't like my grade?
You have two ways to raise your grade: 1) Any non-test assignment may be corrected and resubmitted to me. I will give you the average of the corrected and original grades. 2) For tests, you may raise your test grade by completing an extra credit project that shows me that you understand the material covered on the test. The project does not need to cover ALL of the material on the test -- only the parts you struggled with. You need to let me know you would like to do this so I can approve your project before starting. TO EARN THIS PRIVILEGE, YOU MUST FIRST HAVE TURNED THE ASSIGNMENT IN ON TIME AND PUT FORTH YOUR BEST EFFORT ON THE ASSIGNMENT OR TEST. This opportunity must not be used as an excuse to be lackadaisical on the original effort.Back to Top
There is NO TEXTBOOK for this course (Hooray!). The curriculum is drawn from, and you (students) consult, original scientific research, field guides, Internet sources, and many additional texts. I will keep a basic packet of primary resource materials in the classroom that we will use for various assignments or projects. You will also be supplied with additional resource materials that you will keep in your science binders. You will also create primary resources during classroom and field activities. These materials become your "textbook," so it is essential that you maintain a COMPLETE and ORGANIZED science binder throughout the year! **Bring your planner and science binder EVERY TIME we meet!**Back to Top
During a variety of field activities, you will collect data to sudy the biodiversity and ecosystem changes in the bosque: local weather conditions (e.g., rainfall and temperature); amounts and types of leaf litter that falls to the forest floor; well beeping to check water table depths; surveys of ground-dwelling arthropods; small mammal trapping; and assisting with porcupine surveys. In the classroom, lab, and computer room, you will participate in various inquiry and hands-on learning experiences designed to strengthen your understanding and skills in science. You will collect data during labs and fieldwork, learn to use spreadsheets to manage and analyze your data, and prepare scientific reports with logical conclusions. You will also learn and practice communicating your science learning to other students and the wider community through presentations and outreach activities.Back to Top