REGENTS EARTH SCIENCE                                    (MRS. PRICE*)

 

*Mrs. Price is on maternity leave for the fall semester. Updated contact information and website address will be distributed in February upon her return.

 

Contact Information:

Arlington High School, phone #: 486-4860

School Email:

 

Course Objectives:

¶     To explore the nature of science and current scientific understandings in Earth Science.

¶     To build science inquiry skills, problem-solving skills, confidence as a learner, and academic independence.

¶     To address all content required by New York State curriculum.

¶     To discover why Earth Science is important and how it affects your life.

 

Materials Required for Class:

§         3-Ring Binder OR Notebook with Folder (for Earth Science only)

§         Pen and pencil

§         Calculator (occasionally)

§         Planner (recommended)

§        Earth Science Review Book (strongly recommended purchase, more information will be provided later)

 

General Overview of the Course:

This is a one-year Regents Earth Science course, including units about science and density, astronomy, mapping, energy, weather, plate tectonics, rocks & minerals, geologic history, and weathering & erosion. The Earth Science Regents Exam serves as the final exam in June. In order to take the Regents exam, each student must have at least 1200 minutes of successful lab time on file. Any student who fails to meet the lab requirement will not be allowed to take the Regents exam and will not earn course credit.

 

Classroom Rules:

1. Respect others.
2. No food, hats, headphones, or cell phones.
3. No cursing, offensive language, or put-downs.

 

Extra Help:

I am available for extra help after school on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in room 1327.

 

Tardiness:

As per school policy, arriving late for class unexcused for the 3^rd time will result in an office referral and detention.

 

Attendance:

Due to the nature of this course and the fact that laboratories are especially difficult to make-up, attendance in class is very important. All make-up work must be completed within 1 week of the student’s return to school.

 

Grading:

Grades are based on a total point system. Each assignment has a designated number of points. Each marking period grade will equal the percentage of points earned out of the total possible points. Each marking period counts 20% of the final average. The Regents Exam makes up the last 20% of the overall average for the course.

 

v    Quizzes and tests will compose approximately 50% of each marking period grade.

v    Laboratories will make up approximately 25-30% of each marking period grade. Students are expected to complete every lab with a passing grade. Each student must earn 1200 lab minutes in order to qualify to take the Regents Exam. The lab must receive a passing grade (65% or more) in order to accumulate those minutes. Each student will be provided with a lab folder in the classroom and all labs must be stored in the folder.

     

Lab Corrections and Make-up: Any unsatisfactory lab (<65% correct) will be marked “Re-do” and returned to the student. The student must then stay after school for help to correct the lab. After fixing the lab satisfactorily, the lab minutes will be earned and the grade will be raised to a maximum of 65%. Labs must be completed within the same marking period.

 

v    Projects, class work, and homework will compose approximately 20-25% of each marking period grade. Short homework tasks will be assigned each day to help reinforce the content covered in class.

 

Late Work:

• Class work and homework will NOT be accepted late. You will receive a zero for work not completed on time.
• Laboratories and projects will be accepted up to 3 school-days late with the penalty that your maximum possible grade will decrease by 10% each day.
• Students may request a penalty-free time extension with reasonable cause, but the request must be made at least the day before the original deadline and discussed outside of regular class time.