**NOTE
---See Calendar for Due dates for assignment and projects!
--- See Science Syllabus to look forward over topics, terms, and
projects/labs!
---See Classroom Notes for daily activities and discussion notes
done on smart board!
I believe that homework is valid and related to really world job experiences!
I believe that work should be completed on time!
I will not accept work that is incomplete or completed incorrectly!
I believe that work worth doing is worth doing correctly!
I believe that pride should be taken in every piece of work that is completed and turned in!
All late work has 10 points taken off; late means: not completed when I asked for it!
"We know a man by his deeds" "A poor workman blames his tools"
I run a project based classroom, where students are given several assignments that lead to what
is often an authentic/ project format assessment. Students are given a sheet before every project
cycle begins. On that sheet are assignments, due dates, assessment dates, and generally everything
a student needs to know about my expectations of students over the following 2 - 3 weeks(a
students responsibilities for learning the material). I never give a student an assignment without
explaining it in class and usually in several different ways. I also use examples of assignments that
past students completed, so students can see what I want. If students do not communicate a need
for help in class, then I can't always figure out their needs based on behavior.
"Quality Questions lead to a quality life" "Questions are the creative acts of intelligence"
Students can not accomplish all the assignments for the project cycle; until I have completed all
the applicable lessons. In simpler terms, I have a list of required knowledge which I must teach for
students to be able to complete their required projects for the cycle of learning. We all are
responsible and take part in the learning process. This process also teaches students to manage
their time(pacing) over a long period of time, so that they can complete a project on time.
Because my class is project based, there is always homework or a long term project that students
should be working on. Students should never have nothing to do in my class or be finished with
everything. Science lasts only two nine week periods, so we move fast and students must follow
through with their responsibilities. All assignments are posted on the board everyday and are
generally left there for the length of the week.
All work is generally started in class, where I can assist students directly and advise them on their
progress. A student's work speed, focus, and attention to detail will affect the amount of homework
that goes home. If your child is doing more than 30 - 40 minutes of work daily in Science, then
something doesn't add up. Actually students need to use their available time wisely. Students have to
learn to pace themselves when presented with a long term project.
Parents, please check agenda books and compare them with grade reports. Students that never
have homework are often rushing through their assignments to achieve completion and not focusing
on the knowledge they need. Students need your help with studying for tests, time management
skills, reviewing for quizzes, and committing key vocabulary to memory.
Homework will be due first thing on the assigned due dates. Late work is accepted up to the final
day of the nine weeks. Late Work will have 10 points taken off. Incomplete work or work that is
substandard will not be accepted! Work must be completed correctly before I will accept it. Students
falling behind in Science will be referred to Learning Lab for extra school time, but students should
not count on this time instead of using their personal time to meet their responsibilities.
As a class, we will research effective study techniques and learning styles. Students will be aware
of their own individual learning styles and be given ideas on how they can best learn based on this
information. They will also be asked to use a study technique where they put key vocabulary,
concepts, and diagrams on index cards. These study cards are to be used by students whenever they
have 5 minutes of spare time (Ex...waiting on the bus, lunch time, before an even, ..etc.). It has been
shown that people tend to remember the first few items and the last few items they study, the best.
"Study Bursts" use this idea to help students study smarter; not harder! Student basically spend 5
minutes studying over their cards for several days and will know more because they have had more
firsts and lasts with more frequent, short study sessions.
Please notify me if there are any issues and together we can address the problem.
Use my email link, available at the top right corner of my home page!
Thank You,
Chuck Graviss