Welcome to Earth Science

What we will study:

Rivers/Water Quality Monitoring

Landforms & maps

Water Cycle & Water Chemistry

Climates

Labskills

Basic tools for success in Science

Geology

Earth History

Rocks & Minerals

Earth Processes (Volcanoes, Earthquakes etc.)

Meteorology (Weather)

Near Earth Astronomy

Sun-Earth-Moon System

Near Shore Marine Ecosystems

Where we will get all this information:

Textbook: (for inclass use only) Glencoe Earth Science (red book)

Handouts: for each section (1-2 weeks) of a unit you will receive a packet of handouts. Most of the handouts in the packet will be completed in class or for homework. You will correct handouts in class and each day you will put your packet into your red or orange Science folder. I will check your folders once each week.

Sources for handouts include (but are not limited to): Rivers Earth Science, Glencoe Earth Science Supplemental Materials, AIMS Math & Science Integration Books, Delta Education Kits, Project WET, Science Process Skills

Labs: We will do approximately one lab per week. Some labs will last for more than one day. Labsheets will either be in your handout packet or you will record data in your science spiral.

Field Trips: We will be working with South Sound Green to do water quality monitoring on a small stream within walking distance of school.

What you will be expected to do:

In Class: Come to class everyday prepared with your pencil and your science folder. All of your work will remain in your folder. You must be seated at the beginning of class with these materials. You will be expected to work on your own and in a group. You will also be expected to cooperate with students and with your teacher and to do your best.

At Home: You can expect one to two homework assignments each week. Each assignment should take you about a half an hour. Most assignments will be reading or review.

Your Grade: Your grade will be based on the quality and consistency of your work as well as your ability to retain information. Each assignment will earn one of three scores: OK = 100%, PC (please correct) = 75% and can be corrected for up to full credit, and INC = 0% these can also be corrected for 75 or 100%. Occasional larger projects will be worth more points and a rubric to explain my expectations will be sent home and posted on my website when such projects are assigned. To earn full credit you must complete each assignment with accuracy and effort to the best of your ability.

You will also earn a participation grade. This grade will be equivalent to one large project per quarter. Your willingness to share, to be part of a team, and to carefully follow instructions will affect this grade. I will post grades on the family access website. These will be updated once every two weeks or so.

Parents: If you do not have internet access or are not interested in watching student progress on the web, please let me know that you need paper copies on progress reports. The fewer paper copies that we need to make the less wasted paper there will be.

I look forward to an excellent year of learning and growth with you!

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