| Class Content |
The CT Standards and Consent Forms may download automatically when clicked on some machines. Most computers should give their user a choice to Open" or "Save As". A word document and/or pdf reader are required to open and view them. Class Content & Syllabus
Homework will primarily consist of reading about 5 pages from the text book each night unless something else is assigned. The specific assignment will be written on the board each class. A quiz will be given the next class based upon the reading. The quiz will not be overly difficult. It is a way for me to assess if students are doing their homework or not. Exams will be closed book and contain a variety of question types (multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer and usually one essay). Make-up exams will be administered in take-home form without exception and these will generally be much harder, longer and require several detailed essays. Students will have until the first Monday after being given the take-home exam to turn it in. Missed Labs can be made up in the form of 3-5 page papers on the topic covered and are due the same date when the lab missed is due (which will generally be the following week). Assignments will range from large to small and include: problems, handouts, larger group projects and papers to be outlined below.
Group Project and Paper A group project (and presentation) and a research paper will be assigned. The research paper will be on a scientific topic that must be agreed to by the instructor. It will be 5-7 pages double-spaced in size twelve font. A grading rubric will be provided when this topic is discussed in class. A rubric will also be provided for the group project which will require teaching the class.
It is my job as an educator, first and foremost, to ensure student safety and well being. Keeping students safe is my first class expectation. I hope to help all students achieve scientific literacy and meet state standards on specific content knowledge. I want students to think critically, engage themselves, work in diverse groups and see effective models of social behavior they can emulate in and outside the classroom. To state these things in a more formal and verbose capacity I cite the following resources. My position statement on science education is the same as that of the Department of Education: In addition, curriculum standards and classroom expectations are the same as those of Board of Education: I also align myself fully to Connecticut education standards : National science standards can be found here: (NSTA). The School's standards and expectations are found here (add link when I become a teacher). School Standards and Mission: Mission Statement John F. Kennedy High School is a safe, diverse environment that promotes academic excellence, individual opportunities, and critical thinking. The administration, faculty, and staff model behaviors that foster social and emotional development. The school and community collaborate to ensure that students emerge as productive and responsible citizens. Student Expectations EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR: Student communicates effectively through written and oral expression. KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON AND INFORMATION PROCESSOR: Student accesses, processes, analyzes, synthesizes, and applies information to construct meaning and enhance knowledge. COMPLEX THINKER: Student solves problems and resolves issues. TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNICATOR: Student uses technology to enhance the effectiveness of communications. CONSCIENTIOUS MEMBER OF SOCIETY: Student demonstrates respect, responsibility, honesty, and integrity.
Students are given a copy of these rules to present to their parent(S) and/or legal guardian(s). All parties involved are required to sign and date them and to provide parental contact information. Frequent contact between the teacher and parent is encouraged. 1) Assignments are to be handed in on time. A penalty will be assessed for any work turned in late. . A letter grade per day will be taken off the overall grade unless otherwise noted or special arrangements with the instructor have been made. In the event of an documented absence, the student will have until the next school day he or she is present to hand in the work without penalty. Since I realize life happens, students are allowed one "excuse" (e.g. I forgot it) before a penalty is assessed. Failure to perform assignments will result in a call home. 2) All students, the teacher and any special guests will treat each other in a polite and friendly manner. Disrespectful behavior, insults, mocking, etc., will not be tolerated. We will all hold one another accountability and treat each other in the same manner that we would like to be treated in. This means we keep hands, feet and other objects to ourselves. We also do not take or damage property that does not belong to us. This means not talking when the teacher is giving a lesson, not sleeping in class, etc.The first offense will be a verbal warning, the second will be a write-up and the third will be a phone-call home. After that a meeting with the parent or guardian will be required. 3) Cell phones (and other electronic devices) are not to be used during class time. They must be turned to silent. Students should also under no circumstances be text messaging friends, playing games or listening to music. Ipods, pdas and cell phones are not be used unless otherwise instructed. If a student needs to leave his cell phone on for some special reason I require an explanation why and a signed note from the parents or guardians. The first two offenses will be met with verbal warnings. The third offense will have the electronic device taken away until after class. The fourth offense will have the device taken away until a parent comes in to retrieve it and have a discussion with the teacher while the student is present. 4) Cheating will result in an automatic zero on whatever it is occurring (e.g. test, homework, etc) for both parties (the one copying and the other person allowing them too). Therefore, if identical homework is handed in (e.g. essay responses) then both students will receive a zero. Plagiarism also results in an immediate zero. Both of these offenses (cheating and plagiarism will result in a phone call home). 5) Students should arrive on time and be prepared when the bell rings. A short quiz (3-5 minutes) will be administered to start the period almost every class. Those students that arrive late (after the quiz has begun will receive a zero. Pencils should be sharpened upon arrival into the class, not in the middle of instruction unless necessary. 6) If you feel I have made an error in grading something students are encouraged to come see me and present their case or questions. 7) Food, gum and candy are not allowed in the classroom. If you have to use the bathroom raise your hand and I will provide you with a pass, if you feel sick alert the teacher immediately. In addition to these, any rules in the student handbook not covered here, also apply during class.
Since lab safety is very important, it will count towards 15% of every lab grade. In fact, you get 50% just for doing an experiment and 15% for observing proper safety. Failure to observe proper lab safety that endangers the well being of yourself or others will result in an immediate zero. For more information on CT Science safety see the following PDF from the CT D.O.E.: Many of these rules were adapted extensively and sometimes copied verbatim from the following two sites: http://www.sciencebyjones.com/safety_rules.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/2923/safe2.html LAB SAFETY FORM: • Hair Must Be Tied Back During Lab • Food and Drinks are Not Allowed In the Lab • Open-Toed Shoes are Not allowed in Lab • Fooling Around and Horseplay are not allowed in lab. • Bookbags and personal belongings are to be placed underneath desks so that no one trips over them. Failure to abide by these rules could result in the loss of lab privileges whereby each lab will need to be replaced by a 5 page, single spaced, size 12 font research paper on a teacher-approved area of science. Should students wear open toed shoes they will have to wear a pair of old sneakers lying around in the room or sit out and write a five page research paper. I have read the lab safety contract and agree to its terms: S Student__________________________________________________ Date_____________________________ Parent/Guardian______________________________________ Date_____________________________
This section will include the current student of the month and will also have a list of past awards of "Student of the Month".
Each month the class will choose a scientists and will will come up with a brief bio and list his major accomplishments to scientific knowledge. This section will also archive past Scientists of the Month. Isaac Newton: Biography Consent Forms: (may download automatically in some browsers) Travel Consent/Permission Slip Form Photogaph and Video Consent Form Scholarships and Financial Aid: College bound students should have their parents fill out a FAFSA: this is the federal financial aid application and it will be sent to schools of your choice. If you want to get a pelgrant and possibly university grants it is important to fill one out AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
State schools are not the only option for Connecticut students but they are often the most affordable. In state tuition is always cheaper and it is possible to commute and easier and cheaper to visit home on breaks and holidays. Other out of state schools should also have their own financial aid and scholarship information. Likewise, a search of the CSDE could turn up results.
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