Guide to Success in Earth/Environmental Science

Teacher: C. MarshRoom: C-116Text: Earth Science, by Glencoe

Course Description:The Earth/Environmental science curriculum focuses on the function of Earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on matter, energy, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system. This class follows the state curriculum guidelines. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/science/scos/2004/25Earth / Environmental Science

Course Objective/Goals:At the end of the course, each student should:

1. Develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.2. Build and understanding of lithospheric materials, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of

natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere. 3. Build an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system.4. Build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere,

and environmental quality.5. Build an understanding of the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere and its local and global processes

influencing climate and air quality.6. Acquire an understanding of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe.

Teacher expectations:1. You are to be prepared for class when the tardy bell rings. This means pencil sharpened,

“packet”, notebook, and text on your desk; and you quietly in your seat recording the EQ. The tardy policy will be followed.

2. You are to be present unless it is absolutely necessary for you to be absent. Earth / Environmental Science builds strongly topic upon topic. One absence often means 2 or more days of work missed. It is difficult to catch up!!

3. I expect your courteous attention and cooperation to help make this a productive enjoyable school year. RESPECT!!!! Show respect for yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and your surroundings.

4. You are expected to study and review your notes each night. Homework is often assigned. You should always be prepared for a QUIZ on material from the previous day(s).

Student Expectations: The student may expect to gain preparation for college and other advanced courses in science. The student may also expect to receive the grade he/she earns in my classroom. I DO NOT GIVE GRADES; a student must earn them. As long as a student is putting forth his/her best effort, I don’t foresee any problems along the line of grades.

Grading: The student’s average will be determined by the total number of points possible for each assignment For example, If Test A has 85 questions it is worth 85 points, and a homework assignment with 10 questions is worth 10 points. (see example below)

Student: John DoeTest A = 79/85Homework 1 =10 /10 Total = = 89/95 Average = 94

LATE WORK IS UNACCEPTABLE. In many cases the reason that students fail is due to the fact that they do not complete work outside of class. Late work cannot receive over 69% of the grade earned on the assignment.

Every student receives a progress report halfway through each quarter. It must be signed and returned within 3 days, it will count as a homework grade. If the student is failing, I will contact the parent if the student does not return his/her progress report. Students receive a syllabus, which should be signed by a parent, for each unit. The syllabus also called the “packet” provides a description of daily topics, and all homework for each day. Extra credit is provided for parent signature.

Study time needed by students to accomplish assigned tasks/goals: Every student needs to spend 45 minutes studying/preparing EACH NIGHT. Students and parents should review the syllabus nightly.

Time available, for conferences or tutoring. My door is always open to my students and/or the parents when I am not busy conducting a class. I encourage any student who may be experiencing difficulty with Earth / Environmental Science concepts or feels he/she is spending too much time on homework to come see me. I will be glad to set up appointments with each individual student for tutoring purposes. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU FAIL THE TEST TO COME SEE ME

Lunch Time Opportunity: Get individual help during your lunch on Mondays or Wednesdays (see me for a lunch pass)

Before School: I am available most every morning from 7:30 - 8:10 for studentsAfter School: I am available after school by appointment.

Procedures for make-up work/test: When the student arrives back to school begin by asking a classmate what was missed, check the tray, which contains material for your class, and/or see me before or after school for help. Make-up work must be completed at my convenience within the time allowed, 3 days for tests and 1 day for class work. If the student has a problem with this time frame, he/she is encouraged to come discuss this with me. Tests will be announced in advance. If a student misses a review or the day before the test, they are expected to take the test as scheduled . It is the student’s responsibility to find out what needs to be made-up; remember late work receives a grade deduction. I would encourage a student to see me before school the day they return.

Requirements: These must be taken care of before any lab work is done.$5.00 lab feeSpiral composition book and folder OR 3 ring notebook

(If you have been told that you “need to be more organized” then I would recommend the composition book)

Grading Scale A =93 to 100B =85 to 92C = 77 to 84D =70 to 76F =69 or below

Attendance policy: The school has established a policy, which allows a student to miss up to eight days. Any days in excess of eight will result in the student not receiving credit for this course. Students who miss two or fewer days and are passing the course will be exempt from taking the Earth/Environmental Science Exam at the end of the Semester. Your attendance is necessary for your success.

Questions: Please call the school at 476-1500. I am available between 11:40 and 1:15, and I have voice mail for calls after school hours. The fastest way to contact me is probably email cmarsh@randolph.k12.nc.us . I check emails throughout the day and evening.

Class website: cmarsh.weebly.com

Grades can be found at: www.mygradebook.com (a link is available at cmarsh.weebly.com) 1st block class word : whsees111 (Wheatmore High School Earth Environmental Science 1st block 2011)2nd block class word: whsees211 (Wheatmore High School Earth Environmental Science 2nd block 2011)

Student password: NCWISE number (lunch number)

Safety In the Science Laboratory

Accidents happen everyday in many activities. Statistically, most accidents happen in the home or while driving a car. Few accidents have occurred in the science classroom. However, in order to decrease the chances of any accidents occurring, all students and visitors to the science lab are required to follow the safety procedures listed below:

1. Horseplay, running, pushing, shoving, and practical jokes are a serious hazard in the science lab. There are many glass objects and chemicals that could be damaged or could injure you. Such behavior is not permitted.

2. NEVER EAT OR DRINK from lab equipment.

3. NEVER TASTE CHEMICALS FOR ANY REASON.

4. NEVER PERFORM AN UNAUTHORIZED EXPERIMENT. Many chemicals emit dangerous gases or may explode if combined.

5. NEVER CONDUCT EXPERIMENTS IN THE LABORATORY ALONE.

6. Confine long hair and loose clothing.

7. Goggles must be worn when engaging in or observing activities involving potential hazards to the eye. YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THE LAB ACTIVITY IF YOU ARE CAUGHT NOT WEARING GOGGLES. YOU ALSO RISK OF NOT DOING BEING ALLOWED TO DO ANY MORE LAB ACTIVITIES.

8. All work surfaces in the laboratory should be cleaned after each use with water. Sponges are provided for this purpose.

9. NEVER allow the open end of a heating test tube to be pointed toward anyone.

10. When alcohol is heated, it must be in a water bath in such a way that the container holding the alcohol is below the top at the water bath container.

11. When heating materials in glassware by means of a gas flame, the glassware should be protected from direct contact with the flame through the use of wire gauze.

12. Never touch any heating equipment or recently heated glassware. It may not look hot but could bum you badly.

13. Make certain that all hot plates and open burners are turned off when leaving the laboratory.

14. Broken or chipped glassware should never be used.

15. Never try to pick up broken glass. It should be swept up carefully.

16. Broken glass in sinks should be promptly removed as it presents a serious hazard to all using the sink.

17. Take great care in noting odors or fumes. Use a wafting motion of the hand. NEVER put a bottle to your nose and breathe deeply.

18. Never use mouth suction in filling pipettes with a chemical reagent. Use a suction bulb.

19. Never force glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers. Your teacher will instruct you on how to do this safely.

20. Never pour water into acid. Correctly dilute the acid by pouring it into water.

21. Direct viewing of the sun, infrared and ultraviolet light sources should be avoided.

22. Good housekeeping is essential in maintaining a safe lab. Keep your desk area and floor area clean. A piece of paper on the floor can be very slippery and could result in a serious fall.

23. Always wash your hands after lab exercises. Never put your fingers, pencils, pens or any equipment used in the lab in your mouth. Soap is located on each wall in the classroom.

24. Know where all exits are.

25. Locate the nearest sink.

26. REPORT ALL INJURIES TO THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY. Don’t be afraid to tell the teacher of an accident because you broke a rule. She barks but doesn’t bite. The threat of infection or other side effects of the accident are more important than the reprimand the teacher will give you for breaking the rules.

27. In case of emergency- DO NOT RUN. Leave your books and other possessions at your desk, push your chair in, and leave by the nearest safe exit. DO NOT SCREAM OR YELL unless no one else is aware of the emergency. if everyone knows of the problem, screaming will only create confusion.

28. Contact lenses should not be worn while doing experiments unless the teacher grants permission for a particular lab activity.

29. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, fire blanket, and eyewashes. Your teacher will point these out to you before doing any lab activities.

30. EXCESSIVE TALKING KEEPS THE INSTRUCTOR FROM HEARING WHEN SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED OR JUST PLAIN NEEDS HELP. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TALKING LOUDLY DURING LAB.

31. Follow all instructions given by your instructor.

I have read the course information and class regulations. I understand the requirements of the Chemistry class. I have had the lab safety rules for the science laboratory explained to me. I agree to follow all rules that are enclosed in this survival packet, which includes the course information, class rules, lab safety rules, and the tutoring policies.

________________________________________ __________________________student signature date

I have read the survival packet for Chemistry: which includes the lab safety rules, class rules, course information, and tutoring policy. I am aware that the above named student must follow these rules while in Chemistry class.

_________________________________________ __________________________parent/guardian signature date

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE STUDENT’S SCIENCE TEACHER BEFORE ANY LABORATORY WORK CAN BE STARTED.

I have read the course information and class regulations. I understand the requirements of the Earth / Environmental Science class. I have had the lab safety rules for the science laboratory explained to me. I agree to follow all rules that are enclosed in this packet, which includes the course information, class rules, lab safety rules, and the tutoring policies.

________________________________________ __________________________student signature date

I have read the packet for Earth / Environmental Science: which includes the lab safety rules, class rules, course information, and tutoring policy. I am aware that the above named student must follow these rules while in Earth / Environmental Science class.

_________________________________________ __________________________parent/guardian signature date

Please provide the email of the parent(s) who would like to receive informational/grade updates.(I promise your email information will not be shared with anyone.)

Mother's Email Address: _______________________________________ Father's Email Address: _______________________________________

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE STUDENT’S SCIENCE TEACHER BEFORE ANY LABORATORY WORK CAN BE STARTED.

I have great news to share with you at the start of this exciting semester. The gradebook that I will be using this year, MyGradeBook, will allow you to go online and check your child's progress in my class.

MyGradeBook has several features that puts it at the top of the list of teacher gradebooks. It is a full-featured, completely secure Internet site that allows teachers to create accounts online and store their students scores.

MyGradeBook has "the parent/student viewer" that allows you to log in and view only your child's grade. In order to use this feature, you will need to receive, from me, a password (your child’s NCWISE or lunch number) to access only your child's summary. In addition to viewing your child's progress, you can also click on links to see class policies, class announcements, assignment descriptions, and due dates. You can also email me whenever you have a question. MyGradeBook allows all of us — the teacher, the parent, and the student — to work together to ensure your child’s success in school.

There are two ways to check your child's grade summary:

1. You can go to http://cmarsh.weebly.com, click the “mygradebook” link and enter the classword (1st block whschees111; 2nd block whsees211) and password (NCWISE #) information. You can receive an email from me each time I make modifications. With the email notification, all you have to do is click on the link and it will take you to your child's summary.

If you have any further questions, please contact me. If you would like email notification each time an assignment or grade is added in mygradebook, please write your email address above. Today I explained the site to my students, and gave each his/her personal password information. Students will be asked to share this letter and the password information with you.