Classroom Policies

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Classroom Expectations

1) Respect self, others, animals, and materials.

2) Listen to instructions the first time they are given.

3) Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.

4) No swearing or put downs.

5) No gum!

Consequences (If You Choose Not to Meet Expectations)

Level 1: Warning

Level 2: Seat Change or After-Class Discussion

Level 3: 101 Slip and Parent Contact

Severe Disruption or Unsafe Activity: Immediate Removal from Class

Rewards

  •  Praise (every day)
  •  Life Skills Award (randomly)
  •  Various Other Positive Perks (throughout year)
  •  The Joy of Learning (every day)

CLASS PROCEDURES

Restroom: The best time to use the restroom is during the passing periods between classes. No one will be allowed to use the restroom during the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10 minutes of class. To use the bathroom during class, ask permission (without interrupting instruction) and take the hall pass.

Starting Class: Come in to the classroom quietly, sit in your assigned seat, and write class goals and Daily Log activity in your Science Journal.

Ending Class: Clean up all materials, wait until 2-minute warning to pack up personal belongings. Groups will be dismissed individually when their work area is clean and ready for the next group of students.

ABSENCES

  • Any time that a student is absent, for any reason, he or she misses valuable classroom activities and instruction
  • According to district and BLMS policy:
    • illnesses and school-sponsored field trips are excused absences
    • family trips and outside sporting events are unexcused absences
    • Work will not be provided before extended absences and needs to be made up when the student returns
  • To get caught up when returning from an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to:
    • Write the date(s) and “Absent” in his or her science journal
    • Turn in any assignments that were due while he or she was absent
    • Check the “Got Work?” folders in the back of the classroom for handouts, notes, and assignments
    • Talk to a neighbor about what he or she missed during class
    • Come in the NEXT Wednesday morning to make up any labs missed (if necessary) – please check with Miss Dobkowski to set up a time
      • Wednesday morning “Office Hours” in Portable B will replace Tuesday morning “Cocoa Club” because Wednesdays mornings allow for more time to complete assignments and activities

EXTRA HELP

We are available most days before and after school for science help. Please feel free to come by any of our classrooms (or ask ahead of time if you want to make sure we are around). Ms. Dobkowski is in Portable B, Ms. Rice is in room A5, and Ms. Johnson is in Portable 2.

GRADING

This class is largely laboratory based, and students will be participating in many hands-on, inquiry-based investigations. Graded assignments will include lab write-ups, in-class assignments, homework assignments, science notebooks (including “Daily Log” activities), and assessments (tests).  Grades will be assigned based on total points earned.

LATE OR MISSING WORK

  • Late work is only accepted with a late assignment pass. No pass = no credit!
  • Each student received three late assignment passes for the year; these passes enable the student to turn in a completed assignment after the original due date.
  • Passes are non-transferable!
  • Major projects are subject to a 10% loss of points each day they are late.
  • In Skyward, an * means that a grade has not yet been entered; a “0” means that an assignment was missing or received no credit

EXTRA CREDIT

You may earn up to 50 points of extra credit each trimester – but only if all of your regular assignments have been completed. You can earn extra credit in two ways:

  • (5 points) Read and summarize a science-related news article; sources of interesting articles include newspapers, magazines (such as National Geographic, Nature, or Discovery), and the Internet
    • the summary should be no more than two paragraphs and needs to be in your own words (not copied directly from the article you read)
    • you must cite your source
  • (Point values may vary) Complete a “Weekend Science” question or activity from the class website