GREAT EXPECTATIONS:

My expectations are that all students come on time to class each day, ready to learn with their science binder (a 1-inch, three-ring binder with dividers for each chapter) and a pen/pencil (I will not supply extras, but you may purchase one for $ .25). I expect all students to respect themselves, their classmates, and their teacher, and to take responsibility for their actions.

RULES TO LIVE BY:

1. Be in your seat when the bell rings (or it counts as a tardy), and remain in your seat until the bell rings.
2. Come prepared with your science binder and pen/pencil.
3. There is no eating or drinking allowed in any science classroom; any food, candy, or drinks will be confiscated, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
4. Do not handle any equipment or materials in the room unless you have received permission from the teacher--some equipment is very delicate and expensive.
5. Late work will not be accepted. I give occasional free homework passes out throughout the year, so keep your eyes out for one!
6. Any profane, disruptive, or disrespectful language or behavior will not be tolerated in my classroom.

CONSEQUENCES:

1. First offense usually results in a warning, unless the offense is very disruptive or a chronic problem.
2. Second offense will result in a 30-minute after school detention with me and a phone call home to discuss behavior and/or tardiness problems.
3. Third offense will result in an office referral and a phone call home to discuss behavior and/or tardiness problems.
4. Fourth offense will result in the student being removed from class and sent to the office, as well as an office referral and a phone call home.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE:

1. Verbal praise or a pat on the back!
2. Being awarded "Student of the Week" in class. As a reward, this student can take 2 questions off a test, drop a low homework assignment, or pick the seat of their choice for a week. I post these students names on my cart or at the front of the room weekly.
3. Being able to choose lab partners for the day.

GRADING:

I utilize a participation-based grade program. Every day, each student can receive a maximum of 20 points for coming on time and prepared, and successfully completing the tasks assigned for the day. Students will earn 15, 10, or 0 points for that day if any criteria are not met or behavior is inappropriate. This adds up to 100 points in a 5-day week, and other grades that will factor in to the overal grade are tests, quizzes, binder checks, and projects. The resulting grade will be calculated as the total number of points earned out of the total points possible in that quarter. There are some opportunities for extra credit throughout each quarter, such as staying after school to set up/clean up labs, writing summaries on current events articles, or taking advantage of other opportunities on specific assignments. The grading scale is standard for Lakota East:

CURRICULUM:

Throughout the year, we cover the following topics in Earth/Life Science:

• Lab Safety (1-2 weeks)
• Scientific Method and the Metric System (2 weeks)
• Rocks and Minerals (2-3 weeks)
• Soil Conservation (4 weeks)
• Biomes and Weather (3 weeks)
• Photosynthesis and Respiration (3 weeks)
• Skeletal and Muscular System (3-4 weeks)
• Nervous System (2 weeks)
• Circulatory System (2 weeks)
• Digestive and Excretory System (2 weeks)
• Immune System (4 weeks)
• Reproductive System and Genetics (4 weeks)