Course
Title:
Earth
Science
Instructor: Paul Fleischer
This is the class syllabus that I have been
using with added modifications for this year (2020-21).
I have done this with the hope that we will be back in class at
some point and can go back to the original syllabus
EXPLANATION/COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Earth Science is designed to be a
general, hands-on, activity-based course covering Next Generation
Science Standards on Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy. Basic Chemistry and Physics will
be taught throughout the year to further understanding of
Earth/Space Sciences.
WEB SITE ACCESS:
Almost all class information
(assignments, explanations, due dates, etc.) can be found at the
following web address: http://pfleischer.com (hey, you're
already here!)
I will also be using Google Classroom now
but mostly just for turning in work. Please check Google
Classroom but THIS site (pfleischer.com) will be the main site
for information.
OBJECTIVES:
During this year, you will work independently and in groups using The Process of Science to predict/explain the previous topics: These areas will be covered and assessed through exams, labs/activities, projects, oral presentations, and classroom discussion/participation.
Obviously, and
unfortunately, we won't be doing the same labs and activities
that we would be doing if we were in class. However, we will
still be doing activities with an emphasis on discussions and
small group activities. The goal is not to be on the computer
all the time but to be able to experience Earth Science
everywhere.
MATERIALS:
You will be required to bring the following to every class meeting:
Your own-
•Text Book
•Paper
•Red pen
•Non-red pen
•Pencil
•Graph Paper (at least a few sheets)
•Planner/Agenda/Device to check and record due dates
•Science Folder (keep all assignments for the semester*;
separate from other classes)
Additional supplies will be needed for particular
labs/activities/projects and will be announced at that time. All donated supplies are greatly
appreciated and will be counted as extra participation.
*if a score is lost or you choose to redo an
assignment, I MUST see the original graded assignment (keep all
work!)
The main item to have handy is your
technology. This means a computer, phone or other resource which
can be used to access the internet and also submit work online.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Turn in ALL assignments (homework, lab/activity write-ups, redone
work, etc.) into assigned boxes ("In Box"/"Notes” box)
following the format as shown:
Please Note: Plagiarism (using someone
else's work as your own) can get you expelled from college. That
usually doesn't happen in high school but if you copy/paste from
the internet and use it as your own work, I will NOT grade it.
Please evaluate/rate your work when you turn it in. More on that
under Explanation of Graded Work.
For now, you will be turning in assignments on
Google Classroom. There is also the option of submitting your
Google Doc or photo of your assignment to the online folder in
the shared drive.
If you are not satisfied with the score you earned on any
assignment, you may redo the
assignment. Credit will be given ONLY IF the following are completed:
•Include an explanation about your corrections
(i.e. HOW you
changed it and what you did to make sure it is now correct-[what
you learned]) *For tests, each corrected question must be
accompanies by an explanation.
•Include the original "graded" assignment (no original=no new score)
•When redoing exam questions, organize your
explanations on a separate paper or doc; the more you explain and
provide examples, the more likely you will earn full credit.
Merely putting the correct answer doesn't show me you truly
understand it.
Nothing really new here. I have always
believed redoing low scored work and explaining what you did to
improve it demonstrates "learning". The problem is that very few
students actually take advantage of this opportunity.
LATE WORK:
Turn in your
work on the day it is due!!
ABSENCE: (this one is VERY important)
IF YOU ARE ABSENT... when you return you will have normal
"due" time to turn in an assignment (the assignment will not be
late, but you have the same amount of time everyone else had. Please
note on the assignment that you were absent so I will not think
it is "LATE"). Exceptions will be made for medical excuses
for labs/activities that cannot be made up but it is YOUR responsibility to show me the note
or verify the absence with me (this is posted/explained more in
class [above my desk]).
Upon your return, it is YOUR responsibility to get any missed
assignments from the assignment
calendar online/in class.
Attendance will be taken
daily and it is expected that you attend regular Zoom meetings,
office hours when needed, submit assignments and communicate
with me (email, messages, etc.) in order to be marked present.
As participation is a part of your grade, this is the easiest
way to make sure you stay up to date with what's going on. I will follow the
attendance guidelines set forth by the district.
EXTRA CREDIT:
E. C. will ONLY be accepted if you have ALL assignments turned in. Please
don’t ask me for extra work if you haven’t done what you were
assigned in the first place. Redoing
low
scores is the best way to raise your grade.
GRADING:
Your grade will be based on how well you demonstrate proficiency on the standards throughout the semester. This will be accomplished through lab reports, oral and written responses to activities/lessons, notes, and exams. Each standard is worth about 20% of your semester grade. There will be 4 standards per semester and the remainder of your grade will be based on participation, attendance, homework, daily review quizzes, notes, etc.
Assignments will be
scored based
on the 0 – 4 system. (0: No work; 1: Below Basic; 2: Basic;
3: Proficient; 4: Advanced)
I don't have any plans of changing the
Standards Based Grading or the 0 - 4 grading system. However,
Google Classroom currently does not work with SBG, so grades
will continue to be posted and updated via Illuminate, not on
Google Classroom.
EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS: (see Explanations
for updated info on scoring)
•The Diurnal Retrospection (D.R.) is a Daily Review Quiz. As soon as
class begins, you have 5 minutes to answer the question on your
D.R. paper. We will also discuss the answers before moving on.
•It is expected that Cornell Notes will be taken during
each class period. Notes will be collected occasionally but they
are mostly for YOUR benefit.
•The "Not Necessarily Current Event" (NNCE) will be one of the methods used to
demonstrate understanding of each standard. Ideally, you will find
each topic in the media (not necessarily current) and use the
criteria posted in online to earn full credit. This can also be
accomplished by adding the information to your Notes/Exams to
demonstrate "advanced" level comprehension.
•Assignments done by more than one person must
have accountability sheet(s);
info on wall and online.
As this new semester is a work in progress,
the assignments will continue to be posted on the Assignment
Calendar of pfleischer.com; some of the assignments will be
modified so stay up to date by checking the Assignment Calendar
often.
CLASS/LAB RULES:
Demonstrate a sense of respect for others and yourself
(including equipment and materials). Follow
all lab safety and procedural rules. Take
responsibility for your own actions. Follow
rules from the Student Handbook.
Very Simple Class Rules (Posted in class)
Rule #1: Respect people, equipment, materials
Consequence: Student/Parent conference; pay
for damaged items; suspension
Rule #2: No gum/food/drink (except water)
Consequence: Clean room (floor, desks,
chairs)
Since we don't have to be
concerned with the cleanliness of the classroom, the focus
here will be respect, including
APPROPRIATE ETIQUETTE online and with each other during Zoom
meetings. Appropriate online behavior includes treating
people respectfully as you would if you were face to face and not hiding
behind the anonymity or cowardice
of a computer screen. Academic
Honesty will also be expected (be
aware that plagiarism is a way to get expelled from college;
understand the consequences for inappropriate behavior).
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE
TREATED. Please understand I will respect you, as everyone
deserves that, but only you can cause that trust
and respect to be changed.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION/HELPFUL HINTS:
•Tardy policy: If you are not in class before
the bell stops ringing, you are tardy. I will follow the school
tardy policy and
there will be additional consequences for excessive tardies (show
up on time).
•Participation helps! When you get involved,
you learn more and the time goes by more quickly. Seriously!
•You need blood in your brain to think, not
your bottom. If you need to get up and stretch or move around,
please do, but be
respectful of others and do not disturb or distract them.
•Please raise your hand to ask a
question (if you feel you’ll forget it, write it down). I will
usually call on an individual to answer a question and if
I do, it means I want to hear from THAT individual! Telling them
the answer or yelling it out doesn’t help them learn and it shows
a lack of self-control. Believe me, everyone will get a chance to
talk.
•I want everyone to feel comfortable but
challenged. If you don’t feel this way, please discuss it with me.
I'll just put a note here to address these
bullets: being punctual (on time) is important, not just in
school but in most aspects of life. Being late to work will
result in being fired. Start your good habits now. Also, if you
are late to Zoom meetings, I might not be able to let you in
from the waiting room right away. The more you participate, the
less bored you will be and the more you will gain from anything
you do. Stay active, get up, move around; and most of all,
challenge yourself!! I will do what I can to challenge you but
what you get out of this depends on what you are willing to put
in.
Sign/return this form for credit, and then keep it in
your folder for reference throughout the year
We have read
and understand the above class procedures
Student Signature
Date
Parent Signature
Date
