ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

School Year: 2008 - 2009

Room D108

Instructor: Coach Wells

Phone: 803-699-3500, Ext. 69108

Homework Hotline: 69108

E-mail:rwells@svh.richland2.org

 
 
 

 

 

 


                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This course is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with major concepts of science, especially matter and energy and how they interact with the environment. .  This course provides numerous opportunities for students to develop science process skills, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the nature of science through inquiry-based learning experiences.  Investigative, hands-on lab activities that address the high school inquiry standards are an integral part of this course.  In addition there will be a strong emphasis on math skills throughout this course.  Math is an essential skill in the development of an understanding of science and the development of lab skills.

                  

Materials:   Your textbook for this course will be Environmental Science, Holt.  The textbook will be left initially here in this classroom, but you can start taking it home after the first unit is completed. You will need to have a three ring binder dedicated to this course alone. In it will be four sections: 1. Journal Questions/Bellwork. 2. Lecture notes. 3. Labs. 4. Returned work.

               

Grading:  Your grade will be determined by the following means of assessment. I will use a total point system to award grades.  I will take the scores that you have made on test, quizzes, projects, lab work, notebook, homework, and class participation.  Your grade is figured by dividing the total points you earned on any assessment by the total points possible on any assessment. You and your parents can view your grades via grade portal this school year (this will sometimes take a few days to process).

 

Assignments:  You will be given classroom work, homework assignments, and quizzes on a regular basis.    There will normally be time in class to finish most assignments.  If you do not finish the assignment, it is due when you return to class at the beginning of class.  I do not accept late work.  It will be recorded as a zero.   I do give the opportunity to make up zeros for half credit—this is called amnesty grades. Amnesty grades happen just before a grading period ends—so if you find a lost assignment, keep it so you can get half credit. Quizzes can sometimes be retaken. It can be retaken before school, or at lunch. If you should not do well on a quiz, you may see me and schedule a time to retake the quiz for full credit.

 

Do not copy another student’s work. Do not let another student copy your work.  If you copy another student’s work you will receive a zero. If you let someone copy your work, you will get a zero for that assessment as well. You have honor code responsibilities at Spring Valley, so please be aware of these.

 

 

 

 

Notebook:  Again, your notebook is for this class only. You should have your notebook grading rubric and syllabus up front, followed by 4 sections:

  1. Journal Questions/Bellwork
  2. Lecture Notes
  3. Labs
  4. Returned Work

 

 

Text Box: Classroom Rules:

 

1.       Bring your notebook, pen or pencil, and textbook to class every day.

2.       Bring your calculator every day—you may not use it daily, but will need it often.

3.       Be in the seat before the tardy bell rings, ready to go. If you are in your seat, ready to go when the bell rings, you are not tardy. Anything else is tardy.

4.       Don’t bring food, gum, candy, or any drinks (this includes water) in this room.

5.       Be respectful, for you will be treated respectfully.

6.       All rules in the student handbook will be enforced in this classroom.

7.       Follow all rules established for lab safety.

8.       Be prepared, ready to go each day.

9.       Be attentive, and actively involved in class. You will be warned about sleeping (assuming a position of sleep—head down, etc.) only once, then sent out.

 

I will enforce all rules as dictated by the discipline code of Spring Valley High School and Richland School District 2.

 

 

Consequences for your actions:

 

1. You will receive a verbal warning. This may result in a conference with me after class.

2. Lunch detention, or writing assignment, with parental contact.

3. A parental conference, detailing your behavioral choices.

4. Referral to E2.

 

Late Work:

 

As a rule, I do not accept late work. Work is due only on the due date. Anything in contradiction to that results in a zero. I do, however, give amnesty grades on certain dates that allow the student to keep missing work and turn it in for half credit. In the past, this has helped several students to achieve passing grades.

 

When class begins:

 

There is always a Journal Question on the board or bellwork problem, and you will be expected to copy it down and answer it to the best of your ability. These are kept in your science notebooks, and graded. Once the Journal question has been discussed, we move into homework grading and the daily objectives.

 

When class ends:

 

Please make sure you have the homework assignment written down and know the due date. The bell does not dismiss you, I do.

 

Classroom passes:

 

If you are tardy, go to E2—I do not make exceptions to the tardy bell. If you have a pass from another teacher, take it to E2 and get Mr. Wilson to write you a pass to class—if you have a pass from administration, come directly to class. If you arrive late on a bus, get a late bus pass from administration and be here within ten minutes of issue. I give one pass per 9 weeks for the restroom—so use it wisely as you never know when an emergency arises. Water, tissue, locker trips, should be taken between classes.

 

Getting your attention:

 

I will use a raised hand to get the class to come to attention.

 

Classroom Procedures: Please, follow these procedures so that class will run smoothly without interruptions or distractions!

1.       Follow the classroom rules listed above.

2.       Please be patient during laboratory exercises. I will do my best to answer your question as soon as possible. 

3.       Follow laboratory rules and procedures explicitly.  Remember this is part of your grade.

4.       Go to the restroom before you get to class. 

5.       Notify the teacher immediately if you become ill or injured during class.

6.       Please sharpen your pencils before class.

7.       Please be cooperative and willing to work with others. Always be willing to offer to do more than your share!

Text Box: Absences: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to come by and schedule a time to make up tests, quizzes, or other missed assignments. I will not give you any make up work without a readmit from attendance that verifies that your absence was excused. Should you be locked out for this class, find me before the end of school that day for the work missed—otherwise the missing assignment counts as a zero.

 

Web Site:

 

To get there go to richland2.org à Schools à High Schools.  Under Featured Links  click on to School Website à Departments à Science à Rob Wells. 

 

 

 

Teacher Assistance:  I have an open door policy.  If I am not teaching or working with another student, I’m available to assist you.  I am available for help in the morning before school and normally at lunch.  However, I do ask that you tell me in advance that you need help.  If you do this I will insure that I am in my classroom when you come by.  If you can’t see me at any of these times, please see me and we may be able to schedule a time that will accommodate you.  If you or your parents have any questions about the course material, assignments, or grades please have them contact me by phone or email me at rwells@svh.richland2.org. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Parent/Guardian:  After you have gone over the attached syllabus, please sign this and have your student return it to me.

 

 

I have read over and discussed this course description with my child _______________________________

 

and understand if I have any questions about the syllabus, assignments, or coursedescription I may contact

 

you.

 

 

                                                     Parent or Guardian’s signature________________________________

 

                                                                                                Date ________________    

 

 

 

Coach Wells:  If for any reason you should need to contact me please call me at ____________________

(phone number)              

between the hours of ______________ and _______________.

 

My day time number is ______________________.

 

Other Notes: __________________________________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________________________________________