Class+Expectations

=Class Expectations=

Check out questions Mr.Smith will ask about the class expectations in science for this year. Welcome back to school. We are looking forward to a challenging, fun filled year. In order to have a successful year, we (teacher, students and parents) need to communicate and work together. The following information is provided to clarify the expectations for our science class this year. Please take some time to read through the material and feel free to bring up any questions or concerns you might have as our school year gets started.

__**Discipline Philosophy**__ Due to the hands-on, investigative nature of this class, all students will be expected to demonstrate a high level of discipline in the class.


 * Effort** - Students in my classes are expected to work and participate at a high level. Every student needs to work to achieve at the highest level possible. In other words, everyone is capable of earning an A in science and should be striving hard to do so. To be successful, students need to be RESPONSIBLE for their actions, necessary materials and the quality of their work.


 * Behavior** - Students at Stanwood Middle School are expectation to behave in a respectful way while participating in all school-related activities. RESPECT - toward each other, for ourselves, and for the facilities.

While early in September we all agree these are important elements of our program/classroom, poor choices are made as the year progresses. It is my practice to handle most minor indiscretions within the classroom. The rare chronic problem or major incident may require parental and/or administrative involvement.

__**Communications**__ A successful educational experience requires a team of active participants - student, teachers, parents, and administrators.


 * With the Student** - While your student will sometimes not seem eager to communicate academic matters with you as much as he/she would a few years ago, everyday we are actively engaged in learning. I encourage you and your student to discuss our activities on a daily basis if possible. I know I will be conducting discussions with your student about his/her learning, progress, behavior, etc.


 * Between Teacher & Parent** - While I am an active professional and live a busy life (as we all do), I give communication with parents a very high priority. If you have questions or concerns about my class please contact me as soon as possible. You can do this in a few different ways. One, write me a note and send it with your student. Two, call the school and leave a message (360-629-1350). I will return your call as soon as I have a break. Third (and most effective), write me an email (dsmith@stanwood.wednet.edu). I check my email at least once or twice a day depending on other activities that take up my time. Also, I would encourage all parents and students to access their grades which are posted on-line as well as our class website (http://smithscience.wikispaces.com) which describes the different activities and assignments of the class.

__**Science Journal**__ Much of our work in science class this year will be done in our science journal. I strongly recommend students use a composition book (approximately 25cm x 19cm) for this purpose as they are durable and encourage students to organize their materials. Most students fill one composition book and need a second during the second semester. While much of our work will be done in the composition books, students will need lined notebook paper throughout the year during class.

__**Grading Policy**__

A 90 - 100%+ B 80 - 89% C 70 - 79% D 60 - 69% F 59% and below
 * Grade Scale**

Class Work 35% Tests/Quizzes 30% Homework 25% Projects 10%
 * Point Distribution**


 * Students will be responsible for doing and turning in homework and projects on a regular basis.** Students will be asked to do 30 to 60 minutes of homework per WEEK (1 or 2 assignments due usually at the end of the week) as well as to spend about 2 to 3 hours on a quarterly project (due 3 to 6 weeks after being assigned). These assignments should be recorded in the student’s planner at the beginning of each week and are usually due at the end of the week.

With the exception of excused absences, **late homework & projects will NOT be accepted**. Daily work & tests/quizzes must be made up within 2 weeks of the due date. It is important that students learn to deal with due dates and deadlines. The day a student returns to class, he/she is expected to make arrangements to make up any quizzes, test, and/or assignments missed.

After an excused absences, **it is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments, quizzes, activities, or notes were missed and make up that work in the appropriate amount of time** (the school guideline is for a student to have the same number of days the student was absent unless other arrangements are made). Students should FIRST call or see classmates, the class calendar, class website and the Past Work Notebook in the classroom for the material they missed. After all of these sources have been consulted, THEN the student should see Mr. Smith for questions about the amount of time needed to make up these assignments.


 * Extra credit WILL NOT be assigned to individual students.** I do not believe it is appropriate to give extra credit to make up missed work, is it unfair to those students who complete and turn in assignments on time. However, there are extra credit opportunities offered to the whole class. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities if they wish to earn extra credit towards their grade.

Time for additional help and make-ups for lab work and tests/quizzes should be arranged for before or after school by the student with Mr. Smith (I am usually available 2 or 3 days a week to work with students).

In an effort to reduce the amount of paper the class consumes, regular progress reports will NOT be sent home with students. Grades will be updated on-line frequently and posted in the classroom every 2 weeks. **Please access the on-line grades regularly to keep current with your student’s grade and progress.** If access to the on-line grade system is a problem, progress reports can be sent using e-mail and/or printed anytime by request (just give me 24 hour notice).

__**Lab Activities**__ Our science curriculum and instruction is delivered in a variety of modes - lecture & notes, research, discussions, reading/writing, lab activities, etc. The core of the 8th grade science curriculum is student centered and requires numerous lab experiments. For this reason, safe participation in all lab activities is crucial.

Students will: 1. Not misbehave during lab time or play with lab equipment/materials. Students must not engage in behavior that is disruptive or dangerous or that interferes with other student’s rights to learn. 2. Protect themselves by using the appropriate safety equipment provided (such as goggles, aprons, and latex gloves) when needed/directed by the teacher. 3. Work only at their assigned workstation and avoid unnecessary wandering around the room during lab work time. 4. Follow all written and oral instructions, making sure to wait until the teacher gives permission to begin the lab activity. 5. Not carry out unassigned lab experiments without the teacher’s permission. 6. Not eat, drink, or taste anything in the classroom. This includes food, drink, or gum as well as chemicals (water bottles must have a screw cap and stored away). 7. Wash their hands thoroughly after using chemicals and lab equipment. When using chemicals, students will not touch their mouths, lips, or eyes until after they have washed their hands. 8. Report any injury, breakage, or accident to the teacher immediately. 9. Clean up their workstation and lab equipment making sure to return the equipment to the appropriate place(s) and disposing of any chemical as directed by the teacher/instructions.

Students unable to demonstrate such safe work habits will be asked NOT to participate in these experiments in class. Other accommodations will be made in such occasions.