Teacher: Leah Ducey Classroom: 235 Email: Lducey@bordentown.k12.nj.us Welcome to Environmental Science!! Syllabus 2017 Welcome to room 235! I am very excited to have you as one of my new environmental scientists! In order to make the start of the year as smooth as possible, here is some information to give you an idea of what we will do this semester. What will we be studying? Environmental Science is the study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment. Here are some of the topics we will cover: Ecology Evolution in Ecosystems Biodiversity Human Impact on the Environment What will you need for this class? 3 ring binder for Environmental Science. You should include dividers for the following sections: Notes, Homework, Classwork/Warm ups, Study Guides, Quizzes. A 2 three ring binder is recommended. Lined paper Pencil or Pen, highlighter Your textbook: Withgott, Jay. Environmental Science. Pearson Education, 2011. Students should come prepared for class every day with these materials. What are our classroom expectations? Respect! Respect yourself, your teacher, your peers, and your classroom at all times. In order to make our classroom a positive environment we must show respect. Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) will NOT be tolerated at any time in this room. o Disrespect of classmates/ teacher or excessive disruptions will have the following consequences: 1. Verbal warning (1-2 times) 2. Call/email home (1-2 times) 3. Office write up o The order of consequences is determined by the severity of the situation.
Start of Class: o Students are to arrive to class on time and in their seats. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late! o There will be a warm up or opening task every day when students arrive. Students should have their warm up papers out and be working when the bell rings. Warm ups will typically take about 10 minutes to do and go over with the teacher. o Need to sharpen your pencils? Please sharpen your pencils during the warm up time. o Students will turn in warm ups at the end of every week for a classwork grade! During Class o Questions? Questions are a very important part of science! That is how scientists discover new information every day! I encourage everyone to ask questions whether it be to clear up a topic that might seem confusing, or if you are curious for more information on the topic we are studying. Students are asked to please raise their hands before asking though. o Restroom & Drink of Water Students must have their planner to use as a hall pass in order to leave the classroom. If leaving the classroom at any time, students must sign out on the clipboard in the front of the room. Due to the rigorous nature of high school science curriculum, using an excess amount of hall passes (more than five during a nine week period) is not permitted unless prearranged with teacher. o No food or drink is allowed in the classroom unless cleared with the teacher. o Backpacks and other materials not being used must be kept under the workbenches and clear of the aisle ways. o No electronics may be used in the classroom unless students are instructed to use them or cleared by Ms. Ducey. There will be activities in the classroom where we will get to use our devices. Missed a day of School? o Notes and Make up work will be ready for student to pick up the day they return to school in the Absent Bin in the back of the room. Directions for student to complete work will be written on a cover sheet, but please see Ms. Ducey for further clarification during Warm- up time. o Work that was due the day the student was absent will be turned in the day they return. Otherwise work will be considered late. o Students will have two days to complete the make-up work if they have a verified absence. *This is subject to change if student was absent for an extended period of time. o Students who missed work due to absence from class do to skipping class, unverified absence, or late by more than 15 min without excuse will NOT be allowed to make up work as per BRHS school policy.
How is your Grade Determined in this class? This course is divided into two grading periods. Each grading period results in 40% of the overall grade. The remaining 20% of the grade is determined by a final exam. 40% (first grading period) + 40% (second grading period) + 20% (final exam) = Final Semester Grade Nine week grades are determined on a point basis. While the amount of total points per grading period will vary here is the typical breakdown of points per assignment: Unit Tests 80-200 points (based on the amount of content covered in a unit) o Students will be given notice of upcoming tests ONE WEEK prior to test. o Test format can include some of the following types of questions: multiple choice, true/false, labeling, matching, short answer. o To prepare for tests students should read the book, study notes, and do provided study guide. o Ms. DeFelippis will provide students with a review in class the day before tests. o Students who are absent the day of the test will take a makeup test. Students should be prepared to take that test either they day they return from school or the following day. *Please note: test will be different from the one provided on test day. Class Activities 20-100 points o These include any classwork activities and lab reports. Lab reports will receive higher point values due to time and amount of content that goes into them. o Classwork grades will vary depending on activity o *Please note: not finishing classwork or lab reports in class means it must be completed for homework. Warm ups 5 points o If student has a verified absence they are excused from the warm up that day. o Warm ups are meant for students to check their own understanding of a topic, will be graded on completion rather than correct answers. Easy way to make five points every week! Homework 20-50 points o Length of assignment will determine point values. o Most homework will be due the following day. Longer assignments may have an extended due date. o Students will be made aware of the date due when given assignment. Extra credit opportunities will be available at random points of the semester. Ms. Ducey will announce these opportunities as they come up. Late work policy Late work is all work not turned in at the time due and the student was not absent. First offence, student can turn it in at the end of the day for credit. After the first offence, students can turn in late work at any point during the 9 weeks although be prepared to have some points taken away. *Ms. Ducey realizes that situations come up that are out of your control. If you feel you did not have time to finish assignment due to unforeseen events PLEASE come talk to her!*
Cheating Plagiarism and copying of any assignments including homework, classwork, tests, labs, and any other work is not allowed! This includes the use of cell phones during exams. Cheating of any kind will result in an automatic ZERO with no chance of the grade being made up. While labs and some other assignments may be done in pairs, each individual must turn in their own unique work. Use of any outside source such as a book, journal, magazine, or website for research must be properly cited. Copying straight from any other source without citations is plagiarism. Please talk to Ms. Ducey if there are ever any questions about citations or plagiarism policy. Class Website: The class website is under construction, but will soon up and running! In order to find the website, go to the Bordentown High School s website, find the About Us drop down menu and click Staff Directory. Go to Ms. Ducey s name and click on it to access the web page. Click the subscribe button in order to get updates. There you can find class notes, homework assignments, updates, and notes of upcoming tests. Note for Parents/Guardians Please feel free to contact me at any point during the semester with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to having your children in my classroom this year!
Please fill out ALL of the following and bring back to school by: Student Information: Student name (printed): Nickname (if wanted): Grade: Schedule: 1 st 2 nd 3 rd /4 th 5 th /6 th 7 th Extra-Curricular Activities: Student Signature agreeing to syllabus: Parent/Guardian Information: *If multiple parents would like to include their contact information please provide (can use the back if need be). Name(s): Email(s): Phone(s): Parent signature agreeing to syllabus: Any additional information you would like Ms. Ducey to know?