Classroom Guidelines 2017-2018 Welcome to Mallard Creek High School: Hello, my name is Sana Chakra and I am very excited to welcome you to a new year of learning about Earth Environmental Science. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), and have been teaching at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for 7 years. I am looking forward to working with you and your child throughout the year, and with your support, I am ensuring a productive and successful school year. Class content: Course: Earth & Environmental Science Teacher: Mrs. Chakra Teacher e-mail: sanas.chakra@cms.k12.nc.us Teacher webpage: mrschakra.weebly.com Earth Environmental Science course will be based on the NC Essential Standards and it is designed to immerse students in the Earth systems that shape our environment. Students in Earth Environmental Science class will study the processes and interactions of Earth s systems, structure, and dynamics. This course includes Astronomy; Earthquakes & Plate Tectonics; Rocks, Weathering, Erosion, & Soil; Water; Oceans &Atmosphere; Meteorology; Climate& Energy; Sustainability& Ecology. During this course, students will have access to an online textbook, to Discovery Education, and test preparation sites. In addition, students will conduct laboratory investigations, hands- on activities, researches, and projects to expand their critical-thinking, to analyze environmental issues, and engage in evidence-based decision making real world contexts. Writing prompts and Math skills will also be integrated daily. It is important that students be present to participate in all labs and experiments in order to receive complete instructions. Also, at the end of the school year students will take the North Carolina Final Exam NCFE (20% of the Semester grade) Global connections: This course will introduce students to the world-wide environmental crisis, global issues, and sustainable development. Throughout this course, students are expected to be involved with the scientific events happening around the world. Students will practice their literacy skills, their understanding of the curriculum, scientific skills, problem solving, and critical thinking to explore the interconnectedness of global perspectives. Also, how as students they can become part of the solution, which coincides with the school vision/mission prepare students to compete in a global society.
Daily Supplies needed Planner 1 or 1 1/2 inch 3 Ring Binder Loose-leaf Paper 1 Manila Folder 1 2 Pocket Folder Black/blue, and red pens, pencils, highlighter, and pencil sharpener (Optional). Classroom Wish List: Copy Paper, Paper Towels, Hand Sanitizer, Tissues, Band-Aids, Cleaning Wipes, Manila File Folders. Classroom Expectations 1. Be on time 2. Be prepared 3. Be respectful 4. Be responsible 5. Be ready to learn Daily preparation and communication: Students are to enter the classroom everyday prepared (on time, all materials, positive attitude) Students should: Come in quietly. Get out materials and prepare to learn. Turn in homework within first 5 minutes of class (If it is turned in after that it is LATE) Follow the agenda on the board. Get started on the warm-up Listen and follow directions the first time they are given. Participate and take notes in class!! Raise hand and wait for permission to speak. Speak in low voices when working in groups Students will be assigned daily homework assignments (due at the beginning of class), Tests and Quizzes will be given periodically to assess students comprehension and understanding of material covered in class. If a student is absent on the day of a test, the student is responsible for arranging to make up the test. Gradebook/PowerSchool and class webpage will be updated weekly. Classroom Policies: NO FOOD OR DRINKS (Except Water) allowed in classroom. Dress Code Policy Students are expected to follow the School Dress Code Policy
Electronic Device Policy Students will receive Chromebooks, so Personal Technology Devices PTD (cell phones, portable music players, games and headphones) are not allowed, UNLESS they are instructed to use cell phones for certain activities. According to the school policy if PTD are seen without permission during class time, it will be confiscated and brought to the main office until a parent or caregiver comes to collect it. If a student does not comply with the teacher s directions, he/she will receive a referral and will be removed from class. Tardy (School Policy) Students arriving after 7:15 am are required to report to Lock-out. Late buses will be announced and passes will be issued to students, Students who are late to class (2 nd _4 th block) will report to the lock-out station located on their floor. Tardy Consequences: 1 st tardy Administrative warning 2 nd tardy Administrative warning and parent contact 3 rd tardy Parent Conference 4 th tardy ISS 5 th tardy 1-2 Days of ISS 6 th tardy 365 rule is applied, loss of parking pass 7 th tardy OSS Passes No passes will be given within the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes. Students will receive 5 bathroom passes to be used within 9 weeks. Unused passes will be redeemed for extra credits on a quiz grade. No passes will be given during direct instructional time. Rewards Students will be given ticket(s) for class participation. For every 10 tickets per quarter, students will receive 5 extra credit points on a quiz grade. If a student receive an A (90 and above) on a unit test, their name will be written on a ribbon and posted on mastery board in the classroom. At the end of the quarter, for every 2 ribbons the student will receive 5 extra credit points on a formal grade. Consequences (Any warnings will be noted under the student s record) 1 st Offense: Verbal Warning 2 nd Offense: Conference with student 3 rd Offense: Parental phone call/ or conference 4 th Offense: Referral
Grading Policy (CMS/School Policies) Assignment Policy Grade Weighting Formal Assignments (Tests, Comprehensive writing assignment, Projects): 70% of Quarter Grade Informal Assignments (Classwork, warm-up, Homework, Class participation, quizzes): 30% of Quarter Grade The final grade of a semester course shall be based on the formula: Quarter 1 (40%) + Quarter 2 (40%) + NC Final Exam (20%) Ten-Point Grading Scale A 90-100% B 80-89 % C 70-79% D 60-69% F 59 or below Assignments DUE at the beginning of class; will be considered late when handed in later in the same period! Students may receive an initial score of zero (0%) (School Policy) for an assignment or assessment: on which a student made no attempt or concerted effort on which a student was found to be cheating or plagiarizing that is missing or not submitted Late Work for a Student Present in Class Late assignments will be penalized depending on the type of assignment and assigned date. (Projects grades will be reduced by 10% each day the project is late) Late work may receive less than full credit Make-up Work due to Student Absence (School Policy) Make-Up work from absences or missing assignments must be completed and turned in within 5 school days. Students are responsible with contacting the teacher concerning makeup work/test. Retesting (School Policy) Students will be offered an opportunity to retest if they scored below an 80% on a unit test. The highest score they are able to receive on the retest is an 80%. Student are offered a retest during tutoring hours. Credit for make-up work should be awarded as follows: Excused Absences: Students must be given full credit for work if completed in accordance to the arranged schedule Unexcused Absences: Students may receive less than full credit for work completed in accordance to the arranged schedule
Notice: ABSENCE BEFORE A TEST DAY WILL NOT EXCUSE A STUDENT FROM THE TEST (All tests will be announced in advance). If a student knows in advance that the test will be missed, they can arrange to take it early. Tutoring schedule: (To be Scheduled) Tutoring is available each Tuesday or Thursday after school. Sessions begin at 2:30 pm and end at 3:15. Students will need to make an appointment beforehand with their teacher. Parents/guardians must provide transportation no later than 4 PM as per school policy. Thank you, Mrs.Chakra Please sign below indicating you have read and understand the expectations of this course. Please do not detach signature from page. Student Name: Signature: Parent/Guardian Name: Signature: Date: Date: Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. ~ Henry Ford ~