Welcome to Earth Science 2013-2014

What is Earth Science Instructor: Mr. Taylor E-mail: mtaylor@bedford.k12.va.us Location: Room 111 Text: Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe Glencoe Assignments: bedfordfms.sharpschool.net

Required Supplies A Large Three-Ring Binder Loose Leaf Notebook Paper Pens(blue or black) and Pencils At Least Two Red Pens Graphing Paper (4 or 5 blocks/inch) Calculator (optional) Metric Ruler (optional) Colored Pencils (optional)

What is Earth Science? Earth Science, as a discipline, connects the study of Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans; and its environment in space. We will also investigate recurring themes and broad concepts that connect the four primary sub-disciplines of Earth Science; geology, astronomy, meteorology, and oceanography. Earth Science at FMS is a high school credit course and as such requires a greater level of participation, study, and effort than any science course that you have taken to this point in your academic career.

Attendance The FMS earth science curriculum is very demanding and, as such, requires faithful attendance. It is difficult to keep up with the course load if you are habitually absent or absent for long periods of time. Work missed due to absence will be made up in a reasonable time frame, as per school and county policy (see policy below). It is the responsibility of the student to request make-up work upon their return to class. If you are going out of town on a trip please let me know a week in advance if you would like to have work to take with you. Make-Up Work Policy Absent 1-2 days Three school days Absent 3-5 days Six school days Absent 6+ days Consult with teacher for deadline

Being Late to Class Being tardy to class causes serious disruption to the learning environment of the classroom. Students who enter the classroom after the tardy bell are issued a tardy slip unless they possess an excuse from the previous period’s teacher, guidance, or the administration. Any student who receives three tardy slips from any three classes will be assigned an After School Detention.

Grading Policy Grading is done on a points system. In general points are distributed as follows: Tests (36 -100 items) 100 pts x 3 = 300 pts Quiz (10 - 35 items) 100 pts x 1 = 100 pts Labs 50 -100 pts per lab Projects typically 100 - 300 pts Guided Readings typically equal to the and Study Guides the number of items Other assignments varies

Classroom Expectations Be Prompt. You must be in the classroom and at your seat when the tardy bell rings. I will almost always have an assignment for you to start when you enter the class. Be Prepared. I do not supply paper, pencils, or pens. If I have to send you to your locker to get materials you should have brought to class you are tardy. Be Respectful of others, and their property. Raise your hand for to ask for permission Do not interrupt the instructor or other students while they are speaking Do not vandalize desks, cabinets, etc in the room. Do not take pencils, pens, paper, or other materials without permission. Do not use the computers in the room without permission.

Classroom Expectations (continued) Eighth Grade Late Work Policy: Students are expected to turn work in all classwork and homework on the date the assignment is due. Students who turn in work after its due date will receive a maximum score of 65%. Additionally, each teacher will establish a “zero day” for student assignments. If the work is not completed by the “zero day,” students will receive a zero in the grade book. Every effort will be made by teachers for students to complete all work before the "zero day" through Connections classes and before or after school. I typically give multiple days for an assignment to be completed; therefore, unless otherwise stated the “zero day” for my classes will be the day that we go over the assignment in class, or the day that I return the graded assignment to the students.

Classroom Expectations (continued) No food (including gum) is permitted in the classroom. Cheating will not be tolerated! This includes talking, whispering, passing notes, etc. during a test or quiz, or copying homework or class assignments. Any of these behaviors during a test or quiz will earn you a zero! Students are required to keep all materials handed out in class. Follow all classroom procedures. When in doubt ask, for as the old saying goes, better safe than sorry. Follow all FMS school rules! A condensed version of the school rules is posted in each eighth grade classroom.