Bell ringer! On a sheet of your own paper…. – What is Integrated Science???

Welcome to Mr. Pruitt’s Class!

Who is Mr. Pruitt? From London, Kentucky. Graduated from South Laurel High School in I Live in Lexington with my wife Samantha (teaches Mapleton Elementary). First year at MCHS (Student Tates Creek HS) I coach Football and Baseball here at MCHS (GO INDIANS!) College Degrees Graduated in 2009 (Meteorology/Meteorology Technology) from Western Kentucky University--GO TOPS Graduated in 2014 (Masters in Earth Science and Secondary Education) from University of the Cumberland's

Subjects Taught Integrated Science – 9 th grade students – Required course for graduation – 93 students Earth and Environment – 11 th /12 th grade students – Elective – 58 students

How do I teach? I teach like I coach. I treat learning like an athlete tries to learn a new skill. – They are expected to make mistakes and learn from them. – They are not penalized when they make mistakes during practice as long as they strive to correct their mistakes. We practice so we can perform. This is all based upon the truth that ALL students can learn, but they learn at different rates.

Grades! 50% Formative (Practice) – Students get multiple chances to “get it right.” – Students must try to get the multiple chances. – I review perfect papers and the correct answers before students turn in their work (they are self-assessing before I grade the paper). – If they think they need more time to adjust their answers, they get it (as long as they tried the first time). – Most formative work are labs/activities that we do in class. – Homework is usually what we did not finish in class so it is possible to complete it before getting home (sometimes) – Quizzes

A New Approach to Quizzes! Typical Quiz (part of the formative assessment): – Students grade THEIR OWN PAPERS after taking the quiz. – Students justify all correct answers (regardless if they got it right or not) while they are grading the quiz. – Students receive FULL credit on the quiz (as long as they honestly tell me what they got AND justify ALL answers). – I get immediate feedback from students so I know who to help and if the lesson worked. – Students receive immediate feedback so they know if and what they learned. – There is no pressure!!!! – Quiz questions are almost identical to the test questions All quizzes double as study guides. – If you have a zero on a quiz, you either did not take it or you did not justify their answers.

Grades Continued 50% Summative – Unit Exams – Quizzes at as a study guide – 1 week notice given before test

Grades Continued 10% Cumulative Final Exam – Given at the end of the semester – I recycle old test questions – Study day right before the final exam

Class Webpage All assignments are posted on the class webpage. The page is always up to date. – It includes what we did each day, what is due the next day, and what was assigned for HW. – If you are absent, go to the class webpage for make- up work

Extra Help in Science Visit me during my planning periods (A3 and B1) me for help I cannot stay after school - sorry Visit me in the mornings (please let me know if you are coming in) – I can come in early to school as early as you want me to (I am a morning person)

Questions/Comments? Please do not hesitate to contact me via I will respond within 24 hours. I will also send out s to all the parents every other week. Please make sure your address is current in the counseling office.

Syllabus!

The Learning Process The 5 E’s of Science Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Additional Lab Space Room 215 Science Lab We share this space with the rest of the department. 16 Computers (Desktops/laptops)

Sample Lab In a group of no more than 3….develop a list of 10 safety rules for our Science Lab. Be very observant of what equipment we have access to and how much space is available.