1. Ms. Jones/ Ms. Heidkamp Room 106/105 LPS

2. Areas of Study: (3 year rotation) 1 st Trimester = Skills/Astronomy 3 rd Trimester = Genetics/Environmental 2 nd Trimester = Earth History

3. Special Projects Moon Journals Science Fiction Novel project: due before Winter Break. Students will choose a science fiction book of their choice and reading level appropriate. Third Trimester Science Fair Project. Beginning in December, students will be introduced to Science Fair which will be completed during the third trimester, Field Trip Project: Adler Planetarium

4. Course Materials: A. Required materials Composition Book (preferred 100 sheets) 1” three-ringed binder Metric ruler (15 or 30 cm) Red “marking” pen Writing Pencils/ Pens (blue or black ink) NO LEAD! Colored pencils/Highlighter B. Suggested materials 3-hole paper punch (that fits in binder) Graph paper Calculator Liquid Glue (NOT a glue stick)

5. Course Requirements: A. Complete assignments accurately and ON TIME! B. Keep notebooks up-to-date and organized. C. Be responsible for make up work. D. Your grade will be determined by a weighted averaging of your achievement in the following areas: Class assessments Lab work Notebook and logs Class work Home assignments Projects Participation and attendance

6. Course Requirements: Points will be earned in four categories: 50%Class work/Labs 15%Assessments 15% Homework 20%Projects & other assignments Special projects will be assigned through out the year.

7. Homework The purpose of homework is to reinforce what students learned in class. All assignments are due at the start of the class period. ****PLEASE NOTE that there is homework EVERY NIGHT! Students should study, review, and organize in addition to any specifically assigned task!

8. Homework Homework is not given lightly. A home assignment is purposeful in order to help a student review or to pre-learn. Homework is usually NOT due the next day unless it is a continuation of a class lab activity. This involves data analysis /graphing/ conclusion writing. Reading assignments and projects are never due the next day!

9. Homework Homework is graded in 2 categories: CANNOT BE ACCEPTED as LATE: Homework DUE the next day because it is an essential part of that day’s activity. For example, completed analysis questions that are discussed in class the following day cannot be completed in class during the discussion and then count as completed homework! Another example is a pre-lab report that is due in order to complete the activity. CAN BE ACCEPTED AS LATE (with penalty): Home assignments that are collected and do not have an immediate impact on the day’s learning experience.

10. Late Work Late homework receives a ‘m’ initially To turn in late work that has been completed, student will show their teacher during HW check time at the beginning of next class OR hand the assignment to their teacher before class. There will ALWAYS be science homework, even if to study/review

11. Make Up Work Policy Be sure to acquire ALL papers, and assignments. These will be available when returning to class. If present for the school day but will not be attending science class (for example, if you will be excused for music lessons), BE SURE to get the day’s assignment! This information is available on your teacher’s web page: https://lincolnprairie.sd54.org/ojones/ https://lincolnprairie.sd54.org/bcooper/

12. Make Up Work Policy You will be expected to take any PRE-ANNOUNCED assessment unless you have been absent for more than one day. Make up work should be completed immediately upon return to school. Please make arrangements. If you have been absent multiple days, you will have make up time equal to the number of days you were absent. Your teacher is available during lunch and before/after school to help assist you.

13. Make Up Work Policy Science Starters are made up by completing a brief “Science News for Kids” summary. This link is available on your teacher’s web page. All students will receive a copy of the form. This completed form is then stapled to your Science Starters when they are collected. Make up Science Starters are accepted any time before the end of the grading term. Every student should have a homework buddy. You need a buddy to help give you the data, notes, and papers that are due the next day! List your Homework Buddies in your ISN.

14. What you can do to help your child be successful… Check your child’s agenda nightly and make them physically show you the completed homework Check web page for info on nightly homework assignments & upcoming tests/quizzes Utilize the grade portal & review assignments. Contact teacher via email with any questions/concerns.

15. Donations to the Science Department A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have donated to our cause.