Science+for+Life+Syllabus

South High School Science for Life 2015-2016 Teacher Name: Ms. Rachel Aldrich Phone Number/Voice Mail: 720-423-6123 E-mail Address: Rachel_Aldrich@dpsk12.org Room Number: 227 Tutoring Hours: Tuesdays during lunch; Thursdays 7:45 – 8:15; after school by appointment Website: http://msaldrichscience.wikispaces.com/
 * __Contact Information __**

Course Number: 03622

Notebook (composition or spiral) Pen/pencil 2-pocket folder or binder 12-inch ruler Highlighter
 * __Materials __**

Grading is based on weighted points earned from assignments, hands-on activities, tests/quizzes, and participation:
 * __Grading __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> A 100 – 93% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A- 92 – 90% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> B+ 89 – 87% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">B 86 – 83% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">B- 82 – 80% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> C+ 79 – 77% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">C 76 – 73% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">C- 72 – 70% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> D 69 – 60% <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> F 59 – 0%

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We will work together in class, but there are times when homework will be assigned and must be completed outside of class. Please see me during scheduled tutoring times or make an appointment for after school if you need help. I will always make time to help students learn, but you must make the effort to see me before it’s too late!
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENTS __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Late work will be accepted for half credit. Late work will NOT be accepted after three weeks from the due date.


 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cheating is not acceptable at South High School **<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Examples of cheating are:
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">copying someone else’s work/answers
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">allowing someone else to copy your work/answers
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">talking during a test or quiz
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">writing the answers/doing the work for someone else
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">allowing someone else to write your answers/do your work

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please see page 23 of the student handbook for consequences of cheating.

**__<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">ATTENDANCE __**
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your attendance can greatly affect your grade. If you have poor attendance, you will miss important lessons and fall behind in your work, which may cause you to fail the class. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Infinite Campus system will notify your parent(s)/guardian(s) of absences each evening by phone and/or email. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Absences can be excused with a parent/guardian phone call to the school attendance clerk or attendance line (720-423-6081; Español, 720-423-6070), a note from the parent/guardian, or a doctor’s note. A parent/guardian can also come to school in person to excuse the absence. It is the **__student’s__** responsibility to contact me about make-up work. Students missing classes for excused absences, suspension, or school business related absences are **NOT** excused from completing class work. You have one day for each absence to make up any missed assignments. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up work for full credit. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Any student who misses an assignment because of an unexcused absence will be allowed to make up the work for half credit. Students who are truant will not be permitted to make up any assignments.
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Parent/Guardian Notification **
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Excused Absences **
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unexcused Absences/Truancies **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Students are required to be in class and in their seats when the bell rings. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Students arriving after 15 minutes will be marked absent. If you are late to class, you will be assigned after-school detention.
 * __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">TARDY POLICY __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Students are expected to arrive to class on time and prepared. Any trips to lockers or the bathroom should be done during the passing periods. Any student who asks to leave the room to go to a locker or the restroom must show me a current student ID (no bus passes, driver’s licenses or Colorado ID cards) for a hall pass. If the student does not have a student ID, he/she will not be allowed to leave. Each student will be allowed __three__ passes per semester, which may not be “transferred” to another student and expire at the end of the semester. The teacher may refuse a pass to any student, or cancel future passes if the privilege is abused. Any student who interrupts the lesson to request a pass will not be allowed to leave. Passes will not be given during the first and last 15 minutes of the period.
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hall Passes __**

**__<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">PARTICIPATION __**
Participation points (30) will be given each week. You are expected to come to class every day prepared and ready to work. Points are automatically lost for unexcused tardies, and all points are lost for the week for truancies. Failure to follow classroom rules will result in an automatic loss of participation points. **The rules are clearly posted on the wall, so you will not receive warnings.** If you cannot follow the rules, I will call home and speak to your parents about your classroom behavior. Any dangerous or offensive/aggressive behavior will be an automatic referral to the deans’ office. Participation points are lost (5 per incident) when students:
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Arrive late to class
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do not participate in daily warm up
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have an unexcused absence
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bring food or beverages to class (water bottles are OK)
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Use of any electronics, such as cell phones, MP3 players hand-held games
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Are disrespectful to the teacher, other student(s) or property
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do not bring required material(s) to class
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Any other behavior that affects teaching and/or learning

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">South High’s dress code will be enforced. Please see page 20 of the Student Handbook.
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dress Code __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is recommended that students check my website at least once a week. It contains important information, such as:
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Teacher Website __**


 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Syllabus
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Class notes
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Assignments
 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Worksheets
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My schedule and contact information
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Important links

//__<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Science Basics __////<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">: //<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In this unit, students will learn about experimental design and the steps needed to carry out an experiment. They will also identify and use scientific tools, as well as metric units of measurement. Students will learn how to analyze data by interpreting graphs, tables, maps and charts. Finally, we will examine safety procedures and equipment in the lab. //__<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Physical Science __////<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">: //<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our chemistry portion of this unit will begin with an exploration of matter and properties, and how atoms combine to form molecules and compounds. We will also discuss elements and the periodic table, as well as investigate chemical reactions and equations. In our physics lessons, we will identify forces and describe how they affect moving objects. Students will calculate work and power, and describe simple machines. We will conclude this unit with studies of light and its properties, forms and transfer of energy, and the power of magnetism.
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Course Overview __**