Mrs. Sweat's Science class
RICHARDSON MIDDLE
SCHOOL 2013-14
S.A.I.L SCIENCE SYLLABUS 2013-14
Welcome to middle school science. The goal of this class is to give you, the student, a solid understanding of general science and to prepare you for success in high school advanced classes. We will be using the IQWST curriculum, an inquiry based science curriculum. All students will participate in the science fair this year, which is a great way to master the processes of science and have fun competing. I look forward to having a wonderful learning experience with you this year! Mrs. Janet Sweat
grading
Grading scale
Tests and Labs
100 points
90-100
A
quizzes
50 points
80-89
B
Homework exit tickets and bell-ringers, daily
20 points
70-79
C
class work and participation
50 points per class
60-69
D
Papers/projects
Points assigned per project
0-59
F
Having all supplies for class
10 points per class
MATERIALS
You will need to bring the following items with you daily. These will be necessary for you to maintain a good grade, you will need to have these items, as well as your textbook in order to get daily points for supplies.
*sharpened pencils *pen *notebook paper * 4 bound composition books to leave in the classroom *zippered pencil/supply holder *colored pencils or crayons * glue sticks or tape * sticky notes *1 bound composition book for science fair *1 folder with pockets and prongs *you will eventually need to get a science fair project display board for the final project due in November. You can find these for sale now at a much better price than you will find in November *your textbook will need to be brought every day.
For donation to the classroom:
Hand sanitizer, paper towels, box of Kleenex, pack of unlined note cards, expo whiteboard markers, colored printer paper, regular printer paper, zip lock plastic bags for storage, vinegar, baking soda, bottle of glue, packet of pencils, glue sticks, colored pencils, electrical tape, batteries (AAA, AA, 9-volt), and small rewards for our reward basket.
TARDIES: students MUST be INSIDE the classroom when the late bell rings or will be marked with an unexcused tardy. A tardy is considered excused if the student brings a note from a teacher or other school official stating where they were and why they were late.
ASSIGNMENTS: I will try to keep graded assignments updated on cross-pointe and assignments can be found at my website www.mrssweatsscience.com. Please make sure your student is recording assignments in his/her planner since agendas are posted daily in the classroom. Late work may be turned in for a maximum of half credit, so please watch dates and make sure work is turned in on time. We will have vocabulary tests most Thursday’s and Friday’s.
Class procedures:
The following rules will help us keep things running smoothly in the classroom so that you can be successful in class.
1) Follow all safety procedures. Any violation will result in student having to complete a written assignment instead of participating in the lab and COULD result in a referral to the discipline office. Failure to follow safety protocol in the classroom will result in student not participating in LIFE labs or any science related field trips.
2) Bathroom visits are for emergencies only. If you have a medical need to be out more often, please have your parent send me a note. Being in the classroom is VITAL for comprehension of some tough science concepts and our inquiry based curriculum. Students must have their planner in order to leave the classroom. I will make a notation in students planner if I see excessive restroom passes being asked for. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO USE THE RESTROOM BETWEEN CLASSES.
3) Keep the classroom clean. If you make a mess, clean it up before you leave.
4) If you are absent, please go online at my website www.mrssweatsscience.com Otherwise, please see me as soon as you return to the classroom. Anything you miss goes in the grade book as a “0” until you make it up. You may make an appointment to complete make up work in my classroom before or after school (until 3:30) but I have a busy schedule so PLEASE make sure you let me know ahead of time and make sure you have someone pick you up no later than 3:30.
5) Students and parents can email me anytime at sweat_j@firn.edu. I do check my email in the evenings at home at least 1 time or you can text me at 386-288-5150 (no phone calls, please and include student name in text)
6) Be respectful to your teacher and fellow classmates. We do a lot of group work and we must work together as a team to be successful! Being loud in the classroom is unacceptable and will result in a written assignment that will require parent signature.
7) No food or drinks in the classroom….we are a science lab, after all!
8) Stay seated unless given teacher permission
9) No cell phones out
Rewards
I try to offer fun incentives like candy or toys for classroom competitions, games, and for success on tests and quizzes (when I am able). Please let me know if you have any allergies. I also try to offer a “movie day” at the end of each semester based on good behavior and work accomplished. A few of these are rated PG, so please let me know if your parents do not allow you to watch these.
Extra subjects covered:
1) Too good for drugs curriculum
2) Human growth and development with a nurse from the county office
PLEASE SIGN ATTACHED AND RETURN TO MRS. SWEAT. THIS IS YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT WORTH 20 POINTS.
SAIL classes will participate in the LIFE (Learning In Florida’s Environment) and will participate in about 3 off-campus all day labs. Please make sure permission slips are turned in 5 school days prior to a lab or your students will not be allowed to attend and will be given a written research project to do in school or at home and will be graded in place of the LIFE lab. This also applies to students who miss a lab due to illness, field trips, or any other reason.
Welcome to middle school science. The goal of this class is to give you, the student, a solid understanding of general science and to prepare you for success in high school advanced classes. We will be using the IQWST curriculum, an inquiry based science curriculum. All students will participate in the science fair this year, which is a great way to master the processes of science and have fun competing. I look forward to having a wonderful learning experience with you this year! Mrs. Janet Sweat
grading
Grading scale
Tests and Labs
100 points
90-100
A
quizzes
50 points
80-89
B
Homework exit tickets and bell-ringers, daily
20 points
70-79
C
class work and participation
50 points per class
60-69
D
Papers/projects
Points assigned per project
0-59
F
Having all supplies for class
10 points per class
MATERIALS
You will need to bring the following items with you daily. These will be necessary for you to maintain a good grade, you will need to have these items, as well as your textbook in order to get daily points for supplies.
*sharpened pencils *pen *notebook paper * 4 bound composition books to leave in the classroom *zippered pencil/supply holder *colored pencils or crayons * glue sticks or tape * sticky notes *1 bound composition book for science fair *1 folder with pockets and prongs *you will eventually need to get a science fair project display board for the final project due in November. You can find these for sale now at a much better price than you will find in November *your textbook will need to be brought every day.
For donation to the classroom:
Hand sanitizer, paper towels, box of Kleenex, pack of unlined note cards, expo whiteboard markers, colored printer paper, regular printer paper, zip lock plastic bags for storage, vinegar, baking soda, bottle of glue, packet of pencils, glue sticks, colored pencils, electrical tape, batteries (AAA, AA, 9-volt), and small rewards for our reward basket.
TARDIES: students MUST be INSIDE the classroom when the late bell rings or will be marked with an unexcused tardy. A tardy is considered excused if the student brings a note from a teacher or other school official stating where they were and why they were late.
ASSIGNMENTS: I will try to keep graded assignments updated on cross-pointe and assignments can be found at my website www.mrssweatsscience.com. Please make sure your student is recording assignments in his/her planner since agendas are posted daily in the classroom. Late work may be turned in for a maximum of half credit, so please watch dates and make sure work is turned in on time. We will have vocabulary tests most Thursday’s and Friday’s.
Class procedures:
The following rules will help us keep things running smoothly in the classroom so that you can be successful in class.
1) Follow all safety procedures. Any violation will result in student having to complete a written assignment instead of participating in the lab and COULD result in a referral to the discipline office. Failure to follow safety protocol in the classroom will result in student not participating in LIFE labs or any science related field trips.
2) Bathroom visits are for emergencies only. If you have a medical need to be out more often, please have your parent send me a note. Being in the classroom is VITAL for comprehension of some tough science concepts and our inquiry based curriculum. Students must have their planner in order to leave the classroom. I will make a notation in students planner if I see excessive restroom passes being asked for. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO USE THE RESTROOM BETWEEN CLASSES.
3) Keep the classroom clean. If you make a mess, clean it up before you leave.
4) If you are absent, please go online at my website www.mrssweatsscience.com Otherwise, please see me as soon as you return to the classroom. Anything you miss goes in the grade book as a “0” until you make it up. You may make an appointment to complete make up work in my classroom before or after school (until 3:30) but I have a busy schedule so PLEASE make sure you let me know ahead of time and make sure you have someone pick you up no later than 3:30.
5) Students and parents can email me anytime at sweat_j@firn.edu. I do check my email in the evenings at home at least 1 time or you can text me at 386-288-5150 (no phone calls, please and include student name in text)
6) Be respectful to your teacher and fellow classmates. We do a lot of group work and we must work together as a team to be successful! Being loud in the classroom is unacceptable and will result in a written assignment that will require parent signature.
7) No food or drinks in the classroom….we are a science lab, after all!
8) Stay seated unless given teacher permission
9) No cell phones out
Rewards
I try to offer fun incentives like candy or toys for classroom competitions, games, and for success on tests and quizzes (when I am able). Please let me know if you have any allergies. I also try to offer a “movie day” at the end of each semester based on good behavior and work accomplished. A few of these are rated PG, so please let me know if your parents do not allow you to watch these.
Extra subjects covered:
1) Too good for drugs curriculum
2) Human growth and development with a nurse from the county office
PLEASE SIGN ATTACHED AND RETURN TO MRS. SWEAT. THIS IS YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT WORTH 20 POINTS.
SAIL classes will participate in the LIFE (Learning In Florida’s Environment) and will participate in about 3 off-campus all day labs. Please make sure permission slips are turned in 5 school days prior to a lab or your students will not be allowed to attend and will be given a written research project to do in school or at home and will be graded in place of the LIFE lab. This also applies to students who miss a lab due to illness, field trips, or any other reason.