Course Description and Goals:

 Earth Science 

Earth Science is a Middle School Level course designed to help student understand the dynamic systems at play in our world. Throughout the year we will integrate the practice and nature of science and engineering with our other topics and learn these concepts in an Earth science context. 
The following is a summary of what students will come to understand.

Scope and Sequence

Semester 1
Scientific Measures and Methods
Practice and Nature of Science and Engineering

Matter:
The structure of matter and its characteristics 
Chemical and physical changes
Elements and the periodic table
Particle theory of matter 
Mixtures and pure substances.
Geology: 
Patterns of change and constancy in the Earth and its history 
Plate tectonics, 
Weathering and erosion of land forms
Minerals, rocks and rock layers.

Semester 2
Astronomy:
Earth's position and its interaction in the solar system
The Sun, Moon, and Earth rotation 
Tides and Seasons
The Expanding universe

Meteorology:
Patterns of change and constancy in the Earth's atmosphere
Climate  composition and structure
Weather systems and ocean currents
Weather patterns and predictions.
Energy transfer,
Moisture content, 

  Scientific calculator- Bring a scientific calculator as there are a few units of study which require use of a calculator.

Please bring the following every day!

1. Writing utensils and paper- homework and calculations must be done in pencil, with erasures done neatly.Number 2 pencils will be needed for tests.
2. It is your responsibility to keep up with your notes and other handouts. A binder dedicated to the class is a good policy, so that you can organize materials to study or find assignments that are missing from the grade book (it happens). Make sure that you are keeping up with warm-ups, notes, and handouts so that you are prepared for the tests.
3. Closed-toe shoes on lab days- If you do not have closed-toe shoes on lab day you will not be allowed to participate.This is an important safety rule.

 CALCULATIONS: 

All work leading up to the final answer must be shown legibly in order to earn any credit!  This policy is for all work turned in for a grade, including quizzes, tests, labs, and homework.  NO WORK, NO CREDIT!

 ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Students may not give or receive unauthorized help (cheating) on tests, homework, or labs the student will receive a zero on that assignment.  This means that all work represented as being your work must be your work. 

LATE WORK:

            Assigned work must be turned in by the due date. Any late assignments may be turned in by 8:30 am the following school day, for a maximum grade of 70%. You may elect to drop any one assignment during the course of the Quarter as long as they are not 100 point Projects or Unit tests.

 TARDIES:

You must be seated and working on the warm-up when the bell rings or you will be marked tardy. 

 ATTENDANCE:

If the student is absent it is their responsibility to gather the assignments that they have missed upon the day of their return.  Check with classmates, the posted calendar and lesson plans, and write ABSENT by your name for your assignments.  If you missed an exam or lab, schedule a make-up.  Please keep in mind that the format of the make-up is at the teacher’s discretion.  The student must complete and turn in the make-up work in a timely manner, usually the number of days missed plus one. 

 CLASS RULES:

Cell phones are not to be seen or heard during class unless given specific instructions.  Put your phone away, in your backpack or bag, and be sure it is silent.  If you need to look something up, you may use your laptop.  Computers may be used as long as whatever you are doing is pertinent to the lesson.  Clean up after each lab.

 Summary

This course is devoted to the discussion of the ideas and concepts of Biology Although particular attention will be given to those concepts considered to be appropriate and transferable to the everyday living. 

The grading for the course will be as follows:

GRADING:  Tests and quizzes will be given regularly throughout the semester, with a comprehensive final exam the conclusion of the semester.

90-100=A              60-69=D

80-89=B                <60=F

70-79=C

 100 pts each for Midterm and Final Exams
We will also be using an online quiz, testing and practice platform on Quia.  

Go to https://www.quia.com/studentZone, 
Make your own account and create a username and password.  Please write these down so you can remember them later as I will not have access to information that will help you retrieve it.  I will provide the class pass code so that you can access practice games and quizzes or take tests as well as access the textbook.

Weekly 20 min quizzes given on Thursday at the beginning of class, covering the text questions for the chapters covered during that week.

The laboratories are to be completed and turned in at the end of the laboratory period. The lab grade is based on these experiments - there is no laboratory exam as such, although there may be laboratory-related questions on the in-class exams. There will be no make-up labs, you may use your option to drop an assignment if you need to.