Classroom Procedures for IPC

Classroom Procedures for IPC

Room B-3

Ms. Woodward

I expect the best from you; I dare you to exceed my highest expectations!

Materials: For this class, you will need a 3 ring binder with dividers, as described below. It should always have plenty of lined paper in it. You will be expected to bring that binder, along with a pen or pencil, and your textbook EVERY DAY. A calculator is also recommended, as we will be doing numerical problems.

Binders: Each student is expected to have a three ring binder with lined notebook paper. The binder will be divided into 3 sections: (1) notes, (2) homework/in class assignments, and (3) tests and quizzes. A model binder will be on display. The binders will be collected periodically and graded based on their completeness and organization.

Catalyst: Every day, when you enter, you are to begin working on an entry assignment called the catalyst—right away. In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that starts a reaction. For us, the catalyst is something to get class started. To conserve paper, the catalysts for one week will be kept on the same sheet of paper and turned in on Fridays.

Assignments: Homework and in-class assignments will be recorded on an assignment checklist at the front of the room. Assignments are to be handed in promptly, and late assignments will receive a maximum of a 50. If you are absent, you are responsible for making up the assignment for that day, by looking on the checklist to see what you missed. Everyone will be expected to write down all assignments as part of the binder grade.

Grading: The science department grades in the following way:

20% Assignments

20% Labs

20% Quizzes

40% Tests (this includes benchmark exams)

Extra Help: I am almost always available before school and after school if you have questions or you need help learning the material. Also, the class website has many useful links that can help you find information you might need, and includes a link to email me if you still have a question. The website URL is:

www.angelfire.com/cantina/romascience

Hall Pass: Personal business should always be attended to before or after class. However, each student will receive 4 hall passes per semester, which can be turned in at any time to go use the restroom, lockers, office, nurse, etc. If the passes are not used at the end of the semester, they can be turned in for 5 points extra credit each on a test.

Classroom Rules: All school wide rules apply here as well. The rules for this classroom are as follows:

ü Be on Time and Prepared

ü Follow Directions When They Are Given

ü Act Respectfully Toward All

ü No Food or Drink

ü Respect Class Time

Consequences for failing to follow the rules will result in loss of privileges, staying after class, having a call to your parents, or being referred to the office. Rewards for following the rules will include privileges such as computer time, music while working, free time, and most of all, SUCCESS!

Classroom Behavior: You are almost adults, and I expect you to act like it. Do not use inappropriate language (in any language). Raise your hand if you wish to speak. Stay in your seat unless instructed to do otherwise. Work efficiently.

Absences: If you are absent, you are responsible for getting notes you missed and completing assignments you missed. More than 9 absences in a semester will result in a suspension of your grade. Regular attendance is the best way to be successful in any class.

Cheating/Copying: As per school policy, any student caught cheating on a test (or helping someone cheat) will automatically receive a 0 on that test with no chance for a retest. If I see you copying an assignment I will also give you a 0. However, you will be given a chance to make up the assignment.

Finishing Early: If you finish an assignment before your classmates, you have a few options. I have a variety of books and magazines available to read. And yes, they are cool. For extra credit, read and summarize (1/2 page) an article from one of the magazines (must be at least 1 page long). You may also work on an assignment for another class, but you may not leave to go elsewhere. If the computers are unused (and functional) you may use them for educational purposes (no games or email!) with my permission.

Dismissal: The bell does not dismiss the class, I dismiss the class. I will dismiss students by rows, with rows that are being disruptive dismissed last. In addition, before your row can be dismissed, the area around each student’s chair should be neat.

Syllabus for the course:

1^st six weeks	Scientific Method, Laws of Motion
2^nd six weeks	Motion, Energy, Simple Machines
3^rd six weeks	Thermal Energy, Electricity, Magnets
4^th six weeks	Waves, Gas Laws, States and Properties of Matter
5^th six weeks	Atoms, Periodic Table, Bonds, Solutions, Acids & Bases
Late April—TAKS Test!!
6^th six weeks	Electricity Sources, Uses of Heat, Science Research