Welcome to science! Here in Wake County Schools we use an integrated approach in our curriculum, incorporating life, earth, and physical sciences over a three year program for middle school. This course will implement the common core standards of reading, writing and mathematics throughout the year. Lessons, experiments/activities and technology will be applied to support an understanding of key science concepts to address benchmarks which are part of the North Carolina Essential Standards. Our goal at East Wake Middle School is to show your child that they can succeed at anything they put their mind to, both in class and in life. In my science class, your child will be a student scientist and will learn through hands on experience and immersion into a scientific culture.
Materials Needed
Each and every day, you will need the following supplies for class:
Grading
The grading scale is as follows:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D (often an assignment will be requested to be redone)
↓60% F (often an assignment will be requested to be redone)
All assessments, labs, and class work are awarded a specific number of points based on complexity and role in the learning process for the benchmarks. Often an assignment not completed will be requested to be completed, however may only receive partial credit.
Posting Grades: Grades will be updated by the end of every week and be available for viewing on POWERSCHOOL. Please check grades regularly.
Assignments: Most assignments will be completed in class, however some assignments will need to be finished at home or supplementary materials may be assigned. As a general rule, assignments are to be completed the night they are assigned to help with planning extracurricular activities. Each assignment is to aid the learning process in the classroom however will not always be graded. Reading, reflection and reinforcement assignments will usually be due the next class while more in depth projects will be given more time. Any assignments that require internet or computers will be given multiple days to complete, if a student needs a pass to come to the school media center they will need to ask and make arrangements to do so. Therefore, students are expected to turn their assignments in on time. Late work will be penalized if past due. Graded work will be returned to students in a timely manner.
Absenteeism: Students will receive full credit for assignments and tests completed after an excused absence, provided the work is completed within a reasonable time, typically 2 days for each day absent. It is the student’s responsibility to be proactive and obtain the make-up work from peers or myself before or after class not during class time. Remember, you can look at my website when you are absent.
Resources: Students will not be issued a textbook this year. While we will occasionally use the textbook in class, the majority of their resources will be available online. Students will be using discoveryeducation.com, Google Classroom, and their student email accounts to complete most assignments and to supplement learning. It is important they know how to access all of their accounts and they check them regularly.
Classroom Guidelines: Students are expected to follow these classroom procedures:
Bathroom Policy: Students are expected to use the restroom in between classes. However, I understand that sometimes you just have to go. Therefore, students may use the restroom during class but must:
Cell Phone Policy: Cell phones are not to be used or visible in class for any reason. If a student is caught with a cell phone anywhere but in his/her backpack (this includes being visible in pockets):
Tardy Policy: Students are expected to be in the classroom and in their seat when the bell rings for class to start. Unless the student has a pass from another teacher or the office excusing their tardy, the consequences will be:
Materials Needed
Each and every day, you will need the following supplies for class:
- Pencils and Pens (traditional black or blue)
- One notebook each quarter (for science only and must be the same through the quarter)
- Colored Pencils
- 1 ½ in. 3 ring binder with tabs(labeled-organized to your individual organization)
- A folder (for science only)
- Stapler (highly recommended, don’t forget staples)
- Planner (required to copy weekly homework and to leave the room other than restroom)
Grading
The grading scale is as follows:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D (often an assignment will be requested to be redone)
↓60% F (often an assignment will be requested to be redone)
All assessments, labs, and class work are awarded a specific number of points based on complexity and role in the learning process for the benchmarks. Often an assignment not completed will be requested to be completed, however may only receive partial credit.
- Assessments: Tests, Major Labs 70%
- Assignments: Class work, Quizzes Homework, Minor Labs/ Activities 30%
Posting Grades: Grades will be updated by the end of every week and be available for viewing on POWERSCHOOL. Please check grades regularly.
Assignments: Most assignments will be completed in class, however some assignments will need to be finished at home or supplementary materials may be assigned. As a general rule, assignments are to be completed the night they are assigned to help with planning extracurricular activities. Each assignment is to aid the learning process in the classroom however will not always be graded. Reading, reflection and reinforcement assignments will usually be due the next class while more in depth projects will be given more time. Any assignments that require internet or computers will be given multiple days to complete, if a student needs a pass to come to the school media center they will need to ask and make arrangements to do so. Therefore, students are expected to turn their assignments in on time. Late work will be penalized if past due. Graded work will be returned to students in a timely manner.
Absenteeism: Students will receive full credit for assignments and tests completed after an excused absence, provided the work is completed within a reasonable time, typically 2 days for each day absent. It is the student’s responsibility to be proactive and obtain the make-up work from peers or myself before or after class not during class time. Remember, you can look at my website when you are absent.
Resources: Students will not be issued a textbook this year. While we will occasionally use the textbook in class, the majority of their resources will be available online. Students will be using discoveryeducation.com, Google Classroom, and their student email accounts to complete most assignments and to supplement learning. It is important they know how to access all of their accounts and they check them regularly.
Classroom Guidelines: Students are expected to follow these classroom procedures:
- Come to class on time having used the restroom and water fountain (in seat ready to learn or working on “Success Starter” with all required materials)
- Show respect and be considerate to fellow students, adults and the teacher
- Listen attentively while others are speaking
- Raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your seat
- Follow laboratory safety rules in all activities when equipment is present in room
- Turn work in on time or pay the consequences, be proactive
- Use class time responsibly to complete assignments and remain on task
Bathroom Policy: Students are expected to use the restroom in between classes. However, I understand that sometimes you just have to go. Therefore, students may use the restroom during class but must:
- Wait until an appropriate time to ask (student work time, free time, etc.)
- Ask your teacher
- Get their planner signed (no planner, no bathroom)
Cell Phone Policy: Cell phones are not to be used or visible in class for any reason. If a student is caught with a cell phone anywhere but in his/her backpack (this includes being visible in pockets):
- 1st Offense: Infraction- cell phone will be taken away until the end of the period
- 2nd Offense: Misdemeanor- cell phone will be taken away until the end of the day
- 3rd Offense- Felony- Parent will have to come to school to pick up cell phone from the office
Tardy Policy: Students are expected to be in the classroom and in their seat when the bell rings for class to start. Unless the student has a pass from another teacher or the office excusing their tardy, the consequences will be:
- 1st Offense: Student is given a verbal warning and tardy is documented by teacher
- 2nd Offense: Parent will be contacted
- 3rd Offense: Student will be referred to administration for discipline