Cedar Ridge High School
Fall Semester 2010
Course Expectations & Requirements
Earth & Environmental ScienceTeacher Email Address:
Class Website: crhs-science.wikispaces.com / Room B102
919-245-4000 ext. 21406
Description of Course:
Earth & Environmental Science is the study of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, universe, the geologic history of Earth and the interactions between Earth’s systems. The course will focus on matter, energy, plate tectonics, origin and evolution of the earth and solar system, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth system.
Required Materials:
1” 3-ring binder, loose leaf paper, marble composition book or spiral notebook, pencils, pens,
colored pencils (Crayola Twistables are a great choice)
Optional Items:
Calculator, Flash/Jump Drive, index cards (for vocabulary)
Other Supplies Used Throughout this Course:
Donations of the following supplies would be greatly appreciated: Hand Sanitizer, Kleenex, Hand Soap, #2 Pencils, Colored Pencils, Food Coloring, Alka Seltzer, Potting Soil Mix, Straws, Corn Syrup, Ziploc Bags, Table Salt, Vinegar, M&M’s, Skittles, Plastic Cups, Markers, Plastic Utensils, Pipe Cleaners, Cotton balls, Glue (regular and sticks), Colored Sand, Graham Crackers, Frosting, Paper Plates, Dishwashing Liquid Soap, Plastic Storage Containers (Shoe box size), Paper Towels
Grading Policy:
STANDARD EES / HONORS EES
TESTS, PROJECTS / 30% / 50%
QUIZZES, CLASS WORK, HOMEWORK, LABS / 70% / 50%
Final Exam/Project: Students will complete a final project and take an exam.
The exam/project combined is worth 25% of the final course grade.
Tutoring Schedule:
MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY
By Appt. / Mrs. Medlin (B102)** / Mrs. Howes (B206) / Mrs. Medlin (B102)** / By Appt.
Mrs. Howes (B206) / Mrs. Gronback (B202) / Mrs. Gronback (B202)
**Beginning when I return Nov. 1**
(Other times may be arranged with Mrs. Howes or Ms. Gronback by appointment.)
Make-up Work Policy:
Students are allowed to make up any work missed due to absences. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to request make-up work. It is also their responsibility to learn what was taught while they were out – this can be done with a classmate OR with the teacher outside of class.
Please keep in mind that student’s have plus period, lunch, and after-school tutoring to meet with the teacher about missing work.
Late Work:
Late work automatically loses 15 points MINIMUM
You will have a homework check or quiz on a regular basis in order to ensure you are completing homework and reviewing daily. If you are having difficulty completing an assignment please discuss this with me prior to the due date.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to arrive to class on time and prepared to learn.
Students are expected to be in class every day.
School policy allows each student 6 absences unexcused absences each semester without appeal.
An attendance appeal will have to be filed if a student has 7 or more absences
UNEXCUSED absences during the semester.
If a student accumulates 3 unexcused tardies, they will receive detention.
Failure to serve detention will result in a discipline referral.
Classroom Rules:
1. BE RESPECTFUL!
2. NO PROFANITY
3. Arrive on time and be prepared to learn!
4. No food or drink (other than bottled water) is allowed in class.
5. CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND NOT SEEN!!!
Student Expectations:
1. There are four ways to ensure success in this class: effort, organization, honesty, and daily review of notes.
2. Students are expected to come prepared for class. This includes having the proper supplies and completed assignments.
3. Students will have daily homework – sometimes an assignment, other times reading or review. Each night they should read through their notes completely. This includes previous notes, not just the notes from that day. This type of daily review will help students as they prepare for quizzes and tests. Students will have other homework assignments in addition to their daily review.
4. Students are expected to study for assessments. The assessments in this course are designed to test your understanding of the material taught in the class as well as what is read in the textbook. If you are not prepared, you are not likely to pass the assessments.
5. All work is to be turned in on time. Many assignments will be posted on my webpage: crhs-science.wikispaces.com
6. Be respectful, no talking while the teacher is instructing.
7. If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBLITY to complete make-up work in a timely manner.
8. To minimize class disruptions, students are expected to use the restroom and get water BEFORE class begins. You must have a planner signed in order to leave the classroom for any reason. Excessive restroom/water breaks will result in lunch detention.
9. DO NOT WORK ON OTHER CLASSWORK – IT WILL BE TAKEN!!
10. HAVE INTEGRITY….DON’T CHEAT
11. WORK HARD & USE YOUR BRAIN
12. ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
Special Note to Parents & Students:
I will be out on maternity leave for the first 9 weeks of this school year. Please rest assured that I have prepared lesson plans and materials in the classroom for the substitute teacher during my absence. Your child is expected to complete all work from the sub as they will when I return on November 1. All work will be graded and reviewed by highly qualified science instructors and returned to your child promptly.
I will be available to parents and students via email during this time. Please do not hesitate to reach me at , or leave a message with the sub at 919-245-4000 ext. 21406. I will return your call as soon as I can, and encourage open lines of communication during this 1st 9 week grading period.
Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a research study I am involved with at Elon University. I part of a group conducting a research study regarding student ownership of work and the impact it has on student learning. The purpose my research is to look at how student involvement in homework assignments can affect achievement on summative assessments in the classroom. In doing this study I will be collecting data during November and December in my freshman Earth Science classes. The data collected will remain confidential and the participation of the student is completely voluntary. By signing the attached consent form, you and the student agree to allow me to use their survey and assessment scores in my research paper. During the course of the study I will not know which students are participating and which are not. The consent forms will be collected by the sub and locked away until next semester. However, regardless of whether your child chooses to “participate” or not, they will receive the same instruction, take the same survey, and be tested on the same material as every other student in this class. It is important that you understand that whether you and the student sign the form, they will complete the same coursework as the rest of the students in the class. Please consider allowing consent for me to use this data as I hope that it can greatly improve my own instructional strategies and provide insight to fellow educators as well.
CLASSROOM EXPECTIONS & REQUIREMENTS AGREEMENT
PLEASE COMPLETE AND TURN IN TO TEACHER
Student: I have read and understand the course expectations and requirements.
Name: ______
Signature:______
Email:______
Parent/Guardian: I have read and understand the course expectations and requirements.
Name: ______Relationship: ______
Signature:______
Home Number: ______
Mother/Guardian Cell phone:______
Mother/Guardian email:______
Father/Guardian Cell phone:______
Father/Guardian email:______
PARENT/STUDENT CONSENT FORM
Elon University
Consent Form to Participate in a Research Study
IRB Study #______
Consent Form Version Date: ______
Title of Study: A Pedagogical Study: How does a student’s personal involvement with the subject matter affect their learning?
Principal Investigator: Crystal B. Medlin
Cedar Ridge High School
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone number: 919-245-4000 ext. 21406
Co-Investigators: Roger Orstad (AP US History Teacher at Cedar Ridge High School)
Jim Barbour (Economics Associate Professor & Department Head at Elon University)
You are being asked to take part in a research study. The investigators listed above are in charge of the study; other persons may help them or act for them. You do not have to participate if you are not comfortable doing so.
If you choose not to participate, you will not be penalized in any way.
If you do choose to participate, video will not be examined and data will not be analyzed until after this course semester is over.
What are some general things you should know about research studies?
Research studies are designed to gain knowledge that may help other people in the future. You may or may not receive any direct benefit from participating. There may also be risks associated with participating in research studies.
Your participation is voluntary. You may refuse to participate, or may withdraw your consent to participate in any study at any time, and for any reason.
Details about this particular study are discussed below. It is important that you understand this information so that you can decide in a free and informed manner whether you want to participate. You will be given a copy of this consent form. You are urged to ask the investigators named above, or staff members who may assist them, any questions you have about this study at any time.
What is the purpose of this study?
The purpose of this study is to research how student involvement in the design of essential questions, class work, and homework affects student learning of the subject matter. The study is taking place in three different settings – a college economics course, a high school AP US history course, and a high school earth science course.
How many subjects will participate in this study?
If you decide to participate, you will be one of approximately 250 total subjects in this research study.
How long will your participation last?
Your participation in this study will last for duration of the course. However, the data that is collected during that time will be analyzed and reviewed for the entire school year. The study is scheduled to conclude in the summer of 2011.
What will happen if you take part in the study?
During the course of this study, the following will occur: You will engage in your class work just as you would normally do. Subjects will complete homework and class work, and take part in discussions as they normally would throughout the course anyway. You will be asked to answer several reflective questions about your experience on a survey. Subjects will also be given a pre and post assessment during the units of study that are being researched.
Are there any reasons you should not participate?
Subjects will not experience any unusual conditions. The study is being performed within the context of regular classroom instructions and curriculum.
What are the possible risks or discomforts?
The primary risk involved in this study is in regard to student confidentiality. There is always a risk in that students will discuss their participation in the study and their scores on assessments with other students, in which case they may compromise the confidentiality of their own participation in the study. However, this will in no way affect how they are assessed in the course, or the grade they receive in this course.
What are the possible benefits?
The benefits to you of participating in this study may be an improved sense of self-awareness when completing homework, and a self-evaluation of the affect that homework has on your success in the classroom. Students will also be able to have more input toward the type of homework assignments they will complete during the study. The result of this research study is aimed at improving teacher methods and instruction in the assignment of meaningful homework assignments.
What if we learn about new risks during the study?
You will be given any new information gained during the course of the study that might affect your willingness to continue your participation.
How will your privacy be protected?
Your full name will not be mentioned at any point during public presentation of experimental results. The teacher will only analyze the data collected after semester grading periods are over. Please remember that your participation in the study will have absolutely no impact on your grade in this course.
Will you be paid for participating?
No.
Will it cost you anything to participate?
No.
What if you want to stop before your part in the study is complete?
You can withdraw from this study at any time, without penalty. The investigator also has the right to stop your participation at any time. This could be because you have failed to follow instructions or because the entire study has been stopped.
What if you have questions about this study?
You have the right to ask, and have answered, any questions you may have about this research. If you have further questions you should call Mrs. Crystal B. Medlin, at 919.245.4000 ext. 21406.
What if you have questions about your rights as a subject?
This research has been reviewed and approved by the IRB at Elon University, North Carolina. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact the Chairman of the IRB at 336.278.6431.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORMS AND RETURN TO TEACHER BY SEPTEMBER 15TH 2010
Subject’s Agreement Form
Please return to teacher by Sept. 15th, 2010
I have read the information provided above. I voluntarily agree to participate in
this research study. Also, I give consent for the investigator to share data in
public presentations with the understanding that my name will not be used at
any time.
______
Signature of Research Subject (Student) Date
______
Printed Name of Research Subject (Student)
For persons under the age of 18,
a parent or legal guardian signature is also required:
______
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian of Research Subject Date
______
Printed Name of Parent or Legal Guardian of Research Subject