Syllabus for
Natural Disasters
Mrs. Natalie Brazeal, WPHS Science Dept.
I would like to welcome you to my class this school year! I hope the year goes well and that you find what we are doing in class interesting and fun. Here is some information that you will need to know…
Materials Needed for Class
1 inch, three ringed binderpaper and pencilsflash driveear buds
Science Journals
Each student is expected to keep a science journal for the year. All work the students complete for this class will be kept in this journal and will be used for reflection and review. At the end of each quarter, I will collect the journals and grade them based on organization and corrections to ALL assignments. The journal check will be worth an individual grade based on the number of entries at the time of grading.
Course Work
Work in this class will consist of labs, hands-on activities, projects, and assessments. On all work, writing skills will be a part of the overall grade as it is extremely important that students can communicate effectively.
Homework
All homework is posted on the homework board at the back of the room on the first day of each week. Students are required to write down their homework on a weekly basis and place it in their journal. At the end of each quarter all nine weeks of homework should be present in the student’s science journal as part of his or her journal grade.
All homework is to be turned in on time at the beginning of the hour on the day that it is due. The only exception to this rule is that if a student has an excused absence, he or she has one day to complete the homework for each day missed. Students who are absent due to a school activity will still have the same due date as other students. More information regarding this policy can be found in the student handbook.
I have a No Zero Policy in my classroom room. Students do not have the option of taking a zero instead of doing an assignment. As an educator, it is my goal to give every student the tools needed to be successful - even if some students need a little extra convincing.
Students receiving less than an 80% on any assignment will be required to complete a reinforcement assignment that concentrates on specific concepts. Once this is finished, the grade on the original assignment will be raised to an 80%. This basically allows students to better their score and to attain a better understanding of the scientific concepts we are studying. Students will quickly realize it is much easier and less time intensive, to do their very best on the initial assignments as opposed to having to redo them.
*All disciplinary actions in the student handbook will be followed - please read the student handbook carefully.
Effective Class Time
- Starting Class
Most of the time wasted in education, is wasted in the first few minutes of class. Unfortunately this is also the time when students are most receptive. In order to use this time effectively, I will establish the following procedures...
- When you first enter my class there will be daily objectives posted on the board at the front of the room. Please start on the first objective listed without being asked.
- While the class is working I will take roll, talk to students who missed the previous class period, and/or return graded papers and tests.
- After the class finishes their first objective, I will call for your attention and we will move on to the second objective together.
When this procedure becomes a routine, the students will essentially be starting their own class period. This may seem unusual for the classroom, but it is standard practice in the work place. When a person shows up for work they do not stand around until the boss says “O.K., let’s get started.” When people show up for work they usually know what is expected of them, and they get started right away. I will expect the same from my students.
During Class Time
- Students are expected to come to class fully prepared with all necessary materials.
- Class time is time set aside for learning, so please ask if you have questions or need a concept explained in a different way. I want you to feel comfortable talking during discussion times and know that you and your ideas will be respected by me, as well as other students.
- Please refer to the Classroom Principles and the Social Contract that we will make during the first week of class, at all times.
- Be the very best person you can be - this will be your legacy in life!
When the dismissal bell rings:
Students are expected to continue working on their assignment until they hear the bell ring to dismiss them. If students stop working before that time, they will be asked to stay after the bell to make up that time. Only having 45 minutes per class period greatly limits what we can do in the classroom, so we will use all of that time in a manner that will benefit the students.
Topics You Will Be Learning About
1st Quarter
- Earthquakes
- Tsunamis
- Volcanoes
- Thunder/Lightning Storms
2nd Quarter
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Floods
- Droughts
***PLEASE KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR SCIENCE JOURNAL***
Parents and students,
After reading the course syllabus,please sign and return by Tuesday, August 20th for your first grade. Your signature indicates that you have read the course syllabus and understand my expectations.
Student’s Name (print): ______
Student signature: ______
Date: ______
Parent’s Name (print): ______
Parent signature: ______
Parents Email Address:______
Thank you so much for being a part of my class this year! I am so excited to get to know you and to have fun learning about some really cool science concepts with you. If you, or your parents, every have questions please see me any time. The best way for parents to contact me is through my email address:
Thank you,
Mrs. Natalie Brazeal