Introduction to the Living Environment
Course Expectations
Instructor: Mr. Laurence Quinn
Text: The Living Environment (Holt Pub.)
Teacher e-mail: Lquinn@sewanhaka.k12.ny.us
School: Sewanhaka HS 2012-2013
Text #: _____ Sci. office # 488-9630
1. NOTEBOOK. Students shall have a “3-hole” binder holding approx. 100 loose leaf pages divided
into 3 sections: Daily notes; Homework/Handouts; and Returned Assignments. Active note taking is
encouraged and is included in the “Participation” portion of the grade. Bring at least 1 working pen and
pencil with eraser. Keep ALL material till end of school year.
2. HOMEWORK. Weekly assignments are listed on blackboard on first day of week (consecutively
numbered for the year). Homework collected at least 2x/week. Assignments include: reading,
worksheets, answering short questions, problem solving, short essays, and lab/project completion.
Missed work must be completed within 1 week of due date “completely correct” once it has been gone
over in class.
3. PROJECTS. Expect 3-5 projects/MP. They are activity based and will prepare students for
laboratory work necessary for the NYS Regents (next year). One project/MP involves making a “Top
20 ideas in…” list for concepts covered.
4. TESTS. Expect 3-4 exams/MP of 20-35 MC questions and 1-4 short response/essay. More than half
of the questions are actual Regents questions so access www.nysed.gov or www.jmap.org for questions
and answers! Tests are announced 3 days prior to encourage frequent nightly review rather than
“cramming” the night before.
5. QUIZZES. Expect 4-10 quizzes/MP of 5-15 questions; 1 diagram interpretation; and free response.
Most questions are NOT Regents questions but come from a wide variety of sources. Quizzes are
designed to be completed in under10 minutes.
6. GRADING CRITERIA. MP grade = Test ave (65%) + Quiz ave (15%) + Proj. ave (10%) +
HW/Participation (10%).
Year grade = (MP 1 + MP 2 + MP 3 + MP 4 + Final Exam)/5
Hints for doing well: Keep parents informed! Complete assignments; review handouts/notes nightly; practice doing
Regents exams. “Memorize this!” is exactly what is required for some topics. “Stock answers” often work-use them!
Practice “test taking techniques.” Review notes. Make and use “study cards.” Write your own summary of each topic.
Read science-related articles and watch science programs on TV.
Student signature: ______________________________
Parent signature: _______________________________ e-mail ____________________