Academic Earth Science Course Syllabus
Mrs. Touve - Room 514
Tuscarora High School 2015-2016
Contact Information
Kathleen.Touve@lcps.org (the best way to contact me)
(571) 252-1900 (school main office)
Availability
Mrs. Touve is available every FLEX period (6th block every B day), before school and
afterschool by appointment.
Course Description
Earth Science is the study of the Earth’s crust, its atmosphere, oceans, freshwater systems and its
relationship with space. It encompasses five main areas of science: geology, oceanography,
meteorology, hydrology, and astronomy. All students are responsible for taking the Virginia Earth
Science SOL in May. The county syllabus can be found at
http://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/37/13-14%20Earth%20Science%20Guide.pdf
Nine Week Plan
1st Quarter Science Safety, Earth Science System, Tools of Science & Astronomy
2nd Quarter Geology
3rd Quarter Geology & Oceanography
4th Quarter Oceanography, Meteorology, & SOL Test (May)
Supply List
-
8-10 - 3 prong pocket folders OR 2” 3 Ring binder
pens/pencils
colored pencils
calculator
Access to a USB flash drive
Class Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Show respect for your teacher, school, school property, yourself, and others.
Follow all directions and lab safety procedures.
Be prepared, prompt, and polite.
Demonstrate academic and scientific integrity.
Show confidence. Be engaged. Be positive. Think. HAVE FUN! 
As you enter class…
You are expected to come to class on time and prepared. As you enter the classroom, there will
always be a warm-up on the Promethean board to complete. This is also the best time to sharpen your
pencil, turn in assignments, pick up papers set out, retrieve information from the “while you were out”
folder, as well as use tissues or hand sanitizer.
Grading Policies
The following policies were agreed upon by all of the Earth Science teachers at Tuscarora HS
and are consistent from one classroom to another. All classes offered at Tuscarora use a point value
grading system, where items are not weighted. The amount of points per quarter in Earth Science classes
will vary. All late work for each quarter must be turned in by the Friday, one week before the quarter
ends unless arranges have been made between the teacher, student, and parents.
Absentee/Make-up work
If you are absent it is your responsibility to make-up the missed assignments. It is your
responsibility to check with your teacher to obtain assignments and papers that you missed while
you were absent. You will have the number of days you were absent to make up your
assignments.
Homework
When homework is given, it is due on the assigned due date. It is reviewed daily in
class and when it is late it will be taken for up to 50% by the end of the unit.
Lab Make-up Policy
If you are absent on the day a lab is done you have one week to make up the lab. After
that an alternative assignment worth 75% of the lab value will be given and must be completed
by the end of the unit.
Projects/Long Term Assignments
All projects are due on the due date to receive full credit. 5% will be taken off for each
day it is late up to a maximum of 50% off if the assignment is completed by the end of the unit.
Tests Corrections & Retests
Test corrections and retests are available to all students but are highly recommended for
students who receive a 69% and below (D or F). The purpose of test corrections is for students to
review their mistakes and work towards mastering the content. Test corrections will be done in
class and must be completed in order to earn the right to retest. Test corrections do not have any
point value. Students must arrange a time with their teacher to retest and must do so within 1
week; the highest score will be taken. The format and length of the reassessment will be
determined by the Earth Science PLC.
Extra Credit
Extra credit will be worth no more than 5% of the overall grade. In order to receive extra
credit points all work must be completed. Extra Credit assignments will be determined by the
Earth Science PLC
Phoenix
Phoenix will be updated every Wednesday with the previous week’s assignments. When viewing
Phoenix if there is no grade entered it means the assignment hasn’t been graded yet. If you see a “Z” the
assignment was not turned in and it factors in as a zero. If there is an ‘X’ entered for an assignment, the
student was exempt from the assignment and it does not affect the student’s grade.
Student/Parent Agreement
**Please detach this page from the syllabus and return it signed to Mrs. Touve.
Student Agreement
I have read and understand the policies and procedures in this Earth Science syllabus. I will honor these
procedures while in Mrs. Touve’s class.
Student Name: _____________________________________
Student Signature: ______________________________________
Date: _______________
Parent Agreement
My child has discussed the policies and procedures in this Earth Science syllabus with me. I understand
them and will support them.
Parent/Guardian Name:
__________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ______________
Parent/Guardian Email: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone Number: __________________________________