Mrs. Phipps 2013-2014
The purpose of scientific investigations and discovery are to satisfy humankind’s quest for knowledge and understanding. During this course students will be utilizing scientific instruments and technology to explore and discover the wonders of how science works. By the end of this course students will have gained the ability to communicate scientifically and apply scientific concepts, skills and processes to everyday experiences.
A. Students will arrive on time and be ready to participate. This means that you must have homework assignments, a notebook, pen or
pencil. Students will keep a binder that is preferably dedicated to Science and not shared with any other subject.
*See materials list
B. Participate in all activities. Be attentive and have an open mind.
C. Complete all required assignments. To receive credit all work must be identified with student name . Students will keep an
assignment sheet and use a planner to stay informed.
D. Be courteous to and considerate of all persons in the classroom.
E.
Be aware of laboratory safety. It is expected that each student will behave in a manner, which ensure his or her safety and the safety of classmates. (see Safety Agreement)
F.
Food and/or drink is not allowed in the classroom.(unless given by teacher) Bags and other items (not being used for class) are placed under the chairs/tables.
G.
No student may leave class in the 1 st or last 10 minutes of class unless it is an emergency. Students must have planner to be used as their hall pass otherwise they will not be permitted out of class.
Grades are intended to communicate a student’s understanding of the standards and mastery of the grade level concepts and skills. Grades and progress reports are used as communication tools between the teacher, student, and parents. To this end, science grade reports closely align with what each student knows about specific science topics.
Assignments are driven by the Virginia Department of Education science standards. These assignments are designed to reflect a natural learning progression: introduction, practice (formative), and mastery (summative). Introductory assignments are used to present new concepts/skills; practice assignments (these typically make up the majority of work) give students opportunities to develop their understanding of the new concepts/skills. Mastery assignments enable students to demonstrate their solid understanding of material presented.
Class Work: Introductory and practice type assignments (labs) are formative assessments. These assessments help students, parents, and teachers gauge progress.
Unit Test, Projects and Labs
Summative assessments (unit tests, projects etc.) are designed to measure student mastery of assigned materials.
Homework: As with formative assessments, homework assignments are designed to help each student obtain mastery of science content. Homework assignments are kept to a minimum and are not busy work. All students are required to complete homework and a partnership with deans and counselors will help to ensure that students do not fall behind.
Labs: Labs are an essential part of practicing and demonstrating mastery of learning targets. Within one lab there can be formative activities as well as demonstration of mastery on a summative level. Keeping this in mind portions of labs may be reported as formative or summative.
Evaluation of Formative: Selected formative assessments are recorded and progress on these assignments will be communicated through progress reports. Progress for formative assessments will be reported using a scale of one through four .
**Please see next page further explanation of scale.**
Retakes of Summative : Each student will have an opportunity to retake summative assessments for a higher score.
- less than a 70% will be required to retake the assessment
- less than a 50% will be recorded as incomplete
Retakes come with a checklist of requirements to be completed prior to the retake.
Examples include: homework completion, assignment corrections, class work completion, re-teaching time, etc. There must be a commitment by you and a timeline for completion.
Mrs. Phipps will contact the parents or guardians of anyone
retaking a summative assessment.
Evaluation of Summative: Summative assessments are reported in a way familiar to many as points from a total and will be reported on progress reports with a numerical grade.
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Jennifer.Phipps@lcps.org
Mercer Middle Main Office (703) 957-4340

Formative Scale Learning Progression Scale Skill Level
4
(Advanced Proficient)
3
(Proficient)
2
(Intermediate)
You have a good understanding of the objective and can demonstrate higher order thinking skills. You can complete your assignments with no assistance and thoroughly explain your thinking to others. You can demonstrate multiple ways to extend your understanding of the concept.
You have met your goal to master the content and skill. You can complete your assignments with little or no assistance and explain your thinking to others.
You are continuing to build on your skills and knowledge. You have the ability to do the work with assistance.
Complex
Multifaceted
Learning
Target
Intermediate Concept
Target
Basic Concept
Target
1
(Begining)
You are building your skills and knowledge with prior knowledge and simple skills.
You have the ability to do the work with assistance.
Supportive
Target
-All assignments will be turned in on time. (Unless otherwise stated is the next class)
-It is up to the student to find out the missed work. Check the website!!! The majority of all handouts will be online.
-The 1 st time back in class after an absence the student should check there classes missed work folder (located on the bulletin board).
-Students will receive same amount of time of their absence, in which to complete their work.
-Make – up tests/quizzes are administered during resource.
-Extra assistance is traditionally done in resource. If resource is not available, please contact me and we can arrange a time before or after school. There will also be enrichment posted on my webpage.
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Periodically throughout the year we will be working on long term assignments like “3D” Models, which may or may not need extra supplies like poster board, etc.. If there is any concern I happy to provide students with an alternative supply list. o For the Science Journal students will need:

3 ring binder (preferred 1 -2 inch)

5 Dividers (we will make them in class if you don’t have any
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)
: Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact me and/or the main office.
Mercer’s Main Office - (703) 957-4340 My email address is: Jennifer.Phipps@lcps.org
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My classes’ website : Will be used to post documents for each unit and supplemental websites. a.
Go to the Mercer’s Webpage, then click on staff next locate my name and click to link.
2.
Homework: All Team teachers will be posting homework on the Team Webpage
____________________( Sign and Return( see website for your own copy (or) if you need another copy please let me know )_________________
Please indicate by checking one box the most preferred method of communication.
I’d prefer email and realize that the email content may contain confidential information (grade & behavior summaries) pertaining to my student. I.E. (Even if you chose this I may still try to contact you via the phone.)
I’d prefer to be contacted via the phone, please DON’T USE EMAIL to send academic information.
:
Indicating you have read and understand the syllabus & may/may not have given permission for confidential information (pertaining to this class) to be sent via email.
____________________________________ student signature
____________________________________
parent/guardian signature
Print Name:_________________________
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Jennifer.Phipps@lcps.org
Print Name:_____________________________
Mercer Middle Main Office (703) 957-4340

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Jennifer.Phipps@lcps.org
Mercer Middle Main Office (703) 957-4340