Science Rules 2013-14
Mrs. Garcia
867-3411 x 318, jgarcia@lgsuhsd.org
Materials
Textbook (physics books must be covered and brought to class every day, biology books may be left at home as we have a
class set available)
Science Notebook or Folder
Pencil with Eraser, Colored Pencils
Graph Paper
Red Pen for Grading
Metric Ruler
Journal Notebook (see example in class)
Scientific Calculator (should be capable of doing scientific notation)
You are expected to bring writing utensils, your journal and calculator to class every day. Consistently failing to do
so will not be good for your grade.
Please note:

Respect for all in (and out) of the classroom is expected and any behavior which shows lack of respect for other
students, the teacher and/or the classroom will not be tolerated.

I will not allow graphing calculators to be used during tests. Please make sure you have a scientific calculator for use
during tests.

Cell phones must be turned off and put away during class. If your cell phone rings during class (or you choose to use it
during class), I will confiscate it and you may pick it up from the vice principal the following day (along with a ticket to
Saturday School). We will occasionally use cell phones as timers in class, this will be the only time they are “approved
for use.”

Appropriate dress is essential for a science class. Please respect the learning environment of ALL of your classmates by
dressing modestly. If you are wearing clothing that shows too much skin (or too much underwear), you will asked to
cover up.
Commonly Used Symbols
BOP
EOP
NAQ
beginning of period
end of period
not answering the question
NT
answer is not true
CYC
check your calculator
DTMS? Does this make sense?
Homework
Students can expect to average 150 minutes of homework per week. Each unit will consist of text reading, lecture, assigned
problems in text, worksheets, lab(s), quizzes (announced or otherwise), test. Please look closely at the schedules provided
throughout the year…they give you a good idea of what we’ll be doing both in and out of class.
Absences and Make-up Work
After an absence, return to class ready to participate. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed during an
absence – please do this on the day you return. Get another student in the class to pick up materials and explain what you
missed. Your work may be turned in (and not counted as “late”) one day late if you were absent one day, two days late if you
were absent two days. If you are absent more than three days in a row, talk with me about the makeup opportunity. This
policy does not apply for school-sponsored events (i.e. rally preparation, field trips, etc.). These are warranted absences and
work missed during a warranted absence (i.e. vacation) must be completed and turned in before the absence unless other
arrangements are made before the absence. Any unexcused absences will be considered “cuts” and work completed or
turned in on these days will not be accepted late (i.e. tests may not be made up if the absence is unexcused). Students will
receive zeros on any assignment collected on a day which shows an unexcused absence. Students are advised to familiarize
themselves with the school’s absence clearance policy. YOU are responsible for making sure your absences get cleared in a
timely fashion.
In an effort to facilitate prompt return of exams after they are taken, there will be only one makeup exam offered during
each grading period. Should you miss a test (this is not recommended), you will be given the opportunity to take the one and
only makeup test offered on the last class day of the grading period. Please be aware that the makeup exam will be offered
only once, it will cover all the material discussed during the grading period, and it will be worth the same point value as any
test(s) you missed during the semester. Should you not be in school on the day of the makeup test(s), your final exam will
count for the value of the final plus any exam(s) you missed. Missed makeup test points may not be included in the grading
period report so the grade on your report card may not be accurate. It is your responsibility to schedule your make up test
with the instructor AT LEAST A WEEK prior to the end of the grading period. Failure to do so may result in a zero on the
test. If you know you will be absent, let’s try to schedule a time when you can take the test before you leave. Likewise, if it
takes me longer than 24 hours to return the test, you may be able to use that time to take the original test.
Generally tests will be reviewed during class after they are graded. Tests are not returned to students to keep so that we
can ensure that the assessment instrument is an accurate measure of the individual student's learning and not distorted by
access to past versions of the same exam. We are committed to using tutorial (and other means) to ensure that students can
gain the maximum value that can be derived from their performance on prior assessments. Students who receive below a
“breaking point” score (to be determined on each individual test) will be encouraged (perhaps required) to come in during
tutorial to go over the test. Students are strongly encouraged to come in during tutorial if they have questions about any
specific assignment.
Grading Policy
The overall grading will generally follow the percentages below:
Homework/Journal: 20%
Tests/Quizzes: 40%
Grade Cutoffs:
A+
97% and above
A
93% - 96.9%
A90% - 92.9%
B+
87% - 89.9%
B
BC+
C
83%
80%
77%
73%
-
Labs: 30%
Final Exam: 10%
86.9%
82.9%
79.9%
76.9%
C70% - 72.9%
D+
65% - 69.9%
D
60% - 64.9%
D50% - 59.9%
F
0% - 49.9%
I do not “weight” grades (other than the final exam) so a homework point is worth the same as a test point.
Late Work
Late assignments which are worth 10 points or less will be accepted for ½ credit up until the unit test. After the unit test,
no credit will be given for these assignments. Larger assignments (i.e. labs) will be marked off 10% for every day they are
late. If you miss a lab, you MUST make it up at the next tutorial or by appointment. Lab setups will only be available for one
week after the lab was performed by the class. After that, you will receive NO credit.
Problem Resolution
Tutorial is an excellent time for students to have questions answered and clarify any misunderstandings about subjectmatter. Students who are struggling are strongly encouraged to attend tutorial. If you want to talk to me and are not
available during tutorial, please feel free to set up an appointment during lunch, prep period (5 or 7) or after school. If you
are coming to talk with me about a specific assignment, bring the necessary materials with you. I most likely do not have
extra copies available.
Common Sense/Pet Peeves (the fine print)
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As this is a laboratory science, you will be expected to follow all laboratory safety rules unless you have been
instructed otherwise. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Student Safety Contract.
Please use staples on assignments that are more than one page. Please remove bits of paper that may be hanging off
of your assignment (lovingly known as “snerts”) before you turn in your assignment.
Telling a student from the same or another period about a test constitutes cheating and will be handled according to
the school’s Academic Integrity Policy. Please familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity Policy.
Though you work with a lab partner, the lab write up will be your own work. While it makes sense for your data to
match that of your lab partner(s), all other portions of your lab write up must be your own individual work.
Except during lunch, do not eat in the science classroom. You may have a closed drink container in class on non-lab
days to prevent dehydration.
Shoes must be worn at all times. Certain labs will require close-toed shoes. You will be forewarned.
Use paper and not your desk for notes and calculations.
All data must be entered directly into your data table or journal and not on a piece of scrap paper.
To avoid accidents please keep all backpacks and books in your cubby.
Never throw anything in a science classroom (this includes pencils, erasers, etc.)