Princess Anne Middle School
2015-2016 Class Expectations
Teacher: Mrs. Elisa Zajac
School Telephone Number: 648-4950
Course: Earth Science
Email address: Elisa.Zajac@vbschools.com
Assignment Information: Daily homework assignments will be posted on my webpage: http://Zajacscience.weebly.com/
Many ongoing in-class assignments will be on Edmodo. https://www.edmodo.com. Each class has their own code for access that is
available in the classroom. Parents are welcome to join and monitor your student’s work. Most of the assignments the students are asked
to complete at home consist of taking notes from teacher made videos and a review before the final assessment.
Course Description: Earth Science is a credit bearing science course emphasizing relevant, laboratory-oriented activities that integrate
current scientific thought and discoveries with the major components of Earth Science – physical and historical geology, astronomy,
meteorology, and oceanography.
Course Objectives: The course covers all Virginia Standards of Learning objectives in detail. It also encompasses the Virginia Beach City
Public School’s objectives, which correlate to the SOL’s. The SOL’s can be found at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/testing/index.shtml. The
content of the course is based on these two guidelines.
Course Scope and Sequence:
First Quarter
Introduction/scientific method
Second Quarter
Astronomy and Space Science
Measurement
Geology – earth interior
Mapping Skills
Geology– minerals/rocks
Meteorology
Earth resources and Virginia resources
Third Quarter
Geology –minerals/rocks
Weathering and Erosion
Soil Formation
Plate Tectonics
Fourth Quarter
Constructive Geology
Historical Geology
Evolution
Oceanography
Texts and Materials: Earth Science (Holt). Please note that I will be handing out online textbook log-in information and passwords. This is
also on my webpage under important class information. Students will be shown how to access this tool, although most already know how
to use this. Students will have the opportunity to acquire the relevant information either with notes in class or a teacher made video as a
homework assignment. Due to the type of instruction students will be engaged in, they are required to keep a science notebook/binder
that should be brought to class daily. The online text book should be used as a reference tool when needed to look something up or to
clarify information.
Mastery learning and Grading: A grade is a communication about how your student is mastering a learning target. Students will be
graded upon set standards and objectives. Grades are not compensation for points earned but are instead used as a communication tool.
What does this mean? The letter/number assigned to the task will allow you/your child to know if they are grasping the concept fully or if
they still need to work on it. Final grades are determined by our professional opinion of your child’s work against the standards for Physical
Science, not by mathematical calculations. We will convert the 4 point scale to the VBCPS Board approved grading scale. Students will be
evaluated formatively and summatively through tests, quizzes, class work, labs, projects, and critical thinking tasks. Please keep in mind
that mastery of every concept is the goal and students have as many chances to achieve mastery as needed.
Note: All assignments will appear in the online grade book as a no count grade; however, they do count in the mastery grade. Teachers
will determine which assignments truly allow the student the chance to show their grasp of the material versus assignments that are
allowing the student a chance to learn the material.
Grading Procedures and Policies:
4 = A Advanced proficient – consistently demonstrates proficiency; grasps, applies, and extends key concepts, processes and skills.
3 = B Proficient – regularly grasps and applies key concepts, processes, and skills with limited errors.
2 = C Developing Proficiency – beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes, and skills
1 = D Novice – needs improvement; not making expected progress toward proficiency
0 = E No progress is evaluated.
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
*Formative evaluations will be done multiple times during class to help students and teacher gage where they are on learning the required
information as summative draws near.
*A summative evaluation will be given every 3-4 blocks, to assess what has been covered during that time. These tests will include multiplechoice, true and false, fill in the blank, as well as critical thinking application questions.
*Students will receive at least one laboratory grade during the 3-4 increments, and often a cooperative group grade for additional
activities/projects.
*Should students receive a lower grade on the summative than expected, they can then do supplemental work to better prepare before retaking the summative assessment. I will list the make-up work as well as the date of the make-up test in class.
If a student is absent, two days will be allowed for make-up work for every day missed.
You can sign up for “Parent Portal” at the school’s website to be able to access your child’s grades at any point during the year. If you are
signed up to view the grades; please give me a timely manner to put the grades in as I do have more than 100 students. I will have grades
for each week put into the digital grade-book by Friday 5 pm. Please direct any questions you have about this to me via email or via phone.
A safety contract is required to be signed by both parents and students in order to be able to participate in any type of lab activities.
Students must wear goggles for most labs and these will be supplied in science class. After each usage the goggles are placed in a UV
cleansing device to ensure that no germs are being spread amongst students.
Help Sessions: I will be available for extra help between 8:40 and 9:00 any day that a student requests. Students must have signatures in
their agenda from their parents as well as from me. This will allow them to get in to the building early in the morning. As there are no
activity buses that run early mornings, your child will need to be driven to the school for extra help sessions.
Procedures for conferences, parental contacts: If you would like to request a conference, please contact guidance. I encourage you to
email me if you have any questions/concerns, since I have found that it is the easiest method of communication between us.
Citizenship Expectations: Rules for the classroom are as follows: come prepared, be respectful to others at all times, and follow the rules
under the code of conduct. My policy is to contact parents immediately if I have any academic (earning less than a C) or any behavioral
concerns.
Classroom Behavior Plan
Positive behavior will be acknowledged frequently throughout the day in the form of verbal praise, Positive notes and/or phone calls home.
Negative behavior will be handled promptly and consistently, without disrupting the flow of instruction. Students will be given a
consequence for the rule violation.
•
First Offense: Warning & verbal explanation
•
Second Offense: Time out/ parent contact
•
Third Offense: Teacher detention before school
•
Fourth Offense: Parent conference or Referral to the office
Should your child be performing below average, I will contact you to plan a strategy which will better serve your child. I can be reached
best between 2:00-3:40 pm if you would like to speak to me directly.
Please print, sign, and return the bottom portion of this letter by September 10/11.
OR
This can emailed by copying/pasting the following:
“I have read the expectations with my child and support the teacher in the delivery of instruction and
enforcement of acceptable classroom behavior”
Thank you!
Please include your name and a phone number to reach you.
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
I have reviewed these expectations with my child. I will support the teacher in the delivery of instruction and the enforcement
of acceptable classroom behavior.
Parent signature(s) _________________________________
Student signature __________________________________
Parent(s) phone numbers (home)_____________________
(work) _____________________
(email)_____________________
Earth Science
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves