Ms. Lewis
Room 102
Phone: 714-626-4359 email:
Welcome to Earth Science – the study of the world around you! Earth Science is a laboratory science designed to develop in the student an understanding of the earth and the universe around it through the study of topics in meteorology, geology, astronomy, climatology, and oceanography. This course will use hands-on experimentation, activities, and direct instruction. I will show how Earth Science is relevant in your everyday life; you must provide the willingness to learn. I am looking forward to the year ahead and have many exciting things planned for this class. The following pages will give you information regarding this class' objectives, policies, and expectations.
Course Objective
The objective of this course is for students to gain a better understanding of the nature of science in general, Earth's dynamic processes, and the function of these processes in relationship to the Earth and its surroundings in the universe.
Classroom Materials
 Textbook - Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe. Glencoe Science,
McGraw Hill (2005).
 A separate 3-ring binder for this class only with 4 tabs
 8.5" x 11" college-ruled paper
 Pencil & Pen (blue or black ink only for assignments)
 Any different colored pen (red, green, purple etc. as you will correct your own assignment when we go over it as a class)
 highlighter (recommended)
Your binder will be checked and graded at the end of each unit. Organization of this binder will count as part of your participation grade. It must be kept in this order and brought to class each day.
Organizational skills is a key component to success!
1. Important Information: Syllabus, Agenda, Warm-Ups
2. Notes: You will take a lot of notes in this class. Please make sure you have plenty of paper in your notebook.
3. Handouts: Various worksheets and assignments will be given throughout the year. Homework and reference worksheets must be kept in this tab.
4. Graded work: All work that is graded and returned must be kept in this tab. Don't throw away your work when you get it back! You will need it to study!

Expectations
It is expected that every student will:
1.
Come to class prepared. This means:
 You WILL NOT be tardy. Tardies will be handled according to school policy.
 Bring completed assignments and necessary materials to class
2.
Follow all lab safety guidelines and protocol. You will sign an acknowledgement form stating that you are familiar with all lab safety rules. Failure to follow any safety rule will result in
immediate dismissal from class.
3.
You will not eat, chew gum, or drink (unless it is water) in the classroom lab.
4.
Sit in your regularly assigned seat.
5.
Show respect for the teacher, students, and school property.
6.
Be courteous to all and use acceptable language at all times.
7.
Clean your lab area.
8.
You will not listen to iPods or text message. If I see it… I will confiscate it!
9.
You will not leave the room except for restroom dismissal
Late Work
Late work will only be accepted one day after the assignment was due and it will automatically be deducted 50%. Please make sure you do the assignments and turn them in on time. However, should you miss an assignment, make sure you do it and turn it in for late credit the following day. Half credit is better than NO credit!
Grading Policy
All assignments, tests, quizzes and labs will be graded on a point system. The amount of points for each assignment will vary and be based upon my discretion. To figure out your percentage take your total points earned x100 = _____% total points possible
The scale below is then applied:
A = 89.5-100% B = 79.5-89.4% C = 69.5-79.4% D = 59.5-69.4% F = 0-59.4%
*PLEASE NOTE: This grading scale is already “rounded.” There will be NO other rounding. An 89.4% is a B, and will NOT be rounded to an A.
DO NOT inquire about your grade the day before the semester is over. It is YOUR responsibility to check grades frequently. Please make sure you and your parents have created an account so you may access real time grades. In addition, I will meet with each student one time per unit to show and discuss the student's grade and performance.
Extra Credit
Extra credit is very limited. I encourage students to concentrate on regular assignments and assessments and not rely on extra credit to make a certain grade at the end of the grading period.

Academic Dishonesty
All work turned in must entirely be your own, and academic dishonesty of ANY FORM will not be tolerated. For group activities such as labs, the activity may be completed with others, however, the turned in assignment must be your own work. Always use citations with your research. I will follow the school policy for academic dishonesty.
Absences
If you know in advance any foreseeable absences, athletic events, school activities, vacations, doctor visits, etc., please let me know ahead of time so I can try to give you the necessary work. However, it is your responsibility to obtain any missed assignments, class notes, or handouts from the Absent
Binder if you did not receive them from me ahead of time. DO NOT come up to me the next day and say, "I was absent, what did I miss?" I suggest coming to class early or during break to check the absent binder and copy down/get the necessary information you missed.
Students will be given the amount of day(s) absent to make up the work and turn it in. If a student misses a test or quiz, they must set up a time with me to make it up either before school, after school, or during lunch.
*Please note: If your absence is unexcused with the attendance office, you will not be able to make up any assignments, labs, tests or quizzes! You will receive a ZERO.
Tardies
Please be on time to class! I take attendance immediately, so I expect students to be in their seats and ready to go when the bell rings. See school policy for tardy consequences.
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I have received, read and understand the information and expectations stated in this syllabus.
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Student Name (Print)
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Parent Name (Print)
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Student Signature
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Parent Contact Method:
Parent Signature email: _________________________ phone: _________________________