Geology of Disasters A (Semester 1)
Clark Magnet High School 2014-15
Mrs. Day-Blattner
Room 4200
e-mail: ADay-Blattner@gusd.net
Course Description and Policies
As stated in the Standards of Student Conduct “Students…may rightfully expect a school climate
that gives them the opportunity to learn. To achieve this goal, appropriate conditions must be
maintained in the classroom. Students are expected to exercise self-discipline and display acceptable
forms of behavior.” Hence, in this class respect is our guiding principle. Students not acting
respectfully towards their peers, the teacher, the lab and its contents, or towards their work will be
notified and participation points may be deducted. On the next occasion, or immediately if
improvement is not observed, parents or guardians will be contacted and more participation points
may be deducted. If behavior does not improve students may be required to do additional work at
lunchtime in the classroom or referred to their counselor, as applicable.
All the rules in the Standards of Student Conduct apply in this class and will be enforced
accordingly.
Content
The Geology of Disasters: a Hazus-MH Training Course is a 2 semester CTE and UC-g elective for
10th through 12th grade students who are interested in disaster preparedness planning and mitigation
with geographic information systems. The major focus of this course is to prepare students to do risk
analysis, loss estimation and evaluate mitigation techniques for earthquake, flood and hurricane wind
disasters. Students will employ GIS analysis integrated with cartographic and scientific concepts for
the investigation of disaster related problems. Students will develop problem-solving skills and
apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges throughout the
course. Students will also learn how to document their work, and communicate their findings to their
peers and members of the community.
Semester 1 of the course will focus on developing an understanding of the science involved when
natural disasters occur, including geologic features and processes of the Earth – rocks and minerals,
geologic formations and changes, the atmosphere, the oceans, and the weather. This class provides
students with an exciting opportunity to acquire and apply scientific knowledge to real world
situations and to work both collaboratively and independently.
Materials
The following materials are recommended for this course:
 3 ring binder & paper (8.5 x 11)
 Pens, pencils, ruler
Grading Policy
Grades will be awarded using the following scale:
90% -100% A
80% - 89%
B
If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero for the
70% - 79%
C
assignment. Plagiarism of any kind is cheating. Cheating on
60% - 69%
D
the final will be an automatic F in the class.
Below 59% F
Grades will be determined by the accumulation of points during the whole semester.
If you will be absent on the day that work is due to be turned in, you should contact the teacher as
soon as possible and before the day you return to school to make suitable arrangements to turn in the
work for full credit. An important component of this class is learning to manage time in order to
have assignments completed to a high standard by the due date.
Homework Some additional reading and research outside of class time may be necessary. The time
necessary will vary depending on the unit of study and the number of disasters appearing in the
news. Preparation for presentations may require additional work outside class time.
Tardiness – If you are tardy you should enter without disrupting the flow of the class and catch up
in class as quickly and independently as possible.
Truancy (Unexcused Absences) or Suspension – Work missed, including tests, as a result of a
truancy or suspension from school will receive 0 points.
Citizenship grades
Assignments that are not received by Mrs. Day-Blattner on or before the due date will be considered
missing which will be a zero for grading purposes and will also affect citizenship grades since
turning work in on time is a component of respect for the course and teacher.
O (Outstanding) is earned by a student who goes above and beyond normal participation. In addition
to not being a discipline problem, this student has NO tardies or truancies and no missing
assignments.
S (Satisfactory) is earned by a student who participates on a consistent basis. This is the highest
grade a student with one, two, or three unexcused tardies and no truancies in the semester can earn.
N (Needs Improvement) is earned by a student who occasionally disrupts the educational process or
who has 3 -5 missing assignments. This is the highest grade a student with four or five tardies, or
two, or three truancies in the semester.
U (Unsatisfactory) is earned by a student who frequently disrupts the educational process or who has
more than 5 missing assignments. Any student with more than six tardies or more than three
truancies in the semester will automatically earn a U. Cheating on a final will be an automatic U.
Questions: Assignments and additional information should usually be available on my staff page at
Clarkmagnet.net. If you have questions or concerns you should contact me via e-mail as I am not
always in the same classroom but I can always check my e-mail messages.
ADay-Blattner@gusd.net
Geology of Disasters A (Semester 1)
Clark Magnet High School 2014-15
Course Description and Policies – Agreement Page
Mrs. Day-Blattner
Room 4200
Please print out and sign and return this paper to Mrs. Day-Blattner on
Wednesday, August 13th.
Student Name (printed):__________________________________
Class Title: Geology of Disasters A
I have discussed the “Geology of Disasters A - Course Description and Policies” for semester 1 with
my student.
Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________
Date ______________
I have read and understand the “Geology of Disasters A - Course Description and Policies” for
Semester 1 and agree to work to the best of my abilities in Mrs. Day-Blattner’s class.
Student Signature____________________________________
Date __________________