Science 9 – Spring 2014 – Block 4
Teacher – Ms. Voss and Mr. Chio
Room – C227
Office Hours – 8:00am to 8:30am and 2:55pm to 3:30pm
Course Website – http://chiolam.weebly.com
Course Text – BC Science 9 or BC Science Probe 9
Course Description
This course will cover five major units regarding the fundamentals of science. They are (1) Processes of
Science, (2) Life Science: Reproduction, (3) Atoms, Elements, and Compounds, (4) Characteristics of
Electricity, and (5) Space Exploration. With regard to how this course will be run, it will be instructional,
experimental and activity-based. To succeed in this course, please come to every class, participate, and
complete all assignments. I fully expect each of you to succeed in this course and meet all the
expectations.
Course Outline
Processes of Science
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Characteristics of Electricity
Space Exploration
Life Science: Reproduction
Covered over the semester
4 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
Course Evaluation
Assignments
Quizzes
Tests
Projects
Experiments
Final Exam
15%
15%
20%
10%
20%
20%
Course Website
The course website is http://chiolam.weebly.com and will be used to share resources, homework,
answers, and blogs. I will have some discussion activities on the class website and students must
participate in these. The discussions on the class website will pertain to a topic we covered in class
recently or it will be an inquiry-based discussion. Please check the class website as often as possible for
updates.
Test and Re-Test
Students are expected to write all exams during the exam date. Re-test will only be given if a valid note
is presented. It is the student’s responsibility to set up a re-test date that is reasonable. If a student
misses a re-test, they are given a zero for that test. Cheating is definitely taken very seriously and is
covered in the plagiarism and cheating section.
Late and Absence
If you are late for this class, please come in quietly and be seated as quickly as possible. Proceed with
the lesson and after the lesson, ask your peers on what you have missed. Students are expected to be
on time for this class as the first minutes of the lessons are very important. Students are expected to
make up missed work if they are late.
Students who are absent must present a valid note from a parent/guardian regarding the reason of their
absence the day they return. Students who fail to present a note will be suspected of skipping. Students
who miss more than 3 classes in a row without reason will have a phone call home regarding the
absences. Students are expected to make up all missed work during their absence and extensions can be
negotiated.
Late Assignments
Late assignments will only be accepted for a certain amount of time. After the deadline, late
assignments will not be accepted. Instead, a make-up assignment will be required to be completed.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism is a very serious matter and will follow the same expectations set out by the school.
Cheating is taken very seriously in this course. Cheating will follow the same expectations set out by the
school.
Please do not plagiarize and cheat in this course. If you are unsure of what plagiarism or cheating is,
please speak to me as soon as possible.
Policies on Electronics
Electronics are prohibited to be used unless teachers authorized the usage of it for a lesson. Please put
cell phones and mp3 players away before entering the class and please turn cell phones off or silent. Cell
phones and mp3 players being used in class when not authorized will be taken away and stored until the
end of class. If this occurs a second time, the cell phone and mp3 player will be sent down to the office
and a parent will have to come to the school and claim it.
Class Safety
As this is science laboratory classroom, safety is a number one priority. Please do not touch any
equipment and machines unless authorized to do so. Please limit any consumption of food in this
classroom as you never know what has been in your surroundings. Remember to always wash your hand
before you eat after this class. Do not run or use outdoor voices in the classroom.
Classroom Credo
 Everyone has the right to learn
 Have respect for yourself, for
others, and for the environment
 Be prepared to learn
 Be on time
 Never stop learning
 Be engaged and motivated in your
learning
 Enjoy the learning
Jan 31, 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I would like to introduce myself. I am a student teacher from the
SFU PDP program and completing my practicum at L.A. Matheson. I am
your child’s science teacher from Jan 31st until Mar 14th. My
background is in chemistry having completed a Bachelor degree in
Science. I hope to meet you all before “Meet the Teacher Night.” My
philosophy in teaching is in-line with Ms. Voss, the teacher of the
classroom. It is how important science is and how we must engage the
students.
I look forward to teaching your child and I am excited about this
opportunity. I will use various activities and experiments to give your
child an opportunity to display and embrace the fundamentals of
science. I hope to create an experience that will engage your child. I am
passionate about this experience.
Please feel free to contact me at the school.
Please fill out the chart below that will allow me to contact you
Parent/Guardian Name
Parent/Guardian Email
Parent/Guardian Home
Telephone #
Best time to call
Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________