Welcome back to another school year. I am looking forward to teaching and working with you on your continuing journey through school. I also look forward to getting to know you in general. I enjoy many disciplines of science and hope to share my excitement with you this school year. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some class guidelines so you can be sure of what to expect from this class and from me as your teacher as well as what I expect from you.
~ Mrs. Gergen
Unit of Science (by quarter):
Qtr. 1 – Astronomy
Qtr. 2 – Sound & Light
Qtr. 3 – Motions, Forces, & Energy
Qtr. 4 – Cells & Heredity
Layered Curriculum
Class work is structured off of ‘Layered Curriculum’. This is a process that allows students choice (for different learning modals), independent pacing, and opportunity to re-learn concepts if needed. The ‘Layers’ refer to the level of assignments we are using to learn. As we continue through a section we go “deeper” in our understanding to eventually master it! Layered Curriculum is set up so that most work will be completed in class. For more information, please click on ‘Layered Curriculum”
Grades
* Remember, new this year, grades will now be reported in three categories:
Objectives/Standards Work/Study Habits Behavior/Social
(Letter/percentage grade) (Description – 3 levels) (Description – 3 levels)
A – 90 – 100%
B+ – 85 – 89% Commendable Commendable
B – 84 – 80%
C+ – 75 – 79% Satisfactory Satisfactory
C – 70 – 74%
D+ – 65 – 69% Needs Improvement Needs Improvement
D – 60 – 64%
F – 59% – lower
Homework
Though some of our work or ‘practice’ needs to be completed at home, most of what we learn will be done in the classroom. If students do not use class time they need to finish after school or, if possible, with online book with home computer. Homework is weighted as 20% of the overall grade for the class. What does this mean? Homework counts!
Our work is kept in a ‘science folder’ (a pressboard, expandable folder that is provided). It is organized by units/quizzes and students can keep them here in the classroom. They make also take home the science folders if they need to work in them or study for an upcoming quiz/test. They are a running total of all of our work and are used as references to study from.
Materials to Bring to Class Daily:
- Science Folder (provided)
- Science Book
- Planner
Discipline Policy
Positive Behavior is our school-wide program for discipline. It is our way of reminding ourselves to self-monitor and continue to focus for our benefit as well as those around us. We respect the educational process here in our classroom to help insure success for all.
- Two warnings for behavior given.
- If behavior continues student will be asked to go into ‘Recovery’. This will be a quiet place for student to recover their ability to focus.
- If more disruptive behavior continues then student will be asked to go to Time-Out room.
Daily Expectations for Everyone (including me)
- Respect yourself and others. Respecting another student’s right to learn while they are here also includes respecting who they are as an individual.
- Be prepared to give your best. Bring Science text, assignment notebook and writing instrument every day. You can expect this from me daily; I will expect it from you also.
- Complete work. There is always some class time given for work. Anything not finished in class will be homework. Homework is part of this class. Homework counts!
- Take responsibility for your own actions. We can all make good decisions but expect consequences for the poor ones.
- Have fun! I believe that some of the best learning takes place while enjoying ourselves.