Mrs. Peters' Teacher Policies (continued)

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments*:

Assessment Type	Percent of Total Points
Tests	50%
Quizzes, Laboratory Write-ups, and Projects	15%
My Own Science (MOS)	15%
Homework	20%

Note: Extra credit will be assigned sparingly throughout the year. This may be article review on current topics, posters, etc.
* The percentages represented here are approximate – the total points earned by each student will be divided by the total possible points to calculate a percentage and assign a letter grade as indicated below.

Tests:

Tests will be given at the end of each chapter. Test format will include (but is not limited to) the following: multiple choice, fill in the blanks, short answer and essay questions. Each test will be worth 100 points.

 

Laboratory Write-ups, in-class projects

Students will be taught the scientific method and be shown the correct laboratory write-up format. All lab write-ups must use that format, be submitted on the due date and be written neatly or typed. Laboratory write-ups will be worth 25-40 points. Class projects will be assigned points based on the complexity of the project.
 

Homework:

The purpose of homework is to reinforce what has been learned. Homework will be given almost daily. Usually, time will be given in class to complete homework. Any unfinished work must be finished at home and is due at class time the following day. It is expected that most homework assignments should not take more than 20 minutes to do. Occasionally assignments may take longer. If homework regularly exceeds 20 minutes, please contact me. Students that were absent the day before will be given two days to complete the assignment. Homework will corrected daily and a few times a week it will be collected for grading. Two missing or late assignments in any trimester will result in a call home to the student’s parents.

About once a week students will be given a short quiz to assess whether key concepts from the previous days lesson and the homework were understood. These quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time. Before the quiz is given, students will be given the opportunity to ask questions and get concepts clarified. If the homework is successfully completed, the quiz will be easy for the student. Sometimes longer homework assignments will be given. Longer assignments will be given additional days to complete and may be assigned more points for completion. The student will be clearly told the completion date for these longer assignments on the day they are assigned.

 

Laboratory Exploration and Experiments: 
As part of the state standards and part of the science learning experience, students will be participating regularly in labs. With this added privilege comes added responsibility.  Students will be expected to follow directions very carefully. Occasionally we will be using items such a scalpels and slides made of glass. Students will be taught lab safety rules, and these safety rules must be followed or serious consequences will result. Students and parents must sign and return the Laboratory Safety Agreement for in order to be able to participate in laboratory experiments.

Cheating:
Student’s work must be their own. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: sharing answers, copying someone else’s answers, cutting and pasting information from the Internet, and copying directly from a resource.  Cheating on an assignment, project or exam will not be tolerated.  If a student is caught cheating he or she will be referred to the principal’s office and receive a zero without the opportunity to make up the points. 

Parental Support:

Parental support and involvement in a child’s education is vital to the child’s success.   You can help foster your child’s interest and achievement in Science by:

1. Asking your child about his/her lab experiences and science units and by encouraging
    him/her to do good work.
2. Encouraging your child to read books, magazines and newspaper articles on science-
    related topics or watching science related TV programs.
3. Talking with your child about everyday occurrences that involve Science

The greatest level of student achievement is obtained when parents, teacher and child all work together. I look forward to working with you.