DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

FOR

EARTH SYSTEMS

TEACHER

LARRY RASMUSSEN

COURSE NAME: EARTH SYSTEMS

TEXT: Earth Science, Glencoe, McGraw-Hill

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Earth systems course is intended to help students better understand the earth and universe in which it exists. Students will understand earth’s origin and how it relates to other bodies in the universe and solar system. Students will study the earth’s atmosphere, its oceans, and land masses. In this process students will use and apply the methods of science to better understand their world through inquiry.

COURSE GOALS:

1. Develop an understanding and ability to utilize scientific thinking.

2. Create an interest in science and how it applies to the student's world.

3. Provide an understanding of many aspects of the earth and its relationship to the universe.

4. Development of each individual’s self esteem and an awareness of their importance to society.

5. Develop an appreciation of the need and importance of education and learning.

6. Help to develop basic skills and habits for success.

FEES: $15.00

MATERIALS: Each student needs to bring the textbook, a notebook, a pencil, and any requested material to class each day.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: The school attendance policy will be followed. Ten activity points will be given each day for attendance in class. The total of these points will be 20% of the student's 9 weeks grade. Each tardy will reduce the students activity points for that day by 5 points. Excused absences reduce the activity points to zero for that day. If students are required to attend ARC to remove a no credit, their participation points will be restored for those absences or tardies requiring attendance restoration class.

CLASS ACTIVITIES: The classroom will be designed with a variety of activities. Activities will consist of large and small group discussions. There will be many lab and hands-on activities.. Exposure to the outside world through field trips, short excursions, and community resource people will be designed around course objectives and will be used to direct class activities necessary to meet those objectives. Homework will be assigned on an individual basis determined by the ability of the student to reach course objectives. Examinations will occur after each unit and will be designed to measure the student's understanding and ability to accomplish course objectives.

GRADING PROCEDURE: Quizzes, homework, and class work will be treated equally with a total of 15% toward the class score. Examinations, papers and major projects will be treated equally with a total of 65% toward the class score. Activity points will account for the remaining 20%

You should plan to spend, on an average, about thirty minutes on chemistry each night. Results from class work and quizzes will be given immediately. Results from writing assignments and tests will be given within one week. Assignments are to be handed in on the date and time due. Late assignments will be reduced one full grade for each day of lateness. All test can be retaken within a two week period after the test until an 80% has been reached. However, all tests must be completed to receive a final course grade. In addition to informing students of individual assignment grades, each student is informed of their mid-term grade. Students who are failing or are in danger of failing are again informed by two weeks after the mid-term.

MAKE-UP WORK: Make-up work for all absences is the responsibility of the student. Unless special arrangements are made by student/parent with the teacher, all make-up work must be completed within 3 school days after the student returns to school. Quizzes and laboratory class work will not be able to be made-up. However, one lab and two quiz grades will be excused. Extenuating circumstances for individual students will be taken into consideration.

The grading scale is as follows:

94-100 A 80-83 B- 67-69 D+

90-93 A- 77-79 C+ 64-66 D

87-89 B+ 74-76 C 60-63 D-

84-86 B 70-73 C- 59 AND BELOW F

CLASS RULES:

1. Be on time to class and in your seat when the bell rings.

2. No talking without permission when class discussion is in progress.

3. During the class period do not leave class without permission from the teacher and the approved hall pass.

4. No food or drink in the classroom

5. Desks are to be kept clean and unmarked

6. Late students should sign in on the tardy role immediately upon entering the room and give the admit slip for their tardiness.

7. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero for that score.

8. Each student is expected to be aware of and abide by the material in the current Student Handbook.

ACTIVITY POINTS AND HANDWRITTEN WORD ASSIGNMENTS FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

When one of the following rules is broken, your name will be recorded and five points will be removed from your total of 10 activity points for the day. If your name is recorded three times in one day, you can be asked to leave the room. If you are asked to leave class, your parent and/or an administrator may be contacted before you are allowed back into class. You will also have to write a 500 word handwritten essay on a science topic of your choice for course credit. If you are asked to leave, you must remain outside the door and report to me after class. If you do not do this, you will be considered un-excused and required to write a 1000 words for `course credit. If the problem persists for the following behaviors, you will be asked to handwrite 100 words on a science topic of your interest in order to receive a course grade.

1. Not bringing required materials to class.

2. Having to be told to take notes or do other class activities.

3. Not paying attention in class.

4. Talking without permission during class discussion

5. Leaving class without permission. (Automatic 500 words)

6. Eating food or drink during class.

7. Marking desks

8. Using calculators for other than class activities.

9. Using cell phones, musical items, and other miscellaneous items that distract from class attention will be confiscated as school policy dictates and given to a principal to be returned to a parent.

DISCIPLINE PLAN:

In the event a student breaks the class rules and/or behaves inappropriately, the student can expect the following steps to be taken.

1. The student will be cautioned and counseled pertaining to the problem, the type of changed behavior required, and the consequences, if the required behavior change does not occur.

2. If the problem continues the parents will be contacted and appropriate steps to solve the problem will be established.

3. If the problem remains unsolved, the student, parent and a principal will meet to decide further action.

4. If safety of other students is involved, or if the student directly challenges the authority of the teacher, it may be necessary to proceed immediately to step 2, and notify an administrator.

CONTACT OF TEACHER:

I can be contacted during the regular school day at (225-3120)

AFTER READING THIS AND DISCUSSING IT WITH YOUR CHILD, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN.

PARENT/GUARDIAN STUDENT

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