Brunswick High School
Geophysical Science
Dear Students, Fall 2002
Welcome to ninth grade geophysical science. This year we have planned a curriculum filled with textbook lessons and hands on experiences. In geophysical science we will concentrate on topics in physics and chemistry, but will add some astronomy and earth science just to spice the course a little. These subjects will help you understand the world around you and create and awareness of the cause and effect relationship. "Why did this happen?" "What will happen if....?" This year will help prepare you for biology next year and perhaps chemistry and physics in your later school years. If you elect to forego advanced studies in science, this year will contribute to your scientific knowledge and form a basis for responsible decisions as citizens.
This letter will explain some of my policies and expectations of you regarding homework, absences, notebooks, projects, grades and class participation. Please read this letter carefully and ask me about any areas that you do not fully understand.
Homework: In most classes, homework will be discussed and new assignments will be given. The homework assigned in class is designed to assess your understanding of the concepts developed in class and to reinforce those concepts. It is reasonable to expect that you will often experience difficulty in setting up and solving some of the problems. It is not such a bad thing that you struggle a bit in trying to complete the assignment. To be a meaningful contributor to your group you must attempt to do the problems and questions. To receive credit you must attempt the assignment and be prepared to ask thoughtful questions on the parts of the assignment that confused you. You must show your work on numerical problems and you must answer questions in complete sentences to get full credit for the homework assignment. You may work on an assignment with a classmate, but please be sure that both of you understand every question and problem. Some homework assignments will be reading in your text. This is to be treated as a written assignment and you should expect to take a reading quiz when you get to class.
It is very difficult to be successful in this class without doing your homework as you will not fully learn the concepts without it. You will receive credit for every homework assignment. Homework is due at the beginning of the class period on the day that it is due; late homework will not be accepted for grade. Homework is 10% of your grade.
Homework assignments will be written on the board during class and will be posted on the Internet. It will be your responsibility to write the assignment in your notebook. If you are absent from class, it will still be your responsibility to have the homework completed when you return to class. You can get the assignment from a classmate or you may go to my web site at http://www.gwi.net/~dkoniecz/pshw.htm. If this does not work you may call me at school (798-5500 ext 233) between 2:30 and 3:30.
Absences: Excessive absences also make it difficult to succeed in class. Occasional absences, however, are often unavoidable. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes from a classmate and to have completed any homework assignments upon your return. I have given you possible methods to find the assignment, above. If you have an extended absence (more than two class periods), please talk to me about an alternative schedule.
It is also your responsibility to make up any test that you miss while you are absent. That time will be on the Wednesday of the week following the test week, so plan and organize your time accordingly. Again, talk to me about alternate schedules for extended absences.
Tardiness and Rest Rooms. You are expected to be in your seats at the beginning of class. That does not mean milling around in the hallway until the bell rings and/or the class is supposed to start. If you are not in your seat at the start of class you will be marked as tardy. Occasionally you may need to leave the classroom to use the rest room. Please plan your break times between classes so those emergencies will occur infrequently. Infrequently means not more one emergency in a term. Excessive emergencies will necessitate a discussion with me. After two tardies, each subsequent tardiness will result in a loss of class participation points.
Notebook: Please obtain a three ring notebook that will contain only science papers. Either make or purchase tabs that will indicate sections for NOTES, HOMEWORK, VOCABULARY, TESTS & QUIZZES, LABS & PROJECTS, MISC. The notebook will be graded once a quarter (unannounced) and will count as a 50% of your class participation grade.
Projects: Each quarter you will be assigned a long-term project. Projects will be broken into parts to help you plan your work and not wait until the last minute to start. The project will be worth 15% of your term grade so please take it seriously while having some fun with it. The first project this year will be to find and review a current event found in a newspaper or magazine. You can start looking now for an article about physical science that interests you, read it and either cut it out or copy it. Further details will follow.
Grades: Everything you do in this class will be graded. Tests and quizzes (except reading) will be worth 30%; labs = 35%; projects = 15%; homework and homework reading quizzes = 10%; class participation and notebook = 10%.
Class/lab Participation: Each quarter you will receive a grade for class/lab participation, which is a subjective assessment determined by me based upon the entire quarter. The grade will be determined by how often you volunteer, by how well you work with others and by your citizenship in class. This includes such behaviors as tardiness, talking, leaving your seat without permission, etc. If you are considerate of your classmates and me, and if you volunteer on a regular basis then you will receive class participation points. Anything less than this and you will receive less than the maximum points. I will treat you with respect at all times and I expect you to treat your classmates and me with respect at all times. Anything less will not be acceptable in this class.
Classroom Rules Observed.
1. Please be on time and ready for class when the bell rings.
2. Always sit in your assigned seat unless given permission to move.
3. There will be NO FOOD, DRINKS, OR GUM in any science class.
4. Please raise your hand to speak.
5. Do not annoy or interfere with other students in any way.
6. Use an appropriate voice (tone, volume, proper language).
7. Be attentive to the teacher (eye contact, participation).
8. Respect each other's differences.
9. Class will be dismissed by the teacher and not strictly by the bell.
Class Responsibilities.
1. Books are to be covered at all times. Automatic detention if not.
2. Always bring to class every day:
a. your notebook.
b. a binder with lined paper and dividers (8).
c. a functional writing instrument.
d. your completed homework assignment (if assigned).
3. Clean up after yourself (especially in lab) by putting all materials back where you found them. Insure that the area around your work station is clear of debris.
Discipline Plan. If any of these rules/responsibilities are neglected (AND THIS INCLUDES TIMES DURING WHICH THERE IS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER) you will be given a verbal warning. If the behavior is not corrected you can expect one or more of the following actions:
Verbal warning; 15 minute detention either that day or the next day; 30 minute detention either that day or the next day (parent may be called); Parents will be notified of 1 hour detention that day or the next day; Students will be sent directly to the principal's office for further consequences
Extra Help: I strongly encourage you to see me anytime that you are having difficulty in class. Believing that you can catch up later if you do not understand a concept is a big mistake. I will spend as much time as you need to make sure you understand the concepts as we go along. This class will build one concept upon another, so please keep up! Please see me to set up a mutually convenient time for extra help.
Conclusion: I am looking forward to a challenging and exciting year with you in geophysical science. Please feel free to talk to me if something is bothering you or if you feel you are not able to succeed in this class. You can e-mail me through my web site http://www.gwi.net/~dkoniecz/sci.htm or call me at school (798-5500 ext 233). If your parents have concerns or questions, please encourage them to contact me.
Mr. Konieczko