Regents Earth Science is a full year laboratory course that follows the New York State Physical Setting/Earth Science Core Curriculum. Topics include geology, meteorology, hydrology, and astronomy with an emphasis on our Earth and the processes affecting it. Students must complete 20 hours (1200 minutes) of hands on laboratory experiences with satisfactory lab reports to successfully complete the course. This course culminates in the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents exam. If successfully completed, high school regents science credit will be earned and will be part of the student's high school transcript. The content and expectations of this class WILL be at a high school level. A failure to meet these expectations consistently may result in the student being removed from this class and placed in 8th grade general science.
- Course Objectives:
- Students will develop a general understanding of various Science concepts involved in their studies as outlined by the State of New York Regents Earth Science and the Diocese of Buffalo.
- Students will learn the nature of science and how it influences their everyday lives and will demonstrate the use of authentic scientific research strategies.
- Students will learn to improve their reading skills through reading technical reading as outlined in the Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Students will learn to improve their writing skills in a formal technical style as part of the Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards..
- Students will develop efficient general study habits. Students should expect to be held more accountable than in previous years. This is a high school course!!!
- Students will be able to enhance their team working skills and abilities as they take on several cooperative tasks and take an active part in STREAM activities [experiments, reports, model construction, etc.]
Like all other classes you are taking, you must have assessments to monitor and document your progress as a student. This class will be no different. Your grade will be determined as follows:
- 10% Participation-- not as strenuous as it sounds. This includes anything from asking questions and contributing to in-class discussions and paying attention. Unacceptable behavior will affect your participation grade. Being unprepared for class (bringing supplies, books, etc.) will also deduct points from this grade. I DO keep track!
- 10% Homework-- homework is not assigned to give you busy work. It will either reinforce what we learned in class or will prepare you for what we are going to be learning in class. You can expect to have homework each class day.
- 35% Lab and Classwork--work that is completed in class including completion of lab reports as well as research reports and projects
- 45% Tests and Quizzes--Unit Tests will be weighted twice as much as quizzes. Some projects and formal lab reports may be included in this category. Unit Test grades can be improved by completing test corrections according to the instructions. Up to half of the points missed can be earned back.
If you miss a test you are responsible for making up that test or quiz the 2nd day you return to school.
You are responsible for making up work that you missed due to absence--I WILL NOT CHASE YOU DOWN TO MAKE THESE UP! If you do not make up this work you will receive a zero.
Late Work Policy
Daily Work:
- Maximum reduced starting grade of 75% if turned in by the next class period. After that, no credit can be received for the assignment.
- Assignments graded in class will not be accepted for credit after they have been graded. You should turn in the assignment to be corrected, however you will still receive a zero. This rule will not apply if you were absent on the day it was due.
- 10 pt deduction for each calendar day it is late.
- ON THE FOURTH DAY THE WORK WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED AND THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO FOR THE ASSIGNMENT.
Regents Laboratory Requirement
The Rules of the Board of Regents of New York State provide that:
"In order to qualify to take a Regent's examination in any of the sciences a student must complete 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with satisfactory documented laboratory reports. The 1200 minutes of laboratory experience must be in addition to the required classroom instruction associated with earning a unit of credit. A student who does not satisfy the laboratory requirements will not be permitted to take the Regents examination."
Although students may be present in class for the collection of data, they do not get minutes for the lab until they submit a laboratory report that is passing. This does not mean that they get unlimited attempts before the grade “counts”. The first grade earned is the final grade for my gradebook, however they may be asked to redo the lab so that they will earn the appropriate number of minutes. Students usually collect data in class and may be expected to finish or complete the laboratory reports on their own. If a student misses a lab due to an absence, it is their responsibility to arrange with their teacher to make up the lab in a timely manner.
Please realize that a deficiency of laboratory work may significantly impact grades. In addition, the Regents Exam is the final exam for Earth Science classes. A student who does not qualify for the Regents exam will most likely not pass the course and will need to retake the course next year. No Regents credit can be awarded without the exam and labs.
Please encourage your student to complete the necessary laboratory reports in a timely manner so they can be successful in their science classes. It is my goal that every student enrolled in this Regents science class will complete the laboratory requirement and be eligible to take the Regents exam.
Additional Note for Labs: The State of New York requires documentation for the completion of 1200 minutes of lab activities. It is critical that you are here for lab days and that you complete ALL components of the lab. After labs are graded and returned, I am required to collect and store the labs at school in case we are audited. The labs will be available for students and parents to review however they must be returned to me immediately.
Test information is posted on the homework board and study materials are posted on my website one week prior to the test.
****MOST IMPORTANT: IF YOU NEED HELP, SEE ME ASAP!!! The most successful students are those who ask questions and seek help when needed. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!****
Parents:
Please monitor your child's homework and test information by checking their planners on a daily basis. The parent portal is generally updated every 2 weeks. I STRONGLY encourage you to access it regularly so that there are no surprises. If you have forgotten your login information, please contact the school office.
Communication:
Communication in this course is essential between parents and teachers. At any time you wish to discuss the progress of your son/daughter, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. You can contact me three possible ways:
1. Telephone the school main office at 674-5206 and leave a message for me to contact you. Please leave a number
where I can contact you after school hours.
2. E-mail -- you can contact me via school e-mail at [email protected]
3. Send a note
I will do my best to contact you within 24 hrs during the week or by Monday afternoon if you contacted me after 3 pm on Friday.
EXTRA HELP:
Arrangements can be made with me if your son/daughter need extra help with concepts with which they are having difficulty. Please encourage your son/daughter to seek help if needed. I cannot help if I do not know that something is wrong.