Lake Middle School - South Washington County School District 833 Lake Middle School provides a safe, student-centered environment inspiring Leadership, Academics, Kindness and Excellence for everyone.

Course Syllabus MS Earth Science For access to the course site go to https://sites.google.com/a/apps.district833.org/acraig/ Teacher Contact Info: Teacher: Andrew Craig Classroom: C102 Available hours: 7:15 – 3:15 Telephone: 651-768-6559 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 651-768-6428 Description: Welcome to Earth and Space Science! This course covers the processes of our ever changing Earth and its place in the solar system. Some of the topics we will study are: plate tectonics, volcanism, rocks, minerals, Sun-Earth-Moon system and groundwater. Throughout the year we will integrate the practice and nature of science and engineering with our other topics and learn these concepts in an Earth science context. We will use techniques such as experimentation, observation, measurement and graphing to explore many Earth-related topics. Students will be expected to work creatively, collaboratively, and constructively with their classmates. It is your job to come to class ready to listen discuss, and experiment to learn more about Earth Science. Course Length: Yearlong Objectives of the Course: 1. Earth Materials: Composition and structure of the Earth; 2. Earth Processes: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Plate Tectonics; 3. Meteorology: Impact of weather and climate on the Earth; and 4. Earth in Space: Seasons and Moon phases. Course Standards: This course is built around the Minnesota state standards for Science, which can be found at the following http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/StanCurri/K-12AcademicStandards/Science/index.htm. Readings: Textbook: Glencoe Earth & Space iScience Follow this link to the online textbook – http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do Redemption Code: 55K9-SOHC-2XHO (no zeroes (0), they are the letter “O”)

Additional readings may be assigned and provided throughout the course. Materials for each Class: Three Ring Binder Pencils/Pens Student Planner Composition Notebook (can be left in classroom) Grades: Academic grades will reflect achievement and focus on learning (not behavior) in order to provide meaningful feedback and high-quality assessments. This is to ensure that all grades are an accurate reflection of what each student knows and is able to do in relationship to grade level academic standards. Equal intervals for all grades A through F has been determined and is represented on a scale ranging from 50% to 100%. Reporting 50% on an assignment that was not completed is not giving the student “half credit,” it is giving the student no credit/failing mark per the scale below. Grading Scale: The grading scale for this course will be organized around four core beliefs: • Grades must be accurate; • Grades must be fair; • Grades must be specific; and • Grades must be timely Grade Definitions: A -- achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course standards. B -- achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course standards. C -- achievement that meets the course standards in every respect. D -- achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course standards. F -- Represents failure to meet the course standards. Criteria for Evaluation: Academic Grades will consist of two categories: Assessments for Learning (Formative Assessments) – Commonly known as ”homework” which includes class work, assignments, study guides, class activities, etc. Formative assessments are weighted at 10% of the total academic grade. Assessments of Learning (Summative Assessments) – Commonly known as tests, quizzes, labs, projects, etc. Summative assessments are weighted at 90% of the total academic grade. Formative Assessments: Even though formative work counts for less of a student’s grade, it is still important that the work is completed to help the learning take place. Students will do better on the summative assessments if the prior work and learning has taken place. It is expected that students do all formative work and to turn them in on time. Summative Re-takes: All students are allowed re-takes on summative assessments. (Students receiving a grade of a “D” or an “F” on any assessment will be highly encouraged to re-test in order to show additional learning and understanding of the stated

outcomes.) Students will be provided the opportunity to re-take only if they have completed all of their practice work/new learning (as defined by the classroom teacher) prior to the date of the re-take. Re-takes will resemble the original assessment in content, rigor and format. Students are expected to initiate any re-take they choose to complete. Re-assessment beyond tests in the cases of quizzes and projects, etc. are left to the discretion of the teacher. ZAP! “Zeroes Aren’t Permitted”: We believe that all students have an obligation to complete their homework and assessments. “Zeroes Aren’t Permitted” is an expectation set for all students to complete assigned work rather than not participate fully in their learning and receive a failing score for work not turned in/completed. How to Access your Grades: Go to Infinite Campus (https://campus.district833.org/campus/portal/southWashington.jsp), click on Academics, then click on Grades. School/District Policies: See http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/files/policies/RR13-14.pdf for a list of policies related to student’s rights and responsibilities. Statement on classroom conduct: See http://tinyurl.com/pnbwzlg for a list of policies related to the expectations of students at Lake. DAILY CLASSROOM PROCEDURE • Be seated when the bell rings. • Look at the board for today’s agenda. • At the end of class, stay in your seat until the bell rings OR the teacher excuses the class. ATTENDANCE • Attendance is important to achieving success in Earth Science and all classes. It is the student’s responsibility to get and complete assignments missed due to absence. BEHAVIOR PROCEDURE • Be respectful of yourself and all others. • Take responsibility for your actions and decisions. Statement on academic misconduct: Scholastic misconduct is broadly defined as "any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work." Scholastic dishonesty includes, (but is not necessarily limited to): cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as you own work any part of work done by another; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student's work. Technology: Students are encouraged to seek innovative methods to promote and demonstrate learning. To accomplish this goal, students may be permitted to use electronic devices during class, when the teacher gives permission. Students may not use electronic devices for purposes other than those outlined by their teacher during class time. Students may not use electronic devices in such a manner that causes a disruption to the learning environment. Upon teacher request, students must turn off and store their electronic device. Failure to comply with the teacher’s guidelines may result in the confiscation of a student’s electronic device, possible restriction from future electronic device use, and/or appropriate disciplinary action.