Course+Syllabus

Earth Science I & II Course Code: 0362 & 0363 Credit: 5 semester hours || Instructor: Brett Butera Website: __ http://buteraearthscience.wikispaces.com __ Office Phone: 720.423.7022 Email: brett_butera@dpsk12.org ||
 * ** Course Expectations **
 * Textbook: ** Earth Comm- 5 Unit Edition: Earth System Science In The Community

** Course Overview & Big Ideas ** Earth Science is a yearlong course (10 credits) – divided into two semesters (5 credits each) -Minerals -Bedrock Geology (rocks) -Volcanoes -Plate Tectonics -Earthquakes -Topographic Maps -Water Resources || -Astronomy -Oceans -Weather -Energy Resources || ** Methods and Procedures: ** Reading is a crucial component to understanding the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Developing writing skills is also a major focus. Math and graphing skills are also regularly emphasized and practiced. Additionally, students will use lab activities to understand each of the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Because students will regularly conduct lab activities, the process of science will connect the themes covered in this course. A notebook will be used to learn organizational skills that are necessary for success in college and careers. ** Notebook: ** Mr. Butera will provide a 70 ct. spiral notebook at the beginning of each semester. Students typically fill up their notebooks midway through each semester and it is their responsibility to purchase a new notebook to use until the end of the semester. Students are required to bring notebooks to class everyday. Notebooks will be checked and graded about once a month. ** Homework: ** You will receive from 1-3 homework assignments each week. Homework typically involves reading and writing assignments in your Earth Science Textbook. The homework is usually done any time that day at school or at home. Homework is always due the next day, unless Mr. Butera has stated otherwise. Late Homework is accepted for fifty percent off (see make-up). ** Test/Quiz: ** Tests and quizzes will be given periodically as the need arises. Quizzes are often scheduled about every two weeks. Tests will be given after completing each chapter or unit of the text. Students will receive at least two days notice before a test. However, students are usually given several weeks notice and it is posted on a Google calendar on the class website. If the student misses a test due to an absence, the student needs to make up the test as soon as they return to school. ** Make-up: ** It is the student’s responsibility to find out what make-up work they have. The student needs to come in on their own-time usually during lunch or after school. Also, Mr. Butera’s Earth Science Website is a great resource for finding out what happened in class while they were absent. It is especially important to make-up labs immediately upon returning to school because they will only be set-up for a few days after the initial lab period. Students have the number of days they were absent, plus one day to complete make-up work (DPS Policy). If the absence is unexcused the work may be accepted but for 50% off the grade. If the student missed the class but was at school that day, all assignments due that day are still required to be turned in. If the assignments are turned in the next day, the work is considered late at 50% off. Mr. Butera has no obligation to give out make-up work during the passing period or during class instruction. If the student was present the day of an assignment and failed to complete and turn in the assignment by the due date, Mr. Butera has no obligation to provide another copy of the assignment. Mr. Butera does not usually accept work that is more than a week late. You may speak to Mr. Butera if you have encountered a hardship and wish to request more time to complete an assignment. Because of the high volume of assignments in this Earth Science Class, it is very important to stay organized and do all of the assignments when they are assigned to avoid falling behind. **3 GOOD WEEKS AT THE END OF A SEMESTER CANNOT MAKE UP FOR 15 BAD WEEKS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER**.
 * 1st Semester Topics || 2nd Semester Topics ||
 * -Scientific Inquiry
 * Expectations for Appropriate Student Conduct **

A general guide to student conduct is summarized with the 5 P’s 5 P’s – Positive, Polite, Prepared, Prompt, Productive Students who interfere with or disrupt the learning process will receive verbal warnings & calls home. In addition, student/parent/teacher meetings, student/administrator/teacher meetings, student/administrator/teacher/parent meetings, as well as lunch and after school detentions will be used as interventions to address student behavior.

The grading scale in this class follows: A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F-59% and below A minimum average of 60% is required to earn credit for each semester (5 credits per semester 10 credits total). 30 credits of science are required to graduate from a DPS high school. Each semester grade will be on your official high school transcript. Additionally, these grades are also factored into your grade point average. College admissions officials review this type of information as they consider a student’s candidacy for acceptance into a college and university. ** Class Website: **The Earth Science class website is updated daily and is a very useful tool for students and parents. ** Infinite Campus: **Infinite Campus (IC) is the Denver Public Schools Internet based gradebook and information system. Teachers post student grades on IC. Students are expected to use IC to stay informed about their academic progress. Because IC is an Internet based system you can access your grade from any computer with an Internet connection. If you do not have a computer at home, you can use the computers in the Mr. Butera’s classroom to check your grade during lunch or after school.
 * Grades: ** Grades are based on a combination of homework, class assignments, labs, notebooks, and tests. Tests usually count for a quarter of the entire grade. Notebooks usually count for another quarter of the entire grade. Classwork, lab assignments, and homework account for the remaining half of the entire grade.