School Year 2015 - 2016

Course Name

Earth Science

Course Code

Earth Science

School Name

Columbia Middle

Ms. A. Thomas

School Phone
Number
School Website

678-875-0575

Teacher
Name
Teacher Email
Teacher
Website

www.earthsciencewithmsthomas.weebly.com

fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us/columbiams

Amber_b_Thomas@dekalbschoolsga.org

Course Description This course is designed to provide students with an overview of common strands in earth science

including meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, resources, and human impact on the earth. This course uses
higher order thinking and laboratory investigations that are inquiry based to explain the concepts related to the Earth.
Curriculum Overview
The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Unit Administrative and processing skills (1st week)
Unit Astronomy- (2nd 5th weeks)
Unit Geology: Rocks & Minerals/Layers of the Earth/Erosion- (2nd 6 Weeks)
Unit Physical Processes/ Conservation - (3rd 6 weeks)

BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Georgia Holt Science & Technology Earth Science Holt, Rinehart & Winston,
Title:
2008
ISBN
Replacement Cost:
Online book and/or resources:
Online student access code (school specific)

10: 978-0-03-092031-8
$67.75
http://my.hrw.com/
Username: Escience303 PW: dekalb

GRADING SYSTEM: The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment

of student learning shall be conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in
the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A variety of approaches, methodologies, and
resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each students
opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the
students academic achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and
parents in a timely manner through the electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.
GRADING CATEGORIES

*GRADE PROTOCOL

Formative Assessment - 0%
Assessment During Learning 25%
Guided, Homework, Independent,or Group Practice 45%
Summative Assessment or Assessment of Learning 30%

A
B
C
D
F

90 100
80 89
71 79
70
Below 70

~P (pass)
~F (fail)

Notes:
*English Learners (ELs) must not receive numerical or letter grades for the core content areas in
elementary and middle school during their first year of language development. A grade of CS or
CU must be assigned. This rule may be extended beyond the first year with approval from the EL
Studies Program. English Learners must receive a grade for ESOL courses.
~Elementary schools will utilize P (pass) and F (fail) in Health/Physical Education, Music, World

Languages, Visual Arts and Performing Arts.

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS

STUDENT PROGRESS

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

HOMEWORK

Special Assignments

Semester progress reports shall be issued four and a half, nine and thirteen and
a half weeks into each semester. The progress of students shall be evaluated
frequently and plans shall be generated to remediate deficiencies as they are
discovered. Plans shall include appropriate interventions designed to meet the
needs of the students. See Board Policy IH.
Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not
limited to, cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging
signatures, or using an unauthorized computer user ID or password. See the
Code of Student Conduct - Student Rights and Responsibilities and
Character Development Handbook.
Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or
adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of
the teaching/learning experience. It should be considered the possession of the
student and should be collected, evaluated and returned to the students. See
Board Policy IHB. No EXTRA Credit Individual assignments!
Projects will be assigned throughout the year to enhance the material presented
in the classroom.
Mini projects will be assigned during the semester. Reports are to be type
written.
All projects are due on the assigned date. Each day its late 11 points will be
deducted.

MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES

When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or

when the absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student
shall be given an opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up
work must be completed within the designated time allotted (1 day per absence).
See Board Policy IHEA.
SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS

CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS

MATERIALS AND
SUPPLIES

EXTRA HELP
PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Each student will enrich his or her experience by utilizing the science lab. The students
will be instructed in classroom procedures, laboratory safety, proper equipment, rules,
symbols, and general science safety health throughout the academic school year
Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Science
Classroom-laboratory safety.
Students will only work with their partner(s) assigned by the instructor and they will
remain at their lab station. There will be no wondering around to visit other stations.
Students will use inside voices when working in-groups.
All assignments must be in the 5 subject notebook (IAN) and for labs composition
notebooks, will bring all supplies and books to class daily. Leaving an assignment in
the locker or at home is not an excused reason.

1 composition notebooks for science only; 1 5 subject college rule MEADE notebook
with pockets for IAN; 1-2 3 ring binder; Pencils (plenty) and ink pens, markers or colored
pencils, glue; sticks (plenty), flexible metric ruler, flash drive (1 G), highlighter (pink, green,
blue, yellow), pencil pouch, construction paper, copy paper, 2- poster boards, index cards,
transparent tape, pencil sharpener w/ cover, 1 of each: roll of paper towels, Kleenex, antibacterial hand sanitizer (personal)
After school Tutorial Thursday 4:15 5:15

PLEASE SIGN BELOW AND RETURN

I have read the syllabus.
Student Signature___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________________________
Date_____________________________
Additional information to support continued contact:
Information
Day Time Phone Number

Parent/Guardian

Day Time Phone Number

Cellular Phone Number
Cellular Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Grandparents Number
Email Address
Email Address

Parents tell me five things about your child you would like me to know. I look forward in working with you and your
student this year.
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