You will have the opportunity to get involved in many interesting and challenging activities this year. It will be important for us to be organized and follow important classroom procedures as well as practice good safety habits at all times. I encourage you to actively participate in class and have an awesome year in Science!

~Mrs. McElmoyle

STUDENT CONDUCT and RESPONSIBILITY

Each day, you will be responsible to bring the following to class:

- Science Binder (3 -ring with five (5) labeled dividers)

- Science textbook (unless I tell you not to)

- Agenda book

- Notebook paper (cut off the ripped edges if using a spiral notebook)

- Pen (blue or black INK ONLY – no other colors are acceptable)

- Pencil with an eraser (all lab work MUST be done in pencil)

- Highlighter (any color you wish)

* Calculators, colored pencils/markers, crayons, rulers, scissors, glue will be available in the classroom

Upon arrival, sit in your assigned seat and get prepared for class – take out any assignment(s) due for the day, review your notes, sharpen pencils, and begin working on your warm-up. Once class begins, you will NOT be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve items for class. If you were absent, this would be the time to ask me or your tablemates what you missed. You can also check the "absent" bin for any handouts that you may have missed.

Any items located on or near my desk or my computer, the file cabinets, the whiteboard and the display bookcase are OFF LIMITS. Please do not go through my cabinets, I do not go through your backpack. They contain materials that will be used for our labs at some point this year and I want to be sure they are in good order for when they are needed. Ask permission to use the computers. Be alert to safety procedures at all times and keep your work area neat and clean. There is a student area where you can feel free to borrow markers, crayons, rulers, and colored pencils as needed.

Be respectful to me and your classmates and use good common sense. Raise your hand to ask a question. Do not use class time to groom yourself or to apply makeup. Use of cell phones and other such items will result in a loss of the item. Sign outs for the lavatory will be limited to the beginning and the end of the period and on an as-needed emergency basis.

I will dismiss the class only after all lab materials have been returned and lab tables and sinks are clean and free of trash. When dismissed, you will carefully push your chairs under the lab table.

NOTE: There will be consequences for inappropriate classroom behavior. I am HUGE on logical consequences and depending on the action we will come up with a fair but meaningful consequence. I also support positive behavior with positive consequences.

SCIENCE BINDER POLICY

All Science materials for the current marking period will be kept in a 3 – ring binder.

First in your binder will be this WELCOME SHEET.

Then the Dividers should be in this order:

- NOTES / HANDOUTS / LABS

- HOMEWORK

- TESTS / QUIZZES

Science Binders will be checked throughout the marking period - usually unannounced. (It is strongly suggested that you keep each marking period’s work so that you have the material to study for your Final Exam in June.)

CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK POLICY

YOU are responsible for doing your OWN assignments. Assignments are listed on the front board when announced and will remain on the board until the due date. All assignments (except for some labs and class work) are due at the beginning of the next class meeting. If your assignment is not submitted when due, it is considered LATE. If the assignment is not submitted within a reasonable amount of time, you will receive a zero for the assignment.

My lesson plans, vocabulary lists, due dates for tests/ projects, etc… are posted on this website. (You may access your textbook online too.)

Written Homework is assigned on an “as needed” basis. This means you may not have written homework every night but you may have to work over a weekend or holiday. You should make time to review your notes and vocabulary each night. One major project will be due each marking period. These projects are mandatory; failure to complete a major project will greatly affect your grade.

EVERY collected assignment will have the following information:

In the upper right hand corner of your paper, list in order

- Your name (in Labs, also your lab partners’ name)

- The date (check the front board if you’re not sure)

- Your class period

On the first line, starting at the left margin:

- Identify the assignment and page numbers

POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED IF ANY PART IS MISSING!

TESTING POLICY

TESTS will be announced well in advance. If you are absent on the testing day, you will be expected to take the test the day YOU RETURN to class, unless other arrangements have been made with me. QUIZZES may be announced or unannounced (pop quizzes).

GRADING POLICY

REMEMBER: Teachers don’t GIVE grades – students EARN them!

YOUR GRADE IS BASED ON TOTAL POINTS EARNED. Grades can be checked online at your will. Each task has a point value. Assignments are marked with the number of points earned (top number) out of the total number of points available (bottom number).

Extra Credit assignments may be made available during the marking period in order to help IMPROVE your grade and not to make up points for the lack of doing regular assignments. It will vary in type and in point value. If offered, please take advantage of the extra points. The Due Date for extra credit will be strictly enforced.

NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS

At any time you feel extra help is needed, let me know! Please don’t wait until test time or the end of the marking period – by then, it is usually too late. At the end of class, just ask for a pass to see me during the Enrichment period. If you would like to meet after school, please let me know in advance – just make sure you have a ride home before staying after school!

To contact me by email, just click on the CONTACT ME tab on this website or, if you prefer, you may call PVMS at (570) 645-2175 and I will return your call as soon as I can.