COURSE: Earth Science
Academic Year 2007-2008
Instructor Information:
Joan van Geldern
Contact Information:
I am available during the following hours:
12:00-1:00 Wed: Science Room
11:00-1:00 Tues(
Thurs( Fri: Science Room
Anytime by email: joanmvg@yahoo)com
Please feel free to contact me with questions
or concerns
Course Overview:
This course will cover the Connecticut State
Core Curriculum for Earth Science. This course will
explore the major areas of the study of Earth Science-
Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology
and Astronomy. We will be exploring Minerals,
Rocks, Earth’s Resources, Glaciers, Deserts,
Weathering, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes,
Volcanoes, Earth’s History, The Ocean Floor, Ocean
Water and Life, Currents, Atmospheric
Structure and Processes, the History of Astronomy, Our
Solar System and the Sun. In order for you to
gain the most from this class, there will be daily
homework assignments, labwork,
quizzes, tests, and quarterly projects. There will also be two
final exams, one at the completion of each
semester.
Text:
We will be using Earth Science by Prentice
Hall (2006 Ed.)
Each student will be assigned one book to use
and be responsible for throughout the year.
The books must be COVERED and brought to
class daily.
At the year’s end, texts will be collected.
Lost books must be purchased by the responsible
Individual, cost per book is $95.00. Damage
to the book will be charged accordingly.
Required Materials:
Each Student must have pens, pencils, a three
ring binder as well as note taking material for this
Class. Note taking material should consist of
either a spiral notebook, looseleaf paper in your 3
ring binder or a composition book. These
materials must be brought to class daily.
Class Rules:
Be Respectful of Yourself and Others in the
Class: Belittling jokes, rude
comments, and impolite behavior and/or language is
unacceptable.
Come to Class on Time: Standing outside the door and rushing in after
the bell has begun to
ring will constitute a tardy. You must be INSIDE
the door when it begins ringing to be counted on
time.
Attend to Personal Needs before coming to Class: This includes using the restroom and or
getting a drink of water.
Remain in Your Assigned Seat unless you have permission to get up. Throw
scraps away at the end of the period on your way out.
Do NOT chew gum or eat anything in Class unless you have been given special permission
such as during class parties.
Bring your Required Materials EVERY DAY unless you are otherwise directed. You must
always have your 3-ring binder as well as a pencil or pen, your textbook, and
your composition book.
Talk only when Permitted such as during labwork
and other group activities.
Do not CHEAT Students caught cheating will receive a 4"5 and a phone call
home. Both the
student who shares his work for an independent
assignment AND the person who copies it will
suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do
your own work and to be sure no one can copy
it.
It to to Your Own
Advantage to be Present on Test Days: If your absence is unexcused, you will receive a zero. If your
absence is excused, you will need to take the test in
the office during lunch of the following day.
You will be taking the unedited version of the book
test -longer and more difficult.
Extra Credit:
During the semester you have an opportunity
to earn up to 5% worth of extra credit points to be
added to your course grade at the end of the
quarter.
To receive extra credit points, work must be
done according to specified requirements and turned
in on time. Extra credit will be made available
several times throughout the quarter.
Extra Credit projects are, of course,
optional.
Grading:
Projects
20%
Class Participation and Labwork
10%
Homework 15%
Quizzes 15%
Tests 40%
Grading Scale:
93-100
A 87-89 B+ 77-79 C+ 60-69 D
90-92
A- 84-86 B 74-76 C Below 60
F
80-83 B- 70-73 C-