The Center School - Integrated Inquiry Science  

Course Syllabus (Revised Fall 2006)

Course Overview

Sequence 2 of Integrated Inquiry Science will focus on forces and motion, the solar system, Earth systems and materials, evolution, characteristics of living things, ecology, and human biology.  This course initiates student opportunities to engage in an inquiry-based curriculum that allows historical, personal, and social connections to be constructed through interdisciplinary and visual art oriented projects as well as to provide students with experience in reading and writing about scientific literature.

Materials

1 ½ inch binder for science class (or multi-subject binder for all classes), spiral notebook (to stay in the classroom), pens (blue or black ink only), pencils, graph paper, and calculator.

Assessment

Throughout the year, students produce work that allows the instructor to interpret their achievement.  Daily homework assignments combined with class work and objective checks demonstrate the grasp students have on theories, concepts, and problem-solving skills.  Laboratory reports demonstrate interpretations of theories through observations, deductions, critical analysis, and reasoning skills.  Exams, objective checks, in-class assignments, and projects provide the basis for assessment.

Students must meet standard on designated unit assessments and/or objective checks, and one lab write-up for the semester in order to earn semester credit and to meet graduation requirements.  Rubrics or study guides will be provided for each unit assessment. 

Lab Write-up Resubmission Policy

Students who have not met standard on their lab write-ups, will have the opportunity to resubmit these assessments in order to reach and meet standard.  In addition, students who have met standard, but would like to score higher have a one-time opportunity to resubmit their assessment within the required timeframe. 

All students who wish to meet standard through a resubmit, must meet with the instructor prior to handing in the final submission.  Students will sign up for a meeting with the instructor during a given time. 

Lab Write-ups Turned in On Time and Resubmitted by Deadline

Assignment is eligible for increased points, can meet standard

Lab Write-ups Turned in Late but Submitted by Resubmission Deadline

Maximum grade is 70% of total points earned, can meet standard

Lab Write-ups  Not Submitted by Deadline, but by School-Wide End of Quarter Deadline

No points granted, can meet standard (required to pass course)

Students turning in papers on the due date must show a good faith effort in completing the assignment.  For example, a lab report must include ALL required components, completed to the best of the student’s ability, in order for the assignment to receive full credit.  If a required component is absent, the paper will be returned to the student to complete and it will be considered late.  As a result, the grade on the paper cannot exceed 70% of total points earned. 

Assessments will not be accepted after school-wide quarter deadlines.  Students who have not submitted and met standard on assessments by these deadlines will not be eligible for course credit!

Grading:

Student grades are calculated based on the following:

60%  Concepts/Inquiry/Application/Assessment

• tests, quizzes, lab write-ups, technical writings, and projects that measure student understanding of scientific concepts and processes
• projects, literary analyses, and technical writings that measure student understanding of scientific ethics and literacy
• opportunities for corrections will be announced for some items in this category

20%  Objective Checks

• mini-assessments that check for understanding of assigned homework/class work
• must be made-up within one week of an absence or no credit can be earned

20%  Homework Completion

• daily work and homework that measures student ability to remain on task, complete work on time, and take initiative with their own learning
• no late work will not be accepted from this category

Student Behavior

Respect and responsibility are expected in class at all times.  Students are encouraged to behave in ways that promote learning and a sense of community in the classroom.  It is expected that students will:

• Consume food and beverages outside of school, with the exception of water in a closed container.
• Restore the environment by throwing away all trash found in the room.
• Turn off and stow all electronics (cells phones, music devices, etc) in a backpack at the beginning of class.
• Engage in personal grooming in the bathroom during break and not in the classroom.
• Follow safety rules at all times.
• All students are expected to arrive to class on time, be seated, and begin their do now/entry task activity immediately. 

There will be zero-tolerance for failure to respect the classroom community.  All inappropriate items will be confiscated as per school policy.

Class Policies and Procedures

• All homework is turned in at the front desk during the do now/entry task time period unless otherwise indicated.  Homework will not be accepted for credit after this time period (first 5 minutes of class).
• More than 10 hours absent (3 tardies count as 1 absence) per semester results in automatic loss of credit for the course.
• Students receive one free late pass per semester, good for one day late or until the next class period.
• Homework will be assigned daily.  Some homework assignments will be stamped at the beginning of class for completeness; other homework assignments will be collected and graded.  At unspecified time intervals, brief homework and notebook quizzes will be given to assess student organization and understanding of material.  Therefore, it is imperative to keep and bring all materials to class every day.
• All photocopied handouts will be kept in student science binders.  All other student work will be kept in the spiral notebook.  Student assessments will be kept in their science binders until they are placed in their graduation portfolios.
• All assignments must include student name, date, and period.
• Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated.  Zeros will be given to all students involved and disciplinary action will be taken.  This includes any form of claiming someone else’s work as your own (copying information from a reference or website, copying your friends work, etc…).
• Students desiring additional assistance should schedule meeting times with the instructor.
• Students who have not met unit objectives will be required to attend tutorial on Fridays from 2-3 PM.

Make-up Work

• All student make-up work including labs must be completed and turned in within 1 week of the absence. 
• If a student is in school at any time during the day an assessment is due, they must turn it in before they leave.  If a student is absent on the day an assessment is due, it is due the next class period.  They do not get an extra day.  Students going on known extended leaves for family vacations, etc. must collect work in advance and turn it in upon their return.
• If you are absent for a test, you must be prepared to make it up on the day you return.