Support+and+Class+Info

=__Current Unit__: Scientific Methods & Gravity=

== Journal Tracker ===Students should have the following activities in their journal in the correct sequence and sections as listed below.===

**__Table of Contents__**

 * 1) Science Expectations
 * 2) Science Expectations review/reflection
 * 3) Climbing to Success
 * 4) What's my Mountain
 * 5) You tube videos - morals and lessons
 * 6) Lifelong lessons
 * 7) History of Science (concept map)
 * 8) History of Science Notes
 * 9) Scientific drawing guidelines/variables
 * 10) Lead Balloon Challenge

== Binder Organization

**Students should have the following assignments in their portfolio in the correct sequence as listed below.**
 * ===Scientific Methods & Gravity===
 * Expectation Quiz
 * ===Chemistry===
 * Nothing Yet!
 * ===Physics===
 * Nothing Yet!
 * ===Waves: Sound & Light===
 * Nothing Yet!
 * ===Energy & Electricity===
 * Nothing Yet!

** Opportunities for Improving Your Grade - See FAQ Below **
 * It is my intent that you do the best you can on every assignment.
 * To ensure that students have reached proficiency levels, they may be asked to complete or re-do certain assignments.
 * Extra credit is not a regular part of the curriculum and will not be offered as a substitute for poor quality or missing work.

** Missing Work and Late Work Policy- See FAQ Below ** It is my intent that every student submits high quality work on time for all assignments. Core Knowledge science curriculum requires that assignments are relevant and contextual to the current unit of study to be most effective. Knowing this, the following system will be used for missing or late assignments:
 * A late assignment will be considered if a proactive email or phone call is sent from the student PRIOR to the required due date.
 * If there is communication prior to the required due date, then the teacher will decide whether to accept the assignment for full credit on an individual basis.
 * No late or missing work will be accepted after the current unit of study for that assignment has past. The work must be completed while it is still relevant to the current subject matter.
 * If a pattern of missing assignments develops, a parent conference will be scheduled and an individual plan will be implemented.

** Classroom Expectations: Kinard Character, the 6 P’s, and Attending Skills ** It is my intention and expectation that all students, faculty and visitors in our science class conduct themselves in a manner aligned with these three categories.
 * **//__ Kinard Character __//** || **//__ The “6 P’s” __//** || **//__ Attending Skills __//** ||
 * // Caring // || // Prompt – Be where I belong // || // Be in the Moment // ||
 * // Trustworthiness // || // Prepared – I have materials and am ready to learn // || //__ Eye Contact __// ||
 * // Respect // || // Positive Mental Attitude – think positive // || //__ Appropriate Feedback __// ||
 * // Responsibility // || // Participate – follow direction and engage in learning // || //__ Appropriate Body Language __// ||
 * || // Polite – Speak and act with dignity and respect // || //__ Ask Questions for Clarification __// ||
 * || // Produce – complete assignments to the best of my ability // ||  ||

== Frequently Asked Questions...

**What should I do if I don't do so well on an assignment or quiz?**
 * Step 1. The student should **have a conversation with Ms. Ryan** outside of regular class time.
 * **Step 2.** The student should communicate the mistakes with parents and brainstorm a study plan to improve on the concepts that were missed.
 * **Step 3.** The parent/student should send an email to Ms. Ryan acknowledging that they know about the poor grade and that the student has taken steps to fix it.
 * **Step 4**. The student brings back evidence of practice and new learning to show Ms. Ryan that they have improved
 * **Step 5**. As a result of steps 1-4 the student will then have a chance to re-master the essential learning or assignment.
 * //Note: If a pattern of incomplete work is starting to occur, these steps will probably change and we will start with a parent conferenc//e.

What is the difference between a weekly quiz and a unit assessment?
 * __**Weekly quizzes**__ are quick checks for understanding on current essential learning targets. They are just like practice for a big game. In fact, the same types of questions that show up in weekly quizzes are likely to show up again during a unit assessment (so it's important to keep them and review them before a big test). If the student doesn't do so well on a quiz, they are welcome to try again after following steps 1-5 in the previous section above. Remember, fixing any grade begins with a teacher-student conversation However, these //**quizzes can only be corrected up until the day of big unit assessment.**// After the test, quiz scores will freeze because the class will be moving into a new phase studying a new topic.
 * __**Unit Assessments**__ are a final snapshot of the student's understanding of a particular unit that includes all essential learning targets from the quizzes leading up to the test. Think of these tests as the "Big Game". You can do a lot of studying and practice leading up to the big game, but you cannot change the outcome after it is over.

What should I do if I'm absent and miss class?
 * **Step 1.** Check the website to see a calendar and read about all activities that occurred while the student was away.
 * **Step 2.** Print out any handouts and assignments that were described from the unit resources page.
 * **Step 3**. Collaborate with peers to get caught up
 * **Step 4.** Check with Ms. Ryan when you get back to school to explain what you know and ask if there is anything else that needs to be done or turned in.

** What should I do if I am confused and don't understand the subject we are studying? **
 * Set up a study time with Ms. Ryan outside of class so that you can get support. She is glad to help!
 * Ask a friend to tutor you and catch you up :-)


 * What should I do if I have a missing or late assignment? **
 * It is the students responsibility to speak up for themselves and ask Ms. Ryan for missing work without the teacher having to hunt down the student. The student needs to complete all work that was assigned during the time of an absence without the teacher asking them to do so. If they get stuck or confused on the requirements, they should ask the teacher for help. They have 2 days to complete missing work for each day that they are gone. If a student does not complete the assignment within this required time frame, it is considered late.
 * For all assignments that did not meet learning goals, please follow the same 5 step process listed above for correcting an assignment.
 * If there is a pattern of multiple late assignments, then the process will change and it begins with a parent-student-teacher conference to help support the learning gaps that are occurring.
 * All late assignments need to be completed prior to the end of a unit. Any missing or late assignments not turned in before the unit assessment will not be graded.