Please click the following to download the full syllabus and class expectations.
Syllabus - Honors Forensics
Syllabus - Greenhouse Biology
Class Expectations (Revised: Oct 2013)
Big Goals:
By the end of the semester, I expect that:
- 100% of students will achieve 85% mastery in every core objective
- 100% of students will achieve 90% mastery on scientific vocabulary quizzes
- 100% of students will take responsibility over their own education.
- 100% of students will have a clearer picture of what they want to do after graduation.
What Do Students Need for Class?
- A 1-1.5” binder for this class only
- 5 dividers with tabs
- Loose leaf paper, college ruled (for taking in-class notes)
- Writing utensils (mechanical pencils or blue/black ink pens)
- Index cards
- Index card holder or binder ring
Policies and Procedures
Homework Policy
The purpose of homework is to ensure students have enough practice to be successful. Homework will be posted on the board daily. Please place homework in the “in-bin” as you enter the classroom each day. Some homework will be collected and corrected, while other homework will only be checked for completeness.
**Please note, homework needs to be in the bin before the bell rings. If homework is not in before the bell, it will be counted as late and will not receive full credit.
Late Work Policy
For those extremely rare situations students do not get work in on time
Grades will be posted in class every two weeks. Any missing work must be completed and turned in during the two weeks before your next progress report. NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT AFTER THIS. COMPLETED late work should be turned in but it will receive a maximum of 70%. No late work will be accepted the last week of the quarter or the semester.
Test Make Up Policy
You will have the opportunity to test correct or retake (a different version) of any exam you do not meet 85% mastery on within the time frame of 2 weeks.
Tardy Policy:
The Vancy tardy policy is upheld and enforced in this class.
Absence Policy: what to do if a student MUST miss class
If you are absent, it is THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY to make up the missed work. Students can find missed work in the "missed work" bin for their particular class. Students should make sure that they get all missed notes from a classmate.
If work was assigned BEFORE the absence, it is due the day the student returns. If work was assigned DURING the absence, students have a maximum of five days to make it up. If they miss a test or quiz, students must make it up AFTER SCHOOL or DURING LUNCH. Due to the amount of material we cover in the course class time will not be used for make-up work.
Cheating Policy:
CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! This included copying class or homework from classmates/lab group members. Students are encouraged to collaborate with group members but copying is cheating.
Students: If you are caught cheating you will receive no credit for the assignment and your parent will be contacted. Subsequent infractions will result in an administrative referral.
Cheaters never win and winners never prosper!
Class Procedures:
**abbreviated, subject to change
Entering the classroom
Bathroom passes
Expectations for Talking
Exiting the classroom
A Few Final Things…
Binder Checks. I complete binder checks at random intervals throughout the semester. The purpose of this is twofold: first, I want to make sure that you are keeping a well-organized and complete binder. Successfully doing so will make studying for your tests a lot easier. Second, I want to help you be prepared for post-Vance life – keeping a neat and orderly binder is an important skill to have in college!
I will look for:
Be sure to keep all work in your binder, as you will not receive multiple copies. Binder checks will count towards a participation grade.
Getting In Contact with Ms. Fields
If you are absolutely stumped, you can schedule a tutoring session or call me at (919) 617-1338. Please note that I will only accept calls from 3-7:30pm. If you do call, please use the following script:
Good evening Ms. Fields, this is (first and last name) calling from your (class name and color) class. I have asked (friend 1), (friend 2), (friend 3) for help on (assignment, question number) and I am still stumped. Can you please help me?
Syllabus - Honors Forensics
Syllabus - Greenhouse Biology
Class Expectations (Revised: Oct 2013)
Big Goals:
By the end of the semester, I expect that:
- 100% of students will achieve 85% mastery in every core objective
- 100% of students will achieve 90% mastery on scientific vocabulary quizzes
- 100% of students will take responsibility over their own education.
- 100% of students will have a clearer picture of what they want to do after graduation.
What Do Students Need for Class?
- A 1-1.5” binder for this class only
- 5 dividers with tabs
- Loose leaf paper, college ruled (for taking in-class notes)
- Writing utensils (mechanical pencils or blue/black ink pens)
- Index cards
- Index card holder or binder ring
Policies and Procedures
Homework Policy
The purpose of homework is to ensure students have enough practice to be successful. Homework will be posted on the board daily. Please place homework in the “in-bin” as you enter the classroom each day. Some homework will be collected and corrected, while other homework will only be checked for completeness.
**Please note, homework needs to be in the bin before the bell rings. If homework is not in before the bell, it will be counted as late and will not receive full credit.
Late Work Policy
For those extremely rare situations students do not get work in on time
Grades will be posted in class every two weeks. Any missing work must be completed and turned in during the two weeks before your next progress report. NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT AFTER THIS. COMPLETED late work should be turned in but it will receive a maximum of 70%. No late work will be accepted the last week of the quarter or the semester.
Test Make Up Policy
You will have the opportunity to test correct or retake (a different version) of any exam you do not meet 85% mastery on within the time frame of 2 weeks.
Tardy Policy:
The Vancy tardy policy is upheld and enforced in this class.
Absence Policy: what to do if a student MUST miss class
If you are absent, it is THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY to make up the missed work. Students can find missed work in the "missed work" bin for their particular class. Students should make sure that they get all missed notes from a classmate.
If work was assigned BEFORE the absence, it is due the day the student returns. If work was assigned DURING the absence, students have a maximum of five days to make it up. If they miss a test or quiz, students must make it up AFTER SCHOOL or DURING LUNCH. Due to the amount of material we cover in the course class time will not be used for make-up work.
Cheating Policy:
CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! This included copying class or homework from classmates/lab group members. Students are encouraged to collaborate with group members but copying is cheating.
Students: If you are caught cheating you will receive no credit for the assignment and your parent will be contacted. Subsequent infractions will result in an administrative referral.
Cheaters never win and winners never prosper!
Class Procedures:
**abbreviated, subject to change
Entering the classroom
- Class begins the moment you enter the door, not at the bell.
- Pick up handouts on the table upon entering.
- Walk silently to your seat and immediately begin your Do Now
Bathroom passes
- Use the bathroom before or after class.
- You have three emergency passes for each quarter. If you need to go to the bathroom, raise your pass and wait to be excused. If you lose your passes, you will not get new ones.
- As per Vance policy, students will not be permitted to leave class within the first or last 15 minutes of class.
Expectations for Talking
- When working independently, there will be no talking.
- 12 inch voices during partner/group work.
- Academic voice during presentations.
- For all group work, conversations must be on task and related to the current assignment or task.
- Raise hands and wait to be called on for any questions or if you need to get out of your seat for any reason. Each individual deserves to be heard so only one person speaks at a time.
Exiting the classroom
- The bell does not dismiss you, I do
- In order for the class to leave on time, the classroom must be clean and all materials must be put away. All students should be at their desks.
- Give Ms. Fields a high five or fist bump as you exit!
A Few Final Things…
Binder Checks. I complete binder checks at random intervals throughout the semester. The purpose of this is twofold: first, I want to make sure that you are keeping a well-organized and complete binder. Successfully doing so will make studying for your tests a lot easier. Second, I want to help you be prepared for post-Vance life – keeping a neat and orderly binder is an important skill to have in college!
I will look for:
- Syllabus in the front of your notebook.
- Completed table of contents
- All assignments COMPLETED and in APPROPRIATE LOCATION.
Be sure to keep all work in your binder, as you will not receive multiple copies. Binder checks will count towards a participation grade.
Getting In Contact with Ms. Fields
- Check out the class website for important class information: www.msfieldsscience.weebly.com
- Tutoring is available after school - you can make an appointment if you need additional help
- If you need homework help, please use the asking rule of 3 – ask three classmates before you come to me.
If you are absolutely stumped, you can schedule a tutoring session or call me at (919) 617-1338. Please note that I will only accept calls from 3-7:30pm. If you do call, please use the following script:
Good evening Ms. Fields, this is (first and last name) calling from your (class name and color) class. I have asked (friend 1), (friend 2), (friend 3) for help on (assignment, question number) and I am still stumped. Can you please help me?