Labs - 20%
Homework - 15%
Tests - 40%
Final Project - 25%
I have no issue discussing grades with each of you individually. If you have an issue with your grade or believe something should be changed, we can talk about it and see if any mistakes were made. I do not want you all to stress over the grades as much as I want you to learn and try to comprehend the topics in this class.
Labs (20%): These consist of performance based work where we apply concepts from our lessons and collect our own data using materials provided in class. A short report will be handed in with each lab (usually done as you complete the lab in class) with a focus on understanding the content.
Homework (15%): These will primarily consist of short reading passages from the textbook or any other material I may provide in class that help foster the foundations of each topic. I will run this through google classrooms so that responses can be submitted online. Additionally, there will be a spot for you to ask questions about the reading/topic so that I may go over those in class the next day and focus on what the class needs help learning.
Tests (40%): We will have about 4 to 5 tests this year that tests overall content and problem-solving. Some questions will be based on the skills we learn through labs and others through topics we cover in the homeworks/readings. The tests will range from being worth 8% each (with 5 tests) to 10% each (with 4 tests).
Final Project (25%): This is a culminating project that we will do towards the end of the year. You may work on this individually or in a group up to 3 people. You will be permitted to choose your own topics/concepts that you wish to include from the ones we learned on class and create your own demonstration/experiment with explanations and applications of what we learned.
Late Work and Makeup Work: I expect all assignments to be submitted by the designated date and time as outlined on our google classrooms calendar. I will have links to the homework pages and any other material posted on each day of the calendar so, if you miss a day, you know exactly what we did. If a homework assignment is late, it can be turned in the following day for 90% credit, and it will lose 10% after each subsequent day. Doing homework on time will allow you to participate in class discussions and allow you to not fall behind. Remember that if you feel behind or stuck that you can see me after/before class or during my office hours to go over whatever you need. If you are absent for one or two days, I expect work to be made up by the day you return for full credit. If you are absent for 3 or more days, you will have 5 school days to hand in all work missed for full credit.
Field Trips: Any field trips we go on will require a signed permission slip from your parent or guardian. I will usually have some sort of worksheet or note taking require that will count as homework assignments on each trip. We will also talk about the trips in class the day after to go over concepts and questions that may have arisen from the trip!