To be successful in this course, effort and responsibility are vital on behalf of the student.

Materials.  You are to bring to each class:

Your text book

LOTS of paper in a 3-ring binder

Pens, pencils and eraser

Short ruler

The active part of your brain

a duo-tang folder for labs

scientific calculator (optional)
 

Your binder is to be organised into three sections:

Class notes

Labs

Homework and quizzes

daily journal or scrapbook
 

Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on established standards of the senior science curriculum objectives. Daily quizzes and/or homework will help monitor your immediate understanding of new concepts. Use these quizzes and homework problems to study for chapter tests.

Marks are calculated as follows:
Chapter tests 35%
Final exam 15%
Labs 15%
Quizzes and Homework 15%
Midterm 10%
Journal or Scrapbook 10%

Letter Grades and Percentages (decimals are rounded to the nearest whole percent)

A (86-100%) C+ (67-72%) C- (50-59%) E (0-39%)

B (73-85%) C (60-66%) D (40-49%) I (incomplete)
 

Behaviour

While in the classroom, respect and responsibility is expected from all students at all times.
 

Attendance and Lateness

Regular attendance is very important - it allows for the best understanding of the course material being covered. Even if you are absent, you are still responsible for what was taught in class that day. Phone one of your classmates to find out what you missed and what was assigned for homework. A note will be required upon your return explaining your absence. If no note is produced then the absence will be considered a skip and your parents/guardian will be notified. Students who are late to class may proceed to their seat quietly, however, questions on the daily quiz will NOT be repeated.

Homework

Homework will be assigned on a daily basis and may be checked at random.
 

Tests, Quizzes and Labs

Tests, quizzes and labs not completed due to any unexcused absence will result in a mark of 0. Make-up exams may be written at the teacher's discretion, at any time, depending on the reason for absence.
 
 

Extra help (don't be shy!)

Make an appointment or find me after school (usually in room 316).

Tip: Sometimes it is easier to learn a concept if you are somewhat familiar with it, so you may want to stay a section "ahead" of the class. Study on a continuing basis; make certain you understand the ideas of each chapter fully. Memory is important to your success but is not enough by itself. Understanding the material and being able to connect it to other topics in the course is a critical part to succeeding in this course. Furthermore, remember that you are learning this for yourself, not for me!