Materials:
• ALL students must have a COLLEGE RULED composition notebook and folder.
• Everyone is expected to have pens, pencils, and paper.
• Calculators may be useful in the course! Cell Phones or MP3 devises will not be permitted to be used.

Grading:
• Meeting the objectives mentioned earlier ensures a high grade.
• Everything Counts!! Understanding Earth Science requires practice! Therefore, brief class assignments and homework assignments are regular and will be graded.
• Small quizzes are usually given each week to see where everyone (including the teacher) stands while projects and exams will be given as necessary.
• The penalty for lateness is an earned grade of a 1 for ALL assignments that comes in completed.
• One of the most important parts of your grade is YOU! Being in class and participating is very important. Class participation is an easy grade!
• Notebooks are evaluated five times per quarter and will account for five points of the final quarter average (included in participation score).
• Class Work and Homework will be graded either as a percent (0 – 4 scale) or based on effort using the “check system”:
4 = A = check+ 3 = B = check• 2 = C = check 1 = D = check- 0 = F = 0

Here is how final quarterly averages will be determined:
Exams & Projects................30%
Class Work & Homework.....20%
Quizzes................................20%
Participation.......................10%
Labs....................................20%

Labs:
Labs are treated very seriously and will be collected, graded, and kept on file. It is essential that students turn in all labs complete and on time. I have a uniform policy for labs not handed in during class on the due date:
• The student is asked to stay after school that day or the next day. If the student fails to stay
after school, a referral will be written and a grade of no higher than a 1 will be able to be
earned.
Labs are a great way to boost class averages, break up class time, and give students “hands on” experiences. Hopefully this will encourage all students to reach the lab requirement.

Attendance:
Consistent attendance is linked with improved grades! In science, each class is jam packed with learning activities and lab work. Students are responsible for missed work, which must be made up during their free time or after school. Any missed assignments due to absence are considered “excused” for one week and will become zeros after that time if not made up. Please refer to the Escondido High School Student Handbook for other attendance regulations.

Re-take Policy:
In this course, there will be ample opportunities to improve grades. The most direct way to do this comes from raising Exam and Quiz scores. Homework and class work scores cannot be raised.

The following conditions apply to making up Exams and Quizzes:
• Only one re-take of a test or quiz is allowed...students should re-study the material carefully before scheduling a re-take.
• Students will receive a 3 if they score a 3 or better on the re-take.
• If a student does not score a 3 or better on the re-take, the higher score counts.
• Students scoring a 3 or better on an original Exam or Quiz can re-take it and the two scores will be averaged.
• Re-takes must be during a study hall or after school and will not be allowed during class or lab.
• Re-takes are similar in style to original assignments, but not necessarily identical.
• Exams and Quizzes for a given semester can be made up until the deadline specified for that semester (which will also be the deadline for all back work that semester).

Participation Breakdown:
As stated earlier, participation is important, and counts as 10% of the final semester average (10 points). “Participation” is a broad area and is broken down into two categories:
• 5%.........Notebooks checked each semester for organization, completeness, and neatness
• 5%.........Participation in classroom discussions (see below)

Each student will be evaluated for their attendance and participation in class discussions at the end of each semester using the following criteria:
4: Student is engaged in class activity, thoughtfully asks/responds to relevant questions, and contributes to discussions regularly.
3: Student is engaged in class activity, shows effort in asking/responding to relevant questions, and contributes to discussions frequently.
2: Student is occasionally inattentive or not involved in class activity and asks/responds to relevant questions sporadically.
1: Student is frequently inattentive or not involved in class activity and makes little contribution to discussions.
0: Student is regularly inattentive /uninvolved and makes no contribution to discussions; Student made no contribution to discussions.

These assigned scores are then added together for a total of up to 10%

Classroom Expectations:
• Escondido High School Student Handbook Rules apply.
• Please follow the routine of coming to class on time and prepared.
• Leave issues at the door...we need to focus without distractions.
• Respect each other...be courteous and polite...all students deserve to learn in a safe and comfortable environment
• ONE person talks at a time...raise a hand to ask/answer questions.
• Use low tone...CURSING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
• Bathroom policy: you will have 3 bathroom/nurse passes per semester...plan around this class.
• Each student is to complete his or her own work unless it is a group activity.
• Writing is limited to class work and papers...NOT desks, lab tables, etc.
• Equipment is expensive and potentially dangerous, treat it appropriately. Textbooks are equipment!
• Respect teacher’s personal space and that of others, including desks and materials.
• Attempt all work and all questions...Leaving blanks is not acceptable!
• Try to have fun while learning!

Following expectations is rewarded...not following hurts everyone. This class will be as fun and interesting as we can make it. Good Luck!!

Parents: If you would like to contact Mrs. Tyner for any reason, feel free to use one of the methods below. E-mail tends to be the most effective way to communicate.

By Phone:
• Call the Escondido High School and leave a message with one of the office staff.
• Messages will be responded to within 24 hours.

By E-mail:
• Along with your message, include your name, your child’s name, and any other contact information.
• Send to: ctyner@euhsd.k12.ca.us
• E-mail is checked several times daily, and responses will be within 24 hours.

Students: If You Need Help, DO THIS:
Copy the question or questions into an e-mail and be sure to identify yourself.
Send to: ctyner@euhsd.k12.ca.us
I try to check e-mails once a night and will assist you in reaching an answer to any appropriate question.

Office Hours:
Office hours are a great time to get help on material. Students and parents that would like to see Mrs. Tyner during office hours can make an appointment or just show up on a first-come, first-served basis. Office hours for this school year are: 2:20 – 2:55 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Office Location: Room 201.