Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- I was absent on test day, can I take it later?
- Will I have any homework?
- I lost my papers and can't do my work. What now?
- What are we studying?
- I am struggling what can I do?
- I found an assignment I hadn't turned in. May I still turn it in?
- I was absent on a lab day, do I have to make up the lab?
- I want to join science club.
- Why do you teach?
- Will you call my parents?
- I have a question not found on this list...
I was absent on test day, can I take it later?
The day you return, you must take your test you missed.
(According to your Syllabus and Procedures handout.)
Will I have any homework?
Occasionally, it will not be every night, but you will have homework in
science. A good rule of thumb is - if you had a lab that day and
did not finish answering reflection questions, you will have to
finish those at home before class the next day. Also you should take
your notebook home and study over any notes given over the next few days.
This way you will remember the notes better once the test or quiz arrives.
I lost my papers and can't do my work. What now?
If I do not have the assignment in the computer system under
documents, then check my "Extra Papers" folder on topshelf of
the bookcase for the two extras I make. If all extras have been
taken by students, then you need to use my example notebook to
copy out the assignment after school or before, though you
will be charged for having a late assignment. It is never an
excuse to not do your work you just need to make an adjustment to
finish it still.
What are we studying?
With three kits to focus on, we are learning Populations and
Ecosystems (pop & eco), Light, Energy Machines and Motion (EMM),
as well as electric circuits and some about water and erosion.
I am struggling what can I do?
I have some extra credit available, if you are doing the work and
just want to improve your grade you can complete that.
If you are having trouble understanding a subject and are shy
about raising your hand in class to ask, I am here after school
for tutoring Tuesdays please feel free to come in to the library
or make a tutoring appointment.
I found an assignment I hadn't turned in. May I still turn it in?
You will recieve a deduction for being late according to the
class syllabus. If it has not gone beyond the 2 week time frame
yet, the assignment will be accepted. If you had been sent to AP
(Academic probation for missing work and overall grade below a 65%)
that week for the work and had not turned it in by Friday
of that week, then you have recieved a zero and are not allowed
to redo the work assignment.
I was absent on a lab day, do I have to make up the lab?
Yes, except in very rare cases where an alternate assignment can
be done.
You will need to stay the day you come back after school at
least 35 minutes to make up the lab work and may finish questions
at home; unless I am in a meeting that day. Other days may be
scheduled according to the teacher's schedule. Do not go beyond
a week in making up the lab as we are going on to learn more things
and labs tend to build on knowledge from prior labs. Remember that
Tuesdays are my tutoring days and are good make-up days.
I want to join science club.
Every student in junior high is welcome. (If you are on the AP
list and are not cleared, you may not come to the meeting that
week until cleared according to school AP rules.)
We will meet the first Wednesday of each month during first
semester. The club meets from 3:20-4:30 in room 108.
We will have a group from science club going to a regional
science fair to compete with projects.
Why do you teach?
I love to share knowledge! I think 7th grade is the best year
for kids to learn. It is such a major point in the student's
life with everything changing; especially the brain, this is when
as many connections are made as were when they first entered
school in kindergarten.
It is a wonderful feeling seeing that spark of excitement as
they 'get it' when being taught something new. I would not want
to teach any other grade, but those teachers have my respect.
Seventh grade is my niche and science is a passion.
Will you call my parents?
Yes, as does the other teachers, I will call home on occasion. I
give the student a chance to turn in their work before I make the
decision to call or not. It is important to put as much
responsibility in the students hands for their work and behavior
as possible. I also email and occasionally send home written notes
to be signed.
On the occasion when I send a parent note home about missing
work, I expect the paper to be returned the following day, or we
call either during class (in the hallway/side room) or we call at
lunch time. This has worked in the past to have more
students "remember" to turn in work.
I have a question not found on this list...
Please feel free to email me the question, or come and talk to me.
I am available to talk and tutor and I am here to help you learn.
You have to be able to ask me and I will answer to the best of my
ability,