Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common
questions of students and parents.
- Is there a syllabus?
- How is the grade determined?
- Is ther extra credit?
- Late homework? Late work?
- What are details about the Outdoor School Fund Raiser?
- Summer reading?
Is there a syllabus?
Yes there is a syllabus for Earth Science which I will detail
below.
Earth Science 6th
Text: Prentice Hall Earth Science 2006
Basic parameters:
Course explores fundamental concepts in geology,meteorology, and
astronomy. The bulk of the course will focus on geology as our
location in Oklahoma is a plus. At Classen we sequence earth,
life, and physical in the middle school thru the 6th, 7th, and
8th grades with a year each in each discipline.
Students are expected to keep a one inch 3 ring 1/2 inch binder
divided into 4 sections that separate general information about
class, notes by date,handouts by number, and lastly returned
reading checks. All assignments are posted on the board in
class. Homework is posted to the website but check the disclaimer
in the homework section of this website.
How is the grade determined?
40% test average
30% classwork average
20% regular quiz average
10% reading checks
Cumulative by semester
Is ther extra credit?
Odds and ends can be done for extra cedit which is then added as
a 120 point homework to the homework average. Extra credit will
not bail anyone out if the regular work is lacking. An example of
valid extra credit would be bring a can for harvest food drive. I
will not grade an extra paper for a student who did not do the
original work in the first place. This is just extra time
for me. Nor will I do retakes on quizzes or tests for unprepared
students. There are enough graded assignments a semester that
offer ample opportunites to pass the course and even excel.
Usually I add the extra credit the second part of the semester.
Remember it is the semester grade which the district records and
not the quarterly grades, etc. except if a student transfers.
Late homework? Late work?
Almost always carries a penalty without an excused absence. At
some point for certain assignments such as planners, notebooks,
labbooks and reports I will cut off accepting work. This keeps me
from grading too much late work at the end of marking periods.
The assignments that are missing or late will be tabbed with a
red "I" . This means the can be made up; but the student better
check or at some point the black zero will replace the red "I".
What are details about the Outdoor School Fund Raiser?
Top ten important details of the Fund Raiser:
1. This is a pre-pay program. Checks can be made out to Classen
SAS.
2. Product will be shipped directly to your school. You deliver
to customer.
3. Order and Money are due back at school on September 6.
4. Extra order forms are available. See Ms. Carlton for
additional order forms and money envelopes.
5. Money raised will go to send students to Outdoor School in
October.
6. Sell to relatives, neighbors, friends, family. etc. Please
do not sellto strangers without an adult present.
7. Product will be shipped to the school by the last week of
September or the week after Outdoor School.
Plenty of time for holiday gift giving.
8. Remember to tell all customers what you are raising money
for. "Outdoor School"
9. If you have any questions or concerns please let Ms. Carlton
know and she will help you get the answer. Debbie Braxton- the
rep- for Geckler has a number for help and it is . Also,
there is a toll free number for Geckler and it is .
10. Have fun!! Remember that this fundraiser directly benefits
you and with your help we are insuring that all students get a
chance to go.
Summer reading?
Optional. Strongly encouraged.
The Golden Guides and Eye Witness books that cover topics in
geology, astronomy, and weather science can provide excellent
background and enrichment. Probably there are twenty or more
titles in this group.
The very curious student who reads at a high level will be
challenged by:
-Anything written by John McPhee about geology
-Sand County Almanac by Also Leopold (a classic)
-Anything written by Rachel Carson (we will not be able in the
time frame we have this year explore oceanography in depth and
her books about the sea are excelent)
-Sense of the Earth by David Leveson (interlibray loan or find a
copy at Amazon.com?) A favorite of mine.
-Cosmos by Carl Sagan
-Anything about natural science by Laurence Pringle is a great
read.
Field Guides that cover Oklahoma are great in that students who
know something about their own environment are much more lilkely
to care about the environment in general.
-Doyle McCoy has some guides in print on plants
-Forest Trees of Oklahoma will come into play at Camp Classen and
in life science.
-There are various othe field guides that cover prairie or forest
ecosystems
I do offer major extra credit for field trips with a one page
report.1 per semester. Always email ahead for approval.
-The Oklahoma Trails exhibit at the Zoo.
-Sam Noble Natural History Museum on the OU Campus (please
visit the various Earth Science and ecosystems exhibits)
-Oklahoma Science Museum ("Omniplex")works if you stick to the
Earthand Space Science displays, etc.
-National Weather Service in Norman has a tour
*Museums or aquariums one might visit out of town. Call ahead for
credit. Smithsonian,American Museum of Natural History, etc.
TV watching that includes Bill Nye the science guy, NOVA,
Discovery Channel, History Channel, and National Geographic is
worth viewing but will not count as extra credit.
Trips to various nature centers in Oklahoma can count as
extra credit:
-Travertine Nature Center at Chickasaw National Recreation Area
in the Arbuckles is highly reccomneded
-Camp Goddard in the Arbuckles has a dandy musuem
-Wichita Wildlife Refuge features a neat nature center
-Redrock Canyon sometimes hosts a mineral and gem show as does
the State Fairgrounds
-Various state parks include decent nature centers
-Near Enid the is the Ames Hole Astrobleme museum which is unique.
-Nature Conservancy in Oklahoma owns some excellent sites such as
the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
-Martin nature park in OKC will fit a tight budget.
Check the OMNIDOME schedule for movies that relate to earth, sky,
and stars.
Be sure to see a planetarium show when you visit the "Omniplex"
Lastly, there is extra credit for the homework average if
students bring in fossils or rocks or minerals for the classroom.
If the student knows the name and where the speciman originated
that is helpful. We have samples from around the world in my
classroom.
Just email me if you have any questions.
