Course Syllabus

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Welcome to Honors Earth

With Mrs. Macera

Email: candace.macera@ucps.k12.nc.us

Porter Ridge High: 704-292-7662

 

 

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),

Hi, and welcome to Mrs. Macera’s Honors Earth and Environmental class!  I am very excited to work alongside you and your student to make this a fun and successful semester.   This is an honors level science course, so we will tend to move through basic content very quickly and spend more time on hands-on activities and problem and project-based learning.  Due to the fast pace of the course, each student may fall behind at times.  Students must know that the ultimate responsibility for learning is on them, so they must take initiative to ask for help, attend office hours, study and work a little extra in order to reach their potential in the class.

I believe that support from home is the most essential part of each student’s success.  It is important that you keep up with your student’s grades and attendance, which you can now do online through the Parent Portal!  Please be mindful that there will be either a progress report or report card sent home with your student every three weeks.  For any student who wants extra help, office hours will be available on Tuesday and Thursday from 3 – 3:30pm or by appointment. Also, parents may access my Canvas page through their student’s account. This page will have every lecture presentation as well as extra help materials/videos.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your student, please feel free to contact me via email at candace.macera@ucps.k12.nc.us.  You may also reach me by calling Porter Ridge.   Please complete the contact information on the next page so that I may contact you should the need arise.  Thank you for your cooperation.  I look forward to a successful year!

Sincerely,                             

Candace Macera

Course Description: Earth and Space Science is the study of the processes that shape the Earth and explain the universe. This course will explore the four main branches of Earth Science, which includes the following: geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In this physical science course, students will learn in detail about the Earth’s interior and the theory of plate tectonics. Students will learn about Earth’s systems and their interactions. Students will also explore the current theories that describe the formation or Earth, our Solar System, and the universe. Students will learn about the relationship between Earth Science and technology.

Standards: Course standards can be found at http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/

 

Honors Statement: Earth Honors is an honors level course. This course is also available in the Program of Studies at the College Preparatory level. Students earning credit for an Honors level course receive an elevated number of Quality Points for their Grade Point Average. Students choosing the Honors level course should be aware that this Honors level course will include:

  • Required extension opportunities that are directly related to the Standard Course of Study. This includes additional content beyond that covered in the College Preparatory level.
  • More challenging coursework and assessments. Students will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of understanding for grades.
  • Projects and presentations will be more in depth.
  • Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content.
  • The expectation that students can move through the coursework at an accelerated pace and students experiencing difficulty should quickly seek guidance from their teacher on how they can be more successful.

 

Examples of Honors Differentiation in this Course:

Honors level objective

College Prep level objective

EEn.2.2.1 Analyze and construct practical ideas on how to negate the negative impact human activities have on the Earth’s lithosphere.

 

EEn.2.2.1 Explain the consequences of human activities on the lithosphere

 

 

 


Supply List for Earth (bring these every day!)

  1. One-Inch Three-Ring Binder
  2. Notebook Paper & Pencils
  3. 7 Notebook Dividers w/ tabs
  4. Colored Pencils, Scissors, glue sticks
  5. ChromeBook (school-issued laptop computer)

 

Units (these should be your divider tabs):

  1. Intro ES
  2. Geology
  3. Hydrosphere
  4. Meteorology
  5. Environment/Ecology
  6. Astronomy
  7. Final Review

 

 

Classroom Expectations:

Be prompt: Students are expected to be in their seat and ready when the bell rings.

Be Prepared: Materials must be brought every day.

Be Polite: Treat everyone with respect. Options and ideas of others are important. Respect the property of others and the school.

Be Positive: Strive for excellence, always do your best and know you can be successful in anything you put your mind to.

Be Purposeful: Make what you do valuable to your personal growth and goals. Ask for HELP when needed!

 

Classroom Procedures:

Entering the room:

  • Make sure all electronics are in your bag.
  • Food is allowed in the classroom (all drinks must have a closable lid).
    • However, if there are issues with trash or it becoming a distraction I will revoke the privilege.
  • When you come in go to your assigned seat, get ready for class and begin the warm-up if available.
  • Remain in your seat unless directed otherwise.

Tardy: If you are not passed the classroom doorway when the bell BEGINS to ring you are tardy. You will need to obtain a tardy pass to enter the classroom.

During Class: Success in all courses is more than often determined by your attitude and work ethic, rather than your ability; therefore if you try your hardest and bring forth a positive attitude I will do everything I can to help you be successful.

Leaving Class:  You must sign out correctly and take the appropriate pass when leaving the room. You must also sign back in when you return.

End of Class: I dismiss the class, not the bell. Please continue to work until I inform you it is time to clean up and pack up. Remain seated until I dismiss the class. Do not get out of your seat.

 

  • Electronic Devices: Any electronic device (cell phones, Chromebook, etc.) are to be kept in your book bag unless otherwise instructed. I do allow the use of cell phones for music purposes during group/individual work when directed. If students are seen using their device at incorrect times or inappropriately it will be confiscated and handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

 

Homework: Students should expect to have homework assignments or ongoing projects every night.  Practicing at home is a necessary part of learning the Earth curriculum.  Please contact me if you find that your student’s homework assignments are requiring an excessive time commitment.

 

Canvas Guidelines: The majority of assignments not completed on paper will be submitted on Canvas. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time or to contact instructor if a problem occurs. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas so instructors will be able to see if the student opened the assignment, if there was any activity including a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes. Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments. Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

 

Absent Work: Students who are absent will be given 2 days for each day missed to complete make-up. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain work that was missed during absence.

 

Late Work: Late work is not accepted and will result in a zero.

I do understand that situations occur (especially with technology) and will work with students when they arise. However, it is the student’s responsibility to reach out to contact me not wait until they walk in to class the day that assignment is due.

 

Office Hours I love to have students come in and get the extra help they need.  When a student has missed a day of class, I expect that he/she will attend office hours to catch up on lessons and assignments.

Tuesday and Thursday 3 – 3:30pm. 

 

Grading: Students should assume that every assignment will be graded unless otherwise stated.  Each assignment in my class will be worth a certain number of points under their specific category. More important assignments will be worth more points.

Estimate of point values for different assignments:

Classwork/Projects/Labs: 40%

Tests & Quizzes: 60%

 

***Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating on a test or assignment will result in a grade of zero for ALL involved.

 

**Grades may be found on the Empowered Family Portal

                (link: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917)

 

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due