Whatcom Middle School Calico Cats
Science Class Mr. Kennell
Class syllabus, 2005-06 Room 216

Dear student,

Welcome to Science class. This class is an opportunity for you to work together with friends, parents, and community members while learning about science. I hope the many class activities and hands-on projects help you have fun learning, and show you how science can be valuable in your life. An important reason for meeting together in classes is to share information and experiences; your participation and cooperation are vital to making this class a positive experience for all of us.
The purpose of this syllabus is to help you be more successful in Science by explaining daily activities, classroom rules, grading policies, expectations for your participation, and other information about the class.

Classroom procedures and expectations
We will be meeting together with a full class of students. The expectations below will allow us to organize quickly each day with a common understanding:
(1) arrive on time by being in your assigned seat before bell time.
(2) come to class with a positive attitude ready to participate in class activities.
(3) be prepared by bringing materials and completed assignments to class.
(4) your behavior should show respect for the rights of others to learn and the teacher to teach.
(5) all Whatcom classroom and campus rules apply in Science class (class rules are posted in the classroom and campus rules are in your student packet).
(6) personal errands are not allowed during class time unless it is an emergency.
(7) you must know and be able to demonstrate safe use of any materials and equipment before using them in this classroom. Safe and appropriate behavior is required at all times.

Assignments
Assignments are posted on the first day of each week at the beginning of class for you to copy. You are required to keep an up-to-date assignment list in your planner so that you and your parents have a list of all work assigned along with the due dates. Each assignment grade can be recorded there to show it was completed.
If you are present in class, assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Late work will receive a maximum of 60% credit. If absent, you will receive full credit for make-up work that is turned in no later than 10 school days following your return to school. (This means you always have at least two weeks after an absence to complete make-up work.) Work more than two weeks late will not be accepted for credit. You are strongly encouraged to complete work on time; each new class activity uses concepts from previous assignments, and student teams depend on completion of your work for finishing group projects. You are responsible for completing all Science work whether you are present in class the day the work is assigned or not.

Grading
Class assignments are given to help you improve your science skills and assess what you have learned about doing science work. A large part of your grade is for your participation and progress in achieving these two goals.
Your grade will be based on the points earned for each completed assignment. Although credit varies for different kinds of science work, daily assignments earn approximately 5 grade points for each hour of work. Tests range in credit from 15 to 45 points. Final letter grades will be based on the percentage of the total number of points possible that you have earned as shown on this scale:

A 100% - 90%
B 89% - 80%
C 79% - 70%
D 69% - 60%
F less than 60 %

Every student will receive at least three grade reports (approximately every three weeks) per trimester before a final report card grade is issued, or more often if you request it. Please keep all graded assignments returned to you until after the trimester grade is issued.

How parents can help
Classroom learning is a partnership. My responsibility as teacher is to provide interesting and challenging activities in a comfortable, well-organized classroom. Each student is responsible for coming to class with a good attitude prepared to learn science to the best of his or her ability. Research shows that students whose parents are involved in their learning have a higher success rate in school. Here are some ways that parents can help:
(1) organize a study place at home and a regular study time (Study should be a daily habit; a student can still review important concepts even if he or she has “no homework.”
(2) plan short blocks of study so there is time for chores and relaxation as well as homework.
(3) have your student bring home an up-to-date planner (assignment calendar) each day and go over it together.
(4) be involved; many science assignments are experiments and activities that parents and students can work on together.
(5) call the “Homework Hotline” for up-to-date information on class projects; leave a message if you need more information and I will call you back as soon as possible.
(6) praise your student for completing assigned homework well; all of us like to be appreciated for work well done.
Please feel free to call me at school if you have questions about the science program or your student’s class work.

Mr. Kennell

HOMEWORK HOTLINE676-6470 ext. 5686

Daily information about class projects and homework is recorded on the “Homework Hotline.”

Call anytime for current information about what’s going on in Science class, or browse Mr. Kennell’s webpage on the Whatcom M.S. website.

After you have read this syllabus, please complete the information below and return it to me by September 14, 2005.

Student name (please print) ______________________________________ Period ____

Student signature __________________________________________________________

Parent signature ____________________________________________________________

Parent phone number(s) _________________(day) ______________________(evening)

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