General Rules for Class

Philosophy: My main purpose in teaching these classes is to help each of you succeed. Each of you are of infinite worth and have more potential to succeed than you will ever realize. If we work together, we can create an environment that will foster learning and help each member of our class succeed.

Purpose of Rules: The rules that govern Fossil Ridge High School will govern this class. We will only create additional rules if they are needed. The main criterion which sets expected classroom behavior is the set of Character Traits described on the poster on the wall. I expect everyone in this room to be honest, enthusiastic, and respect each other.

Grades: Grades will be given at the following cut points and above, except for the F:

A+ 98% C+ 78% F 59% and below

A 92% C 72%

A- 90% C- 70%

B+ 88% D+ 68%

B 82% D 62%

B- 80% D- 60%

For example: Any person earning a 92% through a 97% will earn an A, while a person earning a 98% or higher will earn an A+ or 90% through 91% will earn an A-. Grades will be posted as I grade the assignments. The grade book should be up to date each Saturday. You may access your grades through Pinnacle.

Value of Assignments: Assignments and tests have the following values:

1. Assignments will be worth 5 to 20 points each, depending on difficulty. Assignments may be self-graded in class. Assignments will include milestones for any class project.

2. Quizzes are worth 40 points. They may include open notes and book. There will be at least two versions of each quiz so that the person‘s quiz next to you will not be the same as yours..

3. Section Tests are worth 100 points each and are under the same rules as a quiz.

4. Midterm test and Final Exam are 150 points and will be open book and notes. They will also have two versions.

5. Projects are worth 75 to 200 points (besides progress reports treated as assignments, which are given 10 to 20 points each). I would like to have this be something fun that will help you use the mathematics and science you are learning during the semester.

Available Help: I will be available at lunchtime and after school. If you have a study hall during the morning, please make arrangements and I would be willing to come to the study hall to help you. If you can only meet for help before school, please contact me and we can make arrangements for doing so.

Class Requirements: These are the things I expect from you. You will not be excused to get them:

1. (Pen or pencil) plus colored pen or pencil for checking homework

2. BREQUIRED for Geospace: Notebook, where homework and handouts can be easily added or attached. Can be either 3-ring binder (this class only or multiple classes) or a spiral notebook.

3. Fossil Ridge Planner (or equivalent) for taking assignments.

4. Textbook.

5. (Optional, but highly recommended for mathematics classes) TI graphing calculator (i.e. TI 83 or TI 84).

Attendance Grade: 300 points will be added to each person’s grade. You lose 10 points for an unexcused tardy and 15 points for an unexcused absence. These points will be used for class discipline and late assignments also.

Discipline: I would personally like to keep this section as short as possible.. Fossil Ridge has a minimal amount of rules. If students cannot handle this freedom, then more rules need to be created. The rules include the following, but they are not limited to the following:

1. You will have assigned seats. If you leave your seat without permission, you will have a one minute detention added to any current detention time you may have.

2. Any talking, while I, Mr. Smart, or another student is presenting information will not be tolerated. If it is a minor reminder, then you will have the opportunity to speak with me after class. If it is disruptive to the class, you will be asked to sit outside and lose 5 attendance points for the first offense. Ten points will be subtracted the second time and a meeting with your parents will be arranged. A third offense will be worth 15 points and a visit with Mr. Torvik. At this point, your participation in the class will be in jeopardy.

3. I will be checking all tables before and after class. If any desk has writing or markings which were not there at the beginning of class, 10 points will be deducted from the attendance grade. This deduction will also be for any empty desks next to you.

4. Detention time will add up to up to five minutes (there are seven minute passing periods). Any further problems will be discussed with our Vice Principal.

5. Students will treat each other with respect. Any rude insult will require a discussion with me, and if needed a discussion with the Vice Principal.

Assignments: Each assignment is expected on the date due. Each assignment is worth 5 to 20 points, depending on difficulty. Assignments will be turned in to me directly or, if I ask you to do so, to the in basket on my desk next to the computer. Note: My son told me to warn you that if you put it anywhere besides the in basket, it may be lost. Each student will have a labeled folder on the table in the back of the room (for mathematics) or in the file cabinet (for science) where graded assignments will be returned (unless the graded assignment is too large to fit in the folder, in which case it will be handed back individually).

Late Assignments: Regular assignments are expected on time. If you have problems with a project, having it completed on time, please contact me either via e-mail (waynec@psdschools.org) or personally before the due date to make appropriate arrangements. Attendance points can be used to turn in a late project. If you turn in a late assignment, you have two choices. 1. If want it counted at full value, then 5 points will be deducted for each class day late the item is. If you want it counted starting at 50%, then you may turn in the assignment until two weeks before the end of the semester..

Helper Questions: These type questions will be given within classes that are allowed to move freely in the classroom. When cooperation is such that this can easily be done, it will be. A question will be given, for example the question on the handout on the first day of class. When you have the answer, please raise your hand. I will check the answer of the first person who raised a hand. If the work leading up to the solution is shown and it and the answer are correct, you will help me check further answers. As others come up with the answer, each of these students will also help one other student derive the answer. When all of the students have finished the problem, your papers will be turned in. The grade will be the average grade for all of the students attending that day, so please be sure to help each other come up with the correct answers. Help them find the solution; please don’t just tell them the answer.

Group Projects: I will review all aspects of a group project. I will then ask each member of the team specific questions about the project. All members should be able to answer questions on the group project. Part of the group project is to tell me up-front how the other students are working on the project with you. Grades for individuals will be reduced if they do not help out on the project.

Additional Items: Additional clarifications may be added to this set of rules as the semester progresses. The main thing I would like is for each of us to understand and appreciate mathematics and/or science more at the end of the year than we do now.

Student signature____________________________ Date:______________

Parent signature______________________________

Obtaining both signatures (yours and your parent’s) is an assignment worth 20 points. These signatures are due the first Monday after this document is given to you.