2014-2015 School Year

Avalon School
Mr. Edwards' Science Class
CLASSROOM RULES:
Just ask yourself, what's the P.O.I.N.T.?
P for PURPOSE - Why are we here? We are here to learn. Be aware of your purpose and allow
it to determine your behavior. Misbehavior distracts our purpose away from learning.
O for OWN IT - Be yourself and give your best work. Don't allow anything or anyone to keep
you from giving your very best effort. You must be prepared with pencil and paper for notes,
red pen for grading, textbook for reading, and enough sleep for energy in order to do your
best.
I for INTEGRITY - Do the right thing. Any cheating or academic dishonesty (copying
homework, quizzes, tests, or cheat sheets) will result in a failing grade on the assignment
or test. Having integrity means to have a good character, so be humble and stay positive.
Compliment the academic success of your peers by saying, Good question, or Good work.
N for NERVE - Have the nerve to speak up if you see something wrong or someone breaking the
rules. Do you have the nerve to stand up for what is right? Have the nerve to participate and
ask questions, we are here to learn after all. If you don't participate and ask questions,
the teacher will think you are prepared to take the test. Have the nerve to speak up, for
your own grade's sake.
T for TEACHABLE - Are you teachable? Be a student who is willing to learn. Know why you are
here, give your very best effort, do the right thing, and have the courage to ask questions.
If you get the P.O.I.N.T. you are a teachable student.
HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS:
Homework is expected to be accomplished out of class, and completed by the given due
date. Homework must be graded honestly and with a red pen during grading time.
Corrections must be made in red ink when we review the homework in class. All
homework to be graded will have my signature or stamp at the top.
Late Homework is always accepted for partial credit; it must be turned in to
the late homework box with a parent's signature. Only 1 late homework assignment
will be accepted per week. For example, if the student has 2 missing assignments
during the last week of the grading period, only 1 assignment will be accepted. Do
not waste your time on assignments that will not receive credit.
LAB ACTIVITIES AND REPORTS:
Safety is of major importance, see safety regulations. The safety contract
must be signed by both the parent and the student and returned to be placed on file
before the student may participate in any lab activity; there are no exceptions.
Lab reports are due 3 school days after the final day of the lab activity. For
example, if the activity ends on Thursday, the lab report is due on Tuesday. All
lab reports include clearly labeled and detailed parts: purpose, materials,
procedure, data table, calculations, and conclusion.
TEST POLICY:
Students who want to earn:
- up to 100% may only use their own, written, not photocopied notes for the
test.
- up to 90% may use their notes and handouts only.
- up to 80% may use their notes, handouts, and the text book.
Students will be separated into these groups before each test. Each student will
write the highest grade they want to earn at the top of their own test.

Common Learning Strategies

Think-Pair-Share & Pair-Share: Students are expected to think quietly and
independently about the new concept in question. Next, students share their
thoughts and ideas with their desk partner. Finally, students are chosen at random
to share their ideas with the whole class. This strategy is used daily.
Tri-read: Students are placed into groups of three. While one student reads aloud,
another student highlights the main point and justifies their choice at the end of
the reading. The last student summarizes aloud at the end of the reading. These
responsibilities shift throughout the selected reading.
Fold-ables: Fold a piece of construction paper into thirds. Students will define
the new vocabulary/concept being studied in the first third. In the second third,
students will describe a real-world example by using their new vocabulary in a
sentence. In the final third, students will draw a picture of their new concept.
More points for creativity!
Pictorial Input Chart: A lot more simple than it sounds, a pictorial input chart
is just a picture with labeled parts and explanations. For example, a simple
picture of an atom with labeled protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter

Syllabus
1...............................Motion
2...............................Forces
3...............................Density and Buoyancy
4...............................Understanding the Atom
5...............................Combining Atoms and Molecules
6...............................States of Matter
7...............................The Periodic Table and Physical Properties
8...............................Chemical Reactions
9...............................Acids and Bases in Solution
10..............................Chemistry of Living Systems
11..............................Our Solar System
12..............................Stars and Galaxies
Grading

Semester Exam...........................15% of the total grade

Unit Tests..............................40-50% of the total grade
Quizzes.................................5-15% of the total grade
Lab Reports.............................15% of the total grade
Homework................................15% of the total grade