Science Class Guidelines
Class: 9th Grade ~ Living Environment Regents Prep ~ 2023 – 2024
Teacher: Ms. Coffey
Contact Information:
School Phone: 845 – 569 – 3494
E-mail: mcoffey@my.bdms.org
Workbooks:
- Prentice Hall: Brief Review for the New York Regents Exam The Living Environment
You will be given a review workbook for the Living Environment regent’s exam. You are responsible for the care of your workbook. If your workbook is lost, you will be expected to purchase another copy. This workbook will be used frequently throughout the year.
Description of the Class:
Living Environment is a high school science course. Upon completion of this class and passing the Regents with a 65 or above, you will earn high school credit for this course. This is a rigorous course that requires hard work and dedication to pass the Regents exam in June. This year you will study living environment science topics. The units we study will include:
- Macromolecules
- Cells
- Scientific Method
- Genetics
- The Science of Life
- The Human Body
- Ecology
- Evolution
Materials Used Daily:
- 3 ring binder (only for science) with five dividers for the following sections: warmups, notes, labs, homework/projects, and tests/quizzes
- Pens and pencils
- Calculator
- Dry erase marker for individual whiteboards
- Planner
Helpful Tools:
- Access to a computer
- Index cards and highlighters for studying
Behavior and Expectations:
- Be Responsible
- Be on time
- Bring required materials to class each day
- Turn in assignments on time
- Follow the correct procedures and rules for the classroom (be safe)
- Collect and make up work in a timely manner
- Ask questions if you need help
- Be Respectful
- Listen quietly while others are speaking
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking
- Be understanding of individual differences in learning, opinions, backgrounds and personal style
- Be respectful of the classroom and all property within the classroom
- Have Integrity
- Do your own work (do not cheat or copy work from each other)
- Create your work from your own thoughts and ideas
- Represent your opinion with dignity and confidence
Grades:
Grades will be entered into the computer on a weekly basis (generally Fridays). Students and parents should check the Parent Portal for grades and any missing assignments. Please email me if you do not understand a grade or believe that a grade is incorrect.
Google Classroom and the Parent Portal:
The daily agenda and electronic versions of every assignment are posted on Google Classroom on a daily basis. Parents and guardians are invited to Google Classroom at the beginning of the school year. When accepting the invitation, please select the frequency in which you would like updates such as missing assignments of your student. Please regularly check the Parent Portal and email me if you have any questions.
Homework:
Assignments will be given regularly to help prepare for class, reinforce classwork, and to review. Any homework that we review in class cannot be made up. You will receive a zero if you do not hand it in on time. All other homework assignments will receive a 10 percent reduction in grade for each day late.
Projects:
There will be a number of long term projects throughout the year. All projects will have guidelines and due dates when assigned. These assignments will include projects to be completed inside and outside of the classroom. Many of these projects will require the use of a computer with an internet connection. If you are unable to gain access to a computer, it is your responsibility to let me know so that we can create a plan of action.
Tests and Quizzes:
Tests will be announced at least one week in advance to give you time to study and review. Quizzes may or may not be announced in advance. Your notebook may be checked and graded as a quiz.
Lab Work:
Labs are done during class. All lab work needs to be completed in class. Students must complete 1200 hands-on lab minutes to be eligible for the Regents Exam. If you miss a lab, it is up to you to schedule an appointment to make up your lab work
Absences:
- All assignments must be completed in a timely manner.
- Your work is due the day you return if you were absent on a day an assignment was due.
- You are responsible for getting your notes or assignments you missed.
- Assignments given on the day of a legal absence are expected to be completed within a week of the absence.
- You must schedule a time to make up a test or quiz with me if you miss one.
- Check Google Classroom for what you missed and get printed work from the extra handouts bin
Extra Help:
All you have to do to get extra help is to ask. I am available during some scheduled school periods and by appointment after school. Additionally, you may email me for help. Usually I check my email at least once in the morning and at least once in the afternoon. Please don’t wait to ask for help if you don’t understand something! Ask right away and keep asking until it makes sense.
Please Sign and Return
I understand the requirements and expectations for the 8th Grade Science Course with Ms. Coffey.
Student _________________________________ (print)
________________________________________ (signature)
Parent/Guardian_________________________ (print)
________________________________________ (signature)
Date _________________
Preferred Method of Contact
Phone___________________
Email________________________________________
