In
Class Assignments: |
| *Bellwork |
| Bellwork
is a warm up to get the brain thinking about today's topic. |
|
*Labs
|
|
Discovery is truly found
in the tests and trials of a lab. Labs are to show the
students how scienctific theory is explored as well as
to show them the wonderful "gray area" that
is found in science.
|
|
*Group Presentations
|
|
Scientists never work
alone. To fully expand the mind, a scientists must collaborate
with others and learn how to present together those findings
or discoveries.
|
| *Note
Check Quizes |
| While
learning about the theories of science, it is important
to take and review notes. These quizes are desinged to
help students review and apply notes taken in class. These
assignments replace bellwork when given. |
| *Sub
Assessments |
| When
I am not going to be in the classroom due to sickness or
workshop, I will have the students work through the book
at their own pace to allow some review or a foretaste of
material that we are currently working on. This is ALWAYS
followed by some sort of assessment when I return to ensure
that the concept was looked at so we do not get behind
in the curriculum. |
|
*Performance Assessments
|
| Why
give a pencil/paper test in science? I find that backwards.
Performance Assessments are tests that allow the students
to be put in a real world connection regarding science.
This may sometimes be a project that covers everything
discussed in class or a lab that tests the theories presented
or a demonstration that asks the students to discuss what
was done. This, I feel, gives the students more than one
way to present what they know to me without the added stress
of test anxiety. Sometimes, they don't even realize they
have been tested and passed! |
| |
Outside
Class Assignments: |
| *Participation
Grades |
| Most
of my homework assignments are done in such a way that
the student is asked to go beyond the lesson we just discussed
or to take a risk and try a concept out before we discuss
the concept itself. I do this not to intimidate the student,
but to get them feeling secure about taking risks and trying
something out. I want students to be able to feel safe
about making mistakes in class. I NEVER expect my students
to be perfect or to always have the right answer. If they
did, then we what would we learn? Science is all about
making mistakes and learning from them. As a result, every
student who attempts these types of assignments can receive
no lower than an 80 if turned in on time. If turned in
late, the child will receive no higher than a 70 because
we would have gone over the concept in class, and no work
would be involved. |
| *Concept
Check |
| Sometimes,
I need to check if a concept has been learned in such a
way that the student can demonstrate that concept to me.
In these homework assignments the grade is based on accuracy,
not participation. I will always forewarn students that
the assignment is a concept check versus a normal particiaption
assignment. These assignments will be graded based on the basic rubric that I use to help parents and students see growth. |
|
*Lab Write-ups
|
| When
scientists test and explore thoeries, they always communicate
their findings to the scientific community. Hence lab write-ups
are an integral part of my science class. This grade is
commonly known as a "daily double" because these
grades count twice as much a a daily grade. The reason
behind this is because to apply the knowledge learned and
then to discuss it with evidence gained is at a higher
level than normal assignments and the work deserves the
higher weight. |
| *S.I.A.
Projects |
| Science
In Action Projects are projects designed to bring the conpects
being studied into a real world situation or to connect
science in some way to the life of the students. These
are always given out at the beginning of a six weeks period
and are due near the end of the six weeks period. An assignment
sheet detailing the assignment as well as the grading rubric
is sent home when the project is assinged so that parents
can see what the project is and when the benchmark due
dated are. |
| *Portfolio |
| The portfolio
is designed to help students keep track of their growth
as well as help them understand how their average is turning
out. Every paper that is graded and sent home should be
brought back and stored in the portfolio so the paper may
be reviewed if needed. The hope is to also build a study
skill of keeping all papers to reivew for test and quizes.
A grade is taken based on the work provided and the student's
evaluation of that work. |
