MR. FENNELL PLANET EARTH

Late work is not accepted for full credit without prior teacher approval. Special arrangements will need to be worked out with the instructor for any late work to possibly be accepted. The following only applies to work missed due to absences. A student absent on the day of a test will make it up the day he/she returns. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to make up all other missed work within one week. A student who is in school on the day of a test or quiz will be expected to take it as scheduled. Please discuss any special circumstances with me.

Keeping a well organized notebook is probably the most important thing that you can do to ensure success in the class. Students are expected to take notes. As an absolute minimum, everything that the teacher writes on the board should be written down in the notebook . It is also a good idea to have a special place to record homework assignments.

There is no single textbook for the course. Students will be issued individual copies of readings from journals and other sources throughout the semester. Students may not write on the readings. They will return all articles at the end of the year. Online supplemental textbooks and web resources for most topics in the course are listed under the content topics covered in the course.

CLASS GRADES

All tests, quizzes, labs, projects, homework and daily work will be assigned a predetermined number of points. Student's six weeks grades will be determined by dividing the number of points earned by the total number of points possible.

Example:

Six Weeks Average = 112/130 = 86%

To discuss, evaluate and debate competing theories orally and in writing

To recognize and/or hypothesize about cause and effect relationships

To read, interpret , discuss and construct maps, graphs , and charts

To read, critique and discuss journal articles and other primary source materials

To collect and analyze data for a long- term research project

To formulate conclusions based on data and research

To use appropriate technology and specialized equipment for collecting and analyzing data

To present the results of research visually and verbally

The planet and its life is a complex, dynamic system.

Science is a collection of useful theories and these theories can be modified or abandoned.

Well-constructed, accurate documents communicate useful information.

The pursuit of scientific research is influenced by political, economic and ethical considerations.

Quality work requires effort and revision.

Conclusions and theories gain validity with supporting evidence.

Research without effective communication is wasted effort.