9th GRADE EARTH SCIENCE

DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT
Mrs. Britt Rohde
Mountain Ridge Junior High
(801) 610-8758 ext. 131
e-mail : brohde@alpinedistrict.org
Course website: http://mrsrohdescience.weebly.com/

Contact Hours: Room A 131

7:45 8:05am
2:45 3:15pm

(At any time you may view this document on my classroom website)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is an introductory course with a wealth of information concerning the fundamental dynamics of the hydrosphere and gain
knowledge ofhow Earth's internal structure and the dynamic nature of the tectonic plates that form its surface. Students will also
understand atmospheric processes that support life and cause weather and climate and review scientific evidence that supports
theories that explain how the universe and the solar system developed. EarthSciencedevelopsthestudentsunderstandingof

interactionsofscienceandhowtheyinteractwithsociety.

The following areas of Earth Science will be covered in detail:

1. Hydrosphere
2. Geosphere
3. Atmosphere
4. Astronomy
CLASSROOM MATERIALS:
To succeed in this classroom, the following materials are strongly encouraged:
o A set of pencils for labs, notes & tests, pens for notes only, and a dry erase marker for classroom discussion activities.
o Composition notebook, spiral notebook OR a 1 binder for note taking and organization
o Unit Packets For notes and assignments
o Other materials, which are nice to have but are not necessary would include: calculator & colored pens/pencils.
Classroom Expectations:
You are free to make choices, but you are not free from the consequences of the choices that you make. Rules are based on the 3 Rs
1. Be respectful of yourself and others (Golden Rule).
a. Please be mindful of your comments towards others.
b. Please do not talk while other students are participating in classroom discussions.
c. Please do not touch other students belongings.
2. Be respectful of the teacher.
a. Please be on time (Tardy is not being in your seat when the bell rings. See school attendance policy).
b. Please be prepared to work (I recommend you have 2 pencils sharpened before class begins).
c. Please do not talk or get out of your seat while Im giving instruction. (i.e. hall pass).
d. Please do your work when asked and have all your work finished.
e. Please do not roughhouse in my classroom especially during labs. (Points are deducted for goofing off)
f. Please no electronic devices in my class; school policy.
3. Be respectful of the school.
a. Please keep my classroom clean.
b. Please do not write, etch or place gum on the desks and chairs.
c. Please treat lab and school equipment with care & respect. Broken equipment will be charged the price of the item
plus an additional 50% for compensation of time and resources.
*Violation of each will be dealt with in an appropriate manner (Please see Discipline Policy below).
Short & Sweet Version:
Be on time & prepared
Keep it clean
Respect the equipment & others at all times
No food, drink or gum
No electronic devices

No goofing off during labs

CITIZENSHIP:
Any grade other than an O signifies behavior that does not meet expectations--too much talking, interrupting, being off-task,
etc. will lower your citizenship grade. Citizenship will be lowered one grade for every two tardies that term. Any damage to classroom
materials will result in an automatic N or U, depending on the extent. (This includes all materials including tables, crayons, textbooks,
etc.) PLEASE TREAT THINGS WITH RESPECT.
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
Each student is expected to behave in an appropriate manner fit for a public classroom, and will be held accountable for their actions
and behavior while in class; this includes treating the school, teacher, others and self in a respectable manner. If a student violates the
classroom rules, appropriate action will follow to remedy the situation.
HORSE PLAY DURING LAB TIME:
Due to safety concerns, if a student or students are caught horse playing during lab, it is imperative that I take evasive action.
Therefore, depending on the severity of the situation, I will either reduce points or remove the students from lab that will result in a
zero for the lab. During which, the student will sit off to the side while the rest of the class continues.
GRADING:
1.

CLASS and LAB ASSIGNMENTS: Class and Lab Assignments are worth 30% of your grade. We will be working on these
daily and should be completed in class. Please have your Internet forms filled out and filed with the media center for any
future Internet assignments. There is an online textbook available. For late work, please view the Late Work Policy below.

2.

TESTS AND QUIZZES: This category accounts for 70% of the grade. Quizzes will be given throughout the unit, and be
used to practice for walkaways and tests. The Quizzes can be taken as many times as you would like to improve your overall
score. Tests will be given at the midterm and at the end of the term. This will be cumulative for the term. If a unit ends after
the end the end of the term the information after the test will be on the next test.

LATE WORK POLICY:

Each student will be expected to finish all assignments on time. All lab packets are due on the day we do the test and are considered
late if not. If late, an automatic drop of up to 10% will be applied. Second week: -20%, third week -30%, fourth week 50%.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS:
Extra credit is available in two forms: reading extra credit articles on the class website or reporting on scientific current events. Each
article or report will raise the overall term grade by 1 percent. Extra credit will not be allowed to raise a students grade by more than
one grade scale change.
GRADING SCALE:
Scores are then totaled and a grade is given according to the following schedule of percentages.
A
94-100 = A
90-93 = A-

B
87- 89 = B+
83 - 86 = B
80 - 82 = B-

C
77 - 79 = C+
73 - 76 = C
70 - 72 = C-

D
67 - 69 = D+
63 - 66 = D
60 - 62 = D-

F
59% or Below

CHEATING:
Cheating is not tolerated in any form. Every student is expected to complete his or her own assignments and tests. NO CREDIT will
be given for assignments or tests where cheating has taken place, and your citizenship grade will be automatically be dropped to
Unsatisfactory.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES:
Attendance and Tardies will be dealt with as stated in the school policy. It is your responsibility to makeup work for absences. You
have ONE WEEK after your return from your absence to complete it for FULL CREDIT. To access any missing coursework

assignments and quizzes please go to my classroom website listed above. The lab sheets are all available in your packet.

SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT
Mrs. Britt Rohde
Room 131 A
By signing below, I have read and agree to the terms outlined in Mrs. Rohdes Disclosure Document as outlined on her webpage at the
following link http://mrsrohdescience.weebly.com/. I also know that a copy can also be obtained from the classroom at any time
throughout the year.
I also know and understand that by not signing, I forfeit my (or son/daughters) privilege to participate in future classroom activities
and labs. I also know that this signature is worth 25 points, which will count against my (or son/daughters) grade if not turned in.

____________________________________________________
Student (signature)

___________________
Period

____________________________________________________
Student (please print)

____________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian

___________________
Date

Media Release Form

During the year, I would like to share with you - the parents - labs my students are doing on my website. I may also like to consider
using them for future Power Points, or relay them to the district or school newsletter. These are pictures that I take and submit to the
school yearbook. The pictures on the website are not downloadable, but you are free to email me for an electronic copy of your
child's photo.
Please take time to review the Information Release Form and select all appropriate options. If your preference changes during the year,
please contact me and I will have you submit a new form. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me before
signing.
Please check the box (es) below to indicate what permissions you are comfortable giving.
Please take the time to choose your media release options below:
__ Mrs. Rohde, the school and district has permission to display my childs photo.
__ Mrs. Rohde, the school and district has permission to display my childs name.
__ I do not give my permission
______________________________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Name:

____________________________________
Date