Earth Science Introduction Notes

Instructor: Mark Fontenot mfontenot@hbsd.net

I can be found for extra help before school from about 8:00-8:25 am, during my prep period and advisory period, after school until about 4:00 pm, and other times by appointment. Or drop me an email and I will soon reply. Don’t even look for me on Facebook, don’t tweet at me unless you are asking for birdseed. I encourage you to seek one-on-one help whenever you feel a little lost. It is something that most successful science students do frequently.

Course Description

Earth science is the broad study of many topics related to the planet we occupy and the galaxy and universe of which it is a part. The dimensions, structure and composition of planet Earth, the processes of its formation, distant past and ongoing reshaping are all studied. The ways in which humans have mapped, modeled and impacted this world will be studied. Earth’s movements, its oceans and atmosphere will be explored. Our methods of study will be lecture/discussion, small group and individual projects and activities, labs and field trips.

Grading

The approximate breakdown of your grade in this course will be as follows: • Labs and other activities- 25% of overall grade • Homework and in-class participation and paperwork-25% of overall grade. • Tests and quizzes-50% of overall grade.

There will be a final exam given each semester that makes up a significant part of the test part of your grade. You can expect homework three nights a week. Small quizzes can be expected weekly. Larger unit tests will happen about once a month, or whenever we finish the units outlined on the syllabus. Labs are less predictable, but on average might happen once every couple of weeks.

Materials

You will need the following materials with you when the bell rings to start class EVERY DAY: • Notebook dedicated to this course alone, so that it can be handed-in (not containing stuff you need for other classes). • Pocket folder dedicated to this course alone, so you always know where your in-progress work is, and have a place to keep handed-back work for later reference. • Textbook (even though there will be plenty of days we won’t use it, you won’t know when those will be, so just bring it.) • A writing utensil of your very own. You’re a big kid now, get a pencil or pen.

Rules

The school rules are spelled-out in detail in your student handbook. My classroom rules are much simpler, but I do want to emphasize that it takes a constant effort on everyone’s part to maintain an environment where learning is possible for us all, and where much valuable time is not wasted.

• Be on time and prepared for this class. • Be respectful. • Be nice or go away.

Late Work Policy:

Simple. Work turned in one day late will be graded for half credit. Later than one day will not be accepted at all, unless you’ve had an excused absence, of course.