LIVING ENVIRONMENT

     This is a required course.  You must pass this class to graduate.  You must take the NYS regents for this class, for it will be averaged into your final grade.  If, for some reason, you cannot take the regents, a final exam would be substituted.

  LABS

     Labs will be included within the class, and they will be graded as pass or fail.  All charts, tables, questions, and diagrams must be completed and accurate to get credit.  If the lab is incomplete or fails to meet the standards, it will be returned to you to be redone within 2 days from the original date.  Failure to do this will count as an incomplete lab and will not count towards the lab portion of this class.

    New York State requires 1200 minutes of lab time per year, which are about 20 labs.  I will keep account of this time, and you will know per quarter where you stand in your “quest” towards the total number.  I will assign approximately 25 labs, so you will have some leeway, but failure to complete the labs whether due to illness, extracurricular activities, or incomplete labs may hinder your chance to take the regents.

       After completing the lab, it will be collected at the end of the period.  If you need more time to complete your answers you may hand it in the next class period.  After we go over it, you will hand it back in and initial a sheet.  This will help keep track of the labs you have completed.  If you fail to hand it to me, it may be lost, therefore only labs that need corrections or are incomplete should be in your possession.  If you need to correct your lab, it must be handed to me within two days or it will not be considered in your total lab minutes.  I must have 20 completed labs in my possession for you to take the regents.

CLASS GRADING

  30% = tests, about 2-3 per quarter.  Questions from your labs will show up on these tests.

50% =  classwork, quizzes, homework

20% = teacher evaluation – a subjective grade for participation, how well prepared you are, behavior, promptness, etc. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS

     You will need a binder for the lab manual that I will give you.  This will also give you room for class papers.  A  2” binder will probably work the best.

     I suggest highly a notebook, for I will give you the essential information needed, from the textbook, and you will also have quizzes in which I will let you use your notes.

     Pens must be used for tests and labs, and pencils are needed for labeling, diagrams, and graphing, so come with some of each.

     Homework will be worksheets or completed on looseleaf paper.  I will go over all homework, some will be collected and corrected, and some will be graded by that you have it completed and in on time.  So, just attempting the homework, whether you understand it or not is a wise move – as well as showing responsibility.

     If for some reason, you are unsure about your standing within this class, ASK ME, and I will answer all questions you have, to the best of my ability.  Do not let the quarter go by, and think not talking about it will make it go away.  The year will go by quickly, so stay on top of the requirements.  Remember this is a required course.  If you have any questions, please contact me, Mrs. Ryan, at 298-8638.

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