Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School
Curriculum Paper
Course Title: Comprehensive Science 2
Teacher: Pamela L. Smith, M. Ed., NBCT
Mission Statement: Our Mission at the Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School is to create college bound students with a deep commitment to public service and a true understanding of their leadership skills within the global community.
Course Overview: Comprehensive Science 2 is inquiry based and is designed to help students continue to develop a deeper and richer understanding of different science concepts. The course complements and builds upon Comprehensive Science 1 along with preparing students for Comprehensive Science 3 and the FCAT Science Test which will be taken in 8th grade. An experiment based science project is required for students in advanced science courses.
Tentative Course Outline: Comprehensive Science 2 consists of 4 content
units and a science project unit. The science project unit will be taught
concurrently with Units 1 and 2. The first unit is Changes in Matter,
which includes variables in experiments, properties of matter, and
physical and chemical changes in matter. The second unit is Building
Blocks of Nature, which includes cells, cell theory, cellular organization,
classification and other topics related to the same theme. Unit 1 and part
of Unit 2 will be taught the first nine weeks. Unit 2 will be completed
during the 2nd nine week period. The science project unit will extend over
both the first and the second nine weeks and grades will reflect work for
the appropriate grading period. All students will complete an experiment based
science project. Each student will submit a research paper, a detailed project log,
and a backboard. Students will present projects orally. No demonstrations will be accepted. Unit 3 is Global Connections, which includes ecosystems and energy flow
in ecosystems and will be taught during the 3rd grading period. Unit 4 is Water on Earth, which includes physical and chemical weathering, fresh water, both underground and surface water, and the importance of water and water pollution will be taught the 4th grading period.
Student Evaluation: Students will demonstrate their knowledge through
Assessments, which include tests and quizzes along with projects and performance tasks. The assessments and class activities, which are based on the current Sunshine State Standards and DCPS Standards will comprise the majority of the grade. The Science Project will be completed outside of the classroom. It is a long term assignment, which requires the student follow a timeline for submissions. A detailed schedule including due dates and explanations of what is due will be posted on-line. Students will also have the dates in their planners. There will be frequent homework assignments, which for the most part are to allow students to prepare for the next lesson or to review a previous lesson. These may be graded, but they are not counted as heavily as assessments.
Educational Materials: We will use Holt Science and Technology (RED), which
each student has received to keep at home. A class set of science books has been provided for use in school. Other materials including on-line sources and videos will be utilized to help make this class a rich experience for each student.
Homework Policy: Late homework will not be accepted.
Late Work Policy: Class Assignments and Projects will receive a deduction for lateness.
Make-up Work Policy: When absent from class, it is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to talk to the teacher about work missed. For each day absent, an equal number of days is allowed to complete make-up assignments. If an absence is due to planned travel, parents should notify teachers in writing at least two days in advance prior to the absence requesting assignments which will be missed. In case of illness lasting three or more days, assignments may be requested through the Guidance Office at 346-5650 ext.114. Please allow 24-hours for work to be compiled.
Grade Recovery Policy: Students will be offered grade recovery as outlined in the Duval County Pupil Progression Plan found on the Duval County Public Schools web page (www.duvalschools.org).
Parent/Teacher Conferences: All Parent/Teacher conferences are to be scheduled through the Guidance Office at 346-5650 ext.114.
Tutoring Schedule: Tutoring will be provided after school. A tutoring session may be
requested by a student. A session will be scheduled for a day that is convenient for the teacher. A note from the parent will be necessary for any student to stay after school.
Grading Scale: Students will be evaluated in accordance with the standard Duval County Public Schools’ grading scale. Rubrics will be used for grading projects and performance tasks. These will be published both in class and on-line. Grades will be calculated by dividing the points earned by the student by the total number of points available. There will be no extra credit work available, but appropriate bonus opportunities will be available for all students at least once each grading period.
Progress Reports: In addition to report cards issued at the end of each quarter, students
will receive progress reports on September 8 and 29, November 7, December 5, February 9, March 3, April 22, and May 13. Students earning a grade of “D” or “F” on a progress report will be required to return the progress report signed by the parent/guardian within two days.
Other Information: Students and parents are encouraged to access information about the class activities and schedules by accessing the teacher’s page through the school’s web site. The student agenda is an excellent way to keep our home-school-home communication link strong. Students will use the agenda daily for recording assignments. It is also a good place for parents to write a quick note to the teacher or for the teacher to write a quick note to the parents. Please check the agenda frequently.
Curriculum Paper
Course Title: Comprehensive Science 2
Teacher: Pamela L. Smith, M. Ed., NBCT
Mission Statement: Our Mission at the Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School is to create college bound students with a deep commitment to public service and a true understanding of their leadership skills within the global community.
Course Overview: Comprehensive Science 2 is inquiry based and is designed to help students continue to develop a deeper and richer understanding of different science concepts. The course complements and builds upon Comprehensive Science 1 along with preparing students for Comprehensive Science 3 and the FCAT Science Test which will be taken in 8th grade. An experiment based science project is required for students in advanced science courses.
Tentative Course Outline: Comprehensive Science 2 consists of 4 content
units and a science project unit. The science project unit will be taught
concurrently with Units 1 and 2. The first unit is Changes in Matter,
which includes variables in experiments, properties of matter, and
physical and chemical changes in matter. The second unit is Building
Blocks of Nature, which includes cells, cell theory, cellular organization,
classification and other topics related to the same theme. Unit 1 and part
of Unit 2 will be taught the first nine weeks. Unit 2 will be completed
during the 2nd nine week period. The science project unit will extend over
both the first and the second nine weeks and grades will reflect work for
the appropriate grading period. All students will complete an experiment based
science project. Each student will submit a research paper, a detailed project log,
and a backboard. Students will present projects orally. No demonstrations will be accepted. Unit 3 is Global Connections, which includes ecosystems and energy flow
in ecosystems and will be taught during the 3rd grading period. Unit 4 is Water on Earth, which includes physical and chemical weathering, fresh water, both underground and surface water, and the importance of water and water pollution will be taught the 4th grading period.
Student Evaluation: Students will demonstrate their knowledge through
Assessments, which include tests and quizzes along with projects and performance tasks. The assessments and class activities, which are based on the current Sunshine State Standards and DCPS Standards will comprise the majority of the grade. The Science Project will be completed outside of the classroom. It is a long term assignment, which requires the student follow a timeline for submissions. A detailed schedule including due dates and explanations of what is due will be posted on-line. Students will also have the dates in their planners. There will be frequent homework assignments, which for the most part are to allow students to prepare for the next lesson or to review a previous lesson. These may be graded, but they are not counted as heavily as assessments.
Educational Materials: We will use Holt Science and Technology (RED), which
each student has received to keep at home. A class set of science books has been provided for use in school. Other materials including on-line sources and videos will be utilized to help make this class a rich experience for each student.
Homework Policy: Late homework will not be accepted.
Late Work Policy: Class Assignments and Projects will receive a deduction for lateness.
Make-up Work Policy: When absent from class, it is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to talk to the teacher about work missed. For each day absent, an equal number of days is allowed to complete make-up assignments. If an absence is due to planned travel, parents should notify teachers in writing at least two days in advance prior to the absence requesting assignments which will be missed. In case of illness lasting three or more days, assignments may be requested through the Guidance Office at 346-5650 ext.114. Please allow 24-hours for work to be compiled.
Grade Recovery Policy: Students will be offered grade recovery as outlined in the Duval County Pupil Progression Plan found on the Duval County Public Schools web page (www.duvalschools.org).
Parent/Teacher Conferences: All Parent/Teacher conferences are to be scheduled through the Guidance Office at 346-5650 ext.114.
Tutoring Schedule: Tutoring will be provided after school. A tutoring session may be
requested by a student. A session will be scheduled for a day that is convenient for the teacher. A note from the parent will be necessary for any student to stay after school.
Grading Scale: Students will be evaluated in accordance with the standard Duval County Public Schools’ grading scale. Rubrics will be used for grading projects and performance tasks. These will be published both in class and on-line. Grades will be calculated by dividing the points earned by the student by the total number of points available. There will be no extra credit work available, but appropriate bonus opportunities will be available for all students at least once each grading period.
Progress Reports: In addition to report cards issued at the end of each quarter, students
will receive progress reports on September 8 and 29, November 7, December 5, February 9, March 3, April 22, and May 13. Students earning a grade of “D” or “F” on a progress report will be required to return the progress report signed by the parent/guardian within two days.
Other Information: Students and parents are encouraged to access information about the class activities and schedules by accessing the teacher’s page through the school’s web site. The student agenda is an excellent way to keep our home-school-home communication link strong. Students will use the agenda daily for recording assignments. It is also a good place for parents to write a quick note to the teacher or for the teacher to write a quick note to the parents. Please check the agenda frequently.
