I implement a portfolio method in my teaching. The portfolio serves as a teaching tool and an assessment (grading) method. Students collect all their work in a 3-ring binder. The portfolio allows me to better monitor students' progress. It gives the learners more options to express what they learn. It allows them to control their own progress and gives them an ownership of their work. In addition, the portfolio allows parents or guardians to observe student's work and progress. Students are required to have the 3-ring binder to collect their work.
Homework policy:
Students are given a set of homework questions or problems related to the covered material. Students have two weeks to complete and turn their homework to me. The deadline for turning the homework is specified on each homework set
Grading policy:
Homework 10%
Class assignments 10%
Quizzes 15%
Exams 20%
Participation 10%
Labs 15%
Portfolio 20%
To view assigments, scores and grades please visit the Student Portal!!!
My display you will find here pictures of the display "Fossils,
Minerals and Rocks"
My display: "Fossils, Minerals and Rocks"
Topographic Map you will find here a description of the project "Creating a Topographic Map" and two topographic maps created by stydents.
Project: "Creating a Topographic Map"
The project "Creating a Topographic Map" was a 2005 Teacher Incentive Grant Winner of the Oppenheimer Family Foundation. The Grant allowed me to purchase sophisticated instruments such as (Global Positioning System) GPS and Altimeters for my students to create a topographic map. My students learned about the topographic map by creating their own very detailed map of the area around the school. The project was completed in one month and involved 10 teams of 3-5 students in my Topics in Science classes. Students performed field measurements of latitude, longitude, altitude, distance, and dimensions of all ground features of the area. They used their measurements to create the topographic (aerial) map of the area in scale 1:240. Ten teams used their measurements and graphing skills to create their unique maps. Examples of students' maps are shown below. The maps do not depict contour lines because the entire area was measured to be at the same elevation.
Map #1
Map #2
Earth and Space Science gives students one more option in choosing among different science classes. It takes them into a new dimension. For some students, it is an introduction and excellent preparation for more advanced subjects like Physics Chemistry or Astronomy. For others, it is a challenge and opportunity to venture into the world of unknown. Students will not only learn about our Earth and geological forces that shape our planet but also refine their mathematical, scientific, artistic and linguistic skills. The Earth and Space Science class incorporates a variety of activities including reading scientific journals, watching scientific movies, exploring geophysical and meteorological phenomena by performing hands on activities, data collection and analysis, discussions, inquiries about the past, present, and the future of Earth and its integral part, the human kind.lick heredd text.
The Astronomy class gives students one more option in choosing among different science classes. It is an advance class designed to acquire knowledge about our Universe, the Solar System and Earth that are an integral part of the Universe. Students will learn about forces and astronomical phenomena constantly reshaping the Universe. They will use their mathematical, scientific, artistic and linguistic skills. The Astronomy class will incorporate a variety of activities including exploration of physical and astronomical phenomena by performing hands on activities, designing , building and using astronomical instruments to observe , collect and analyze data as well as reading scientific journals, watching scientific movies, discussions, and others.
Joshua Bautista
Andy Wittock
Paul Baumgartner
Justin Valentin
Jose Mena
Freshman 2010/2011xt.
Scientific Concepts class gives students one more option in choosing among different science classes. The class is designed to refine their scientific knowledge in preparation for ACT and PSAE exams. It combines topics from subject like Earth Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics , Biology and Mathematics. Students will refine their acquired mathematical and scientific knowledge and incorporate it in learning variety of new challenging concepts. Scientific Concepts class incorporates a variety of activities including exploring different phenomena by performing hands on activities, learning data collection and analysis methods, reading scientific journals and books , discussions, and others.
For contact information please refer to school website
