Welcome to Earth Systems & Space Science Mrs. Galoob, room #314 rgaloob@skschools.net

2008-2009

Mrs. Galoob’s website: http://hs.skschools.net/Teachers/rgaloob/

• I have a website that is linked to the schools website (http://skschools.net), from this site you should click on my name from the high school staff list. For some topics I will post the class notes and information about major assignments such as lab reports.

Course Themes in Brief

• Scientific Method & lab report writing– Measurement

• Basic chemistry– Atomic structure– Radioactive decay– Chemical and physical changes

• Newton’s Laws of Motion– Kinetic and potential energy

• Structure of the earth– Rock cycle – Earth’s composition

• Plate tectonics– Earthquakes, volcanoes

• Space science– Big bang– Star formation

Course Activities

• Using maps and graphs

• Making and interpreting models

• Working in groups with peers

• Using lab equipment

• Communicating results

• Performing and writing lab investigations

Lab Reports for the Portfolio:

• Student Learning Expectation (SLE) A1: All students will demonstrate critical thinking by acquiring and analyzing information, employing effective research skills and using logic in problem solving.

• Two lab reports (2 courses)

Lab Report RubricSouth Kingstown High School - Lab Report Rubric Name______________________________________ Class___________________________________ Proficiency Requirements A proficient lab report must: Applicable GSE’s_________________________________________________________________________ 1. Demonstrate that the student understands the nature of science and the scientific process 2. Demonstrate that the student understands the applicable GSE's and other content and concepts presented and analyzed in the experiment.. 3. Demonstrate the student's ability to analyze their data and use their data to draw conclusions relative to the validity of their hypothesis. Nov.07

CATEGORY Exceeds Standard Meets Standard Approaching Standard Below Standard None Wt. Pts.

Proficiency Requirements

Exemplary demonstration of the 3 proficiency standards.

Adequately demonstrates the 3 proficiency standards.

Adequately demonstrates 2 out of 3 of the proficiency standards

Proficiency standards not demonstrated.

(Introduction) Question Purpose

Insight included in the purpose or question. Is in the students own words.

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is clearly identified and stated.

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is identified, but is stated in a somewhat unclear manner.

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is erroneous.

(Introduction) Background Information

Background information is sufficient, concise, well-researched and gives context to the purpose of the lab. Exemplary understanding of the applicable GSE’s

Background information is concise and gives context to the purpose of the lab. Adequate understanding of the applicable GSE’s.

Background information is correct but does not give context to the purpose of the lab. May be too short or too long. Emerging understanding of applicable GSE’s

Background information is incorrect. No understanding of the applicable GSE’s

(Introduction) Hypothesis

Format is correct. Hypothesis is testable. Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is clear & insightful.

Format is correct Hypothesis is testable. Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is reasonable.

Format is evident, but may contain mistakes. Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results has some errors.

Format not evident Hypothesis is totally incorrect.

Materials Procedures

Materials list is complete. Description of procedure is clear, numbered, and in sequenced steps. Procedure is written so that the experiment could be easily repeated.

Listing of materials almost complete. Description of procedure is clear. Procedure is written so that the experiment could be repeated.

Some materials missing Description somewhat unclear. Would be difficult to repeat.

Many materials missing Description very unclear. Could not be repeated.

(Results) Data and Observations

Accurate representation of the tabular data and observations. Tables are, numbered, labeled and titled. Correct units. Observations only – NO interpretation.

Data and observations are complete, but include occasional errors. Observations only – NO interpretation.

Data and observations are incomplete and inaccurate. Table format is evident, but some units are missing. Some interpretation of data.

Data and observations are completely inaccurate, incomplete and poorly organized. Extensive interpretation of data.

(Results) Calculations

Calculations include all formulas and units. They are accurate, neat, labeled and sequential.

80 % of criteria are completed 60% of criteria completed. 40% of criteria completed.

(Results) Graphs

Type of graph is appropriate for the application. Variables are plotted on the correct axis. Units are correctly plotted and scaled Graph includes figure number, title, axis labels and units.

80 % of criteria are completed 60% of criteria completed. 40% of criteria completed.

Discussion/ Conclusion

Meets the standard with exceptional insight and analysis. Exemplary understanding of the applicable GSE’s

Hypothesis is restated and rejected or accepted based on the data. Analyzes and interprets essential data used to draw conclusions. Sources of error identified Discusses applications and or extensions of experiment Adequate understanding of the applicable GSE’s.

Some misconceptions in interpretation and discussion of data/observations and calculations. One of the "meets standards" condition has not been met. Emerging understanding of applicable GSE’s

Many misconceptions in interpretation and discussion of data/observations and calculations. Two or more of the "meets standards" condition has not been met No understanding of the applicable GSE’s

Format Accurate and complete format. Well-written. Avoids personal pronouns. Excellent citations in correct format.

Accurate and complete format. Adequately written. A few grammar or spelling mistakes. Adequate citations in correct format.

Format incomplete. Poorly written Citations included

Format incomplete and difficult to follow. Very poorly written. No citations

Expectations for Students

Attendance! Attitude! Effort!

• Be on time and prepared for class. On the due date of an assignment students should bring to class their work in a completed format.

• All submitted assignments are the work of only the student making the submission.

• Be courteous to others, use respectful language.

• Always follow lab safety rules as specified in the safety contract.

• Cell phones and MP3 players are not allowed and will be confiscated to be handed over to an administrator. Any communication with persons outside school should be done through the SKHS office.

Absences:• If you have an excused absence you are

expected to ask for and get from me missed homework and make arrangements to complete missed class work. This could very likely include staying after school to get the appropriate help or materials to make up the work. If a student does not make up a test or quiz prior to my grading and handing them back to the class they will receive a zero.

MaterialsYou will be issued a textbook: Heath Earth Science.

In class every day you will need:• a pen or pencil, • a 3 ring binder to keep notes, handouts, lab data, graded

work, etc. • your agenda

KEEP ALL YOUR WORK: All quizzes and tests will be based on the notes and activities done in class. There will be semester exams to review for, therefore I strongly suggest keeping a notebook of all materials in order to review.

Grading Grades will be calculated based on a point system. Points earned in

a quarter will be divided by the total points possible to arrive at a percentage : 100-90% = A, 89-80=B, 79-70= C, 69-60=D,

below 60 = F.

• Homework: 5-10 points. Full credit is given for homework completed and on time. Students are expected to make corrections to their work when we go over it as a class. Late and incomplete homework is not accepted. You are expected to complete homework when absent as described above in “expectations”.

• Class work, small labs, and Quizzes: 10-50 points

• Tests/ Projects/ Full Lab Reports: 50-100 points Rubrics with detailed instructions will be given with all projects and lab reports.

High School Grade Span Expectations:

Physical Science #1 All living and nonliving things are composed of matter having characteristic properties that distinguish one substance from another (independent of

size or amount of substance).

Use physical and chemical properties as determined through an investigation to identify a substance.

• Example activity: Students demonstrate an understanding of characteristic properties of matter by …– utilizing appropriate data (related to chemical

and physical properties), to distinguish one substance from another or identify an unknown substance.