Class Rools & Such

General Information For All Taylor Classes

Specifics for ALL Classes?

1. LABS? This is a LAB course and my LABS are a little weirder than you are used to. They are, for the most part, "Discovery" type LABS. This means they have very little, if ANY, directions. They simply pose a question or problem and YOU have to not only figure out the answer, but you must also figure out HOW to get the answer. A few LAB things...
   1. LABS are always due the day AFTER we actually do the LAB work.
   2. LABS can be re-done for better grades AS OFTEN AS YOU HAVE TIME FOR! If you need more time to complete the lab, it is your responsibility to get in to finish or re-do it. This includes before school 6:30AM-7:15AM, during tutorials, and after school 2:20PM - 3:20PM any day except Friday. (That's the day I go in search of a life . . . ) What if a lab just fails you? Try again. If you and your partner(s) receive a not-so-cool grade on a lab, simply do it again on your own time for a re-grading. Science is full of valiant attempts and valiant failures. It's the tenacious that found answers.
   3. Initial LAB MUST receive a grade of 50% or better for you to have the right to Re-Do it. In other words, you can't RE-do it if you didn't DO it in the 1st place...
2. Quizes? Often and unannounced. You will be able to work WITH A PARTNER on all class quizes.
3. Exams? Often and announced! 3 Exams per Q.
   1. 1^st Exam is conventional class Exam. 1/2 Multiple Guess & 1/2 SA problems. It is open note and open book. The better your notes, the better your grade. Simple.
   2. 2^nd Exam is online at DTFizzix.com. You will have 3-4 days to work on it and submit answers ONLINE.
   3. 3^rd Exam is Take-Home. Usually last 5-7 days. Submitted ON PAPER. (Multiple Guess section is still done IN CLASS! Math part is taken home...)
4. All closets and cabinets are OFF-LIMITS! There are many dangerous and evil things lurking in a science LAB. If you need something, ask!
5. Do NOT TOUCH ANY LAB SET-UP in the room that YOU did not construct! Other classes are using them and you could ruin lots of their valuable time.
6. Be on time. Duh...
7. Check the weekly schedule online at DTFizzix.com regularly to see what I'm up to. In the event of an absence, you can always check what you missed and be prepared to make it up upon your return.
8. You have a textbook. Leave it at home! Use it as a resource for getting ready for all the wacky and challenging things we do in class. Since this is an 'advanced' science course, you are simply expected to:
   • Read the text as we progress through the course. If you fall behind, catch up. If you fall behind too far, like more than one chapter, you will find it extremely difficult to pass this course with your accustomed 'A' grades.
   • Ask for help when it's needed! I simply assume that you have the background, especially in math, to keep up. If you have trouble, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to let me know and/or to obtain additional help.
   • Be familiar with the text stuff. Even though I may not mention every little detail in class, you still need to know it. It would be a good idea to jot down questions to ask me...
9. GRADES?
   • 60% Exams (70% for AP)
   • 30% LABS (10% for AP)
   • 10% HW/CW/MISC (20% for AP)
10. ANYTIME you have a SUB, whatever you do in class counts as a DOUBLE QUIZ GRADE. PERIOD. The wrath of the Fizzix Gods shall fall upon you with the force of a plethora of black holes if a nasty word is ever said about you by a Sub.
11. XTRAS? For one FREE HW Check (That means you can GET a HW credit even if you didn't COMPLETE a HW assign...) :
    • For being the 1^st each day to tell me the meaning of the banner on the DTFizzix HomePage.
    • For bringing in pertinent CURRENT Science news articles!
    • XTRA XTRA for pointing out science ERRORS in current popular media.
12. NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE CONSUMED IN CLASS! PERIOD!
13. Free Potty Pass. Details discussed in class.
14. Tardy Policy
    • 1^st : Stern Look!
    • 2^nd : Srerner look & a raised voice!
    • 3^rd and each subsequent tardy = -1 pt from Quarter grade!