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** Mrs. Ratelis' Science Classes **

Check out the Promethean Planet Teacher's Lounge!
Every month I will be blogging about teaching science to high school students. Janurary's Blogwas about the variable martix we used in Chemistry's Final Lab Project February's Blogwas about how we practice making observations and inferences. March;s Blog was about using "tea party" reading to teach making inferences. April's Blog was about classroom arrangement for inquiry based labs

ALL Students need signed safety contracts BEFORE participating in labs. Grades Check [|ZANGLE]for updated grades Missing work lists are updated and posted weekly in room 314
 * General Class Information **

Formal Lab Report Due June 3rd  Desgin and test your electromagnet lab   Congrats to the students to completed this task on time!

Scientist Biogr ﻿ aphy Research Project  THE BOOK IS NOW PUBLISHED! Congrats to the students to completed this task on time!

__**4th Quarter Update:**__
Students are expected to write a 1.5-2 page biography about a scientist for our Book "More Than Just Science". Biographies are due May 31st.

__**3rd Quarter Update:**__
Students are expected to research three difference scientists 3rd quarter. For each scientist a biography notesheet needs to be completed and a mini project sharing your research. Go to the Scientist Research Page for Links to templates and useful websites. Guidelines and Rubric for Online Discussion Boards In science this year, online discussions will count towards your grade in the course. The purpose of the discussion board is to frame and promote collaborative learning. Active and regular participation is not only important for me to see, but also important for you in learning the course content and in developing your thoughts and positions on various topics.

<span style="border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext 0.5pt solid; borderbottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; borderbottomcolor: windowtext; borderbottomstyle: solid; borderbottomwidth: 0.5pt; bordercolor: windowtext; borderleft: windowtext 0.5pt solid; borderleftcolor: windowtext; borderleftstyle: solid; borderleftwidth: 0.5pt; borderright: windowtext 0.5pt solid; borderrightcolor: windowtext; borderrightstyle: solid; borderrightwidth: 0.5pt; borderstyle: solid; bordertop: windowtext 0.5pt solid; bordertopcolor: windowtext; bordertopstyle: solid; bordertopwidth: 0.5pt; borderwidth: 0.5pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 4pt; padding-top: 1pt; paddingbottom: 1pt; paddingleft: 0in; paddingright: 4pt; paddingtop: 1pt;">Our rules for Discussion Boards:  The total of your participation in a single discussion board question (topic) will be graded on a ten point scale. **__Here is the protocol for posting and contributing to an online discussion:__** You are expected to participate on at least 3 different days. Post identifies and defines 2 vocabulary words from the reading. || Posting demonstrated understanding of the topic and presented an idea with ease; and advanced discussion through a question Post does not identify or define relevant vocabulary form article || Posting demonstrated some understanding of the topic but repeated ideas already posted does not add substance to the discussion. || The posting is off topic or irrelevant to discussion. || Initial post is made early in the week with replies later in the week. || Participates at least 3 times, responding to at least 2 different members. || Participates at least 2 times, responding to at least 2 different members. || Participates not at all. Does not post or fails to reply to other posts. ||
 * 1) Please remember that the cultural of mutual respect that is part of this course extends into the virtual classroom environment.
 * 2) Participation in these discussion boards is required.
 * 3) Participation alone is not enough; a thoughtful and meaningful approach in your posts is required. (Quality counts!)
 * Initial Posting || Posting demonstrated in-depth understanding of the topic and presented an idea convincingly and advanced discussion through a question
 * References/ Support || Post was well supported with several relevant facts or examples from reading or personal experience. || Post was adequately supported with relevant facts or examples from reading or experience. || Post was supported with some facts or examples, but the relevance of some was questionable. || Post included no reference or supporting experience. ||
 * Follow-up postings || All replies were accurate, relevant and strong demonstrating analysis of other posts extending meaningful discussion by building on previous posts. || Most replies were accurate and relevant, elaborating on previous posts with further comment or observation. || Replies agreed or disagreed but did not enrich discussion. || Did not reply or respond to other posts. ||
 * Clarity and Mechanics || Postings contributed to discussion with clear concise comments in an easy to read style free of grammatical and spelling errors. || Postings contribute valuable information to discussion with minor clarity, grammatical or spelling errors. || Postings communicate in a friendly, courteous and helpful manner with some errors in clarity, grammar and/or spelling. || - Postings are long, unorganized or off topic. - Postings were inappropriate or rude. - Postings used poor grammar or "chat room" style writing. ||
 * Frequency || Participates at least 4 times, responding to at least 3 different members.