Mr. Detering, Aug. 2004
Why we are here to:
1. Learn about science and how it applies to our lives.
2. Prepare you for your next academic pursuits - to develop your ability to study and learn - to help you learn how to learn.
Hints for success
1. Be prepared (the 3 Ps – be present, prepared and participate)
2. Be present
3. Participate
4. Complete assigned work on time
5. Make up missed work as soon as possible – it is your responsibility!
6. If you need help or have questions – ASK! If my extra help schedule doesn’t work for you, we can make adjustments.
Philosophy
1. Our class should be an environment of mutual respect and trust. We earn each other’s respect. I respect you, you respect me, and everything will flow from that.
2. My goal is to help students succeed.
3. Some things are not negotiable.
4. The person who does the work is the one who learns.- Learning is not a spectator sport!- 90% of the effort spent on your education should be your own!
5. There is a rigor to schoolwork – there’s a reason it’s called schoolwork!
6. Learning is not the same thing as entertainment.Learning can be the source of pleasure, but the process of learning is not necessarily pleasurable, at least not in the sense of immediate satisfaction. Learning can be difficult, frustrating and tedious. Hopefully we can minimize your suffering, but don’t expect learning to be easy. * Your ultimate success can be a great source of eventual satisfaction.
7. Learning involves memorization. Facts in themselves don’t constitute knowledge, but knowledge without facts is impossible. *
8. Learning never ends – the search for answers inevitably leads to new questions. Wisdom consists of knowing what questions you should ask. *
9. We should take time to draw connections between the material taught in the classroom and the world outside.
10. Value differences and be tolerant.- Respect others, their cultures and their ideas- Be tolerant in your learning. Don’t discard an idea or information until you have given it a chance. “There is no safety or salvation in ignorance.”*
11. Our job is to prepare you for what comes next – next year in high school, after high school and ultimately the world of work, parenting and civil responsibility.
12. Ethics and integrity is part of learning.- The pursuit of knowledge is filled with temptation.- Cheating on your education means cheating on yourself and your peers. It won’t be tolerated.
13. Students have the right to decide to fail. I will be extremely disappointed if you exercise that right. If you do exercise that right, I will insist you do it quietly and not interrupt the learning of others.
Classroom management and courtesy:
1. Unless we are doing cooperative work, only one person should be talking at a time
2. When the teacher starts speaking, that’s a queue for you to stop
3. Be on time for class
4. The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.
5. There are expectations and consequences. If you aren’t clear on what the expectations are - ask! (Expectations don’t change because you have a substitute teacher!.)
6. If it is necessary to remove you from the room, you are not done dealing with me.
7. Conduct issues – there shouldn’t be any. But, if there are… First time we talk. Detention with me. Discussion with parent. Administration involvement. None of this should be necessary.
MD 0804-082208 From “Seven Observations on Learning” published by Bowdoin College 2003