Ernie Laurence, Jr. - Home Page/Portal
by Ernie Laurence
January 16, 2009
Greetings and Welcome!
My name is Ernie Laurence, Jr. I teach Physics, Chemistry, and Environmental Science at Granger High School. I also advise the Student Council. This year we have begun an a cappella choir and with hard work and dedication will eventually begin to participate in U.I.L. Choir competition.
For the moment, this page will serve as a simple introduction to my classes. Later I will provide links as a portal to individual web pages for each of the three classes I teach plus Student Council and Choir.
At this time let me say that any and all who would like to know more about me, my classes, or who have any questions or input, please, please, please come by and chat with me. My conference periods are 2nd (8:54-9:44) and 7th (1:58-2:48). I always enjoy hearing from those in the community, especially parents, and want to work with them as a team to help the children of this town, this state, this nation achieve the potential they all carry inside of them.
May the Force Be With You!!!
Ernie Laurence, Jr.
| Under Construction |
Syllabus
Instructor: Ernie Laurence
Conference Period:2nd period 8:54-9:44 am; 7th period 1:58-2:48
E-mail: elaurence@granger.txed.net
Website: www.grangerisd.net
Physics
Physics Text: Conceptual Physics - Paul G. Hewitt
Suggested Readings: Suggested texts for students keeping can be found at www.half.com (Half-Price Books). The suggested text is The New World of Mr Tompkins by George Gamow & Russell Stannard. Other information sources are: www.Physics.org, www.nasa.gov, www.junkscience.com
Course Overview:
Physics I covers a conceptual and Algebraic approach to physics. The majority of the curriculum will cover motion & mechanics, matter, thermodynamics, waves (sound and light), electromagnetism, and atomic theory. The course will also reinforce the scientific method, reasoning from evidence (rather than media, opinion, or popular belief), ethics as they relate to science, and the political and sociological consequences of science. Students will also evaluate some current popular hypothesis and junk science to determine if they follow the scientific method and are valid scientific hypothesis or the whim of science and politics.
Course Objectives:
- Students will master basic Physics principles.
- Students will learn Physics concepts that will prepare them for college, technical school, or the work force.
- Students will be able to retain these Physics principles at a high rate for long after they graduate.
Chemistry
Chemistry Text: Chemistry (Addison - Wesley) - Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman
Course Overview:
Chemistry I covers a conceptual and Algebraic approach to chemistry. The majority of the curriculum will cover chemical properties, balancing equations, and different specific types of chemical reactions (acid-base, oxidation-reduction, aqueous, hydrocarbon, nuclear). The course will also reinforce the scientific method, reasoning from evidence (rather than media, opinion, or popular belief), ethics as they relate to science, and the political and sociological consequences of science. Students will also evaluate some current popular hypothesis and junk science to determine if they follow the scientific method and are valid scientific hypothesis or the whim of science and politics.
Course Objectives:
- Students will master basic Chemistry principles.
- Students will learn Chemistry concepts that will prepare them for college, technical school, or the work force.
- Students will be able to retain these Chemistry principles at a high rate for long after they graduate.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science Text: Environmental Science: How the World Works and Your Place In It - Jane L. Person
Course Overview:
Environmental Science covers a basic introduction to the environment and environmental sciences. The majority of the curriculum will cover Ecology (food chains, habitats, ecosystem cycles), Air (structure, pollution, climate cycles), Earth (food, agriculture, technology), Water (wildlife structures in water environments, fresh vs. salt water, human interaction with aquatic environments), Fire (energy sources: use, effects of use, economics, conservation, and innovation). The course will also reinforce the scientific method, reasoning from evidence (rather than media, opinion, or popular belief), ethics as they relate to science, and the political and sociological consequences of science. Students will also evaluate some current popular hypothesis and junk science to determine if they follow the scientific method and are valid scientific hypothesis or the whim of science and politics.
Course Objectives:
- Students will master basic Environmental Science principles.
- Students will learn Environmental Science concepts that will prepare them for college, technical school, or the work force.
- Students will be able to retain these Environmental Science principles at a high rate for long after they graduate.
Instruction Method:
Instruction will vary from lecture to discussion, group work, and individual work. Lessons from the text will be presented at the pace the students set in order to master the objectives they have not yet mastered, or to provide information that will stay with them long after graduation. A majority of problem work will be done in class so that students are able to use me as a resource. Though some homework will be assigned.. As these are science classes they will also participate in hands on learning called Labs as well as major cumulative projects that use a broad range of what they have learned over the course of the class.
Grading System:
Six weeks:
Tests 45%
Homework/Classwork 25%
Projects/Labs 35%
Semester:
Six weeks average* 100 %
*Semester exams will be optional for students. Those students who opt to take the semester exam will use the following calculation for semester average IF their semester exam grade is higher than the average of their three six weeks. IF the semester exam grade is lower than the three six weeks average, the above calculation will be used instead. This is to encourage students to take the exam as the exam can only help their grade, not harm it!
Six weeks average 75%
Semester exam 25%
Behavior Management System:
We have implemented a school-wide behavior management system called CHAMPs that emphasizes positive consequences for positive behavior weighted heavily over negative consequences for unacceptable behavior. To facilitate this, your students will be earning a salary in my class! That’s right; I will be paying them to take the class! Students will earn 10 Galactic Alliance Credits (GAC) a week just for being in class (and the potential for more as the school year proceeds). Students can earn on-the-spot salary bonuses for class participation. I will attempt to make this system as fair as possible and will not have favorites. However, this system is a behavior management system and will not relate directly to grades so it will require that it be implemented at my sole discretion.
Students will use these credits to purchase bathroom passes, homework passes, and other classroom privileges. At the end of the school year the students may purchase tickets for a drawing done campus-wide for prizes obtained by the Student Council. Positive rewards like these for hard work and making learning in my classroom a more enjoyable experience will be more effective than the proverbial “vinegar”.
Misbehavior will be handled in the following manner without deviation:
1. Violation of student handbook policies will be handled in a manner proscribed by the handbook.
2. Violation of classroom rules will incur the following penalties. Violations are cumulative so breaking rule 2 then
breaking rule three counts as “Level 2” even if each rule has only been broken once:
- Level 1 - dock in pay based on rule broken
- Level 2 - dock in pay based on 2x the amount for the rule broken
- Level 3 - loss of salary for that week
- Level 4 - parent phone call
- Level 5 - one week of after school detention with me (30 mins a day)
- Level 6 - two weeks of after school detention with me (30 mins a day)
- Level 7 - parent/teacher conference
- Level 8 - office referral
3. Students will accumulate offenses for a week. At the beginning of each week, the slate will be cleaned and they will start fresh.
4. Certain misbehaviors require a more immediate, drastic response. Discipline in these cases will be at my discretion based on the action of the student.
Class Ranks:
It is a fact that students learn at different levels and in different manners, even at the same age. Rather than teach to an average student and expect average results I have developed a class ranking system to facilitate learning based on the different learning levels of each student. The ranks are described individually below:
Jedi Youngling - This is where everyone starts. This rank assumes you know nothing about the class subject matter (which is a fair basic assumption at the beginning of the year). Individual attention from me is increased compared to other ranks in the classroom. Base pay is 10 GAC and x1 multiplier for all bonus credits. Younglings are required to do ALL questions on any given homework assignment. This gives them maximum opportunity to explore the concepts being taught and receive help in areas where they are weak. Conversely their tests are less demanding. On a twenty question test a youngling will be allowed to choose any ten questions to answer (with few if any calculation problems). They may answer more, but must at least answer ten. If they answer ten correctly they receive a 100 for the test. If they answer eleven or more correctly they receive a 100 and the rest translate to GAC. Younglings may also be late with homework by up to 2 days loosing 10 GAC for each late day. After 2 days, they get a 0 for the assignment.
Jedi Padawan - A youngling who shows potential by grasping concepts in class, turning in homework, and making 100's on tests as a Youngling may be promoted to Padawan. The Jedi Council including Masters and Grand Masters (which includes me) makes the final decisions on who makes Padawan. Padawans are apprenticed to any available Jedi Masters in the class and receive greater attention from them than what I can offer (I'll be concentrating on the Younglings). Base pay is 20 GAC and x2 multiplier for all bonus credits. Padawan generally work 75% of the homework questions freeing up a bit of their time outside of class as a reward for working hard to understand the concepts. Conversely their tests are a bit more demanding. For example, on a twenty question test they may choose any thirteen questions to answer. They may answer more, but must at least answer thirteen to receive a 100 for the test. If they answer fourteen or more correctly they receive a 100 and the rest translate to GAC. Padawan may also be late with homework by one day loosing 10 GAC for that day. After one day, they get a 0 for the assignment.
Jedi Knight - A padawan who shows responsibility by getting all homework turned in on time, makes 100's on tests and shows a general aptitude for the concepts in the class are promoted to Jedi Knight. This is the A-B student that makes up the bulk of students in the public education system. They receive less personal attention (though I'm always available outside of class for individual attention) than other ranks and generally need less anyway. Base pay is 30 GAC and a x3 multiplier for all bonus credits. Knights generally work only 50% of the homework questions freeing up a significant portion of their free time after school in exchange for consistent hard work and better understanding than lower ranks. Conversely their tests are more demanding still. For example, on a twenty question test they may choose any fifteen questions (including several of the more difficult calculation problems). They may answer more, but must at least answer the fifteen to receive a 100 for the test. If they answer fifteen or more correctly they receive a 100 and the rest translate to GAC (at the x3). Jedi Knights may NOT be late with homework. All work not turned in on time is a 0. Jedi Knights also receive a certificate and class recognition for their new ranks.
Jedi
Masters -
Jedi Grand Masters-
CHEATING – any student who cheats in my class will forfeit all credits gained in the class and will no longer be able to earn credits. In addition, the student will call their parent to explain what they have done as well as after school detention with me for two weeks. The student will be required to make up the work/test they cheated on during this after school time and will be allowed to earn full credit for the work they do on their own. This will mainly include projects and tests.
Class rules:
1. Students agree to all rules stated in the student handbook. (see handbook for consequences)
2. If an individual is addressing the class, whether adult or student, the other students in the class will respect the speaker by not talking or engaging in other distractive behavior. (-10 credit)
3. Students will treat others as they should want to be treated (use common sense). (-10 credit)
4. Students must be prepared for class at all times. Textbooks and calculators will be provided, but students must have paper and pencils (not pens!!!) for class. (-20 credits)
5. Students will be on time to class. Tardies accumulate into absences according to district policy. (-30 credits)
6. Students will turn in all work on time. (See Class Ranks above)
Guidelines for Success:
These are guidelines the students felt would help them achieve success. They are not rules that can be broken and students will incur no classroom penalty from me for not following these guidelines. However, we have discussed honor and the students know that they will have let themselves down, dishonored themselves, if they choose not to follow these.
1. If I believe in myself enough and work hard enough I can accomplish my dreams.
2. If I set my goal amongst distant galaxies far, far away and fall short, I am still amongst the stars.
(Every student will be shooting for an A in my class!)
3. I will respect myself and live honorably.
4. I will be organized.
5. I will do my best to help others be successful.
