This document outlines the syllabus for an Earth Science course taught by James Dunn. It provides general information about the course, including grading policies, classroom expectations, required supplies, and an approximate schedule of topics to be covered each week of the trimester. Assignments will include homework, labs, projects, quizzes and a final exam worth 15% of the overall grade. Late work will be accepted with a 25% deduction. Students can retake tests after completing test corrections. Cheating will result in a zero grade.

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Earth Science Syllabus
Syllabus 2013-20141st Trimester
I. General Information
Course Earth Science
Name James Dunn
Room E5
Email jdunn@clioschools.org
Website Address http://www.haikulearning.com/
Textbook Borrero, F. J., Hess, F. S., Hsu, J., Kunze, G., Leslie, S.
A., Letro, S., ...Zike, D. (2008). Earth Science: Geology,
the Environment, and the Universe. New York:
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
II. Grading Policies
Your Earth Science grade will be based on a variety of assignments including (but not limited to)
homework, in-class assignments, labs, projects, quizzes, and a Final Exam.
A. Grading Scale
A 93 – 100 C 73 – 76
A- 90 – 92 C- 70 – 72
B+ 87 – 89 D+ 67 – 69
B 83 – 86 D 63 – 66
B- 80 – 82 D- 60 – 62
C+ 77 – 79 F <60
B. Final Exam
This is a two trimester course. The first trimester culminates with a cumulative Final Exam between
November 25th
and November 27th
. The exam is worth 15% of your overall grade for the course. The
other 85% of your grade will come from all other assignments.
Tests and Quizzes 50%
Labs and Projects 30%
Homework 20%
Total (before exam) 100%

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C. Late Work Policy
All assignments are expected to be turned in on their due date. Late work will be accepted until the day
of the unit test. There will be a 25% deduction if late. Revisions are allowed. You may earn up to 100%
credit if the assigned is revised and turned in on time, or up to 75% if late.
D. Test Retakes
You will be allowed to retake a test if you make test corrections for every problem you missed. These
are to be done at home. Test retakes can be scheduled with your instructor upon request. They will
take place before or after school.
E. Cheating and Academic Dishonesty
No forms of cheating will be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. This pertains
to both the student copying the work and the student supplying the answers.
Students are expected to turn in their own work. Work is not to be copied and pasted from a website,
or done by another person (friends, parents, etc.). Any work that is misrepresented as being your own
will result in a grade of zero.
III. Classroom Expectations
You should be working on Earth Science class work or studying while in class.
Treat everyone with respect. No name-calling, harassment, or bullying will be tolerated.
Class will be dismissed when the bell rings. Please do not attempt to pack up or lineup before
this time.
Come to class prepared every day. Passes will not be written for you to go to your locker. You
will, of course, be permitted to use the restroom.
There will be times that you will be permitted to use your cell phone for instructional purposes.
Please only use your cell phone with teacher permission.
You may not eat or drink in class. The only exception is water.
All Clio High School, Freshman Academy, and Clio Area Schools policies and procedures will also
be enforced.
Other expectations will be added throughout the trimester at the discretion of the instructor.
IV. Required Supplies
Spiral notebook (for taking notes)
Pens or pencils (required every day)
A folder (to store graded and ungraded work)
Textbook (required every day)
Other supplies may be required throughout the trimester at the discretion of the instructor.

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V. Trimester Course Schedule and Sequence
The schedule detailed below is an approximation of what we will cover this trimester, and when we will
cover it. Use it as a guide, but understand that it is subject to change.
Week 1 September 3 – 6
Topics Introduction to Earth Science, Scientific Method
Chapter 1
Week 2 September 9 – 13
Topic Map Projections, Topographic Maps
Chapter 2
Week 3 September 16 – 20
Topics Plate Tectonics
Chapter 17
Week 4 – 5 September 23 – October 4
Topic Mountains, Volcanoes, Earthquakes
Chapters 18 – 20
Weeks 6 – 7 October 7 – 18
Topics Rocks and Minerals
Chapters 4 – 6
Week 8 October 21 – 25
Topics Natural Resources
Chapter 24
Weeks 9 - 11 October 28 – November 15
Topics Surface Processes
Chapters 7 – 10
Week 12 November 18 – 22
Topics Trimester Project, Review for Exam
Week 13 November 25 - 27
Topic Final Exam