Degree: Master's – Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Science School: University of Colorado at Denver Completion: 2015
Endorsements: Science
Teaching Experience - This is my first year teaching at TJ. Prior to this year, I worked at Adams City Middle School in Commerce City.
Life before TJ – I worked for Boulder Police Department as a Police Officer for two years after graduating from college. In 2011 I made a career change into education and am happy to now be a part of the TJ team!
Textbook: Earth Comm -5 Unit Edition: Earth System Science in the Community
Course Overview and Big Ideas:
Unit 1: Solar System Unit 2: The Sun-Moon-Earth System Unit 3: Weather and Climate Unit 4: Oceanography Unit 5: Energy
Methods and Procedures: Reading is a crucial component to understanding the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Developing writing skills is also a major focus. Math and graphing skills are also regularly emphasized and practiced. Additionally, students will use lab activities to understand each of the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Because students will regularly conduct lab activities, the process of science will connect the themes covered in this course. A binder will be used to learn organizational skills that are necessary for success in college and careers.
Binder: Students are required to keep all notes and worksheets in their class binder. Binders may either be kept in the back of the room or taken home. If taken home students are required to bring their binders to class every day. Binders will be checked and graded at the end of each unit.
Class Format: On most 5 day weeks the class will proceed as follows: Each class begins with a 5 minute warm-up, so the students may transition from the passing period into science mode. Warm-ups are done on clickers. Each warm-up will be worth 1 point when graded at the end of each unit. Each class ends with a 5 minute summary of the day’s learning. This summary will be written on the bottom of the Cornell notes. They will graded as a part of the daily notes.
Homework:You will receive two homework assignments each week; one on Tuesday and one on Friday. Tuesday's homework will be due on Friday, and Friday's homework will be due on the following Tuesday. Homework typically involves reading or at home research and responding to prompts on the class website. The homework is usually done any time that day at school or at home. Late Homework is accepted for a 10% grade reduction each day it is late (see make-up policy).
Tests/Quizzes:Clicker quizzes will be given periodically as the need arises. Quizzes are often scheduled about once a week. Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Students will receive at least two days’ notice before a test. However, students are usually given several weeks’ notice and it is posted on the class website. If the student misses a test due to an absence, the student needs to make up the test as soon as they return to school.
Make-up: It is the student’s responsibility to find out what make-up work they have. The student needs to come in on their own-time usually during lunch or after school. Also, Ms. Cummins’ Earth Science Website is a great resource for finding out what happened in class while they were absent. It is especially important to make-up labs immediately upon returning to school because they will only be set-up for a few days after the initial lab period. Students have 2 days per day absent to complete make-up work (DPS Policy). If the absence is unexcused the work may be accepted but for a 10% grade reduction for each day it is late. If the student missed the class but was at school that day, all assignments due that day are still required to be turned in. If the assignments are turned in the next day, the work is considered late at 10% off. Ms. Cummins has no obligation to give out make-up work during the passing period or during class instruction. If the student was present the day of an assignment and failed to complete and turn in the assignment by the due date, Ms. Cummins is not obligated to provide another copy of the assignment. Ms. Cummins does not usually accept work that is more than a week late. You may speak to Ms. Cummins if you have encountered a hardship and wish to request more time to complete an assignment. Because of the high volume of assignments in this Earth Science Class, it is very important to stay organized and do all of the assignments when they are assigned to avoid falling behind.
IMPORTANT: 3 GOOD WEEKS AT THE END OF A SEMESTER CANNOT MAKE UP FOR 15 BAD WEEKS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER.
Expectations for Appropriate Student Conduct:A general guide to student conduct is summarized with the 5 P’s: Positive, Polite, Prepared, Prompt, Productive.
TJ Attendance/tardy Behavior/Discipline Policy: 1) Conference with student, 2) Phone call/email to inform parents 3) Meeting with student, parent and possible 3rd party, may include Behavior Contract, 4) Student referred to counselor, dean
Grades:Grades are based on a combination of homework, class assignments, labs, notebooks, quizzes and tests.
Homework = 50 points Class assignments/Quizzes = 50 points Class Participation = 100 points Labs/Projects = 100 points Binders/Notes = 100 points Tests = 100 points Final = 50 points Total = 550 points
The grading scale in this class is as follows:
A (500-550 points), B (440-499), C (385-439), D (330-384), F (329 points or less)
Students will receive progress grades at the end of each unit and will be given the opportunity to conference with Ms. Cummins to discuss grades. Ten percent of the final grade is based on the final exam results. Each semester grade will be on your official high school transcript. Additionally, these grades are also factored into your grade point average. College admissions officials review this type of information as they consider a student’s candidacy for acceptance into a college and university.
Infinite Campus: IC Is DPS’ Internet based grade book. One may access grades at any time from any computer. https://campus.dpsk12.org/campus/portal/icprod.jsp User name: student ID# Password: 6 digit birthday
Instructor: Ms. Corielyn Cummins
corielyn_cummins@dpsk12.org
https://cumminsearthscience.wikispaces.com
Education:
Degree: Bachelor's – Criminal Justice
School: University of Colorado at Denver
Completion: 2009
Degree: Master's – Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Science
School: University of Colorado at Denver
Completion: 2015
Endorsements: Science
Teaching Experience - This is my first year teaching at TJ. Prior to this year, I worked at Adams City Middle School in Commerce City.
Life before TJ – I worked for Boulder Police Department as a Police Officer for two years after graduating from college. In 2011 I made a career change into education and am happy to now be a part of the TJ team!
Textbook: Earth Comm -5 Unit Edition: Earth System Science in the Community
Course Overview and Big Ideas:
Unit 1: Solar System
Unit 2: The Sun-Moon-Earth System
Unit 3: Weather and Climate
Unit 4: Oceanography
Unit 5: Energy
Materials needed for class: Pencil, pen, three-ring binder
Recommended: highlighters, eraser, calculator, ruler
Methods and Procedures: Reading is a crucial component to understanding the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Developing writing skills is also a major focus. Math and graphing skills are also regularly emphasized and practiced. Additionally, students will use lab activities to understand each of the themes addressed in this Earth Science class. Because students will regularly conduct lab activities, the process of science will connect the themes covered in this course. A binder will be used to learn organizational skills that are necessary for success in college and careers.
Binder: Students are required to keep all notes and worksheets in their class binder. Binders may either be kept in the back of the room or taken home. If taken home students are required to bring their binders to class every day. Binders will be checked and graded at the end of each unit.
Class Format: On most 5 day weeks the class will proceed as follows: Each class begins with a 5 minute warm-up, so the students may transition from the passing period into science mode. Warm-ups are done on clickers. Each warm-up will be worth 1 point when graded at the end of each unit. Each class ends with a 5 minute summary of the day’s learning. This summary will be written on the bottom of the Cornell notes. They will graded as a part of the daily notes.
Homework:You will receive two homework assignments each week; one on Tuesday and one on Friday. Tuesday's homework will be due on Friday, and Friday's homework will be due on the following Tuesday. Homework typically involves reading or at home research and responding to prompts on the class website. The homework is usually done any time that day at school or at home. Late Homework is accepted for a 10% grade reduction each day it is late (see make-up policy).
Tests/Quizzes: Clicker quizzes will be given periodically as the need arises. Quizzes are often scheduled about once a week. Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Students will receive at least two days’ notice before a test. However, students are usually given several weeks’ notice and it is posted on the class website. If the student misses a test due to an absence, the student needs to make up the test as soon as they return to school.
Make-up: It is the student’s responsibility to find out what make-up work they have. The student needs to come in on their own-time usually during lunch or after school. Also, Ms. Cummins’ Earth Science Website is a great resource for finding out what happened in class while they were absent. It is especially important to make-up labs immediately upon returning to school because they will only be set-up for a few days after the initial lab period. Students have 2 days per day absent to complete make-up work (DPS Policy). If the absence is unexcused the work may be accepted but for a 10% grade reduction for each day it is late. If the student missed the class but was at school that day, all assignments due that day are still required to be turned in. If the assignments are turned in the next day, the work is considered late at 10% off. Ms. Cummins has no obligation to give out make-up work during the passing period or during class instruction. If the student was present the day of an assignment and failed to complete and turn in the assignment by the due date, Ms. Cummins is not obligated to provide another copy of the assignment. Ms. Cummins does not usually accept work that is more than a week late. You may speak to Ms. Cummins if you have encountered a hardship and wish to request more time to complete an assignment. Because of the high volume of assignments in this Earth Science Class, it is very important to stay organized and do all of the assignments when they are assigned to avoid falling behind.
IMPORTANT: 3 GOOD WEEKS AT THE END OF A SEMESTER CANNOT MAKE UP FOR 15 BAD WEEKS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER.
Expectations for Appropriate Student Conduct:A general guide to student conduct is summarized with the 5 P’s: Positive, Polite, Prepared, Prompt, Productive.
TJ Attendance/tardy Behavior/Discipline Policy: 1) Conference with student, 2) Phone call/email to inform parents 3) Meeting with student, parent and possible 3rd party, may include Behavior Contract, 4) Student referred to counselor, dean
Grades:Grades are based on a combination of homework, class assignments, labs, notebooks, quizzes and tests.
Homework = 50 points
Class assignments/Quizzes = 50 points
Class Participation = 100 points
Labs/Projects = 100 points
Binders/Notes = 100 points
Tests = 100 points
Final = 50 points
Total = 550 points
The grading scale in this class is as follows:
A (500-550 points), B (440-499), C (385-439), D (330-384), F (329 points or less)
Students will receive progress grades at the end of each unit and will be given the opportunity to conference with Ms. Cummins to discuss grades. Ten percent of the final grade is based on the final exam results. Each semester grade will be on your official high school transcript. Additionally, these grades are also factored into your grade point average. College admissions officials review this type of information as they consider a student’s candidacy for acceptance into a college and university.
Infinite Campus: IC Is DPS’ Internet based grade book. One may access grades at any time from any computer.
https://campus.dpsk12.org/campus/portal/icprod.jsp
User name: student ID#
Password: 6 digit birthday