Here are the answers to some questions often raised by students and parents.
Question: You keep saying that high school science is much harder than middle school science. In what ways is this class harder than middle school classes?
Answer: There are several reasons why I say that. Here are a few:
(1) The amount of material to be covered in a high school course is much greater than the amount of material covered in middle school.
(2) The exam questions are more difficult. In high school, we prepare for Regents exams in each subject. Regents questions are not straightforward, but require a great deal of thinking.
(3) In general, middle school grades are effort-based, meaning that the teacher bases a large amount of the grade on homework completion, participation in class discussions, behavior, and how much effort they feel students are putting into the course. High school grades are based mostly on achievement -- how much of the material students understand and how many of the skills they have mastered.
(4) In middle school, it is the job of the teacher to keep reminding students about assignment due dates and test dates, and the teacher often tracks down students and forces them to make up work. In high school, it is the job of the student to keep on top of due dates and assignments.
(5) Some students find that they can do well on exams in middle school without studying or by studying only an hour or less the night before the exam. In high school, students will need to do several hours of studying for each class exam.
(6) Some students find that they are able to do reasonably well in middle school classes even if they are frequently absent from school. Attendance is very important in high school, and students are unlikely to succeed if they miss class often. This is especially true in science classes which involve laboratory work that is required for the Regents exam.
(7) Many times there are no real consequences for failing a class in middle school. In high school, every class counts towards graduation, and if a student fails a class, that student must retake the class again.
Question: I need help completing a homework assignment or preparing for a test. Where should I go?
Answer: Make an appointment to see me during an OPTA or after school for extra help.
Question: If I come to class every day, pay attention, participate in class, and do the labs, then I'm guaranteed to get a good grade... right?
Answer: Not necessarily. All those things you mention above will certainly make it much more likely for you to succeed, but you need to demonstrate that you have mastered all the skills. Participation is not enough to get high school credit -- you also need to put a great deal of time into completing the homework assignments and projects and study for exams. Remember that homework accounts for 15% of your grade and exams, quizzes, and projects account for the majority (60%) of your grade.
Question: Exams, quizzes, and projects make up 60% of my grade. Why do tests count for so much?
Answer: Welcome to high school. Exams are a very important measure of what material you have learned and what skills you have mastered. The ultimate determination of whether you have mastered high school science is the Regents exam, which you must pass in order to graduate. If you struggle on exams, then see me for extra help after school.
Question: I'm ashamed to admit it, but I don't really know how to study. Help!
Answer: This issue is more common than you would think. Because many students find that they pass middle school exams without studying, they come into high school never really learning how. If you need help learning how to study, I strongly encourage you to see me after school. You should also read the "How to Succeed in this Class" link on this webpage. The best way to prepare for class exams is to practice; practice exam questions can be found in the "Practice Exam Questions" section of the course webpage and in your review book.
Question: I forgot my homework at home or in my locker. Will I be penalized if I turn it in at the end of the day -- or even better, at the end of the class band?
Answer: Yes. Homework is always due at the very beginning of the class band. If you cannot produce the assignment at the beginning of the band, then the assignment is late. Sorry, but there are no exceptions. The good news is that turning in one assignment late will have almost no impact on your grade; the late penalty only adds up if you turn in several assignments late.
Question: Why don't you accept late homework several days after the due date?
Answer: Two reasons:
(1) I try to give feedback on homework as quickly as possible. For most homework assignments, we will either go over the answers in class or I will give back the assignment with a grade and comments within a day or two of when it was due. If I have already given the answers to the homework problems, then the assignment is no longer challenging.
(2) Deadlines are important in life. When you grow up, you will be penalized for paying rent late, not getting your car inspected by the due date, etc. Get used to meeting deadlines now.
Question: I just found out that I'm in danger of failing the marking period. Can I do an extra credit project to raise my grade?
Answer: No. Part of learning to become an adult is taking responsibility before you get to the point where it is too late. If you are concerned about your grade, please see me as soon as possible.
Question: Is it possible for me to get regular updates on my child's progress in your class?
Answer: The best way to get updated information on your child's grades is to visit Pupil Path (www.pupilpath.com). If you are concerned about your child, you can email me at dsprague @ schools.nyc.gov or send me a message through Pupil Path. You can also call me at (718) 258-9283 extension 4032.
Question: What if I am absent for a test?
Answer: The course policy on missed exams and quizzes is that you have two days from when the test was given to take a make-up, provided that you have a signed note from a parent or doctor excusing your absence. Exams can only be made up during your OPTA or after school. If you do not make up the exam in two days, it becomes a zero.
Question: Can I make up a test during class?
Answer: No. Your OPTA or after school are the only times that you can make up an exam or quiz.
Question: Why should I buy the review book?
Answer: High school courses that terminate in a Regents exam typically require students to purchase a Regents review book to help them prepare for the Regents exam. The review book is a great resource because it is filled with practice exam questions and answer keys that not only let students check their work, but explain why each answer is right or wrong.
Question: What's the deal with the Regents exams?
Answer: Students must pass five Regents exams with a 65 or higher in order to graduate from high school: English, U.S. History, Global History, Math, and Science. Students will take the Living Environment Regents Exam (one of the science exams) in June.
Question: What happens if I fail the Regents?
Answer: Students who fail one of the required Regents exams must keep retaking the exam until they pass. Exams are offered three times a year: January, June, and August.
Question: I've heard that labs are really important. What's up with that?
Answer: New York State does not allow a student to take a Regents exam in science unless that student has completed at least 1,200 minutes of laboratory work and turned in at least 24 satisfactory lab reports. If a student fails a lab, then the lab does not count towards the 24 required reports unless the student revises the lab report. You will automatically fail the semester if you do not complete at least 12 satisfactory, on-time lab reports per semester.
Question: What's a lab OPTA anyway? How is it different from a regular OPTA?
Answer: Regents lab science classes meet five bands per week (unlike other classes which only meet four times per week). A "lab OPTA" is a band in which you meet for class in a science lab once day per week and you have OPTA the other three days each week that that band meets. Lab OPTAs are an important opportunity to make up missed labs and are also a great time to hold group study sessions because everyone in your science class has the same OPTA.
Question: What if I am absent on a lab day?
Answer: Check the lab schedule posted in our classroom and outside room 391. If the same lab is being performed during your OPTA, you may ask the teacher of that lab class permission to make up the lab then; just be sure to arrive on time because you will not be admitted to a make-up lab once class has started. Some lab make-ups are also administered after school.
Question: Why aren't I allowed in lab if I am late?
Answer: Some labs involve dangerous chemicals and safety directions are paramount. If a student arrives after the safety directions have been given, he or she cannot safety participate in the lab activities, and will be sent to the library for the remainder of the band. The student must then arrange to make up the lab.
Question: This is a science class... will we get to blow stuff up?
Answer: Biology is the study of living things, and that does not lend itself so well to activities that end in explosions. The good news is that we have lots of cool and exciting demonstrations, experiments, and labs. In fact, one of the best demos that we'll do this year can be safely performed in your kitchen and I'll show you how.
Question: I have another question that isn't on this page. What should I do?
Answer: Ask!
Students: see me during your OPTA or after school (I'm usually in room 403)
Parents: email dsprague @ schools.nyc.gov or call 718-258-9283 extension 4030
