GSCI 3050: Natural Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education: Home

This course will offer students the opportunity to:

• Participate in Science activities, demonstrations, and experiments to renew their prior science learning and to construct science knowledge for themselves.
• Collaborate with peers during participation in Science activities, demonstrations, and experiments
• Record learning of science content as scientists do.
• Connect the learning in a particular science discipline to other science disciplines as well as to disciplines in other areas such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies.
• Reflect on your learning.

Reminder:

Syllabus/Course Requirements are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and with appropriate notification time to students!

Grading Policy:

• All grading categories below carry equal weight.
• Accumulated points will determine each student's final grade.
• Total 100%

Experiment Lab Report and Reflection: For each class activity/demonstration/experiment:

1. Experiment Lab Report (Use the Lab Report Rubric as a guide.): Written so that the reader, whoever that might be:
   • Would understand what was done in class;
   • Could conduct the experiment.
2. Reflection on:
   • Science content learned or with which you became acquainted or re-acquainted;
   • Science content’s relevance to your everyday life.

• Required Readings will be posted on Blackboard.
• Suggested Texts are as follows (also for CBSE 3207):
  • Miele, E. (2011). Doing Science with Children. 2nd Edition. Dubuque: Kendall-Hunt
  • Miele, E. and J.D. Adams. (2010) Science Safaris in New York City: Informal Science Expeditions for Children, Parents and Teachers. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt
• Reading Assignments should be finished before the next class session.
• You are expected to apply the readings to classwork and science learning.

Good attendance and punctuality are mandatory since collaborative learning with individual accountability are the essence of this course. Any missed session must be made up with individual work on the appropriate reports and reflections based on readings, experiments, and class discussions. Any work not submitted will receive a grade of zero. I reserve the right to lower your grade for more than two absences one step (e.g., from A to A-).

All written assignments must be submitted online -- Deductions will be taken from all late assignments:

• Using the Portable Document Format (PDF) ONLY;
• Expected by/on the due date on the Wednesday, immediately following the session;
• Emailed to Ingridtc@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Each header for written assignments should include the following:

• Course: CBSE 3207
• Your First and Last Name
• Instructor Name: Ingrid Thomas-Clark
• Assignment Name:
• Due Date of Assignment:
• Emailed Submission Date of Assignment:

General Formatting for written assignments:

• Typed, double spaced, 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right);
• Standard font, size, and color: Times New Roman, 12 pt., and black;
• Insert page numbers.

Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College Student Handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards.

Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the “…test, examination, term paper or other assignment on which cheating occurred” (Faculty Council, May 18, 1954).

In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection (Adopted by Policy Council, May 8, 1991).

NOTE: If you have a question about how to cite correctly ask your teacher BEFORE submitting your work.

• The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism.
• Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both.
• View complete text of CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation.
• If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.
• Please read the section entitled “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Bulletin or Graduate Bulletin for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.

Bereavement Policy:

• Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice). Contact Email: studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu
• Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.
•  As an option, and in consultation with the Division of Student Affairs, students may take the Leave of Absence Bereavement after the Standard Bereavement.
• Reference to the Student Bereavement Policies will be noted on course syllabi.
• Students requesting a religious accommodation should contact the Division of Student Affairs as well. The chief student affairs officer, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation.

Bereavement Procedure:

• Upon approval from the Division of Student Affairs, the student is allowed one week, commencing from the day of notification to the Division of Student Affairs, of excused absence.
• Should the student feel that he/she needs additional days, these should be discussed with individual course instructors and/or the Division of Student Affairs.
• The Division of Student Affairs will contact the student’s faculty and academic staff of the student’s courses.
• Faculty and academic staff will be advised that extensions must be granted to the student for the period of one week of excused absence.
• Further extensions may be negotiated with the student when he or she returns to campus.
• Students are encouraged to discuss options with their instructors.

Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure:

• Students may be allowed to withdraw from the semester in which the death occurs.
• The Bereavement Leave of Absence is for one semester only.
• Students who have opted to take the Bereavement Leave of Absence and have already attended classes for the semester of the leave will be allowed to re-enter the following semester without having to reapply to the college.
• Students who wish to take the leave of absence prior to the beginning of the semester will be required to reapply for the following semester.
• Students who are in good academic standing will be given the opportunity to successfully complete the credits for the semester in which they return.
• Students will consult with the Division of Student Affairs, on a case-by-case basis, as to whether they should withdraw from their courses during this leave of absence or to request incompletes from the faculty member.
•  Given that there may be a potential impact on financial aid, students who receive financial aid and who take the Bereavement Leave of Absence, upon arrangement with the Division of Student Affairs, will meet with a financial aid adviser prior to taking this option.

• The New York State Education Law provides that no student shall be expelled or refused admission to an institution of higher education because he or she is unable to attend classes or participate in examinations or study or work requirements on any particular day or days because of religious beliefs.
• Students who are unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of religious beliefs will be excused from any examination or study or work requirements.
• Faculty must make good-faith efforts to provide students absent from class because of religious beliefs equivalent opportunities to make up the work missed; no additional fees may be charged for this consideration.
• If classes, examinations, or study or work requirements occur on Friday after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, or study or work requirements will be made available on other days, where possible and practical.
• The faculty and the administration will not allow any adverse or prejudicial effects to accrue to students availing themselves of this regulation.
• If students have complaints about the application of this policy, they are entitled to bring action or a proceeding for enforcement of their rights in the Supreme Court of Kings County