Syllabus

PHYSICAL SCIENCE – 2006-2007
Ms. Brewer
Room 400
Voicemail: 573-696-2281, ext #417
E-mail: jbrewer@hallsville.org

Course Description
This course is the foundation for more detailed science studies in high school which include physics (motion, energy, work, sound, light, electricity, heat, and magnetism) and chemistry (composition of matter and how matter and energy interact to form various configurations of matter). As a class we will explore physical science topics in many different ways and develop active learning. The class will be participating in cooperative learning, which will include research, projects, experiments and activities, solving problems, as well as tests and quizzes.

Materials Needed
3-ring binder or folder (1-2” will be fine) – with loose leaf notebook paper
Calculator (does not have to be scientific)
Please come talk to me if you are having problems gathering the materials for this class.

Homework ***All homework assignments are to be done in pencil!!***

Method of heading papers: All assignments must have your name, class, and assignment.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the hour. 25% will be deducted for homework assignments that are turned in one day late (this includes homework that is not ready at the beginning of the hour). After the one day grace period, late work will only be worth ½ credit until the unit test. Once the unit test has been taken, the homework can no longer be turned in for credit.

Never hesitate to come see me if you are having problems. I will be happy to work something out with you on an individual basis depending on the situation.

If you are absent from class it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed. You are responsible for any material that was covered in your absence. Missed work will be put in the homework file box that is assigned to your class.
If you are absent, you will be given 2 days from the day you return to class for any make-up assignments.
If you are going to be gone for anything school-related (clubs, athletics, etc) it is your responsibility to get the work you will miss before you leave. Your missed work will be due on the same day as the rest of the class. Participating in clubs and activities is a privilege, not a right.
If you know you are going to be gone when something is due, it is your responsibility to bring it to me by the end of the day to receive full credit. This includes field trips, appointments, and leaving early for games. No Exceptions!
If for some reason you are assigned in-school suspension, that work is due the next day at the beginning of the hour.
If for some reason you are assigned out-of-school suspension, that work is your responsibility to obtain while you are out and is due the day you come back to class.

Quizzes/Tests

Make-up quizzes will be given to you upon your return to class if time permits, or within one week.
Make-up tests due to absence will be made up on YOUR time. This usually means before or after school, with some exceptions. If you do not show up for a scheduled make-up test, you will receive a ZERO. Make-up tests must be made up within one week of return.

Activities/Projects

Activities and projects may be done individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
Work will be graded using both individual participation and final outcome grades.
Activities and projects will range in point value from 10 to 200 points, where 10 points might be a short activity in class, and 200 points might represent an individual project at the end of a quarter.

Notebooks

Notebooks will be turned in every quarter.

2 nd quarter notebook will include 1 st quarter notebook
4 th quarter notebook will include 3 rd quarter notebook.

Notebooks will NOT be accepted late. They must be turned in on time, NO EXCEPTIONS!
You are expected to have your notebook in the order stated on the “Table of Contents” given at the end of each quarter.
You are expected to bring your notebook to class every day. A tardy will be assigned if you have to return to your locker for it.

Grades

Grades are calculated based on points earned from homework, activities, projects, notebooks, quizzes and tests. Included in that total are points for participation and points earned in extra-credit opportunities. Grades will be posted frequently and you are encouraged to keep track of your grade on the grade sheet provided.

Grading Scale :

A+ 98 and up
A 94-97%
A- 90-93%
B+ 86-89%
B 83-85%
B- 80-82%
C+ 76-79%
C 73-75%
C- 70-72%
D+ 66-69%
D 63-65%
D- 60-62%
F 59% and below

Expectations

Before you can participate in labs you must have a signed safety contract from your parents.
All assignments must have your name, class, and assignment listed at the top of the page.
In this class you will do a lot of lab work. You will be assigned a new lab group each quarter. The lab and initial work will be done as a group, followed up by individual work/responsibility. At any time when asked for a group sheet you have the option of turning yours in individually. This is always an option.
Clean up after your labs must be completed before you will be dismissed.
You will be given 3 free bathroom breaks per semester. After 3, you will not be allowed to go, or, in case of urgency, you may take a tardy. (You must have a planner in order to leave.)
Most importantly, I know that your freshman year can be a little overwhelming. But I am confident that you will succeed if both of us do our best. To help you be successful, I will set high, but realistic academic expectations, and treat you as young adults who are part of a team. I am here to help you be successful, but I can only do that if you commit to your best efforts every day. That means treat members of our class with respect and work hard. It seems like a simple formula, but if we all stick with it, we will have an awesome year!