Introduction Video: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/5c7f0946-42a9-4ef6-a819-1cc807e8bd94

Physical Science Syllabus

Instructor:  Ms. Washington

Room: G Wing 213

Phone: 704-292-7662

Email: angel.washington@ucps.k12.nc.us

 

Overview: Physical science is a laboratory science course that includes two main units of study: chemistry and physics. Chemistry is the science of matter and its changes. We will develop an understanding of the structure and properties of matter, atomic theory, the periodic table, and chemical reactions. Physics is the science of forces and energy. We will learn about motions, forces, energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism. We will see how our daily lives are affected by both of these sciences as we move through the year. This class should be taken seriously and given your best effort as it is required for graduation.

Curriculum, Objectives and Pacing:

Specific objectives of the course can be found at https://files.nc.gov/dpi/documents/curriculum/science/scos/support-tools/new-standards/science/physical.pdf

The following is a list of the Modules in this class:

M1: Periodic Table and Matter 

M2: Isotopes and Nuclear 

M3: Bonding and Nomenclature 

M4: Chemical Reactions 

M5: Solutions, Acids and Bases 

M6: Motion and Force 

M7: Energy and Work 

M8: Machines and Mechanical Advantage 

M9: Magnetism and Electricity 

M10: Waves 

M-NCFE: Review for Final Exam       

                               

Late Work Policy:

All assignments are due on the date announced when it is assigned.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain makeup work.  Online assignments will be on Canvas.  

• If there is a problem turning in assignments on Canvas make sure you email your assignment to angel.washington@ucps.k12.nc.us before the deadline.

Required Instructional Materials:

The following items will be needed in class:

• Calculator

 

Grading:

• Grades are assigned based on a point system.
  • Each task is given a point value.
  • Completion of the task gives you the full value of that task.
  • If task is not complete, you get the number of points you earned

    Course grades are based on the following:

    First 6-week Grading Period        25%                       

    Second 6-week Grading Period  25%                      

    Third 6-week Grading Period       25%                       

    NC State Final Exam                        25%                       

                                    Total                      100%    

6-week Grading Period grades will be:

Major Assignments:        70%

(Test, Labs and Large Projects)

Minor Assignments:       30%

(Classwork, Homework, Warms-Ups and Small Projects)

Current grades are available on PowerSchool.  Report cards will be sent home every 6 week with Progress Reports sent home 3 weeks into the term.

Canvas:

The majority of assignments not completed on paper must be submitted on our learning platform, Canvas.  Assignments can be submitted a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations.  Students will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas as needed.  Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected.  If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas so instructors will be able to see if the student opened the assignment, if there was any activity including a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes.  Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments.  Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

NOTICE: Although many assignments are submitted and graded in our learning platform, Canvas, the "final" grades shown may not be properly weighted and do not contain assignments that were not graded in Canvas.  For the student's official grades, please continue to access the parent portal through Powerschool. Login information should be the same as last year. If you need assistance accessing the parent portal, please contact the school.

Slideshows used in the classroom  will be posted on Canvas.  Assignments and tests will also be on Canvas.  Canvas is organized by modules, with one module per unit of study.  Textbooks are available for class use only.   If a student needs a textbook at home, I may be able to lend one on a day to day basis depending on availability.  Parents are encouraged to visit the EmpowerED Family Portal at  https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917 for links to online resources and apps that students can access.

Office Hours:   Office hours will be every  Friday.  

• Types of Tasks
  • Lab Work: A critical part of science is lab-work. As a result, you will be expected to experiment, analyze data, and draw conclusions.
  • Quizzes: will be given frequently – I have to know what you know! Quizzes are not designed to punish, they are a tool I use to determine what you know and don’t know.
  • Tests: are important so please don’t wait till the night before to study!
  • Participation, Attendance, Homework: If you are not here, it is impossible for me to help educate you.
    • engaging yourself in the lesson – ask RELEVANT questions!
    • performing tasks that I design for you
    • maintaining your notebook
    • participating in lab
    • taking responsibility for your own learning – ask questions, wonder and think about stuff!

• The best thing that can be done to ensure success in this class is to be prepared when you come into class everyday.  This means bringing all materials with you to class, having assignments completed on time, and studying in advance for tests/quizzes.

• Tardiness – it is important to show up to work and school on time. Students who are tardy are a disruption to everyone in the class. Per school-wide policy, tardy students are “locked-out” and not admitted to class without a tardy pass from the administration.
• Food/Drink – Per school-wide policy, food and sodas are not allowed to be consumed in the classroom, unless authorized by the administration. Students ARE allowed to drink water in water bottles, with the exception of days in which labs are being performed.
• Food must be discarded BEFORE ENTERING THE ROOM, due to the ability of food to attract insects and small rodents (they will only go where there is food).

Classroom Procedures:

1. Beginning Class:

• Take out materials, sharpen pencils, go to assigned seat
• Copy homework assignment into your notebooks and begin working on the posted warm-up.

2. Sharpening Pencils during class

• Do this before class.
• If you need to sharpen a pencil during instruction, go to pencil sharpener without distracting others, and wait for me to give you the OK

3. Restroom Usage during class

• Wait for an appropriate time (not during discussions or instruction), then raise your hand and wait for my response.
• Retrieve the bathroom pass from the back of the room, record your name and the time.

4. Participation in Class

• Participation in class is IMPORTANT!!! Let’s face it...we learn BEST when we are engaged. In order to insure that everyone has a chance to participate, students will be called upon frequently to answer questions. Students will also participate in a variety of assessment activities, to provide students with opportunities to prove what they have learned. Your key to success is to pay attention and participate.
• When we are involved in class discussions, please raise your hand if you wish to comment, as this insures others (myself included) can hear you clearly. Students speaking out of turn will be reminded to raise their hands and be asked to wait.

5. Group Work:

• Choose one person to collect and return materials.

• Choose one person to ask questions of me.

• You may only talk with your group members (unless I give other directions).

• All members must contribute to discussion and work.

• Refrain from loud talking, running, throwing items, and horse playing.
• Be kind and cooperative.

6. Use of Materials:

• Use only your group’s assigned materials (make sure you have everything you should before you begin)

• Please do not waste supplies!

• Return all items in the condition you received them.
• Let me know if something needs to be repaired or replaced.

7. Dismissal at the end of the period

• The bell does not dismiss you. The bell is a signal for teachers that the 90 minute period for instruction is over. I will inform you when it is time to pack up and when the bell rings, I will dismiss you.
• Please be in your seat ready to be dismissed at the end of class – Students who line up at the door will be the last people to leave the room.

Classroom Guidelines

Classroom Expectations

1. Allow yourself and others around you to benefit from this course.
2. Stay focused on the task at hand.
3. Allow for the smooth operation of this classroom by following procedures.
4. Take care of your environment, respecting all persons and surroundings.
5. Be prepared. This includes being to class on time and having all required materials.

Consequences

1.       Verbal Warning
2.        Student has conference with teacher
3.        Teacher has conference with parent (Referral)
4.        Referral and removal from class
5.        Severe Disruptions  will result in immediate removal and referral Parent/Student Agreement       

 

 

Student Expectations for Virtual Learning   Before Class Begins Plan ahead. Consider your location, gather supplies needed, take care of siblings and/or pets. Come prepared with the necessary materials and required assignments within reach of your workspace. Attend the session from a quiet location in a chair and have your computer on a table or desk. Wear appropriate school attire and look presentable.  Look around you… make sure that anything around you can be seen by others.  (Teams can change background or blur if needed.) Put away  cell phones and turn off televisions to eliminate background noise. Log into the session on time.   During Class  Mute yourself immediately upon entering the session. Be an active participant...using the chat when appropriate, nodding, or giving a thumbs up. Type only relevant information and/or questions in the chat.   Use appropriate language in the chat. Refrain from eating during the session as this can be distracting to others who can see you.  Raise your hand (virtually or literally) to speak during the session.  Wait for the teacher to acknowledge you before unmuting your microphone.  Remember that only one student speaks at a time.  Take notes as needed.  Ask questions to make sure you are well prepared to complete all individual or group assignments. Complete all assignments by their due dates. A log of your activity will be recorded at the end of each session (when logged in and logged off). This log will be used to document your effort and engagement in the session.

Please have parents to read  below.

1. I know that my child receives progress reports every 3 weeks, and I should contact Mrs. Washington immediately if I am not receiving progress reports.
2. I know that I can always check the Parent Assist Module (PAM) online to keep up to date on my child’s progress in class.
3. I have read and discussed the rules and procedures with my child. I understand and agree to encourage my child to abide by these rules and procedures. I understand the consequences that my child will incur if he or she does not abide by the classroom rules and procedures.