Course Syllabus

Click on the different tabs to view different parts of the syllabus. Refresh the Screen if a bulleted list shows up instead of tabs.

Welcome to Physical Science!

This Course was Developed and Designed by Rene Carter & Richie Price, PLC Science Educator at Forest Hills High School, Union County Public Schools. 

This science course is designed to help in the understanding of the living world. This course explores the realms of motion, matter, and energy. This course also promotes the inquisitive nature of its students and works to instill a deep and sincere appreciation for the world and the contents therein. We will be using math, English, and history in this classroom. This course is REQUIRED for graduation and counts towards the chemistry credit.

2021 SyllabusShort (2).pdf 

Goals within this course

Understand Forces and Motion

Understand All aspects of Matter

Understand Forms, Forces, and Expressions of Energy

 

Email me at rene.miller@ucps.k12.nc.us and seek active help during the designed class time.

Otherwise, give me 24 hours to respond. 

 

I'm lost

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STRUGGLE??? 

Tutoring will be offered by your teacher at least once a week, during jacket time, and per appointment, with either Mr. Price or Ms. Carter. It is always best to email your teacher for help. We can set up canvas conferences and other resources to assist you in various ways. Do not wait when you are struggling because you will only be further behind. 

After School Tutoring is available. Pay attention to school announcements

To Contact your teacher:

 

Connect with us on Teams  Microsoft Teams - Wikipedia
  • Know that I will send emails and make phone calls home or to coaches
  • If you are absent, you are still expected to do the work. You are given 3 days as mentioned in the FHHS Student Handbook and the course syllabus

 

Materials & How to Be Successful

Course Materials:

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  • Composition Book or 3 ring binder ( 2 inches) with binder tabs and lined paper  to keep notes or use of google keep saving notes
  • Utensils: Pencils. Erasers, Highlighters, Markers, Whiteout
  • Calculator, Graph Paper
  • Interactive Items: Glue Sticks, Scissors, Colored Pencils
  • Possible Poster Boards or project materials

 

How to be Successful in my Course

#1: Always check canvas, even when you are absent! Everyone is expected to do the work. 

#2: Check the announcements on a regular basis.

#3: Be sure to accomplish the given tasks (notes, assignments, labs, reflections, projects, essays, etc) in a timed manner as designed by your teacher. Procrastination will just cause your work to pile up and increase your stress level

#4: Have a positive, friendly, and respectful manner. 

 

Tentative Calendar

 

When you are on the home screen click on "view course calendar" to also keep yourself up to date! I will have a weekly to-do list posted on the whiteboard with a calendar in the back of the room to remind you of the large tasks. 

 

Items on here are tentative to change but it gives you an idea of the topics and pacing.

Assignments

Assignments are 50% of your grade. This includes a variety of inquiry activities. 

ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE CANVAS PLATFORM.

It is expected that you Check Canvas on a regular basis, even if you are absent. 

Cite your sources whenever possible so your assignments do not become flagged for plagiarism. Do not copy other student's assignments, documents or answers. Plagiarism and cheating will result in a zero in the grade book. Don't Forget the Honor Code.
Use:
http://www.citationmachine.net/apa 

 

Bitmoji Image Assignments will be graded at least once a week manually by the instructor and will sync with PowerSchool. Go back to the assignment to see any comments from the instructor. Assignments can always be resubmitted, as long it is still within the grading period window. If technical issues arise, notify the teacher ASAP! Other websites we may use with login details can be found in announcements

Homework:  Students should expect to have homework assignments or ongoing projects every night.  Please contact me if you find that your student’s homework and studies are requiring an excessive time commitment. 

Grading: Students should assume that every assignment will be graded unless otherwise stated.  Grades are by category, the points on an assignment do not determine it's importance over another assignment. The points just state how many questions, sections, or can assist with grading on a rubric. Each assignment in a category has its weight as listed below. Assignments on Canvas sync automatically at midnight once it is manually graded. 

Examples Include:  Virtual Labs/Webquests/Canvas Assignments, Technology Resources such as Vocabulary.com, Legends of Learning, IXL, Albert & Khan Academy, Article Reflections, Case Study Analysis, Paperwork, HW, CW, Warm-ups, Notebooks, and Any Handout

All Assignments are Important but only 2-4 Assignments will Post a week (Audit Format).

On Fridays, I will choose which will sync to PTP.

 

Assignment Penalties: 

10% Per Week Late. 

 

Assessments

Assignments are 50% of your grade. This includes a variety of summative and formative activities.

Quizzes: Students are given quizzes when major standards are covered. Students are required to take it within the classroom with the same composer as you would when taking a test. No talking, No outside sources, and no notes. The second time you take it, you can use your notes unlimited times. There will be a required time between each retake. 

Projects: Students are given details at the beginning of each term. The Project (sometimes an Essay) will be due at the end of each 6 weeks. If it is turned in a week or more early, extra credit will be given. Projects are not designed to completed in one night and so time should be given to work on it. 

Examples Include: Tests/Exams (Requires Studying), Canvas Quizzes (Requires Notetaking; Usually can be taken multiple times), and Projects (Some out of class time & Supplies needed)

Rules

CLASSROOM RULES

By this point in your high school career, some classroom rules should be obvious.  Be on time.  Bring all your materials to class.  Do your homework.  Observe common sense and common courtesy.  Please review the school regulations, expectations, and rules in the handbook.

  • The bell does NOT dismiss the class -- I do. You will be seated for dismissal unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
  • Food is not allowed in class unless the instructor provides you with it. All drinks must have a lid. 
  • Do not tamper with any lab equipment. On lab days, do not use any equipment until instructed to do so.
  • You must sit in your assigned seat. I always have a seating chart and will move you periodically as needed.  Seating assignments are not negotiable

 

 

 

Resources

Vocab.com

https://vocab.com/join/4N5020N 
Khan Academy

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Gizmos

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Act Prep https://academy.act.org/ 
Brainpop https://www.brainpop.com/ 
CK12 https://www.ck12.org/ 
Sas Curriculum https://www.curriculumpathways.com/portal/ 
EdPuzzle https://edpuzzle.com/home 
Kahoot https://kahoot.it/ 
Quizlet https://quizlet.com/ or live.quizlet.com 
Live Science https://www.livescience.com/ 
Albert W4F6CKOF1D49
Read Theory ZZXC3J9V 
Common Lit RQZP6Z
Legends of Learning Carter425
Other websites we may use with login details can be found in announcements

Helpful/Recommended Apps to Download:

Grammarly 

Diigo

Speak it

Google Keep

Google Dictionary

Google translate

 

About Me

Fun Facts about your teacher:

I entered the teaching realm lateral entry, taught in Stanly Country before I taught at Forest Hill High School. I love being a part of the jacket nation! Some of the colleges I have attended include Mars Hill University, Harvard, and Eastern Carolina University. I have degrees in Business and Zoology. I owned a business, worked in a zoo, and was a youth pastor before I was a teacher. I shoot pool on a regular basis, I am the sunshine committee lead. I have amazing friends at work. I love my fur babies (Willow, Parker, Hershel, Gemma, and Kiki). I also love Wizard of Oz, Pokemon Go, and anything red panda. I have over 10 tattoos and you will occasionally see them. I recently married a wonderful man who has 4 sons. Some items may say CARTER and some items may say MILLER. I would say my favorite part of teaching is see the spark when the complex becomes easy, also Graduation. Who doesn't love reaching the end goal?!?! 

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  First Baby: Sept 30th, 2021

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renron13.jpg  renron170.jpg  renron167.jpg  From Carter to Miller

 

Parents

If you are a parent or guardian viewing this page and you have questions, email me!

Do you want to observe your child?
Click here

If you have any questions, mail me! 

 

Parent Letter Handout 

 

Some Student Feedback:
"You have been good with teaching us the material and have been giving us a good, consistent workload." "I love case studies because it doesn't feel like real work, it's really exciting and makes me feel as if I were a detective in the case."
"What I liked about her class and as a teacher is how she explains the work and how to work out the problems." "The vocab helped learn the meanings of the words"
"She would include fun things for us to do occasionally that were still related to what we were learning about at the time." "She gave us virtual students a designated time to email her/meet with her on meetings when we needed to ask questions."

 

 

 

 

 

When the Teacher is Out....

While I am out you need to look at the ANNOUNCEMENT and complete all the instructions. I will be monitoring your progress daily. I keep up with grading on a very regular basis! 

  • Do not expect the substitute to tell you what to do for the day.
      • If you have difficulty on the material or content, feel free to email me
      • If you have technical issues, see Lisa Meier or William Duke (Media Center)
      • If you find yourself in need of a counselor, send them an email first to see if they are available. Have the counselor email me. All assignments will still be required.
  • Pick up any handouts and always complete them.
      • Turn them in if the announcement says so in the front turn-in bin. 
  • Keep the room clean and organized. If you borrow any supplies return them.
      • They belong to either the school or myself. Do not destroy or steal any items.
  • Know that I will send emails and make phone calls home or to coaches
  • If you are absent, you are still expected to do the work. You are given 3 days as mentioned in the FHHS Student Handbook and the course syllabus

I will occasionally have other teachers, administrators and staff come to check up on you. I have high expectations for each of you! 

 

 If you are struggling, Mr. Richie Price is next door and he will be the assigned teacher to fill in and help each of you if needed.  

 

 

Contacts You might need:

1. Your Counselor and Administrator Assigned to you (Look on the homepage and I have designed you in groups for each of them, in case you forget)

2. Technology Services: Lisa.Meier and William.Duke 

3.Science Teachers. Richie.Price and Christy.Nichols will be your best resource for this course but seek help from any of them.