Grady High School

2016-2017 COURSE SYLLABUS

Physical Science

Teacher: Mr. Ben Sellers / Phone Number: 404-802-3001 (School #)
Room Number: C-404 / Email: bxsellers@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Semester:Fall 2016 / Tutorial Days:
Wednesdays after school until 4:30pm.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00-8:30, but you must make an appointment with me to confirm for the morning tutorials.
Textbook: Glencoe: Physical Science
Websites:
Group code: x6wym5
/ Tutorial Location: C-404

Course Description:

The goal of this Physical Science class is for students to become effective learners by developing skills in scientific inquiry, creating and using data analysis tools. These skills will support the understanding of physics and chemistry with valid scientific evidence. Students will explore the following physical science topics: matter, energy, forces, and waves. They will apply their knowledge to the world around them through laboratory experiments and short and long-term projects.

Prerequisite: NA

Course Content Standard –Course Content Standards are long and take up a ton of space. Feel free to check them out online at the following website.

Course Outline:

Semester A
Unit / Summary Statement
Force / Gravity, Friction, Newton’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd Laws
Motion / Introduction to speed and acceleration
Work / Review of scientific work and simple machines
Energy / Types of energy, energy transfer and conservation
Heat Transfer and Kinetic Theory / Different ways heat can transfer and kinetic molecular theory
Electromagnetism / Laws of electricity and magnetism
Semester B
Unit / Summary Statement
Waves / Wave properties, sound waves and light waves
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table / Composition of the atom and placement on the periodic table
Properties of Matter / Physical and chemical characteristics of matter
Chemical Bonding / How atoms combine
Chemical Reactions / How atoms interact with each other to form new compounds
States of Matter / States of Matter, Phase Changes and Phase Change Diagrams
Acids, Bases, and Solutions / Examination of acids, bases, and solutions and how they are formed

Evaluation and Grading:

Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their mastery of each state standard, as the grades will be based on a combination of different assessments this year. Classroom assessments are the daily activities completed to grow towards mastery of a state standard. The majority of classroom assessments will be given as quizzes. Homework, classwork, labs and reading assignments will all be assessed with a quiz over the assigned information. This means you will not turn in most assignments, but instead will be quizzed on them. The benefit of completing the assignments will be that you can use the assignments on the quiz. Summative assessments are given to students at the end of learning an objective to document growth and mastery, which reflect essential and enduring knowledge. Since these assess total knowledge gained on a subject, you will not be allowed to use any formative assignments while taking the summative assessment. We will also be taking one cumulative exam per 18 week semester at the end of the semester. The percentage breakdown is as follows:

Course Components / Weights / Grading Scale
100-90 / A
89-80 / B
79-70 / C
69-0 / F
Not Evaluated / NE
Homework, Classwork and Participation / 25%
Labs/Projects / 30%
Unit Tests (or Performances) / 30%
Final Exam / 15%
TOTAL / 100%

Reassessment

An optional re-assessment for quizzes will be available. If the student has completed all the necessary assignments related to that unit of study the student will be allowed to take one reassessment of each quiz. Please note that the requiz will count NO MATTER WHAT!! The deadline for re-assessment will be one month after the original quiz was given. Items that may notbe reassessed include 1) end of course or semester exam, 2) Assessments at the end of an instructional unit or period of study, 3) Final research papers, reports, essays 4) Culminating projects or performances.

I will be happy to review your grade with you during any appropriate (not during class) time, before school, at lunch or after school. Bring your printed grade report or Infinite campus on your phone for the discussion.

Campus Portal for Parents and Guardians: Visit - to view class schedules, attendance records and grades. To activate your account, visit the school to receive your login (activation key).

Required Materials:

1. Pen(blue or black ink only) or Pencil

2. 3 ring binder with divider tabs

3. Paper for the binder

4. Textbook

Classroom Expectations:

You are responsible for behavior in classroom, which is appropriate for the class activities and is respectful of the rights, property, and comfort of others. Behavior that is disruptive to class or destructive of property will result in a phone call home and a detention and may result in a referral. Some of the more important ones are listed below.

  1. Come to class prepared with your agenda and materials.
  2. Remain seated and prepared for learning.
  3. Listen and follow directions the 1st time given.
  4. Turn in work on time (this includes make-up work).
  5. Come to school everyday!
  6. Keep up with your belongings (including books and other supplies).
  7. Show respect for yourself and others through your words and actions.
  8. Raise your hand to ask/answer questions.
  9. Cell phones must be powered off and kept in students’ backpacks or lockers throughout the school day. Grady High and teachers are not held responsible for lost or stolen electronics (iPods, cell phones, cameras, etc.).
  10. Cell phones that are plugged in to charge, must remain plugged in. Meaning, you can’t get up to check your messages 4 times during class. This will be monitored, and addressed individually if it becomes a problem.
  11. Adhere to school dress code.

Passes:

Our students are Responsible for maximizing their time in class. As such, I ask that my students only use the restroom during class in case of an emergency. In order to enforce this policy, the following measures are in place.

1)Students are given only 3 restroom breaks per class for each 9 weeks.

2)The 15/15 rule is in place. This rule states that a student may not use the restroom during the first 15 minutes or the last 15 minutes of class.

3)If a student has used their 3 restroom breaks in a class, they receive another restroom break if it is an emergency. However, the penalty for this is one day of teacher detention.

4)Any unused passes will be rolled into extra points added to a quiz grade. For example, if you have 2 passes remaining, you will get two extra points on a quiz, turning an 8/10 into a 10/10.

If a student has specific medical needs, please notify the teacher with any concerns.

I will keep track of your 3 passes in my plan book and update you as to how many you have remaining. Your passes are for water, restroom, counselors, etc. Use them wisely.

Tardies-Getting to class on time is critical for success in the course. As a result, I will be keeping track of your tardies and you will be assigned a teacher detention for every third unexcused tardy to class. Upon the 10th unexcused tardy, I will put in a social worker referral and the school social worker will contact your parents. Plan to be early and you won’t have any problems.

Cheating: If a student is caught cheating on any given assignment the student will be given a zero and a phone call home will be warranted.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: It is important that students are responsible and meet established due dates for assignments. Late is defined as anytime work is submitted after the assignment has already been collected by the teacher. Students will have no more than one month to make up any assignment.

MAKE-UP AND MISSING ASSIGNMENTS: Students with an excused absence will be expected to submit missed work on or before the third class meeting after the absence. Pre-announced assignments are due upon return to school. Students will have no more than one month to make up any assignment.

School-wide Expectations:

MASTERY LEARNING: With mastery learning, a unit of material is taught, and student understanding is evaluated before students are able to move on to the next unit. Students who have not shown mastery for a particular unit will receive feedback and support in reaching mastery. They may be given practice exercises, study guides, group work or complementary resources to help them improve and achieve mastery. Students who demonstrate mastery of the content for a particular unit are given enrichment exercises like special projects, tasks or academic games to further or broaden their knowledge of the material.

DEFICIENCY REPORTS: Parents and guardians are informed when students are making unsatisfactory progress in classes. Poor performance will be reported to parents and guardians as soon as problems are evident. Deficiency reports with plans for remediation will be provided for all students making unsatisfactory progress, and parent-guardians conferences must be scheduled. Unsatisfactory grades should never come as a surprise to parents, guardians, or students. Also, see Board Policy Administrative Regulation IHA-R(1) under “Students in danger of not meeting academic expectations” for further information. Teachers will:

  • Contact parents/guardians early in the semester if academic, attendance, or behavioral difficulties are apparent.
  • Notify the counselor, Student Support Team (SST)/Response To Intervention(RTI) Chair, and/or an Assistant Principal of serious problems that are affecting classroom performance.
  • Set up parent conferences as necessary.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY: Students wanting to participate in athletic programs governed by the GHSA and extracurricular activities must meet eligibility requirements to participate. The Athletic Director (and the Extracurricular Activities sponsors) will collaborate with teachers to monitor and to identify students in danger of failing courses. A master list of students participating in extracurricular activities and athletics under the auspices of the GHSA will be available to all staff.

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Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

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Date Date