Montgomery County High School
Syllabus and Course Requirements
2012-2013
Instructor: Darren Halliman
Course Title: Integrated Science
e-mail:
Webpage: http://www.montgomery.k12.ky.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=1893
Textbook: Prentice Hall Physical Science Concepts in Action
Credit: 1 credit hour
Grade Level 9
Prerequisite: Science concepts mastered in middle school
Description: Integrated Science is a blending of chemical, earth, and physical science that will give students the foundations to use inquiry and laboratory-based skills in future science classes. It is a required course, designed to cover the basic concepts and is taught at an introductory high school level. It is designed to prepare students for upper level science class courses. Topics to be explored in this course include the following units.
Course Outline Units
Introductory Concepts – Scientific Method, lab safety, lab equipment, measurement etc.
Describing Matter
Atomic Structure
The Periodic Table
Force and Motion
Work, Power, Machines
Energy
Earth’s Interior and Surface
Climate
Space
ALL UNIT CONTENT WILL BE BASED ON COMMON CORE STANDARDS.
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Required Materials: One 2-inch 3 ring binder
1 package of binder section dividers(to separate notes, classwork, homework, etc.)
Pencils - PLEASE!!
Pens with blue or black ink
1 pencil pouch to keep in binder (to keep pencils, homework passes, etc.)
Lined loose leaf paper
Paper towels and tissues are appreciated.
Students may occasionally need additional materials, such as for projects.
Students will be required to bring materials to class daily.
Method of Grading: Grades will be based upon tests, weekly formative assessments, notebook quizzes, homework, lab work, other class worksheets, projects, participation, etc.
The grading scale will be 100-90 =A, 89-80 =B, 79-70 =C, 69-60= D, below 60=F
Homework Policy: Homework will occasionally be assigned in this class. Assignments should always be
turned in by the due date.
If an assignment is one day late, the grade will be reduced by 10%. If an assignment is
two days late your score is reduced by 20%. After two days late work will not be
accepted, unless for excused absences. Extenuating circumstances may be discussed, and
whether or not the work will be accepted is at the instructor’s discretion.
Makeup Work Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to check for makeup work. In the room there is a
designated place for each day’s assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to check
for missing assignments and pick up the proper papers to complete the missing
assignment.
When turning in the make-up work please note, at the top, the date you were absent so
that it is not counted as a late assignment. You can also check my webpage for missing
assignments.
Make-up exams must be taken at a time before or after school which is agreed upon by myself and the student/parent. If a student is not able to make up an exam at these times a note/call/email from the student’s parent/guardian will be required to explain why the student is unable to make up the exam at these times. Contact with the parent/guardian will then be made to make other arrangements for making up the exam.
If the student fails to make up the exam within one week of the classroom exam the student will receive a zero unless the failure of makeup has resulted from an illness.
Plagiarism and Cheating: I will adhere to the policy set by MCHS, which states that students will receive a
zero on an assignment if a student is cheating or plagiarizing, no exceptions
whatsoever.
Types of Assignments/Assessments:
In-class work/homework – this work is important for practicing or learning more about
concepts that are taught in class during discussions and labs.
Notebooks/Notebook Quizzes- the binder must be with the student daily. All work,
handouts, etc., will be completed, organized, and kept here. It is the student’s
responsibility to keep their notebook up-to-date.
Quizzes – daily bellringers, exit slips, notebook quizzes, and formative assessments will
be given often.
Lab Work- there will be many lab activities in this course, and lab reports will be
mandatory.
Projects – this includes research papers, posters, presentations, and models.
Tests – there will be a test at the end of each unit.
Instructional Strategies: I believe that one of the most important keys to student success is treating them with respect and giving them responsibilities and ownership of their learning. Students will be required to keeptheir notes, classwork, and homework for each unit we study. The 3 ring binder will help keep them organized. They will have to keep theirwork in order to review, study, andprepare for tests, so if they throw them away or lose them, they will not have all the materials they need to study. I will be periodically checking their binders to make sure they are keeping up with them. This binder check will count toward part of their participation grade. So, not only will this help them to learn, it will also be counting toward their grade in class. There are no surprises or tricks. I am honest with my expectations of them and in return I expect their hard work and honesty.
All text reading is to be outlined. All class lectures are to have notes taken. All labs are to have INDIVIDUAL lab reports. Study guides may be periodically given before exams to help organize key concepts to study. Study guides may be taken up for a grade and/or used during tests at my discretion, however students are always responsible for the study of unit concepts for each exam whether receiving a study guide or not.
Being late to class will not be tolerated. All students are expected to be in the room by the bell. Once the bell rings, students are expected to be in their seats and beginning their bellringer for the day.
OPEN DOOR POLICY: PLEASE COME SEE ME IF YOU NEED EXTRA HELP!
Parents and Students: You may contact me at the school or come visit me between 2:35 – 3:15, or call to make other arrangements. My number is (859) 497-8765 ext. 2206
Montgomery County High School
Integrated Science
Syllabus and Course Requirements
2012-2013
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