You finally made it to 8th grade! I am excited to have you in my class this year and look forward to getting to know you better. Thesefew pages will be helpful to you and your parents in understanding what my classes are about and what I will be expecting from you so you will have a successful school year in this class.
Course Outcome:
Course Description:
Physical Science CP is designed to provide an introduction to basic concepts of physics and chemistry. Students will be studying the nature of science, matter, motion & forces in nature, and energy. Throughout the class students will learn how to think like a scientist, how to ask questions, and to explore the world around us.
- Knox County Schools Science Department Mission Statement:
“Knox county Science Teachers will empower students to search, solve, and succeed in order to contribute to and improve our complex world.”
Instruction:
General Pacing:
The basic outline for this class is as follows (for more detailed list, please see the attached Knox County Science Curriculum):
1st 9 Weeks:
Inquiry (this will be on-going throughout the school year)
Technology/Engineering (this will be on-going throughout the school year)
Matter
2nd 9 Weeks:
Matter
3rd 9 Weeks:
Motion
Energy
Forces in Nature
4th 9 Weeks:
Forces in Nature
EOC Review
**Please understand that this is a guideline that will be used and may be modified based on student needs.
Materials Needed/Fees:
The following materials will be needed as soon as possible for class: pencils, pens, erasers, and 1 subject spiral-bound notebook. It would be quite helpful to you if you also had your own colored pencils, markers, scissors, and glue sticks for in class projects.
It is extremely important for you to be as organized as possible. You need to keep all of your papers and have them organized in order for you to be prepared for tests, quizzes, and discussions.We will be using the spiral-bound notebook as an interactive notebook for class.
It is also important that you do not lose or destroy your interactive notebook. If you lose your notebook, you will need to replace it. Furthermore,you are expected to show up to class with your materials every day. There are no fees for this class.
Religion in the Curriculum:
Knox County Schools board policy on religion in the classroom can be found here:
The Board affirms that it is essential that the teaching about religion—and not of a religion be conducted in a factual, objective and respectful manner in accordance with the following:
- 1. Music, art, literature, or drama with a religious theme or basis are permitted as part of the curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs provided it is essential to the learning experience in the various fields of study and is presented objectively;
- 2. The emphasis on religious themes in the arts, literature and history shall be only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study of these areas. Such studies shall never foster any particular religious tenets or demean any religious beliefs; and
- 3. Student-initiated expressions to questions or assignments which reflect their beliefs or non-beliefs about a religious theme shall be accommodated. For example, students are free to express religious belief or non-belief in compositions, art forms, music, speech and debate.
Resources:
Textbook Information:
The Science text you will be using this year is Glenco Science – Physical Science. Each student will have access to a science book in class and will be able to check out a book on an as needed basis for home use. It is the student’s responsibility to return the book as soon as possible. If you write in or destroy any textbook –YOU and YOUR PARENTS will be responsible for paying to replace it. Cost of the book is $74.50.
Supplemental Materials:
Instructional time is important; therefore, I do not use full length videos on an everyday basis. The videos I do show in my classroom, however, are educational videos that relate to topics that are a part of the science curriculum. All videos are a part of our school library collection. Some titles that may be used are:
- Understanding Science “Matter”
- Bill Nye and Magic School Bus videos
- Textbook Topics “Matter” and “Earth’s Features”
- Physical Science in Action “Atoms and Molecules” and Elements, Compounds and Mixtures”
- Discovery Education videos and video clips
- “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” Rated G
- “Hunting the Elements” No rating/Educational Video from NOVA/PBS
- Discovery Education videos
- Video Clips that relate to science content from the following movies: Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mocking Jay, Iron Man, Transformers, Ender’s Game and other Knox County approved video clips.
- Other on-line video clips as needed
Common Core Texts:
- Brown Tree Snake: Good for spiders, bad for birds
- Owl adaptation explained
- The Disappearing Spoonby Same Kean
- Magazine and News Articles from National Geographic, National GeoKids, Scholastic Science World, and other on-line resources
- Various articles from newsela.com
*If you do not approve of a specific resource listed in this syllabus, please make your request to me in writing and an alternative assignment and/or materials will be provided.
Safety Procedures:
We will follow the Flinn Science Lab Safety Procedures and will go over them in class. You and your parent must read and sign the associated safety contract before you will be allowed to participate in any science experiment or lab in class.
Safety Contract
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by various methods and formats such as: open response, multiple choice, essays, short answer, fill in the blank, Interactive Notebook checks, and projects.
Homework Policy:
Homework may be given withthe expectation is that you are to complete and turn your work in on time in order to master the topic. Projects, both group and individual, may be assigned and will be expected to be completed and turned in on time as well.
Make-Up Work Policy:
Knox County Board of Education Policy and Northwest Middle School will follow:
“If a student must be absent from school for any reason, excused or unexcused, up to ten (10) days upon returning to school, he/she shall be given the opportunity to make up any and all assignments that were missed during the student’s absence. The student must request make-up assignments within three (3) days after returning from the absence. Failure of a student to initiate a request for make-up work within three (3) days will result in lost opportunity for credit for that assignment.”
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain their missed assignments from an absence. At parent’s request, the office will gather missed work for students who are absent 5 or more days. However, due to meetings taking place during teachers’ plan times,it is reasonable to allow at least 24 hours before picking up the assignments.
Late Work Policy:
Individual teachers, teams and other school officials at Northwest Middle School have the authority and responsibility to impose deadlines for the submission of work. One of our goals as a school is to prepare students for the future by teaching students responsibility, and experiencing the natural consequences of failure to meet reasonable deadlines is the primary manner in which we learn this skill. Please do not expect school administration or teachers to extend or ignore a deadline. For students that choose not complete their assignments on time, the following Late Work Penalties will be assessed:
Days Late / Percent of Grade Received by Student1 day / 95
2 days / 90
3 days / 85
4 days / 80
5 days / 75
Each day after 5 / 5 percentage points fewer
**End of the Semester Exception**
All students with an excused absent, will be given ten (10) days to complete a missing assignment unless the missing assignments are near the end of the semester. At that point, all assignments not completed by the end of the semester grading cut-off date will be recorded as zeros.
Grading Policy:
First Semester:
- 40% of your grade comes from formative assignments such as:
Participation in class discussions, quizzes, class work, and homework
- 50% of your grade comes from summative assignments such as:
Chapter and unit tests, projects, presentations, and written papers
- 10% of your grade comes from the Mid-term Exam.
Second Semester (Physical Science):
- 40% Formative
- 45% Summative
- 15% EOC
Assignments turned in without a name will not be graded, please write name and student number on all papers!
Knox County Grading Scale:
93-100 – A
85-92 – B
75-84 – C
70-74 – D
0-69 – F
Plagiarism:
According to Harbrace Handbook, 15th edition:
Plagiarism is defined as “presenting someone else’s ideas, research, or opinion as your won without proper documentation, even if it has been rephrased.” It includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Copying verbatim all or part of another’s written work
- Using phrases, figures, or illustrations without citing the source.
- Paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source
- Using all or part of a literary plot, poem, or film without attributing the work to its creator.
All students are expected to follow a code of honor and refrain from plagiarizing. Plagiarism is a form of stealing an academic fraud. Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will have the option of either redoing the assignment within a specified time period and accepting a grade letter drop or taking a zero on the assignment. Parents will be involved in making this decision.
Family Portal Policy:
Family Portal and my class website are two valuable resources for you to use to ensure your child has the most successful experience in this class. In order to provide timely feedback, I will update grades once per week; late work or make-up work will be posted as it is graded. Families, please be patient with the updating of grades.
Student Expectations:
My rules are simple: be respectful to yourself and others, be prepared for class, and be the best student you can be. I also expect you to pay attention in class, participate, and do your work/homework on time. If you choose to break a rule or are disrespectful, you are choosing to have a consequence to your action. Those consequences may include: class privileges taken away, after school detention, phone call home, parent conference, or ultimately, a referral to the principal. I want you to learn and in order to learn, you must have self-control. The bottom line: Be Where You Are Supposed to Be When You Are Supposed to Be There, Doing What You Are Supposed to Be Doing!
Teacher Expectations:
If you need to contact me, feel free to call the school at 594-1345 between 8:35 – 9:45a.m.or email me at . Family Portal and my class website are two valuable resources for you to use to ensure your child has the most successful experience in this class. If you feel as though your child needs extra help in my class, I will provide tutoring after school if needed.
Physical Science Knox Science Curriculum
Embedded Inquiry
● CLE 3202.Inq.1 - Recognize that science is constantly challenging, reevaluating, and
extending what is known.
● CLE 3202.Inq.2 - Design and conduct scientific investigations to explore new phenomena,
verify previous results, test how well a theory predicts, and compare opposing theories.
● CLE 3202.Inq.3 - Use appropriate tools and technology to collect precise and accurate
data.
● CLE 3202.Inq.4 - Apply qualitative and quantitative measures to analyze data and draw
conclusions that are free of bias based on data collected.
● CLE 3202.Inq.5 - Compare experimental evidence and conclusions with those drawn by
others about the same testable question.
● CLE 3202.Inq.6 - Collaboratively communicate and defend scientific findings.
Embedded Mathematics
● CLE 3202.Math.1 - Understand the mathematical principles behind the science of physics.
● CLE 3202.Math.2 - Utilize appropriate mathematical equations and processes to solve basic
physics problems.
Embedded Technology and Engineering
● CLE 3202.T/E.1 - Explore the impact of technology on social, political, and economic
systems and how this effects our world today.
● CLE 3202.T/E.2 - Differentiate among elements of the engineering design cycle: design
constraints, model building, testing, evaluating, modifying, and retesting.
● CLE 3202.T/E.3 - Explain the relationship between the properties of a material and the
use of the material in the application of a technology today and possible tomorrow.
● CLE 3202.T/E.4 - Describe the dynamic interplay among science, technology, and
engineering within living, earth-space, and physical systems.
Motion
● CLE 3202.3.1 - Investigate the relationships among speed, position, time, velocity, and
acceleration.
● CLE 3202.3.2 - Investigate and apply Newton‛s three laws of motion.
● CLE 3202.3.3 - Examine the Law of Conservation of Momentum in real world situations.
● CLE 3202.3.4 – Demonstrate the relationship among work, power, and machines.
● CLE 3202.3.5 - Explore and explain the nature of sound and light energy.
● CLE 3202.3.6– Investigate the properties and behaviors of mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
Energy
● CLE 3202.2.1 - Investigate the properties and behaviors of mechanical and
electromagnetic waves.
● CLE 3202.2.2 - Explore and explain the nature of sound and light energy.
● CLE 3202.2.3 - Examine the applications and effects of heat energy.
● CLE 3202.2.4 - Probe the fundamental principles and applications of electricity.
● CLE 3202.2.5 - Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
● CLE 3202.2.6 - Investigate the Law of Conservation of Energy.
Matter
● CLE 3202.1.1 - Explore matter in terms of its physical and chemical properties.
● CLE 3202.1.2 - Recognize that matter is composed of particles called atoms.
● CLE 3202.1.3 - Characterize and classify elements based on properties and atomic structure.
● CLE 3202.1.4 - Investigate chemical and physical changes.
● CLE 3202.1.5 - Identify and evaluate, compare and contrast, pure substances and mixtures.
● CLE 3202.1.6 - Distinguish between common compounds formed by ionic and covalent bonds.
● CLE 3202.1.7 - Construct chemical formulas for common compounds.
● CLE 3202.1.8 - Investigate the relationship among the pressure, temperature, and volume of gases and liquids.
● CLE 3202.1.9 - Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass/Energy and apply these laws to balance chemical equations.
● CLE 3202.1.10 - Distinguish among acids, bases, and neutral substances.
Forces In Nature
● CLE 3202.4.1 - Explore the difference between mass and weight.
● CLE 3202.4.2 - Relate gravitational force to mass.
● CLE 3202.4.3 - Demonstrate the relationships among work, power, and machines.
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