Outline of Subject
A copy of the state
standards
is available on my web site. The emphasis is on the physical
sciences: chemistry, physics and astronomy.
What to bring to class
every day
positive attitude
|
Box of Kleenex |
Spiral notebooks- graph paper with
pockets
|
coloredpencils - # 2
(go for the recycled ones)
|
flash drive (1GB)
|
calculator -basic |
correcting pens - purple, red or green
|
metric ruler |
| highlighter: yellow or orange
color |
Drawing compass |
Textbook
Prentice
Hall, Focus on Physical Science-- 10th grade reading
Level
- Make sure it is covered and your
name is inside the book
- After the first week of having the
textbook, it should be left at home - there is a class set in the room
Expected Behavior
Basic human
courtesy and respect for EVERYONE
Be in class
on time - in your seat when the bell rings
Bring all
necessary materials to class
All food and drink
(except water) must be consumed and deposited in trash outside the classroom
Wear
appropriate attire to school
-
Underwear should be covered by outerwear
-
Shoulders and midriff covered
-
Positive (to everyone) logos on shirt
may be worn
Appropriate
exam (or quiz) behavior
-
Eyes on your exam only
-
Do your own work
-
Keep your exam covered
-
Use only what is permitted by teacher
-
Turn exam in when you are instructed to
do so
-
Remain quiet until you are given permission
to talk
-
All exams are to be turned in by the end
of the class period
State Education
Code prohibits all electronic devices,
Except cell phones for emergency use only!
Must be turned off in class and in the bottom of your backpack.
Because gum has so widely been abused you will not be permitted to chew
gum
(look under the tables in the classroom or on the walkways)
Consequences
for violating behavior expectation may involve the following:
-
Verbal warning and /or Time out/loss
of electronic equipment (cell, ipod)
-
Notification form for parent signature
-
Detention
-
Referral to principal
-
Refer to the school Honor Code
Assessments and Assignments
Assessments come in a variety of ways:
Lab quizzes, chapter or standard tests, standard quizzes, quarterly test(assessments);
behavior during labs; and participation in class discussion (informal
assessement)
Assessments will be varied in nature:
-
Ability to understand concept
-
Ability to relate concept to experiment
-
Relate to real life situations
Homework
-
Textbook reading for understanding.
-
4-10 pages of reading and notes every
week.
-
Next day reading quiz
-
Notes from online activities are due the
next day
-
No late work is accepted, except if you
have been absent.
Lab
-
small group activity
-
assessment opportunity - do you understand
the concept through kinesthetic learning
-
assessment opportunity - are you demonstrating
the correct way to use the equipment
-
assessment opportunity - do you know the
format for writing a lab report
Participation by:
-
working cooperatively/collaboratively
with your teammates
-
participating in class discussion
Lab Quizzes
Section/ Standard quizzes
-
Difficult or complex concepts will be
on quizzes to catch any misconceptions.
-
They vary in style: Multiple choice, fill
in the blank or draw a picture.
-
They are corrected in class so you will
get immediate feedback.
Digital Binder
-
Organized binder of related materials
representing a standard learned.
-
This organized binder will help you review
for exams and the STAR test.
-
All work will be submitted in my folder
on the school's server (flash drive needed)
Webquesting (some displayed in class)
-
Related to a state standard
-
Research work for an activity or assignment
Quarter and semester assessments
(not sent home)
-
based on standards learned during the
time period.
-
a learning log will be assigned
Below I have listed some possible questions
under the six levels that could appear as a multiple choice question or
as an open ended question.
Knowledge
1. Whose atomic model introduces the electron?
2. Which atomic particle has a positive charge?
3. Which atomic particle is outside the nucleus?
Comprehension
1. Name two physical properties of metals.
2. Illustrate a Bohr model of the atom nitrogen.
3. Using a periodic table, identify five metals and five nonmetals
Application
1. Explain how to test for the presence of oxygen
2. Using a periodic chart, determine how many valence electrons can
be found in carbon.
3. Given the three elements, Na, Cl, Ne, predict which two will form
a compound.
Analysis
1. Compare an acidic solution with a basic solution
2. Using a periodic chart, identify these elements as either metals,
nonmetals, or metalloids: Na, Cu, Ag, Si, Ge, C, O, Ne, Ar
3. Compare and contrast the properties of gold with the properties
of carbon. Your answer should include 5 similarities and 5 differences
Synthesis
1. Tell me how you could explain the “rule of eight” (bonding) to
a fifth grader student. What analogy would you use? Pretend I am
the fifth grader student. Write what you would say or do.
2.
Design and create a new element. It should include the following
information: Name, symbol, atomic number, mass number, and number
of protons, electrons, and neutrons. Describe the properties of this new
element.
3.
Create a simple poem to describe any element of your choice, include at
least 6 descriptors.
Academic Grade Summary
Homework
- 5-10 points
Labs/Activities
– 20 points
Tests
- points vary with different topics
Quizzes
- 20 points
Binder
- 25 points (10 collections over the year)
To earn a particular grade, you must
have the following percentages.
| A 90 – 100% |
B 80% - 89% |
C 70% - 79%% |
D 60 - 69% |
F Below 60% |
Computer Printouts:
For every progress
report and grading period (2 quarters and 2 semesters), you will receive
a printout for your parent to look over and sign. There are symbols
that represent something other than the points earned. Since I do
not take late homework, a “Z” represents the missed due date. A "Z"
could also be on another assignment because the assignment was not done
within the grading period. Such assignment might be a quiz or lab that
was to be made up. If you were absent during an assignment, you are
responsible for making up the missed work. If there is ever
a blank, no number, no "X", no "Z", then you can safely assume that I have
not graded the assignment. PLEASE BE AWARE that the excused (X) assignment
will not show up on “MISSING ASSIGNMENT REPORT”.
Prior to grading
periods and progress reports, you will receive a "draft" printout.
These printouts are used to catch any error in the entry of the grade.
Periodically, a wrong number or an assignment that was made up is entered
incorrectly. I use the "draft" printout as a process of "checks and
balances" to catch those errors. You are to attach the assignment(s)
to the printout and place in the grading tray.
Citizenship Grade:
O = OUTSTANDING N = NEEDS IMPROVING
S = SATISFACTORY U = UNSATISFACTORY
You (and everyone else) start out with
a Needs Improving grade. You need to improve your behavior, your
focus on assignments, your attention to others. . .and the list goes on.
Citizenship grades are earned. The following are in accordance with
LCHS rules.
To earn an "O":
-
Be a leader in class discussion
-
Take on several roles during the labs
-
Encourage other to stay focus and do their
best
-
Maximum of one tardy per quarter
-
Participate (volunteer in discussions,
ask relevant questions)
-
Promptness (homework, projects, make up
work and test)
To earn a "S":
-
Engage in Class discussion
-
Take on several roles during the labs
-
Be part of a team -- not the problem
-
Maximum of two tardies per quarter
-
Prompted participation (answer questions
when called upon)
-
Promptness (homework, projects, make up
work and test)
To maintain
an "N":
-
Do the minimum or any of the following
infraction
-
Maximum of three tardies per quarter
-
Inappropriate participation (interrupts
the learning process of self and others)
-
Late work
-
Inappropriate dress
To earn an
"U":
-
Four or more tardies per quarter (automatic
"U"-school rules)
-
Defiance
-
Inappropriate participation (interrupts
the learning process of self/others)
-
Late work
-
Continual inappropriate dress
-
Violating the Honor Code, Internet Agreement
Instructional Strategies
Whole Group
-
Brainstorming applications: eliciting
responses from you.
-
KWL: K=what I think I know; W=What I want
to learn; L=What I've learned
-
Metaphor/Analogy/Simile: using these to
hook new information onto information that you already know.
-
Visual/Graphic Organizers: writing lecture
notes on the board/computer in graphic organizer format
-
Rhythm, Rhyme, Music and Rap: using songs
to teach a concept.
-
Storytelling: explaining a concept/giving
a lesson in the form of a story
-
Whip around: Pass Option: quickly whipping
around the room to ask everyone for his or her input. -students may opt
out by saying, “pass”.
Small Group
-
Visual/Graphic Organizers: have groups
create graphic organizers
-
Multiple Intelligence Projects: you will
determine what job you will undertake for the project.
-
Projects: you will research and produce
something based on what you learned
-
Reciprocal Teaching: giving you the opportunity
to explain to another student what they have learned
-
Simulation/Role Play: you will act out
the concept, operation, or historical piece.
-
Lab experiment: designed to help teach/introduce
a concept
Field trip: opportunity to explore other
areas of science
Miscellaneous
If you are absent:
You are allowed
one day for every day you were absent to make up your work if the instructions
for the assignment were given while you were absent. Any labs that you
missed might be made up with alternative assignment or are made up after
school or during lunch. (see me to set up an appointment)
Getting behind:
Any time
you need extra help
-
set up an appointment for after school
or during lunch
-
talk to me when there is an "open" time
in class
Evacuation:
Earthquake/Fire:
-
turn off any gas or electrical equipment
-
take cover under desk or table
-
when shaking is over, a clear signal is
given, proceed to evacuate the room
-
line up in a straight line against the
south wall of the classroom
-
proceed to the west side of the field
just south of the north goal post.
Webpage: www.lcusd.org/lchs/jwalters
Homework assignment,
online assignments, research
links, link to library and
science department,
worksheets, labs,
reference sheets and a
whole lot more.
Name ________________________ Science
8, Period______________
KEEP THE INFORMATION PACKET IN YOUR
SPIRALAND REFER TO IT FREQUENTLY
This sheet is to be returned to Ms
Walters after you and your parent(s) have read and discussion this packet.
You will be responsible for knowing the information regarding what is expected
of you and other policies. Keep the packet
in your notebook and review it often. This sheet will be filed
in the classroom.
NAME__________________________________________________
LAST
FIRST
(PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME CLEARLY)
SCIENCE 8, PERIOD_________
We have read the information packet,
discussed the content, and know what is expected of
___________________________________
name of student
__________________________
_______
SIGNATURE OF STUDENT
DATE
___________________________
_______
SIGNATURE OF PARENT
DATE
___________________________
________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT
DATE
