Course Syllabus for Physical ScienceLoudon High SchoolFall 2017

Instructor Information

Mr. David SandlinOffice Hours: 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM (and by appointment)Telephone: 865-458-4326 ext. 4055E-mail: sandlind@loudoncounty.org

Course Description/Overview

This is an introductory course in which we study matter, energy, and motion. We plan to introduce the following topics: scientific measurement, matter and change, atomic structure, the periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, chemical reactions, states of matter, motion, forces, work, power, heat, electricity, magnetism, sound, and light. Physical science is a challenging course, in which students learn not only concepts and principles, but also critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to use both in science and everyday life.

Physical Science is a one-semester course that allows students an opportunity to earn 1 credit toward graduation and obtain 1 of the 3 necessary science credits required by the state. There are no prerequisites for this course, but Physical Science does serve as a foundation for Chemistry, the next science course in the sequence.

Textbook

Physical Science (Tennessee ed.) published by Glencoe Science, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2009.

Course Materials

#2 pencils black or blue ink pens loose-leaf notebook paper scientific calculator (graphing function is not necessary)

Classroom Rules

I support all the school rules listed in the student handbook, including those related to the honor code (related to cheating and plagiarism), the dress code, and the cell phone policy. For infractions of school rules, I follow the procedures laid out in the handbook and let the office handle the offenses appropriately. For example, if it appears a student is not following the dress code, I send him or her to an administrator to make that determination. Similarly, if I pick up a cell phone, I label it with the student's name and take it to an administrator at my earliest convenience. In addition to the school rules, I have these classroom rules:

1. Do not carry on private conversations during class lectures or question-answer sessions. Please wait to help your neighbor until after the lesson, when I am finished teaching.

2. Do not criticize, downgrade, slander, or make fun of any student, teacher, administrator, or school policy. Keep all negative comments about people outside of the classroom.

3. Do not touch any items in the room that do not belong to you without my permission.

4. Stay in your seat, unless I give specific instructions to perform other activities. Please try to wait until the end of class to throw away papers and trash.

5. Do not eat food or bring open containers of food into the classroom. You may bring a drink if it is in a container with a top or a lid. Clean up spills immediately. I allow gum as long as it remains in one’s mouth or in the trash.

6. Do not litter, and do not deface or damage any school property or equipment. Leave your seating area and the classroom neater and cleaner than it was when you came in.

7. Be on time to class. You are tardy if you are not in the classroom when the bell rings.

8. Do not throw anything, engage in horseplay, or disturb others in any kind of way.

9. Use appropriate language at all times. Profanity and vulgarity are unacceptable. Address me as “Mr. Sandlin,” not as “Dude,” “Bro,” “Man,” “Sandlin,” or any other informal expression. Address classmates by the names by which they wish to be called.

10. Do not adjust any of the controls in the room, including air conditioning, lighting, gas, electricity, projector, window blinds, etc. Also, do not go into the adjoining laboratory without permission.

Possible Consequences for Breaking Rules

1. Having a time-out in the hall.

2. Serving lunch detention or silent lunch.

3. Moving to sit at another desk during class.

4. Forfeiting special activities, such as experiments.

5. Receiving a referral to an administrator.

Classroom Procedures

Entering the Classroom

1. Enter the classroom in an orderly manner without disturbing others.2. Please prepare any materials for the class. Sharpen pencils, staple papers, hole-punch papers, etc.3. Begin the opener listed on the side board. Raise your hand if you need help with it.

Coming to Attention

1. If you are studying individually or in groups, I will summon your attention by raising my hand.This means that I have something to say and I want you to listen.

2. When I raise my hand, be quiet, stop your activity, turn your face toward me, and wait for my instructions.

Going to the Restroom

1. Fill out the information in your student handbook on the page with my name on it, including the destination, date, and time.2. Quietly and discreetly leave your seat and place the handbook in a convenient place for me to

initial it. Do not raise your hand for me to come to you unless we are in a test-taking session. Do not ask to go to the restroom-- your filled-out handbook tells me where you need to go. School policy requires that you have your handbook with you at all times.

3. The maximum number of times you may go to the restroom, get a drink, etc. during the semester is 5. Be wise. I recommend saving those 5 instances for true emergencies.

Executing a Fire Drill

1. Please exit the building through the doors on the west side of the building between my classroom and Dr. Stafford’s classroom. Leave quickly and quietly, without running.

2. Proceed to the football field, and stay together as a class. I will take roll when we assemble outside.

Exiting the Classroom

1. Two minutes before the bell rings, if I am not lecturing and we are not involved in class discussion, begin tidying up your work area. Wait for me to signal that you can start cleaning up.

2. Throw away any loose papers and trash, not only those which you have created. Ask me for a broom, dustpan, or hand-vac if necessary.

3. When the bell rings, do not get out of your seats. Be quiet and listen attentively to any final words of instruction that I have for you.

4. When I dismiss you, you may leave your seats. Quietly and courteously exit the classroom.

Completing and Turning in Assignments

1. If you are using a pen, use black or blue ink. If you are using a #2 pencil, be sure it is dark enough.

2. Write your full name, block number, and date in the top right corner of every assignment.3. Write the assignment, including the pages and problem numbers, on the first line of the paper.4. When answering questions, please pay attention to everything that is asked. Write out the

question, show your work and calculations, and justify your answers. Include units for all measurements.

5. Please leave plenty of space between problems, especially if you did not complete it and need to come back to it later after getting help.

6. Cut off any spiral edges or frayed edges. Make sure the pages are in the proper order. Staple the pages in the top left corner, making sure they are fastened securely.

7. If the assignment is make-up work, write “MAKE-UP WORK” at the top of it and the days that you were absent, as a reminder to me.

8. Place your completed assignment in the basket on the front counter.

Grading/Testing

I will calculate your class grade using the following formula:

Class Grade = (Points earned / Points possible) x 100%

At the end of the semester, I will calculate your final grade using the following formula:

Final Grade = (85% x Class Grade) + (15% x Final Exam) (This is per State of Tennessee policy.)

I assign point values to classwork, homework, lab reports, quizzes, tests, and projects according to their size and importance. Classwork and homework are usually worth 5 to 20 points each, depending on their length and difficulty. Quizzes and tests also vary in point value, depending on how much material they cover. You can keep a running tally of your points earned, and calculate your current grade anytime using the above formula. You can determine your letter grade based on the Tennessee grading scale listed in your student handbook:

A – Excellent 93-100B – Good 85-92C – Average 75-84D – Unsatisfactory 70-74F – Failure Below 70

You are required to keep up with your current grades and missing assignments in the class using Skyward, the online grading system. You can access grades and missing assignments by logging into Skyward through the school website at http://lhs.loudoncounty.org. Click on the Online Services drop-down menu, where Skyward is one of the options. Next, to enter Skyward, type in your login and password. Then follow the links to my class.

Classwork/Homework

I collect classwork often and usually grade it based upon your following the instructions and completing it. Classwork is due before you leave class that day. Homework, however, will be due on whatever date I specify, usually 1 or 2 days after I assign it. The homework must be in my in-basket by 3:20 pm on the specified due date. However, you should start on homework the day it is assigned and bring questions to me the next day to get help with what you did not understand.

I usually grade classwork and homework based upon effort and completing all the problems, but sometimes I choose individual problems to grade based upon accuracy or logical reasoning. If we go over the solutions to any problems in class, I definitely expect those to be completely accurate by the time you turn the assignment in. The details of how to complete an assignment are given above under “Classroom Procedures.” Please follow the instructions listed there when completing assignments. See the rubric on the following page for a sample of how I would typically grade a small assignment worth 5 points.

Some homework assignments are required, but some are optional. That means that if you do them and turn them in, I will grade them. This will increase your total number of points possible in the class, and will help to balance the weight of the quizzes and tests. I highly recommend doing the optional assignments, unless they are lessons you have done before and have absolutely no need to practice them again. Most science problems, however, especially those involving calculations, require practice. Even if you do not turn in an assignment, it is wise to at least try a few of the problems and check your answers with the answer key, to make sure you are comfortable doing them and could easily reproduce them on a test.

Homework Rubric

5 4 3 2 1 0Quality

On 100% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

On 80%-99% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

On 50%-79% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

On 20%-49% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

On 5%-19% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

On 0%-4% of assigned work…

Followed all directions

Neat/Legible Accurate work Obvious good

effort

Quantity

On 100% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

On 80%-99% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

On 50%-79% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

On 20%-49% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

On 5%-19% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

On 0%-4% of assigned work… Problems

worked or attempted

All work shown Questions

answered in complete sentences.

Tests and Quizzes

The format of the tests may include any or all of the following question types: multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, short-answer, and calculations. You can ask me in advance of the test what format to expect. The format depends somewhat upon the topic we are covering and how many concepts and calculations are involved in it. The format of quizzes will also vary depending on the concept. If it is a vocabulary quiz, it may be matching or short-answer. If it involves calculations, it may require you to show your work to arrive at answers.

You may re-take most tests and quizzes, not including the mid-term and the final. The maximum possible score on a re-take is 80% of the point value. Also, I will not curve re-take tests. Be aware that a re-take test may be different from the original test, though similar in content. To re-take a test, you must make an appointment with me to come in after school on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. There are no test re-takes during lunch because time is too limited and other activities may be going on in the room. (Students who miss a test because of an excused absence have the option either to take it in class when they return or to take it after school by appointment.)

To make an appointment for a test re-take, fill out the test re-take form on the clipboard on my desk at least two days before you desire to re-take the test, with your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices of re-take dates. I will compare it with my schedule and get back with you, telling you the date that will work best. You may re-take a test no more than twice. Throughout the semester, there may be deadline dates for re-taking tests over specific units.

Make-Up Work

My policy for make-up work follows what is listed in the school handbook. You cannot make up assignments that you missed because of an unexcused absence. Those will earn a grade of zero. You can make up assignments that you missed because of an excused absence. The deadline for making up missed assignments is equal to the number of days missed plus one day. For example, if you were sick Monday and Tuesday and come back Wednesday, the missed work would be due on Friday. If you do not make up the missed assignments during the allotted time, you will earn a grade of zero on them. (Of course, you may still turn in classwork or homework, but it will have points deducted according to the late-work policy below. You may also still take quizzes and tests, but they will count as re-takes, according to the re-take policy above.)

When you turn in make-up work, write “MAKE-UP WORK” at the top of the page, followed by the dates that you were absent. This will remind me that you were absent, so that I will not accidentally mark it late (if you turned it in within the allotted time).

Remember—catching up is often challenging, and it is entirely your responsibility. You must contact me to get any missed assignments and to schedule make-up quizzes or tests. Homework assignments are posted on the back markerboard in numerical order, so make sure you copy those down and pick up the necessary worksheets. Classwork is not listed, so you will have to ask me about that. Do not wait until assignments are posted to Skyward to notice that they are missing. If you do that, you may end up losing points because of turning them in late.

Please note that the make-up work policy also applies to all valid excused absences related to sporting events, band, ROTC, club activities, etc. If you are part of a team or club that frequently misses class or leaves school early, you must be very attentive to keep up with what we do in class while you are gone. You cannot make it up as you please. Also, you should exchange phone numbers with at least one other student (preferably two or three) in your class to make it easier for you to catch up on missed work.

Late Work

An assignment is late if it is not in my in-basket by 3:20 pm of the day it is due. You may turn in late work for partial credit. I will take 10% off if it is one school day late, and 20% off if it is two or more school days late, up to one month from the date that it was due. (Of course, those with excused absences have the allotted time to make up the missed work with no penalty, as explained in the section on make-up work.) Based on the percentages above, I will round to whole numbers, but I will deduct at least 1 point, regardless of the point value of the assignment. If an entire calendar month has passed since an assignment was due, I will no longer accept the assignment, regardless of the number of weekends, holidays, or absences within that month.

My Expectations

1. Bell-to-bell: I hate wasting time, so we are generally engaged in some form of learning from the time class starts to the time I dismiss. There is rarely any free time or “chit-chat” opportunities. I try my best to maintain a pleasant atmosphere, but I mean business in getting through the course material. If we complete a lesson early, my expectation is that you will begin the homework and ask me questions about what you do not understand.

2. Homework: You will have homework often, and sometimes on weekends. Block scheduling and “Skinny lunches” cut our “practice time” down significantly (as compared to year-long scheduling), so we have to seize the opportunities to apply and reinforce what we have learned in class by doing practice problems at home. (Of course, wise students find ways to get tasks done throughout the school day during those small windows of time that others often waste.)

3. Lunchtime/Classtime: Human beings need time for rest and rejuvenation. I am no exception to this, so I take the lunch time allotted to me to get away from the classroom to “clear my head” and get refreshed. This is critical to my being an effective teacher in the afternoon and functioning at my maximum potential. Hence, if you have questions over homework, please bring them to class and be ready to ask them at the first opportunity. When we discuss your questions, it will benefit both yourself and others in the class.

4. Easy Points: Most of your grade depends on how much chemistry you learn, but a small fraction of your grade depends on following instructions. This enables us to have a smoothly-operating classroom, and also enables me to grade your assignments quickly and accurately. To this end, so that students will take me seriously, I take off points (most often 1 point) for not following class procedures, most of which are listed in this syllabus. Here are the most common items that people lose points for:

late work papers with no name papers with spiral edge not stapling papers if more than one ink other than blue or black (or pencil) unanswered questions on homework not writing page numbers or problem numbers not giving an explanation if one is required not showing work if there is a calculation

There may be other items, depending on the assignment. Hopefully, you will maximize your chances for a good grade in the class by not losing any points for trivial matters such as those listed above. Little points can really add up, and could make a big difference at the end of the semester if you are on the borderline between two letter grades. So be sure to follow the procedures and check with me if you are not sure about something. One of my pet peeves is seeing blanks or unanswered questions on homework. That indicates to me that you did not take the time to try them or did not bother to ask for help. So please avoid the above pitfalls and get help as soon as possible.

Secrets to Success in Physical Science

1. Attendance: Make every effort to not miss class. If you must be absent, find a classmate who takes good notes and who will pass on everything that we discussed. Also, when you come back, please talk to me directly to make sure that you have everything that you missed.

2. Readiness: Be prepared for class. Get all materials ready, including sharpened pencil, pen, notebook paper, textbook, calculator, etc. Come to class early and start on the opening task. If you still have time, review your notes from the previous day.

3. Consideration: Take care of all restroom needs in advance, so that you do not have to leave during class. If you absolutely must go to the restroom during class, try to do it when there is a convenient “break in the action,” that is, when you will not miss something important. Remember, you only have 5 times per semester.

4. Engagement: While in class, pay close attention to what we discuss. Ask a question if something does not make sense to you. Phrase your question specifically to pinpoint what you do not understand. Don’t just say, “I don’t get it,” or “I don’t understand anything.”

5. Concentration: If anything is disturbing you from focusing or learning in class, please talk to me. We will try to find a way to solve the problem, even if we have to change your seat. Several students have said that sitting up front helped them concentrate better.

6. Note-taking: This is not a requirement, and I do not collect students’ notes, but taking notes often helps you stay focused. It also provides some example problems that can later be models for you when doing the homework. You don’t have to jot down every word, but just whatever will help you recall how to solve the problems.

7. Diligence: Do your homework every night. Bring any questions to ask me the next day of class. Even though you may have 1-2 days to complete homework, it is critical that you do it daily so that you can get immediate help with problems you do not understand.

8. Assistance: Get extra help early. If you are struggling to grasp a particular concept, method, or calculation, please talk to me. We can find a way to help you understand or give you some extra resources to practice with. After school is a good time to get individualized help if you need it.

9. Teamwork: Don’t forget to get help from your peers. Sometimes a classmate can explain a concept in a simpler way than I can. Find out who is doing well, or who did well before, and ask him or her for assistance. Please do your own work, but ask for help when you get stuck.

10. Organization: Have a definite place to write down all your assignments (or enter them on your cell phone, iPad, etc.). Also, find a way to organize your papers—there will be a lot of them. A 3-ring binder notebook is a good way, or another system that works for you. A neat, tidy folder often indicates a neat, tidy mind.

11. Budget: If you really want to be successful in physical science, set aside some time every day to study it, whether you have homework or not, whether you have a test to prepare for or not. You can always review vocabulary, do extra problems, or read ahead in your textbook.

12. Perseverance: Don’t give up. Even if you are the last one to understand something, keep at it. Endure to the end. Make the extra effort. Whenever there is an opportunity for extra points, take advantage of it. Remember the old saying: “The tortoise wins the race.”

Contact Information and Signature Form

Please sign the form on the next page and ask your parent/guardian to also sign it to indicate that you have reviewed the syllabus. Fill in the contact information to make it easier for us to communicate throughout the semester. Return the form to me for a homework grade, and keep the syllabus in your notebook to refer to throughout the semester. Thank you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at the school at (865) 458-4326 ext. 4055 or by e-mail at sandlind@loudoncounty.org. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you this semester. I look forward to an exciting and rewarding school year.

We have reviewed the syllabus for Mr. Sandlin’s class.

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Parent/Guardian Contact Information:

Name(s):_________________________________________________________

Home Phone: _____________________________________________________

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E-mail(s):________________________________________________________

Additional Questions, Comments, or Concerns:

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