Physical Science Syllabus 2014-2015

Teacher: Mr. Cress

Email: jcress@philasd.org

Welcome to Physical Science at Northeast High School!


Goals:

In this course will investigate physical sciencethe study of matter and energy. This course will
build upon the students observational and prior knowledge of basic chemical and physical
properties in order to better understand and appreciate the natural laws by which our physical
world operates.

In this course we will continue to build and develop our knowledge and skills as scientists and
problem solvers. Students will hone their skills by:
Making sense of real world observations and problems and preserving in solving them.
Reasoning abstractly and quantitatively
Constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others
Using technology and tools strategically
Attending to precision
Looking for and making use of structure.

Throughout this course students will:
o Develop the process skills
necessary to do scientific inquiry
and apply these skills as they
conduct scientific investigations
o Demonstrate effective and
appropriate use of scientific tools.
o Effectively use mathematics as a
language for analyzing physical
science principals and as tools for
solving problems in physical
space.
o Become familiar with laboratory
equipment, techniques and
procedures, as well as gathering
and interpreting data.
The above outcomes will be achieved
through the study of topic such as:
o Scientific Knowledge and the
Scientific Method
o Matter
o Atoms, Elements, and Chemical
Bonding
o Forces and Motion
o Work, Power and Energy
o Electricity and Magnetism
o Waves
o Earth Science
o Environmental Science
o Space Science




Grading Policy:

Grading in this course will be based on a points system. The points you earn, divided by the total
number of points available will be your decimal grade (Multiply by 100 to get the percentage).
Any grade ending in __.5 or above will round up.
Physical Science Syllabus 2014-2015


Types of Grades (Individual assignments will have different point values)
Learning and Practice: Improve your Scientific Knowledge and Study Skills
Class Participation In our class, you will work both independently and with your
classmates. Class participation comes in many forms, including asking questions,
group discussions, board demonstrations, presenting projects, etc. Do not worry
though, participation points are NOT handed out arbitrarily at the end of the marking
period. You will always know when an activity is counting towards your participation
grade.
Homework Homework will be assigned regularly to give students practice with the
topics covered in class. Most homework assignments will be graded for effort and
completion, though some may be occasionally graded for correctness. Unless
otherwise specified, homework assignments should be a students individual work.

Assessment: Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding
Quizzes: As we finish small sections of this course, you will have the opportunity to
demonstrate what you have learned though short, in-class quizzes. These may be
multiple choice, free response, or open-ended question. Quizzes may be announced or
unannounced.
Unit Exams/Projects Throughout the year there will opportunities to demonstrate
understanding of the course outcomes. Some of these exams may look like
traditional tests, while others may take the form of small projects.


Retakes and Late Work Policy:

Please complete all your work by the due dates that are assigned. If you do not complete a
homework assignment by the assigned date, your grade will be impacted; please do not let this
happen!
One class period late: 20% penalty
Two to five class periods late (one week): 50% penalty
More than one week late: No credit

Although students are expected to take all quizzes and exams on their assigned due dates,
sometimes tests just dont go as planned! I want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity
to show me your absolute best work, so you will have the opportunity to show me your absolute
best work, so you will have the opportunity to improve your grade through retakes and
corrections, as follows:
Announced Quizzes and Tests (Excluding Benchmarks): Some specific tasks (but not all)
on announced quizzes and tests may be eligible for retakes. Students may retake these
anytime until the next announced quiz or test. To be eligible for a retake, a student must
submit to me a correction sheet for their original exam (more information on this will be
provided).
Unannounced (Pop) Quizzes: These assessments cannot be retaken.

Physical Science Syllabus 2014-2015

Retakes will not be identical to original assessments. Question content and format may be
different, but the same skills will be tested. Retakes cannot take place during our class period;
you will need to schedule time with me during another part of the school day or after school to
come for your retake (locations to be announced).

Absence Policy:

Students are expected to be in class every day, but I understand that sometimes life gets in the
way! You will be responsible for all missed work.

If you have an excused absence for a class period, you will have the number of days you missed,
plus one extra day, to hand in any assigned homework/catch up on any missing classwork. After
than the work will be considered late per the late work policy
Ex. 1: If you miss class on Tuesday and return on Wednesday, any missing work is due at
the beginning of class on Friday (two class periods later).
Ex. 2: If you miss class on Monday and Tuesday and return on Wednesday, any missing
work is due at the beginning of class on the following Monday (three class periods later).

Work missed due to an unexcused absence will receive a zero. No grace period is given for
turning in work late due to an unexcused absence.

Technology Policy:

All electronic devices (including phone and headphones) should not be used for personal reasons
in our class. I may occasionally ask you to use your phone or other devices for in-class purposes.

If I see you using an electronic device, I will take it and keep it UNTIL THE END OF CLASS.
I will put it in a safe place and you will know where it is. Please note that Im not going to use it
and I dont want it, so if I see you using it and I ask for it, just hand it over. Its only for 54
minutes at max! If use of an electron device becomes a consistent issue, other steps may be
taken.

Class Expectations:
Our class expectations are based around NEHSs rules of conduct, but we will also talk together
in the first days of our class to establish some norms for how class will operate. Here are my
expectations for our class:
Be on time and prepared for class
Come prepared to learn something new each day
Respect the our class as a place of learning
Respect yourself and your peers
Be persistent.
Ask questions and dont be afraid to make mistakes!



Physical Science Syllabus 2014-2015

Materials:

Please come prepared for our class with the following materials:

Essential:
Pen or Pencil
Loose-Leaf Paper or Notebook
Three-Ring Binder dedicated to our
class
Textbooks
Our textbook (Holt Physical Science) is
available to students via students.
Students can elect to not receive a hard-
copy of the textbook by having a parent
or guardian sign a textbook waiver.


Course Website:

Our course will have its own website, where I will upload each days notes, assignments, and
any files that pertain to our class. Tentatively, this website will be

www.mrcressnehs.weebly.com

More details about this will be presented in the near future.


Please note that specific aspects of the syllabus might change during the school year. If this is the
case, you will be notified.

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to ask, either in person or by email. I am looking
forward to an exciting year of physical science together.

Please Sign Below and Return.

We have read the above syllabus for Physical Science and we understand what is expected of the
student in this course.

Student Name: ________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________


Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _____________

Parent/Guardian Phone Number/Email Address: ______________________________________

______________________________________