PHYSICS COURSE SYLLABUS

Transcription

1 CLASSROOM RULES, PROCEDURES AND CONSEQUENCES PHYSICS COURSE SYLLABUS Hardin-Jefferson High School Mrs. Phelps Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to PHYSICS! For a successful learning experience, certain guidelines need to be followed in the classroom and laboratory. To accomplish this I have listed our course goals, expectations and classroom policies. Included in this packet: Syllabus, Lab Safety Agreement, and Contract Course Description: Students enrolled in this class will delve into basic PHYSICS concepts that meet state high school physics standards. This course will cover the material necessary and supply tough requirements. Class Expectations: Come to class prepared! In order to facilitate class discussions and reduce lecture time in favor of labs and knowledge enhancing activities, you must complete all required assignments. Assignments are not busy work ; they are designed to help you learn difficult material. Come to class! The work we will be doing during class cannot be replicated at home, labs and activities in particular. Lectures, classroom discussion, activities and labs promote understanding of key concepts. Please try to avoid unnecessary absences. No whining! It will be challenging. It will require time outside of class. If you do not like physics, just keep trying. Yes! You have to write in pencil. Yes! You have to write in complete sentences. Yes, you have to show your work. Yes, you have to make data tables, graphs and label them. Yes, you are expected to show a higher level of understanding on ALL of your assignments. No, you may not write in text-speak. Class Policies: 1. Cell phones and other electronics are to be stored in backpacks, bags, or purses. Exceptions are made only when instructed to use IPADS for academic purposes. During class your brain should be turned on and your phone turned off and put away. 2. Food and drinks are prohibited in the science class and lab area. 3. Do not throw any class work away. You need it to review for tests. Also, unintentional mistakes do happen with grade recording. 4. Cheating is unacceptable in any form. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying homework, copying lab analysis answers, plagiarizing written assignments, copying test answers, and use of electronics to find test answers. If copying occurs all people involved will receive a zero on the assignment or a referral. Cheating does not help you learn. 5. Most classes will start with a Hook or quiz. You are expected to be ready to begin by the time the bell rings. This means being seated and quiet with all necessary supplies out on the desk. Hook quizzes are given at the teachers discretion during the nine weeks and each counts as a daily grade. 6. If you are absent, you must make up the work in the allotted time (1 day for each day absent). It is the student s responsibility to acquire make-up work due to an absence. Quizzes will be made up during tutorials 1

2 Tests will be made up during class or a time arranged with Mrs. Phelps Activities/Labs will be made up after school or by alternate assignment 7. You are responsible for clean up around your desk and lab station (regardless if it is your mess or not). This includes putting supplies back in the appropriate location, washing lab ware, etc. It is simple you make the mess, you clean up the mess. Please take all materials when you leave. I cannot be responsible for items left in the classroom. 8. Disruptive behaviors, including excessive talking, arriving late to class, and sleeping during class are not permitted. Repetitive and seriously disruptive behavior may result in you removal from class in accordance with the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct. 9. Meaningful and constructive dialogue is encouraged in this class and requires a degree of mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance of opposing points of view. Respect for individual differences and alternative viewpoints will be maintained at all times in this class. 10. All school rules found in the Hardin-Jefferson Student-Parent Handbook and Student Code of Conduct are applicable in the classroom and laboratory area. Consequences: It should be understood that when rules are broken, consequences will be applied fairly and consistently. Every effort will be made to correct the behavior with the student before involving parents or administration. This helps the future young adult accept responsibility for their behavior and take corrective action. 1 st offense = verbal warning 2 nd offense = private conversation with student in the hall 3 rd offense = student will fill out a behavior reflection form 4 th offense = student will serve a detention with Mrs. Phelps 5 th offense = phone call or contact with parent/guardian 6 th offense = school detention Grading: Follows student handbook policy Student grades shall be determined as follows: 40% Daily Grades 60% Major Grades Minimum grades per quarter: Standard classes 14 Daily Grades 4 Major Grades AP and Pre-AP 10 Daily Grades 3 Major Grades Academic Grading Scales: A B C D Below 70 F Assignments are due to the box or on-line when requested. Failing daily grades can be made up in adherence with the ZAP Policy. (Handbook p. 51) Grades can be tracked by students and parents online at: under Parents à Grades & Attendance Material Requirements: 1. Textbook Merrill: PHYSICS, Principles and Problems Due to budget changes at the state level with TEA, not all students will be issued our class textbook. If the student has access to the Internet from 2

3 home, that student will be able to access the textbook online. If you do not have access to the Internet, please let me know, and I will issue a textbook to be brought home. If the textbook is lost or destroyed it will need to be replaced at the cost of $ A hold on grades will be placed on the student until such matters are taken care of with the front office Ring Binder, Spiral Notebook and notebook paper 3. Pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, scissors, index cards, and other crafty items as needed **List of Items for the classroom and lab** roll of paper towels pipe cleaners box of tissues aluminum foil ream of colored paper Ziploc bags (all sizes) glue sticks hand sanitizer pack of 4 AAA batteries Thank you in advance for any help you can offer with these items. Homework: Study at home spend time reviewing the content often to prepare for class discussions, labs, quizzes and exams. In my experience I have found that the most successful students are those that make a daily commitment to their studies. Test/Quizzes: Quizzes are given throughout a unit; some are announced in advance and others are given randomly. All quizzes can be corrected for ½ of the points missed. Unit tests will be given at the end of each unit (larger units may be split into 2 smaller tests) and will consist of multiple choice, matching and short answer response. Exams are composed of questions that encourage critical thinking skills. Students will be expected to apply learned concepts; rather than simply memorizing the facts. Absences: This course is fast paced and covers a significant amount of content each day. You are still responsible for the content covered in class on the day of your absence. Finish Up: Reminders of important due dates will be sent by . I am available for extra help every morning from 7:30-7:55 and afternoon from 3:00-4:00. I will inform students in advance of delayed afternoon tutorial times due to faculty meetings or other faculty duties. Please confirm that you plan to attend afternoon tutorials. If you are having difficulty in this class it is highly recommended you take the opportunity to get extra help. Parents and students please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns. I am always open to your communication. Here s to a great year. Jessica Phelps Phone: ex jessicaphelps@hjisd.net 3

4 LAB SAFETY GUIDELINES Science classes often involve hand-on laboratory activities. Many labs will involve potentially hazardous chemicals and/or materials. I refer to them as potentially hazardous because they are only dangerous if used inappropriately. There is no place in my class for unsafe use of materials. Thus, you will need to be safe or be out of the lab. Read this contract carefully. Keep this in your notebook for reference and sign the contract to turn in to me. General Guidelines: 1. Conduct yourself responsibly at all times. 2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. Ask questions if you do not understand. 3. Do not touch any materials or equipment until instructed to do so. 4. NO FOOD, DRINKS, OR GUM IN THE LAB! 5. Always read and complete the pre-lab before you perform the lab. 6. Keep your work area neat and clean at all items. 7. Never leave liquid-filled containers uncovered. 8. Know the location and operation of all safety equipment. 9. Do not run, shout, or throw things in the lab. 10. Notify me if an unsafe condition exists in the lab. 11. Dispose of all chemicals properly. I will instruct you of how to dispose of specific chemicals. 12. Keep your hands away from your face while doing labs. Also, always wash your hands after the cleanup is completed. 13. Rinse out all glassware and leave it to dry in the designated locations. 14. Stay at your lab table with your lab group during labs. 15. Carry sharp items appropriately; tips down and away. 16. You will not be dismissed from class until lab stations are clean. 17. Immediately report ALL injuries, no matter how minor to me. 18. Use the eyewash or shower if you are splashed with a chemical. Always assume that the chemicals are hazardous. 19. Use caution when using the hot plates never leave it unattended, always unplug it after use and coil the cord. 20. Never look directly into a container that is being heated, observe from the side. Clothing: 1. Goggles and aprons must be worn when instructed. 2. Only close-toed shoes may be worn on lab days. No loose clothing or jewelry. 3. Tie long hair behind your head. Handling Chemicals: 1. Consider all lab chemicals to be hazardous. 2. Double check the label before using a chemical. 3. Take only the amount of chemical you will be using for the lab. 4. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the lab. 5. Always hold the chemical bottles with two hands when transporting them. 6. Do not consume chemicals. Handling Glassware and other materials: 1. Be cautious with all glass/pyrex/metal equipment. Never use chipped glassware. 2. Never handle broken glass or sharp metals. If a piece of glassware breaks, notify me immediately and I will dispose of it. 3. You will be responsible for paying for broken glass or other equipment if it occurs during horseplay. 4

5 Hardin-Jefferson High School Science Department PHYSICS I have read and discussed the classroom syllabus and procedures with my son/daughter, and understand the grading policy, classroom rules, assignment procedure, and other information provided on the syllabus. I understand the grading scale for PHYSICS as described on the syllabus and noted again below: Exams, Labs, Projects and Quizzes 60% Homework, Classwork, Participation (and some pop quizzes) 40% PRINT Student Full Name: Student Signature: PRINT Parent Name: Parent Signature: Date: 5

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