PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
E-mail:
Mr. Vander Sluis
rvandersluis@ggusd.us
TEXTBOOK:
Allison/DeGaetano/Pasachoff, 2008. Earth Science, Holt.
Page 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The primary objective of this course is to provide the student with a better understanding
of our natural environment. Physical Science is a graduation requirement for those students
who will not be taking Chemistry. Success in this course will be determined by a student
meeting his or her responsibilities to be prepared for class each day; therefore, allowances must
be made for study time. Homework provides the necessary practice with the topics and
concepts that will be presented on quizzes, chapter tests, and the final exam; students must
keep up on their homework to do well in the class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, subject matter will be presented in a framework of classroom lecture,
laboratory experiments, textbook reading, homework assignments, content literacy exercises,
research projects, and assessment (tests and quizzes.) The curriculum is aligned with the
California State Content Standards (Grades 9-12 Earth Science) and presented in accordance
with the district pacing guide. Study topics include the scientific method, earth models, earth
chemistry, rocks & minerals, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, meteorology, climate and
climate change, astronomy, as well as an examination of California geology and resources.
TESTS, HOMEWORK AND LAB REPORTS
1. Homework is assigned several times per week; due dates will be posted. Per the La
Quinta Science Department policy, homework assignments must be turned in
before the student’s first class (usually 8:00 AM) on the due date. All assignments
turned in after 8:00 AM will be considered late and receive reduced credit unless
accompanied by an excused tardy slip. No late work will be accepted or graded after the
due date, except for excused absences. Students will be allowed to make-up
assignments within a time period that coincides with the duration of their absence.
Arrangements for missed tests and labs must be made with the teacher
immediately upon returning to class; missed quizzes must be taken on the day of
the student’s return to class – no exceptions. No make-up work for homework,
tests, or quizzes will be allowed for unexcused absences and will receive a zero.
2. Please use lined paper for homework assignments. Work should be neat and legible
with answers clearly designated; if I cannot read your paper, I cannot grade your paper.
Make every effort to use correct academic English.
3. Please label your assignments with your name, date, class period, and the assignment
information. Unlabeled homework will receive zero credit. Lab reports should be written
in blue or black ink.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Page 2
LABORATORY
Laboratory experimentation is used to demonstrate key concepts. For most experiments,
you will work in groups and be assigned a lab station and partner. Each group is responsible for
the cleaning and care of all equipment used. The science department will charge a fee for
broken glassware and damaged equipment. Safety rules and regulations will be described in
detail and must be followed, with no exceptions. Students and parents will be required to sign a
safety agreement form prior to the first experiment.
GRADES
Your final grade will be based on total points earned from tests, laboratory
reports, homework, quizzes, laboratory notebook, and projects. Tests
include a final semester exam. The grading scale is indicated below:
91 – 100%
90 – 90.9%
89 – 89.9%
81 – 88.9%
80 – 80.9%
78 – 79.9%
62 – 77.9%
60 – 61.9%
59 – 59.9%
51 – 58.0%
50 – 50.9%
Below 50%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Your grade will be approximately weighted as follows:
Tests
Projects & Class Notebook
Quizzes
Homework
Laboratory & Class Participation
45%
15%
15%
10%
15%
ATTENDANCE
Every effort should be made to attend class on a regular basis, ESPECIALLY ON LAB
DAYS. The attendance policy adopted for La Quinta High School will be enforced, and all
tardies will be recorded. Tardies will lower your citizenship mark and result in before-school
detentions. Roll will be taken according to seating chart assignments; if you are not in your seat
when the bell rings you will be marked tardy.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
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MATERIALS*
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Textbook and workbooks (kept in class)
1” 3-ring binder (clear view cover)**
5 tab dividers**
College-ruled paper
Pencils and an ink pen (blue or black)
Highlighter and colored pencils
Glue stick
*If you are unable to obtain these materials, please speak to me.
**CLASS NOTEBOOK
As part of your semester grade you’ll be expected to keep a class notebook that will
serve as a portfolio of your work and study guide. The grading rubric will be based on the
percent completion, neatness, and organization. Progress checks will be made at the quarter.
Additional information on your notebook setup will be provided in class.
Element
Contents
Cover
Name, period, title, artistic design
Title Page & Table of Contents
Neat, structured, page #s
Section 1: References
Informational handouts
Section 2: Glossary
Vocabulary
Section 3: Guided Practice
In-class work
Section 4: Independent Practice
Homework & Quizzes
Section 5: Mastery
Tests & Lab Reports
WEEKLY WARM-UPS
Class starts each day with a warm-up activity that will be posted on the board. Warm-up
responses should be completed on a single piece of paper labeled with the student’s name,
period, and title (e.g., Weekly Warm-up: 9/12/11 – 9/16/11). Warm-ups will be reviewed in class
and turned in on Fridays for credit.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: CLASSROOM RULES
Rule
Page 4
Examples
1. Be prepared
2. Be respectful
 Bring the required materials daily, (textbook, paper, pencil/eraser)
 To personal and school property
o Do not write or carve on desks or whiteboards
o Take care of your textbooks
o Do not touch belongings that aren’t yours
o For items discovered, bring them to the teacher
 To the teacher*
o Do not talk when the teacher is speaking
o Raise your hand to speak or request permission
 To each other: Remember the Golden Rule!
o Do not talk when another student is responding or presenting
o No name calling, character judgments, or racial/sexual commentary
 Use appropriate language: NO PROFANITY
 Turn off and store all electronics; cell phone ringers OFF during class, (refer to the school confiscation policy)
3. Be responsible
 Be present and on time
 Accept the consequences of your choices regarding class work and behavior; don’t blame others
 Complete make-up work promptly
 NO EATING IN CLASS; you may have bottled water at your desk
4. Follow directions
5. Follow school rules
 Controlled gum chewing is allowed
 Follow all Classroom Procedures, (beginning of class, obtaining permission, dismissal, etc.)
 Follow LAB WORK & SAFETY PROCEDURES
 Refer to your student handbook or school website
 La Quinta’s academic integrity (cheating) policy will be strictly enforced
*Please pay attention to my non-verbal queues: a look, pause, or hand signal means you are interrupting the class and
should stop immediately.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: PROCEDURES
Procedure
Homework
Page 5
What to do
 Homework is due in the file box in Room 402 before your first class
 Work received after 8 AM on its due date will be considered late and be marked
down by 20%, except with an excused tardy slip
 Homework will not be accepted after its due date, except for excused absences
Start of class
 Pick up any handouts as you enter class
 Check in with a study-buddy to obtain missed handouts from absences
 Sharpen your pencils before class begins
 Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings or you’ll be marked tardy
 Take out your materials and store backpacks and/or purses under your seat
 Update your planner and complete your Warm up Activity
 Wait quietly for teacher instructions
 Do not talk during announcements
All activities (whole
class, individual &
group)
 When you see my hand or hear a bell, stop, face me, keep your eyes on me and
pay attention; be ready for instruction, I will have something to say
 When you are responding, requesting permission, or need help, raise your hand
 Always ask for permission to leave your seat
 To leave class (e.g. bathroom, locker), raise your hand with your hall pass and
wait to be acknowledged; sign out with me; go only to the place you have
requested or you will be considered truant; sign in with me; put away your hall
pass. Budget your allotted hall pass uses wisely.
Group activities
(including lab work)
 Group assignments are not negotiable or self-appointed
 Assemble in your assigned groups promptly
 Participate in your assigned work without being disruptive
 Keep discussions on-topic
Housekeeping
 Dispose of your food/drink BEFORE you come to class
 Trash goes in the trash can or out the door with you
 Recycle plastic bottles (rinsed first if content was not water)
 Spills & breakage should be cleaned up prior to leaving class
 Put all materials back neatly and to their proper location prior to leaving class
 Notify the teacher of any damaged or non-functioning materials
Outside activities
 Follow teacher instructions for moving to your assigned locations
 Participate quietly in the assigned work so as not to disrupt other classes
 The teacher dismisses you, not the bell, not yourself; STAY SEATED until the
End of class
teacher dismisses you
 Turn in any in-class work as you exit
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Page 6
(Please read, sign, and return this acknowledgement page to your teacher.)
I have read and understood the 2011-12 class syllabus and will abide
by all classroom rules, policies, and procedures.
Student Acknowledgement
_____________________________
Name (printed)
_____________
Period
_____________________________
Signature
_____________
Date
Parent Acknowledgement
_____________________________
Name (printed)
_____________________________
Parent e-mail address
_____________________________
Signature
____________
Date