PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
E-mail:
Mrs. Tang
mtang@ggusd.us
TEXTBOOK:
Allison/DeGaetano/Pasachoff, 2008. Earth Science, Holt.
Page 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Physical Science course meets the California State University admissions
requirements and is a high school graduation requirement for those students not taking
Chemistry. To succeed in this course, a student must be prepared for class each and every
day and make allowances for study time. Homework assignments provide the necessary
practice for quizzes and tests; therefore, homework is a critical component of the class work.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this course is to provide students with a better understanding of
our natural environment. The course format includes classroom lecture, textbook reading,
homework assignments, hands-on activities, literacy exercises, research projects, and
knowledge assessments (tests and quizzes.) The topics are aligned with the California State
Content Standards for Earth Science and include the study of the scientific method, chemistry,
geology, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, planetary science, as well as an examination
of California’s natural resources and conservation efforts.
TESTS, HOMEWORK AND LAB REPORTS
1. Homework is assigned several times per week and due dates will be posted in class.
Homework must be turned in before the student’s first class (usually 1st Period, 8:00 AM)
on the due date. All assignments turned in after 8:00 AM will be considered late
and deducted 10% of the available credit, unless accompanied by an excused
tardy slip. Late work will be only accepted after the due date for excused
absences; make-up periods for missed assignments coincide with the duration of
absence.
2. Arrangements for missed tests, quizzes, and/or labs must be made immediately
upon returning to class. Rescheduling is based on my availability. Make-up work is
not allowed for unexcused absences (suspensions and truancies) and these missed
assignments will receive zero in the grade book.
3. Written work should be neat and legible on lined paper. All work should be clearly
labeled with your name, date, class period, and assignment title. If I cannot read your
paper, I cannot grade your paper. For written responses, use proper academic English
language only, no slang or texting-type abbreviations. Always remember to keep your
graded/returned work to compare against the AERIES grade book.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Page 2
LABORATORY WORK
Laboratory experimentation is used to demonstrate key concepts. Closed-toe shoes
must be worn in order to participate in any laboratory work that is done in the laboratory
classroom 331L; sandals are not allowed. Each group is responsible for the cleaning, care,
and inventory of all equipment used. The science department will charge a fee for broken
glassware and damaged equipment. Safety rules and regulations 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:
92 – 100%
90 – 91.9%
88 – 89.9%
81 – 87.9%
79 – 80.9%
77 – 78.9%
68 – 76.9%
66 – 67.9%
64 – 65.9%
57 – 63.9%
55 – 56.9%
< 55%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Your grade will be approximately weighted as follows:
Tests
Projects & Laboratory Work
Quizzes
Homework
Guided Practice
45%
15%
15%
15%
10%
ATTENDANCE
Every effort should be made to attend class on a regular basis, ESPECIALLY ON QUIZ,
TEST, AND LAB DAYS. Absences are the greatest source of difficulty in science classes!
Habitual absences on quiz and test days will be addressed with a parent conference. La
Quinta’s attendance policy will be enforced and all tardies will be recorded: if you are not in your
assigned seat when the bell rings, you will be marked tardy. Habitual tardiness will result in
detention, parent conference, or referral and affect your citizenship mark.
“The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Page 3
MATERIALS*



Textbook
College-ruled paper
Pencils with eraser and ink pens (blue and black)
*If you are unable to obtain these materials, please speak to me.
HOMEWORK CREDIT
Keep all of your graded homework assignments! These papers will be compiled into a
packet that will be turned in after the unit test; cover sheets will be provided in class. Only stamped
(on-time) homework pages receive credit.
DAILY WARM-UPS
Class starts with a 10-minute warm-up activity. Students should enter class and
immediately begin the warm-up exercise that is posted on the board. Daily warm-ups are written in
a journal format, and pages should be clearly labeled with the student’s name, period, and title
(e.g., Warm-ups: Chapter 1). Warm-up pages will be turned in for credit with the unit packet.
TEACHER WEBSITE
I will maintain a class webpage that can be accessed through the school website where I’ll
post key reference documents and a class calendar with dates for quizzes, tests, and projects.
Please note that homework assignments and due dates can change based on our daily progress,
and the website may not reflect these changes real-time; therefore, best practice in your daily
routine is to check the homework board when you enter the classroom and write down the
information in your school planner and listen carefully for announcements related to the homework
assignment.
“There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.”– Graham Greene
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: CLASSROOM RULES
Rule
1. Be prepared
2. Be respectful
Page 4
Examples
 Bring the required materials DAILY: textbook, _______________, paper, pencil/eraser, pen
 To personal and school property
o Do not write or __________ on the desks
o Do not write on the whiteboards or _______________ without permission
o Do not touch belongings on my desk or that aren’t yours
o For items discovered, bring them to _____ _______________.
 To the teacher
o Do not _________ when I’m speaking
o If you have a question, _____________ ________ _________ and wait for me to call on you
o If I pose a question to the whole class, DO NOT ________ _____ responses; wait for me to call on
you
 To each other: Remember the ____________ Rule!
o Do not talk when another _______________ is responding or presenting
o No name calling, character judgments, racial/sexual commentary, or profanity
 Turn off cell phones and store all electronics ____________ class; (refer to the school confiscation policy – it
will be enforced.)
3. Be responsible
 Be present and on time
 Accept the _________________ of your choices regarding class work and behavior; don’t ________ others
 Complete make-up work _____________.
 NO EATING IN CLASS; you may have bottled __________ at your desk
4. Follow directions
5. Follow school rules
 _______________ gum chewing is allowed
 Follow all Classroom Procedures, (see the next page)
 Follow LAB WORK & SAFETY PROCEDURES
 Refer to your student handbook or school website
 La Quinta’s academic integrity (____________) policy will be strictly enforced per the attached
Academic Honor Code
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Page 5
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
For La Quinta High School
1. Before, during and after any assessment, the student shall use only those materials
allowed by the teacher. Students shall not be in possession of any materials not
authorized by the teacher.
2. The student shall respect another student’s right to privacy of materials, test and
property (sharing of any information by any means is prohibited, i.e.: visual,
written or verbal).
3. The student, when doing research assignments, shall give proper credit (footnotes,
citations and/or bibliography in compliance with the teacher’s instructions) to
those sources, including the internet when allowed to be a source, used in order to
avoid plagiarism
4. The student will refrain from utilizing technology in unauthorized ways on
academic assignments and exams. ( Some examples include but are not limited to:
hand-held computers, cell phones, digital cameras, calculators, and recording
devices)
5. Violations of the Academic Honor Code will be determined by the teacher based
on the school and classroom guidelines s/he set in her/his classroom. Each
teacher is responsible for defining determining and documenting violation(s) of
the Academic Honor Code.
In order to maintain the integrity of La Quinta High School and its individual students,
violation of the CODE OF HONOR will result in the following:
FIRST OCCURRENCE
A. An F or Zero will be given for the work in question.
B. A referral will be sent to the administration specifically describing the Honor
Code violation.
C. A notation of the Honor Code violation will be placed by the administration in the
student’s file.
D. The parents of the student will be notified by administration.
E. The student will be assigned Saturday school or be subjected to other disciplinary
penalties.
“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: CLASS PROCEDURES
Procedure
Page 6
What to do
Turning in
Homework
 Homework is due in the file box at Room 333 before first period
Start of class
 Pick up any handouts as you enter class
 If you were absent, check the file box for handouts
 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
 Note the posted homework assignment in your planner
 Complete the Warm up Activity
 Wait quietly for teacher instructions
 Do not talk during announcements
All activities (whole
class, individual &
group)
 When I raise my hand or ring the bell, stop, face me, keep your eyes on me and
pay attention; be ready for instruction, I will have something to say
 Raise your hand to ask permission to leave your seat
 Hall Pass: Fill-out the hall-pass information in your school planner, signal me to
request permission, and then bring me your hall pass to sign. Go only to the place
you have requested or you will be considered truant. To minimize interruptions to
instructional time, please plan to use the bathroom during break, lunch, and/or
passing periods.
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
 Dispose of your food/drink BEFORE you come to class
 Trash goes in the trash can or out the door with you
 Please recycle your plastic bottles! Rinse them first (unless the content is water.)
Housekeeping
End of class
We’ll use our recycling funds for charitable purposes.
 Spills & breakage should be reported and cleaned up prior to leaving class
 Put all materials back neatly to their proper location prior to leaving class
 Notify the teacher of any damaged or non-functioning materials
 The teacher dismisses you, not the bell, not yourself; STAY SEATED until the
teacher dismisses you
 Turn in any in-class work (e.g. “tickets-out-the-door”) as you exit
PHYSICAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Page 7
(Please read, sign, and return this acknowledgement page to your teacher.)
I have read and understood the 2015-16 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
DETACH & RETURN THE SIGNED PAGE TO CLASS