Physical Science Course Policies
Mr. Schindele
I.
General Expectations:
A. Come to class prepared with a covered book, notebook, pen or
pencil, and paper everyday.
B. A calculator is required.
C. Be on time! (lateness can result in detentions)
D. Be in your seat, ready to go, when the bell rings.
E. Act maturely at all times: cooperate, be polite, show respect to others and
yourself, and strictly obey all safety rules.
II.
Assignments:
A. If you are absent from class it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you
have missed and the due date by checking with another student or the teacher.
B. Late homework will be accepted, but its maximum point value will be 25% of the
original value
C. All assignments made prior to your absence are due the day you return. Test,
quizzes, and labs will be made up within a reasonable amount of time.
(Example: 3 day absence=3 days to make up work)
D. Any assignment not turned in or made up will become a zero. This is your
responsibility.
E. The teacher must first clear an excuse from class such as music group, student
council, field trip, etc. These class absences also require you to turn in any
assignments due that day and to check the homework for the following day.
III.
Notebooks:
A. Each student is encouraged to keep a science notebook.
B. One of the first pages will be a tally sheet. Keep it up to date so that you may
know your grade at any time.
C. A 3 ring binder is strongly suggested. Handouts will be 3-hole punched.
IV.
Evaluation:
A. Tests
B. Quizzes
C. Homework
D. Labs
E. Notebooks
F. Class participation/preparation
G. Other projects
V.
Grades:
A. The total number of points accumulated divided by total points possible will be
used to determine your grade. This percentage is converted to letter grades as
follows:
Grade
Earned
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
E/F
Numeric Range (%)
97-100
90-96
87-89
80-86
77-79
70-76
65-69
Below 65
B. For students receiving less than a 70% on a major test, they will be given the
opportunity to make test corrections 1 time per marking period, at the teachers’
discretion. Students must write out the question, answers and explain the
thought process or show the work needed to get the correct answers.
Students can get up to half credit for each correct answer. However, the
maximum grade after the test corrections will be a 75 %.
C. The final exam will be weighted as 16% of the final yearly grade.
D. There will be major district wide science assessments. They will be averaged
into marking period grades.
E. Students and parents will be informed of performance via interim reports.
VI.
Course Overview:
A. This class is designed to provide you with knowledge about the physical world
through hands-on lab activities and in depth studies. Investigations are carried
out in the lab, thus giving you first hand experience in making observations,
developing theories, experimenting, and drawing conclusions from your results.
By using the scientific method, you will have a means of solving problems in
other science classes, as well as problems that originate in everyday life.
Topics to be covered:
-Lab safety
-Metric system
-Physical properties
-Particle theory
-Phase changes
-Bonding
-Atomic theory
-Energy
-Force
-Motion
-Speed
-Electricity
…just to name a few!
Please note that this class is primarily a hands-on lab class supplemented by
problems, demos and other activities. For this course to be successful and enjoyable for
you and everyone else I expect your cooperation and full participation.
Good luck during this school year!!
If you have any questions, problems, concerns, etc. please feel free to
come and see me anytime.