IPC Magnet- Fall 2014
Guidelines, Rules, and Procedures
Ms. Maharaj, Room 118 Lab 117
Welcome to IPC
I hope you find this Integrated Physics and Chemistry class challenging and fun. I think it is fascinating! As your
teacher, I will commit to teach you IPC to the very best of my ability. By communicating and working together, we will
meet the challenge. In order to start the year off smoothly I have prepared this information for you and your parents.
Please read everything carefully. Take it home, share it with your parents, have it signed, and then place it into your
notebook as the first pages.
Course Description:
Integrated Physics and Chemistry is designed to introduce ninth grade students to the basic concepts of
chemistry and physics. You will begin by learning the metric system, and how to convert units within the metric system.
You’ll learn to distinguish between physical and chemical properties and changes.
Subatomic particles, the formulation of compounds and balancing equations are part of the introduction to
chemistry. Concepts involving motion, forces, energy and power are investigated with an emphasis on the mathematical
relationships.
IPC is a laboratory–oriented course. Concepts will be developed through hands-on investigations, measurements,
observations, and manipulation of a variety of phenomena.
Fall 2014 Syllabus
Textbook: Integrated Physics and Chemistry by Glencoe McGraw-Hill
Cycle 1
Scientific Method, Measurement, and Safety
This unit focuses on the scientific processes and skills that the students are
expected to master and practice during the course.
Motion and Force
The focus of this unit is on forces and motion evident in everyday life.
Energy
The unit focuses on energy and its conservation during transformation.
Cycle 2
Work and Simple Machine
In this unit, students learn about simple and compound machines and how they
change forces to make work easier.
Thermal Energy
Students learn in this unit the difference between heat and temperature, thermal
conductivity and heat engines.
Electrical Energy
This unit investigates electrical conductivity of various materials, compare series
and parallel connections, and the relationship between electric current and the
strength of its magnetic field.
Cycle 3
Waves
The focus of this unit is on the nature of waves, specifically electromagnetic
waves.
Sound Energy
In this unit, students demonstrate wave types and their characteristics including
its propagation and interactions.
Light Energy
Students describe in this unit the components of white light and the phenomenon
of color.
Energy Sources
This unit deals with the different sources of energy such as hydroelectric, solar,
nuclear, fossil fuels, and alternative sources such as wind, geothermal, and
current research in energy sources
Final Exam review Week
Final Exam
Note: This syllabus may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
1
Classroom Rules:
1. Be in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.
2. Bring all materials daily.
This includes your required supplies, book, and homework assignments.
3. Be courteous and respectful to others.
Give your full attention to others in discussions. Raise your hand and wait for acknowledgment by the teacher before
speaking. Respect the properties of other students, the teacher, and the school. Remain in your assigned seat
unless you have permission to get up.
4. Be productive and participate in class.
Ask questions, contribute to the answer, and play an active role in the laboratory exercises.
5. Follow the teacher’s directions the FIRST time they are given.
This rule is especially important during the laboratory exercises.
6. No food or drink is allowed during class.
Penalties for choosing to break a rule.
First Offense: Verbal warning.
Second Offense:Personal conference with the teacher.
Third Offense: Detention, completion of an action plan, and telephone call home
Fourth Offense: Detention, complete or revise your action plan and
parent/student/teacher conference.
Fifth Offense: Referral to the principal
Grading Policy:
Tests/ Projects
50%
Quizzes/ Labs
40%
Daily work/ Homework 10%
Tests/Projects
For tests and projects, at least three school days advanced notice will be given. Tests will be over textbook material,
homework, laboratory assignments, and lectures. Graded tests will be returned to the student for review in class and
cannot be taken outside of the classroom. The students are welcome to further review their tests in the classroom at a
later date, but only after making an appointment with the teacher.
Quizzes
Quizzes may be announced or unannounced and will be over homework or in-class assignments. Quizzes may not be
retaken if failed.
Laboratory Assignments
Participation in lab is a privilege not a right. Above all else, safety comes first. Therefore, for the safety of everyone, each
student is required to read and/or write up the procedures of the lab assignment BEFORE performing the lab. If a student
does not complete the pre-lab assignment, then the student cannot participate in that lab activity. The teacher will provide
data to that student so a written lab report can still be completed. However, the maximum grade for the lab report will be
a “70%”. All labs must be performed properly and safely. If a student is removed from the laboratory for misbehavior, that
student will receive an automatic “0%” for the lab grade. In both instances, the teacher will give an alternate in-class
assignment to the student during the lab activity. Lab write ups are individually done and cannot be plagerized.
Plagerism includes letting someone else copy work as well as copying work. Only data tables should be the same
between lab partners. All responses should be in complete sentences and the subjects should not be ambiguous. For
example, starting a sentence with “It” is ambiguous, the subject should be identified.
Lab reports will be graded and may be corrected and resubmitted for a maximum grade of 70% unless plagerized.
Plagerism
Plagerism consists of copying or letting someone else copy your work. It will not be tolerated. All incidents of plagerism
will result in a “0” grade for the assignment without the chance of redoing the work and will result in an office referral for
cheating. This includes all assignments and student work – homework, lab write-ups and prelabs, quizzes, tests, projects,
and online work. TurnItIn.com may be required for written assignments. For labs, only the data may be exactly alike for
lab partners. Lab write-ups are always individually written and turned in even if the experiment is done by a group or
partners.
2
Retake/Redo Policy
If the student fails a test, project, or lab writeup, then the student has an opportunity to retake a similar assessment
covering the same topics or redo the project/lab writeup. If the student chooses to participate, then the student is
responsible for requesting and scheduling the retake or redo in writing during the class period that the graded assessment
and/or class assignment is returned. Retakes must be scheduled for outside regular class time. The student will have
two school days to do the retake or redo. Once complete, the student’s retake / redo grade will be averaged with the
original grade for a final assessment / assignment grade of no higher than “70%”.
Please note that there is NO RETAKE ON END OF CYCLE EXAMS and QUIZZES!!!!
Homework
Homework credit will be given only if the assignment is complete at the beginning of the class period.
Late Work
Projects, lab reports, and homework may be turned in ONE class day late at the beginning of the period, but will receive a
maximum score of “70%” or less. No late work will be accepted beyond that time and the assignment will be marked as a
zero. All students should maintain a record of their graded assignments.
Other
There is no extra credit.
Absences
If the student is absent on the day an assignment is given, the student will have three school days to make up the work. If
the student is absent on the day a prior assignment is due, the student must be prepared to hand in the assignment, take
the test or quiz the day the student returns to school. If the student is absent for any reason, the student is responsible for
the missed work.
Supplies:
1 three ringed binder
1 composition or non-perforated spiral bound book (for laboratory reports)
6 dividers for: Grade record, Notes, Vocabulary, Assignments (In-class/Homework), and Quizzes, Warm up
Notebook paper
Blue or black pen
Pencil
Scientific calculator is suggested. We should have calculators for in class use.
Graphing paper
I box kleenex
Notebook Guidelines:
The notebook is an important tool for organizing information. The course outline, and grade record should be placed at the
beginning of the binder notebook. You should keep all your work in chronological order in each of the proper sections. A
grade on notebook organization will be given through notebook quizzes.
Assignments:
Please label all assignments in the upper left-hand corner as indicated: Student’s full name
Teacher’s name
Subject and period
Date
Write in ONLY blue or black ink or pencil (only for graphs and drawings) – anything else will be returned. You may write
on the backside of your paper if it is easily readable. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class.
Labs:
Laboratory / in-class assignments will be used to reinforce abstract concepts. Each assignment will be handed out during
the class period. Students will work in cooperative groups. I am the only one with authority to change the group members.
The group is expected to read and/or write up the procedures of the lab assignment BEFORE performing the lab. All labs
must be done properly and safely. Specific safety guidelines will be discussed independently and will be strictly enforced
when the lab is in session. Participation in lab activities is a privilege, one that can be taken away if the proper procedures
are not followed. After completing the lab, all supplies must be returned and the lab area must be wiped cleaned. The
class will not be dismissed until I approve the final inspection.
3
Start of class:
Arrive before the bell rings and be seated in your assigned seat. Take out your homework and supplies. Write out the
TAKS-related quick review notes and formulate answers to the related questions during the first 10 minutes of class.
During this time, I will take attendance, check off homework and/or collect any assignments.
Tardy:
You are tardy if you are not inside the classroom when the bell rings. If you are late, you must report to the office. You will
not be allowed in the classroom without an excuse slip. After the third tardy, Thursday detention will be assigned and your
conduct grade will be lowered to an “S”. After the fifth tardy, you will receive a “P” in conduct.
Leaving the classroom:
You are allowed to leave the classroom 2 times per cycle and you will be given 2 hall passes. After 2 times, your
departure will count as a tardy. In addition, you cannot leave during the first or last 10 minutes of class, and/or during a
test or quiz administration. If you need to leave, ask for my permission first. If I approve, fill in the hall pass sign-out sheet
and white board by the door with your name and departure time. Upon your return, erase your name from the white board
and sit down quietly. You are responsible for what you miss. Only one student will be allowed to leave the room at a time.
If the student is gone for an excessive amount of time or fails to sign out or is in an inappropriate hallway for their
destination, they will lose the hall pass privilege for the remainder of the semester.
Class Dismissal:
Make sure your area is picked up and clean! I dismiss the class, not the bell.
Fire Drill:
At the sound of the bell, push in your chair and walk through the door.Turn to the right from room 118; go straight, EXIT
the building at the back double doors.Move towards the parking lot across from the school. Be sure that you stay with the
rest of the class and wait for me to take roll.
Tutoring/Conferences
I am available for classroom tutoring either during scheduled tutorials, at lunch. You may attend any teacher’s IPC tutorial
to ask questions. To request tutoring at lunch, please see me to make. If at any time you or your parent would like to
discuss your progress, please request an individual conference with me by phone (713-741-2410) or E-mail
(mmaharaj@houstonisd.org) at least one day in advance.
4
Ms. Maharaj’s IPC Class
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Class Period
___________________________
Student name
Acknowledgement of Guidelines, Rules, and Procedures:
Thank you for carefully reading this information. I expect you to do your very best each class period. In return, I will put
my best effort into each class that I teach you. By working together, we will all have a successful semester. If at any time
you are having difficulties in this class, let me know immediately and I will be glad to help you.
STUDENT: I have carefully read and understand these guidelines, rules, and procedures. I will honor them at all times
while in Dr. Richter’s classroom and lab.
____________________________
Student’s Signature
_____________
Date
PARENT: I have carefully read and discussed these guidelines, rules, and procedures with my child. I understand and
will support them.
____________________________
Parent’s Signature
_____________________________
Parent’s Printed Name
_____________
Date
I prefer to contact parents with email. Please provide your email _____________________________________________
Please write very clearly
For some issues, I contact parents by phone. Please provide a phone number _______________________________
The following Question refers to tutorials
Parents: Is it possible or will you be available to bring your child into the school at least one Saturday a month for extra
tutorials for this class if need be?
Please Circle One
Yes
No
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DeBakey HSHP Science Department Grading Policy
STUDENT: I have carefully read and understand the Science Department grading policy guidelines, rules, and
procedures. I will honor them while in the science classroom.
____________________________
Student’s Signature
_____________________________
Student’s Printed Name
_____________
Date
PARENT: I have carefully read and discussed the Science Department grading policy guidelines, rules, and procedures
with my child. I understand and will support them.
____________________________
Parent’s Signature
_____________________________
Parent’s Printed Name
_____________
Date
TEACHER: I will be fair and consistent in administering the Science Department grading policy guidelines, rules, and
procedures.
____________________________
Teacher’s Signature
______________________________
Teacher’s Printed Name
6
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Date