Physical Science – 9th Grade
Friel
Overview: This course is designed to give you an overview of Physics and Chemistry. Our goal is to
cover the chemistry during the first semester and move on to physics during the second semester. The
key word here is OVERVIEW. We will not be covering either field in rigorous detail that you would get
if you took chemistry or physics alone. The focus here is to prepare you for future science classes and to
cover the state mandated curriculum for physical science.
Textbook: Foundations of Physical Science by Hsu
Take this book HOME and use it there to complete assignments.
Materials Needed: You will be required to have the following materials …
 1 inch three ring binder
 filler / note book paper in the binder – approx – 80 sheets
 pencils and erasers
Class Culture: The culture in our classroom will be one of respect
- students, thoughts, and questions. You as a student have the
right to learn, you do not have the right to deny that opportunity
for others.
Four Important Rules to Follow:
1. Tardies – If you are late to class a tardy will be given.
After 3 tardies a phone call will be made home.
After 4 tardies a notice will be sent to the office and a school detention given.
You CAN make it across the building in 5 minutes and into my classroom
door.
2. Phones / Ipods / electronic devises –
devices are NOT to be VISIBLE in the classroom and phones need to be set to airplane mode
3. Dress Code – please follow the school dress code.
If your outfit is questionable – I will send you to the office.
Teacher Website: The teacher website is an important tool for
students. I post daily assignments, practice sheets, extra practice
sheets, answer keys, and class notes.
To get to my website, first go to the website –
www.mayfieldschools.org and look for FRIEL in the directory.
Use this website if you are absent from class, and for important
review and practice materials.
Grade Breakdown: Your 9 week quarter grade will be based on the following
percentages:
 Formative Assessments (FA)
0%
 Practice
2%
 Summative Assessments (SA), Lab Reports / Projects
35%
 Unit Tests
63%
100%
FA: Formative assessments are quick self checks that provide the student (and teacher) with information
on if the learning goals are being learned and to what extent.
Formative assessments are based on a 4- point scale
4 - Student has mastered the learning goal above and beyond expectation
3 - Student has almost mastered the learning goal
2 - Student is developing; learning goal not mastered yet
1 - Student needs extra help
Practice - Practice primarily consists of worksheets that students are expected to
complete at home to determine if they understand a concept. It is primarily
checked for completion and recorded into the gradebook with a score of Z, 1, or 2.
A "Z" means the assignment was not attempted, a "1" means that the assignment
was partially completed and a "2" means that the assignment was completed.
Students need to self assess if they understand the concepts and if they need to
come in for extra help.
SA - Summative assessments are periodically given during the unit and assessed for a grade. Summative
assessments mimic units tests.
Lab Reports / Projects - You will be expected to write 5 formal lab reports during the course of the school
year. Lab reports are divided into 5 sections. During the 1st quarter each section will be modeled for you
and you will be given opportunities to practice writing each section.
There are 2 projects that will be completed this year. More details will follow regarding these projects.
Unit Tests - Unit tests are given at the end of each unit and consist of a
multiple choice and extended response section. If you do not perform well
on the unit test you can retake the test and earn a score of no more than
93%. In order to earn the retake / credit recovery opportunity, all practice
worksheets and review materials need to be completed.
Extra Help: I am a morning person. I am available for extra help from
7:00-7:30AM in room 284.
If I am not in the classroom when you arrive check the science office next door.
If help is needed at any other time, you are to make arrangements with me.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
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Be proactively organized and use an assignment notebook (for the duration of the year).
Read actively. Use specialized reading strategies to become an involved reader.
Take your time with class work and homework. Answer all questions thoroughly.
Study regularly – 15 to 20 minutes a day works better than 1-2 hours the night before a test.
Form study groups – peer instruction is one of the best ways to supplement your learning.
Set up a meeting to work with me for extra help whenever needed, or just drop by to say hi!
Feel free to contact me at any time. My email is rfriel@mayfieldschools.org.
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
Robert Collier