Physical Science Syllabus
2013 – 2014
Mt. Valley High School
Rumford, Maine
Instructors: Ms. Burns, Ms. Columbia, Mr. Danylik, Mr. Dilman, Ms. Peare and Ms. Todd
Textbook: Hsu, T. (2007). Foundations of physical science. (2 ed.). Nashua, NH: CPO Science.
There will not be a textbook assigned to each student. Each classroom will have several
textbooks that students may sign out.
Materials for EACH Class:
Composition (bound on the side so pages cannot be torn out) book for journal, notes and
labs for Ms. Peare’s class
3-ring binder for Ms. Burns’, Ms. Columbia’s and Mr. Dilman’s classes
Writing tool
Computing device
Your BRAIN!
Standards-Based Grading:
Assessments will be graded on a proficiency-based rubric.
Your journal/binder will be part of work that you will need to complete to retake an assessment.
Homework, quizzes and in-class assignments will help you prepare for the assessments.
Students must achieve a proficiency level of 2.5 for each learning target in order to stay on
teacher pace. Any learner that falls behind teacher pace on the Pacing Guide will be required to
participate in Target Time to receive support. Students need a minimum average of 2.7 to
receive credit for the course.
Retake Policy:
ONLY
Retakes are
allowed after the student has demonstrated he/she has done additional
work to master the learning target. Prior to retaking an assessment, the student and his/her parent
or guardian must complete a Physical Science Retake Contract. The maximum score on a
retaken assessment is 3.
Academic Integrity:
All work must be that of the individual student. Cheating, especially copying the ideas of
another without giving them credit, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to the
student handbook. Even definitions should be in the student’s own words or cited. Copying a
definition will not earn full credit. Students learn and retain more by using their own words to
express definitions and concepts. In short, do NOT plagiarize!
How to succeed in this course:
The keys to success in this course are:
(1) attend EVERY class, be prepared and pay attention, if you have an excused absence,
plan on spending at least an hour with your teacher after school or during your teacher’s
study hall period;
(2) work hard (there are no short-cuts in science), and
(3) think (an often underrated and underemployed skill).
Help:
Ms. Burns will be available in the alt. ed. room. Please let her know if you plan to stop by. Her
e-mail address is mburns@rsu10.org. If she is your teacher, you must schedule a one-on-one
session with her each week.
Ms. Columbia will be available in room 206 after school Monday through Friday, during 3A
study hall or by appointment. Please let her know if you plan to stop by. Her e-mail address is
lcolumbia@rsu10.org.
Mr. Danylik will be available by appointment only. His e-mail address is tdanylik@rsu10.org.
Mr. Dilman will be available during period 1A, his study hall. He will also be in room 205 after
school or before Monday through Friday or by appointment. Please let him know if you plan to
stop by. Her e-mail address is cdilman@rsu10.org
Ms. Peare will be available during period 2A, her study hall. She will also be in room 201 after
school Monday through Friday or by appointment. Please let her know if you plan to stop by.
Her e-mail address is dpeare@rsu10.org.
Schedule (subject to change):
1. Matter
a. Understands a substance has physical (density, boiling point and solubility) and
chemical (reactivity, pH) properties. Understands mixtures can be separated into
their original substances based on their physical properties
b. Understands the differences between physical and chemical changes.
Understands that matter is neither created nor destroyed.
c. Knows the terms electrons, protons, neutrons, valence electrons and nucleus
d. Resources: Chapter 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, google docs, class wiki
2. Atmosphere and Weather
a. Understands the relationship between location on earth, weather patterns, and
regional climate. Understands the factors that are used to predict weather.
b. Understands how the composition of the atmosphere and its layers affect global
climate
c. Understands how convection, conduction and radiation influence weather and
climate. Understands the causes and effects of severe weather events.
d. Resources: Chapter 26 and 27, google docs, class wiki
3. Environmental Science
a. Understands how the carbon cycle is impacted by natural and human changes that
could contribute to global warming
b. Resources: Chapter 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30, google docs, class wiki
4. Universe
a. Understands the sun’s gravity holds the Earth and other planets in their orbits, just
as each planet’s gravity keeps its moons in orbit. Understands how mass relates
to gravity.
b. Understands how and why light years describe distances in the universe.
Understands the relationship of solar systems to galaxies and galaxies to the
universe.
c. Understands the role of gravity in forming and maintaining planets, stars, and the
solar system.
d. Understands the evidence for the age, origin, and process of formation of the
universe as currently understood by science. Understands the tools and
technology used by astronomers to gather information about the universe.
e. Resources: Chapter 15, 30, 31 and 32, google docs, class wiki
Physical Science Syllabus
Please sign and return to your student’s teacher.
I have read the syllabus and agree to follow the procedures and policies within the syllabus. I
understand that the student must have a computing device for every class, once they have been
made available.
__________________________________________
Student’s Signature
______________________
Date
__________________________________________
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
______________________
Date