Physical Science Policy Sheet
Instructor: Mrs. Mortenson
Room: 105
e-mail:pmortenson@isd500.k12.mn.us (see many help links)
phone number: (507) 582-3586 ext. 4385
Welcome to Physical Science! The students will be introduced to the wonderful world of Chemistry and
Physics. Approximately the first half of the year we will focus on properties of matter, atomic structure/theory,
the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids/bases, and nuclear chemistry. The students will spend
considerable time working on their atomic model project (along with a research paper), which are both worth a
considerable amount of points. The introduction to Physics will happen during the last portion of our year with
a study of motion, forces, energy, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. This part of the year will have the
students analyzing their Mousetrap Car Projects to help them better understand some of the concepts learned
and reporting their results in a paper, the mousetrap car and paper are worth a considerable portion of their
grade.
It is very important to me that all learning styles be represented in my classroom which allows a wide
variety of students to have a successful learning experience, so several methods of delivery/learning will be
incorporated into each topic. If there are still questions, please seek me for immediate clarification. Since
mistakes are a natural part of learning, daily homework is where mistakes may be made without penalty
(although EVERYTHING MUST be logically attempted to gain full credit, see homework section), while
lab/activity/hands on projects are graded in depth for correctness and are more challenging. The final method of
evaluation is checked in different formats such as Tests/Exams/Written Exercises and/or Projects.
REQUIREMENTS:
Scientific calculator (‘EE’ or ‘EXP’ button- NO NEED for a graphing calculator)
Separate science notebook (3 subject)
Blue/black ink pens/pencils
Stylus for Ipad
GENERAL RULES:
1. Be on time to class and have your books, a working pencil, and a pen (blue or black ink ONLY).
Any written work done in colors besides blue/black will not be accepted, and you will get it handed
back to be redone. (NO glitter pens!) A non excused tardy will be issued if not in your seat when
the bell rings.
2. Always put your first and last name along with the period hour on your work.
3. Have a separate notebook for Science and have it ready for class. Your notebook may be turned in
periodically for credit.
4. Each class period will begin in the following way:
a. Come in and go immediately to your assigned seat.
b. Place any homework due that day on the corner of your desk so it may be looked at by the
teacher.
c. Look at the “Bell Assignment” area on the board, and quietly do the assignment in your
notebook (or on your Ipad notes). Be ready for a quiz, classroom climate determines if
everyone is ready for a quiz. Pass out classroom folders if necessary.
d. After discussing science fun, place it in the classroom folder (when instructed) to remain in
the classroom.
5. The teacher will dismiss you for the Period; REMAIN seated until given permission to leave.
GRADING:
Points from daily work/quizzes (about 30%), lab reports/write-ups (about 30%), and tests (about 40 %)
are totaled and grades are calculated from that percentage. Please note that the percentages are approximate and
I try to follow as closely as possible. The percentage breakdown for grades is as follows:
99-100
A+
94-98
A
92-93
A90-91
B+
85-89
B
83-84
B81-82
C+
76-80
C
74-75
C72-73
D+
67-71
D
65-66
D0-64
F
Other than 2 points for a returned lab safety contract (with parent signature), I do not accept extra
credit, so do not ask.
JMC- if you do not already have a JMC account and have internet access, please contact the office and
have a password/account set up. It is a great way to check on assignments and stay informed with your
student’s progress. Below is a breakdown of how homework is scored.
TEXTBOOKS:
The students will be using a flexbook (online version) that was created to follow the National/Minnesota
standards. It will be uploaded onto their Ipads (so no internet is needed once this is complete) and there will be
reading to do for every concept that should be done outside of class. Many of the concepts have videos that will
need internet connection to view, so if a student doesn’t have internet access at home, they need to alert me so
that I may help them find time during the day to view them.
HOMEWORK (Science FUN!):
Weekly lesson plans are posted on Schoology (online curriculum organizer) which includes daily work,
labs/lab assignments, and prior notification of tests, but if you have other questions please feel free to contact
me. Larger assignments (with specific instructions/scoring rubrics) can be viewed in the attachments section
found on my school website/schoology.
2 pts. For complete homework (everything must be logically attempted)
1 pt. For incomplete homework (one or more questions left unattempted or not complete
sentences)/late work
0 pt. Missing work (not turned in yet)
‘.’ Means it has not been collected or entered in grade book yet.
VIDEO QUIZZES:
We follow a flipped classroom format, so many times ‘homework’ is done mostly in class, while outside
of class the students preview the lesson video and take an online quiz. Students may go back and check their
notes/video for answers to the video quizzes. Access to the quizzes closes at midnight, so students must come
get permission from me if they missed the deadline and take the quiz while in my room.
3 pts. All quiz questions answered correctly.
2 pts. Quiz attempted, but not all correct.
1 pt. Late quiz (whether correct or not)
0 pts. No attempt on quiz
LATEWORK:
Any late work must be placed in the appropriate basket on Mrs. Mortenson’s desk (not in the returned
papers baskets), must be listed as late or absent (I will check the main attendance record to see if full
credit will be issued for absent homework).
LAB EXPERIMENTS:
1. Almost every topic will accompanied by some type of hands on activity, project, or lab to allow for
application, analysis/synthesis of information, and simulation of learning.
2. You will be in lab groups of 2-3 students. Each person must contribute to the hands on lab experience
because points will be given for participation. Each student must turn in a lab assignment unless
otherwise specified and the lab assignments are graded in detail, so please take your time and answer
them thoroughly- this is where learning from daily homework mistakes may be corrected and used to
demonstrate comprehension of content.
3. We will be working with some dangerous chemicals, breakable glassware, and Bunsen burners, so there
will be no tolerance for horseplay (goofing off). All safety procedures must be followed, if infractions
occur the penalty is a zero for that lab and removal from the lab area/classroom.
4. Labs must be made up within 2 days of absence or zero credit will be given. Due to the complexity of
lab set up/room restrictions, there may be an outside class assignment to demonstrate concept
understanding given in its place (at the instructor’s discretion).
5. Goggles must always be worn in the lab. They are provided and are sanitized after each use. NO FLIP
FLOPS-you will not be allowed in the lab and will receive a zero!
TESTS:
1. We will have a review day the day before a test (for most units), so please be prepared to ask questions.
2. Bring something quiet to read the day of a test if you are a fast test-taker.
3. Place all books and notebooks under your desk away from the aisle.
4. Please be quiet during the test. This means no talking, no drumming, no noise-making. After your test,
flip it upside down on your desk, remain seated, and find something quietly to read. If I suspect you are
cheating, you will lose your test and receive a zero, so avoid anything I may suspect as cheating!
EXTRA HELP:
I am available before school from 7:30 am-8:10 am, after school from 3:05 pm-3:35 pm (and most days
until 5:00 pm), and during REBELS to help students. Special arrangements may be made if these times do not
work for a student. Please seek help if you need it that is why I am here! Since this is the first time I have had
these students, let’s work as a team to catch any challenges right away.
MY DISCIPLINE PLAN
First offense: a verbal warning.
Second offense: a short conference after class.
Third offense: detention with me and a call home explaining the problem.
Fourth offense: the office gets involved.
BELOW THE LINE BEHAVIOR: the office gets involved on the first offense.
Name _____________________________________________ Period _______
Welcome to Physical Science! The students will be introduced to the wonderful world of Chemistry and
Physics. Approximately the first half of the year we will focus on properties of matter, atomic structure/theory,
the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids/bases, and nuclear chemistry. The introduction to Physics will
happen during the last portion of our year with a study of motion, forces, energy, sound, light, electricity and
magnetism.
Also, there are two major projects that are due during the year- The Atomic model (first semester) and
the Mousetrap car (second semester). Guidelines and scoring rubrics will be sent out well before the projects
are due, and a copy of those guidelines/scoring rubrics may also be found on my school website. Stay tuned for
the “Parent contest” that will be announced for the mousetrap car.
Attached you will find the rules, procedures, required materials and grading policy (we reviewed this as
a class the first few days of school). Please read them carefully. Once you have reviewed them, please sign
below. Please return the signed form by Friday, September 6th for extra credit.
If at any time you have a question or concern, don’t hesitate to contact me. I may be reached before or
after school at 582-3568, ext. 4385 or email me at pmortenson@isd500.k12.mn.us . I will respond as soon as
possible.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Paula Mortenson
I have read and understood the rules and grading policy and agree to abide by them.
Student signature _______________________________________ Date __________
Parent/Guardian’s signature _______________________________ Date __________
****please sign back side of this sheet, must be completed before participation in labs****
Laboratory Safety Agreement
I have read and understood the attached document on safety and first aid in the laboratory. _________________
(Date)
The office of the school nurse is located:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The nearest fire alarm to the chemistry laboratory is located:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The laboratory’s fire blanket is located:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The nearest telephone to the chemistry laboratory is located
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I have read and understood the attached document on safety and first aid in the laboratory and agree to
abide by the rules and procedures described in within. I will also abide by any other rules and regulations
provided by my science teacher. Any infractions will result in a loss of credit for the lab and removal from the
lab area.
________________________________________________________
(Name - Please print clearly)
_________________________________________________________
(Signature)
________________________
(Date)
I have read and understand the attached rules and procedure and pledge my support in encouraging my
son/daughter to follow them.
________________________________________________________
(Parent’s name - Please print clearly)
_________________________________________________________
(Signature)
________________________
(Date)