9th Grade Science
To Be Curious is to be ALIVE
MR. SCHMAKEIT
9th Grade Science is a two semester class, which counts towards the required four semesters of science needed
for You to Graduation.
Course Syllabus
Topics
THE Nature of Science Inquiry,
Newton’s Laws
Energy: Transfer, Transformation, Conservation
Physics
Systems
Research / Experiments –How do we Know?
Earth History-Geology of Washington-PNW
Rock Cycle
Plate Tectonics & Volcanoes
Geochronology
Astronomy I - II
Climate Change
Natural Resources
Course Expectations and Etc...
Each class proceeds at its own pace…There may be changes in scheduling or coverage.
Learn….
 A SYSTEM of SCIENCE is the interdisciplinary field of science surrounding systems theory,
cybernetics, and the science of complex systems. It aims to develop interdisciplinary foundations, which
are applicable in a variety of areas, such as engineering biology, medicine and social sciences.
 INQUIRY in SCIENCE. Inquiry is a term used in science teaching that refers to a way of questioning,
seeking knowledge or information, or finding out about phenomena.
 APPLICATIONS of SCIENCE, which refers to the development, testing, and implementation of tools to
use science more effectively and easily.
With each Daily Science Topic/ Subject/Activity presented and made available, YOU will have fun, as you do
the work. You will have clear explanations of scientific concepts, activities, demonstrations, and investigations
to evaluate and draw conclusions on... YOU, the student, must practice: Critical Thinking, Observation
Techniques, Recording Data, Analyzing Skills, Writing Conclusions and Making Predictions based on
Scientific Data (facts).
►BE HERE….BRING THE STUDENT… Body and Mind.
►LISTEN and THINK…
►Write- …DO YOUR WORK …….Take Notes!!
► Remember…NO Late Work gets FULL Credit!
► Do the Classroom Assignments in class…there is No reason for you to take work home. You have
PLENTY of Class Time
to Do Y o u r Work..
►BE HERE--- ON TIME and PREPARED TO WORK.
►Be Courteous - Don’t talk during Instructions. Raise Your Hand.
►Watch the DVD as directed and Think as You Watch, As You take Notes…A DVD is for Learning, A DVD
is Not Bubble Gum for the Mind…
Think, Question -what is being said on DVD…it’s the same as a lecture…Think...n…Question what is being
said.
►You will Need a Flash Drive for your Assignments.
►You will need a Pair of Headphones for the Video Lectures as well.
You will be given Inquisitive / Question’s -- Handouts to Research Answers to. You will learn to Use
Technology and your Text to Address ( answer ) these Questions. You will Learn to Research.
Attendance:
( YOUR ) Attendance is related to the goals of the course therefore it is critical that YOU are present in order
to be successful. Absences will affect your grade if you don’t make up missed work, so basically, be here, be on
time. Make up missed assignments right away.. YOUR ATTENDANCE is important…. Detentions are given
out for Tardiness, Following the schools Tardy Policy. Miss one day and you will have one day to Make-Up
the Assignments. See the instructor upon your return.
Assignment Policy and Make-Up and Extra Credit Work:
Late work is not acceptable!! It is YOUR Responsibility to check the SKYWARD and Grade Sheet, and the
Class Board, for your Assignments, Tests, etc...
The number of days you missed is the number of days you have to make up the work you missed.
Missed Tests, Quizzes, and Labs will be made up according to the instructor.
All Assignment and due dates are found (posted) on your “Weekly Board” in the classroom, and your
“SKYWARD ACCOUNT”.
You know ahead of time when assignments are due.
On time assignments are expected.
NO LATE WORK GETS FULL CREDIT!!
Use your Class Time Wisely to Complete Your Work.
It is Your Job and Your Responsibility to get Your Assignments in.
You will not… cannot…hide behind absences.
You know when Assignments are Due.
Grading Policy:
Your SEMESTER GRADE in this course is based upon the total points that you earn during the
SEMESTER….First and third quarter grades are based on the points earned only during those quarters. Points
are weighted and earned For your Work:
► Your Project / SCRIPTS
► Tests / Exit Tickets / REFLECTIONS and Quizzes
► Worksheets, fill in information and facts.
And Labs, Data Collection, Participation, Observations, Text-Assignments, Writing, and Findings /
WORKSHEETS..
1. There is plenty of class time to complete ALL your work.
2. NO Homework.
3. Use Your Classroom Time Well…………………
THERE IS A COMPUTER IN FRONT OF YOU EVERY DAY IN THIS CLASS… CHECK YOUR GRADES
AND ASSIGNMENTS… 
Your Password will be given to you at the Beginning of the Year and will remain the same as long as you are
in the Lakewood School District.
KEEP TRACK OF IT …
Your grade will be based upon the following scale:
93-100% A 90-92% A- 87-89% B+ 83-86% B
80-82% B- 77-79% C+ 73-76% C 70-72% C67-69% D+ 60-65% D 0-59% F
Other Things Affecting Your Grade: ?????????????????????????????????
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SO, Talk to THE Instructor for any problems you have about your assignments… SUSH AS .. if there
was an assignment due or a test/ quiz taken on the day you were absent…. ETC…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You are Responsible for It upon your return. Always discuss with your teacher (at an appropriate
time) what you need to do because of your absence(s). This is YOUR Job —Your
Responsibility…Do not put it off… Check the Attendance Policy…………….
Test / Quiz make up (due to an absence) may be made up during TUESDAYS Tutorial... If a student
doesn’t come in on the agreed upon time a “0” will be given on the test/ quiz grade.
There is no excuse for not getting help if you do not understand a topic…during class time and AT
Tutorial time on Tuesdays.
Cheating / plagiarism will not be tolerated. Cheating/ plagiarism, including, but not limited to copying
from someone else, passing off copied written material as your own, or allowing another to copy / cheat
off of you from any class, will result in a “ZERO”.
on Yours and the Other Students Paper.
Any further cheating or plagiarism infraction will result in further disciplinary action, including a
referral to the principal’s office. AND YOU WILL RECEIVE -- “0” -- ON THE ASSIGNMENT /
TEST / QUIZ….
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What is SCIENCE??- The nature of science….observations, data, processes, measurements, calculations,
predictions, models, graphs, conclusions, the Scientific Method, etc..
GEOLOGY- bedrock, rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and natural forces of nature…
ASTRONOMY- “The Outer Limits” stars and our universe…our planet…black holes…our sun and moon.
CLIMATE CHANGE- Cause and effect…the Greenhouse Effect…Your shrinking planet…clean water??
PHYSICAL SCIENCE- Forces, motion, roller coaster physics, light and sun, sound phenomenon, electricity
and magnetism, fire/heat/temperature, the elements, matter is amazing stuff, the science of sight and….