Room 1206
mystic.henderson@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Ms. Henderson’s
Physical Science Course Outline
770-926-4411 ext. 515
THIS IS AN
EOCT COURSE
Teacher Web Page http://mysite.cherokee.k12.ga.us/personal/mystic_henderson/site/default.aspx
TEXT: PHYSICAL SCIENCE, published by Glencoe-The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008.
ONLINE TEXT BOOK: www.glencoe.com/ose password: C4E4D0BCB4
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A NOTEBOOK MUST BE KEPT FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. It will be graded intermittently & will count as a
up to a test grade each time!!! This is very important!!! THIS IS THE REVIEW FOR THE EOCT.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
During the course of first semester of Physical Science A, students learn about motion, the mechanic world around them
and the different energies involved as well as the use of instrumentation to record data from simple and complex machines.
They will learn to become functional in the metric system which is critical in their study of science and in the world in general
today.
Second semester, in Physical Science B, students will learn about the structure of matter that makes up the universe. The
students will learn the basic structure of the atom and the features and tendencies of the periodic table. They will know learn
element symbols and how to use them in writing chemical formulas. They will study chemical reactions and properties of
solutions as they pertain to chemistry.
Parts of or all of chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-10, 12, 14 & 15 from the book will be covered during the first semester. Parts of
or all of chapters 1, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26 & 27 from the book as well as other sources will be studied in the second
semester. The chapter coverage schedule can also be found on the website.
FORMAT:
Physical science is primarily a lecture and lab course, enriched by teacher demonstrations and student activities, as well as
outside projects. Science is a discipline that best learned by doing. Therefore, students will have many opportunities for
hands-on experiences in the classroom and in a more formal laboratory setting.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Three ring binder (1-1/2 inch ring) with dividers for each unit. This syllabus will be page 1.
Composition notebook
White notebook paper
#2 pencils and black or dark blue pens.
Calculator with basic math functions NO SHARING CALCULATORS during a test or quiz.
GRADING SYSTEM:
Grades will be given for work done in class, tests, homework, labs, projects and quizzes. The grades will be on a total point
basis; approximate totals are given below:
Activity
Formative assessments (quizzes, labs,
homework, journals)
Percent of final grade
(approximate)
45%
Summative assessments (tests, projects,
midterms, class final)
40%
EOCT
15%
Make Work vs. Late Work: Work missed due to absences is make-up work. Work not turned in due to neglect is late work.
ALL WORK must be original and NOT copied from another student. Copying is considered cheating and that work will not be
accepted.
Test Recovery will be differentiated as per student need.
CLASS RULES:
1. Assignments shall be turned in on time. Class work and homework are not accepted late. Long term assignments and
labs will receive a 10% reduction per day, up to three days. After three days these assignments will no longer be
accepted.
2. Makeup (excused absences) will be due within these guidelines. One day will be allowed for each day absent plus one
additional day. Example- If a student misses 2 days of school, work must be submitted within 3 days of their return.
CCSD board policy allows a maximum of 10 days for the completion of make-up work.
3. School and department policy regarding test recovery/remediation shall be followed.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Respect! Students are expected to respect their fellow students, the equipment and materials in the room, and the
instructor. One person speaks while others listen and hands are raised for recognition.
Be on time! When the bell rings, students need to be in their seats and working on the warm-up assignment.
Be organized and prepared! Students will not be allowed to return to their locker during the class period so make sure
he/she has everything with him/her. For every class period he/she will need a pen and pencil, basic calculator, three-ring
binder with loose-leaf paper, colored pencils and his/her book as needed.
No food, drinks (with the exception of water) or gum are allowed in the room. This is a scientific laboratory where
dissections occur, organisms are examined, and chemicals are mixed.
Communication:
The best way to contact me is via phone: (770)926- 4411 ext. 515 I will return your call within 24 hours.
Alternatively, please feel free to email: mystic.henderson@cherokee.k12.ga.us , I’ll usually reply to emails that same day if
received during school hours.
HELP and Useful sites. The text can be accessed online at the Glencoe website below. Additional help for each chapter can be
found at the Glencoe website at http://www.glencoe.com/ose/ & enter Access code B11655E183. Adobe Acrobat Reader is
required.
Upcoming assignments, links to help sites, and additional Information on each chapter can be found at my web site:
http://mysite.cherokee.k12.ga.us/personal/mystic_henderson/site/default.aspx. This page will be updated weekly.
Extra help is available before and after school. Please set up an appointment with me so that there won’t be any conflicts with
any meetings I may have.
Syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.
“It
is the nature of man to achieve greatness, if greatness is expected of him”
~John Steinbeck
To the parents and guardians of Ms. Henderson’s 2011-2012 Chemistry students,
To the parents and guardians of Ms. Henderson’s 2011-2012 Physical Science students,
My name is Mystic Henderson, and I will be your student’s Physical Science teacher this semester. I am very excited about getting the
opportunity to expose your student to all the wonders of Physical Science. Through labs and hands-on activities, your student will actively
learn about the relationships and concepts of physical science and how they correlate to everyday life.
Please see the attached syllabus for a list of supplies your student will need for this class.
As this class is lab-based and fast-paced, attendance is necessary to ensure success. Excessive absenteeism puts students at a tremendous risk
of not passing this course. Class expectations and requirements, course timeline, and my contact information will all be provided in the
attached syllabus. Please feel free to use the “comments” section below to inform me of anything that you think I should know about you or
your student’s situation (medical, familial, etc.) that you think would affect your student’s success in this course. Email is the best way to get
in contact with me with questions or concerns so that I can respond in a prompt manner; however, you may call the school and leave a
message for me. Please review this information, fill out the bottom of this page, and have your student return the bottom of the sheet to class.
Let me know if you have any questions.
What can you do to help your student be successful?
Please check ASPEN frequently to keep up with your student’s grade and attendance!
Please talk to your student and encourage him/her to come in for help the moment they feel like they are struggling. It’s important to ask for
help right away. Students tend to get more and more frustrated and lost if they wait until a test day to ask for help. Please check with your
student daily and remind them to do any homework. Your student should be studying and summarizing what we did in class every single
day. Flashcards are a great way to study. You can quiz your student with flashcards even if you don’t remember any Physical Science
yourself! :) There are also many wonderful online tutorials to help with any concepts that your student may struggle with. Please see the
attached sheet for some of these sites.
Sincerely,
Mystic Henderson
Science Department
Etowah High School
Please cut below and return.
_______________________________________________________________ _
I have read the course syllabus and understand what is required in order to be a successful Physical Science student.
Receipt of syllabus for Ms. Henderson’s Physical Science class
Student Name (print) _____________________________
Student signature _____________________________________
Date ____________
Parent Name (print) _____________________________
Parent signature _____________________________________
Date ____________
Parent email: _________________________________________________________
Parent phone: home _______________ cell ______________ work ______________
Preferred method of contact:
email
phone
Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
GREAT WAYS TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR LEARNING:
If you are struggling in ANY area of Chemistry (or in other classes) please use the following websites to help you. Just follow the
instructions provided. If you have questions, please ask me or email me at mystic.henderson@cherokee.k12.ga.us
1. www.usatestprep.com This site can help you with vocabulary and concepts. This is a fantastic place
to take practice Georgia High School Graduation Tests. It includes all subject areas that will be
covered on the GHSGT as well as any class that includes an EOCT. It’s never too early to start
practicing!
2. Other sites that I like that you may find useful:
http://www.sciencegems.com/physical3.html Great tutorial site!
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science.htm#Basics Learn and have fun!
http://www.science-animations.com/ Awesome animations and problems!
http://reviewgamezone.com/site/subjects/science-review-games.php Fun games- learn while you play!
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirt/index.htm
“How It’s Made”
“Mythbusters”
“Naked Science”
“How Stuff Works”
“Planet Earth”
“Evolve”
“Weird Connections”
“World’s Toughest Fixes”
4. Online Textbook:
The text can be accessed online at the Glencoe website below. Additional help for each chapter can be found at the Glencoe website at
www.glencoe.com/ose password: C4E4D0BCB4. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.