PHYSICS, PHYSICAL SCIENCE, BRIDGES I & II
2007-2008
MR. K. EINSPAHR
Room 207
SCHOOL PHONE: 682-4061
EMAIL: einspahrk@chelanschools.org
School website: www.chelanschools.org
SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Physical Science deals with basic concepts concerning the natural world around you, and
topics of matter (what is it, how does it react, how do we describe it, etc.),
forces, and energy. We will do a number
of labs and in-class activities, and will have several “at-home” projects.
BRIDGES Math will be preparing for the next level of math (Algebra) and the WASL
test (Spring of Grade 10) with a review of math basics and problem-solving
techniques, with algebra and geometry concepts, and lots of practice problems
and application problems. Topics covered
for Bridges I will include decimals
& problem solving, working with data, integers, solving equations, rational
numbers, ratios, and proportions; for Bridges
II it will include probability, percentages, graphs & graphing, basic
geometry, exponents, area, and volume.
WASL-type problems will be emphasized and practiced regularly.
Physics
is an extension of the physical science concepts you have already learned. It goes into much more depth with the topics of
matter, motion, forces, waves (sound & light), heat and energy. We will have labs and in-class activities,
and we may have several larger “at-home” projects.
GRADING:Percentage Conversion Per Semester
A 100
– 93% Tests 67%
A- 92
– 90% Homework/Quiz 33%
B+ 89
– 87%
B 86
– 83%
B- 82
– 80%
C+ 79
– 77%
C 76
– 73%
C- 72 - 70%
D+ 69
– 67%
D 66 - 60%
F below 60%
SUPPLIES: Bring your
textbook to class every day; I encourage you to keep a 3-ring binder with
loose-leaf paper with all (dated) lecture notes, assignments, and handouts for
the semester. DON’T MIX other subject notes or assignments with this subject, and
vice versa. Expect and come prepared (book,
paper, pen/pencil) to take notes or work on problems each class period. Students
not coming to class prepared with these materials, including assignments, will
be given a TARDY if they have
to go to their locker during class time to get these items.
HOMEWORK:
Homework
is a key part in the learning process - which is what you are here for. If you want to pass this class, you will have
to do homework. You can expect
homework every night from this class.
For
written assignments, label your paper in the UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF YOUR PAPER with your NAME, the SUBJECT, and the PG. # OF
THE ASSIGNMENT. Homework will be
worth 1/3 of your grade. Complete sentences will be expected on ALL written
assignments and tests. There is to be NO USE of red, pink or similar shades of
ink on homework or tests--save those shades for correcting papers!
Homework will be considered "late" if not handed in
when requested (usually at the beginning of class). Any homework turned in later that same day
will be marked 20% off; if you turn in the assignment the next day, it will be
counted as 30% off. No homework will
be accepted after the next day.
ATTENDANCE:
ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IS ALSO OBVIOUSLY
VERY IMPORTANT. From past experience, those who miss school
have a much more difficult time of being successful. If attendance becomes an issue (10 or more
absences), a meeting with you and your parents will be necessary where we will
determine what the best course of action is for you. Class credit may be
lowered or withheld (with possible removal from class).
Tardies will be dealt with in the following manner: your first in a semester is a “freebie”—no
penalty. After that, for each quarter of
classes, the first tardy is 15 min. detention, the second is 30 min. detention,
and beyond that you will be referred to the office for consequences. Classroom detention can be served after
school that day, or before or after school the next school day. Missing a scheduled detention may also result
in a referral to the office.
Anyone
with perfect attendance at the end of the semester may request and
receive extra credit points for having done that (amount of points to be
determined).
EXCUSED ABSENCES & TARDIES: Tests and
homework will be allowed to be made up within the same amount of time as was
missed, with the exception that if something was due "the next
day," it will still be due "the next day" that you are in
class. This includes tests.
PLANNED ABSENCES/TARDIES: These occur when you know ahead of time that you
will be gone because of sports, clubs, doctor appointments, family trips, etc. Check with the office to get the proper
paperwork. Get any new homework prior to
being gone. It will be expected to be
turned in when it is due. Often this means handing
it in before you leave. Hand in
previously assigned homework before leaving.
Not following these directions will result in work being considered
"late" (see above). PLEASE
RE-READ THESE GUIDELINES AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THEM…PLEASE ASK IF YOU
ARE UNSURE.
QUIZZES:
There
will be both announced and unannounced ("pop") quizzes. ANY
assignments previously given, reading or written, will be material for a quiz—this
means that you could have a quiz over an assignment given the previous day. Quiz grades will be recorded as homework
grades.
TESTS:
I
will offer a retake on a test for up to one week after the test is first taken
by the physical science or integrated math classes (no retakes on physics
tests—sorry L). It is up to you to schedule a
time outside of normal class time to take a retake on a test. Please realize that in most instances it will
be a different test covering the
same general material.
SEMESTER GRADES:
Overall
test % will be 2/3 of your grade (worth twice as much as your homework %). You may also have a final exam at the end of
the semester.
ARTICLE
REVIEWS:
For Physics and Physical Science
classes. See separate page of
information.
EXTRA
CREDIT POLICY:
Extra credit is not normally assigned - the extra time
you spend on extra credit should instead be spent on studying the assigned materials! Several opportunities may be given with
normal homework/tests for extra credit.
TEXTBOOK
CARE EXPECTATIONS:
The following guidelines regarding textbooks, which
are school property and not personal
property, will be enforced. All textbooks
need to have a bookcover, be kept off the floors, and not to be written in, highlighted,
or underlined. Damages to any books
checked out to students will be charged to the student.
SPELLING:
Because correct spelling is an important part of being
"educated," I may deduct for misspellings on homework and tests. You may use a dictionary freely on all
homework assignments.
CHEATING/ACADEMIC
DISHONESTY:
First offense—zero on test or homework; referral to
office. Second offense—zero and
referral; possible “F” for class and possible permanent removal from class.
ALL ELECTRONIC
DEVICES: See student handbook.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
STUDENTS WILL BE RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND
RESOURCEFUL.
This includes:
1. In seats with all necessary materials, and
ready to begin class.
2. Quiet attention when I am talking or
when someone has been called to talk.
3. Turn in assignments on time.
4. Responsibility for cleaning up your area and
equipment after labs.
5. Broken materials replaced at breakee's
expense.
6. DOING YOUR OWN WORK. When helping others, teach them to understand
a problem or question rather than giving them the answer.
7. Being excused from class when I excuse
you (not when you see others in the hallway).
8. Not saying "I can't," but saying
"I will try my hardest."
9. Asking for permission to use or borrow
anything that does not belong to you - this includes anything on/in the
teacher's desk.
HOMEWORK DO'S AND DON'Ts FOR
STUDENTS
1. Do ask the teacher for help before and after class if you are
confused about a homework assignment.
2. Do explain to teachers legitimate reasons that sometimes make it
impossible to complete a homework assignment.
3. Do not expect your parents to be able to help you with all your
assignments. (Parents forget many things
that they have learned, and some of the material which you are being taught is
foreign to many adults.)
4. Do not ask teachers to help with any assignment you really can
complete independently.
5. Do not confuse "excuses" for incomplete homework with
actual "reasons."
6.
Do not think that doing homework "most of the time" will be
satisfactory.
TO THE
PARENTS/GUARDIANS:
Please do not sign this until you have at least looked
through this document, and read the SUPPLIES, HOMEWORK &
ATTENDANCE, and the PLANNED ABSENCES/TARDIES sections. It would also be helpful if you read about
how the grade will be calculated.
By my
signature, I signify that I have read the above sections:
Student:________________________ Date:__________
Parent:_____________________________ Date:__________
COMMENTS:
To the
student:
Turn in this sheet to Mr. Einspahr with it still
attached to the rest of the course syllabus.
Circle the class that applies:
Physics Physical Science Bridges I
Bridges II