Physical Science Syllabus

Mrs. Brandel jbrandel@hartdistrict.org

Sierra Vista Jr. High Mission Statement

We challenge students to think

critically as they gain

knowledge and develop the

skills needed to succeed in our

global society. We strengthen

students' ability to express

themselves with confidence and

creativity. We cultivate self-

directed learning. We honor the

worth of people, ideas, and

behaviors. Justice and integrity

guide our learning community.

Course Description

The purpose of 8th grade physical science is to give all students an overview of common fundamental principles of chemistry and physics including, but not limited to,

the nature of matter, laws of energy, matter, motion and forces, and energy transformation. Through hands on experiences, cooperative learning groups, independent projects, lecture, and research projects, students will explore the

interactions of matter in the world around them. Students also study the nature of energy, how energy is classified and how simple machines help transfer energy.

You Are Responsible for Your Own Learning . . . Engage Your Brain by Taking an Active Role in the Construction

of Your Knowledge Through the Experiences that are Created in This Class.

Textbook:

Focus on Physical Science Free Version When You Login At

http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com Username: SVplainsmen Password: sierravista1

Goals:

To reach proficiency of the Physical Science concepts listed in the Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards

To improve literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking skills)

To successfully follow oral and written procedures

To become a self-directed learner

To utilize standard laboratory equipment

To make accurate scientific drawings with labels

To improve critical thinking skills through data supported analysis

To work in specially designed collaborative learning groups

To participate in laboratory activities that allow for application and synthesis of new knowledge

To apply problem solving skills acquired through the study of science to personal lives and the community

Learning Activities

Oral Presentations Weekly Reflections Class discussion Teacher demonstrations

Research projects Cornell Note-taking Daily Science Journals Cooperative learning

Reviews Daily Science Reflections Lab activities write-up Outputs/summaries

Grading Scale and Criteria

A=90%-100% B=80%-89% C=70%-79% D=60%-69% F=0%-59%

Assessments (Test and Quizzes) 40% Science Notebook (SNB) 30% Journals, Reflections, Projects 20% Cumulative Final Exam 10%

Signature: Student ___________________________________ Parent ____________________________________

*Grades are updated after each quiz or chapter

assessment

Class Materials

Take ownership of your own learning and advancement. Demonstrate commitment and take pride in your education,

your school, and your community. The Science Notebooks are the most important tools in this class. Students will maintain 2 notebooks that will include class work, homework, and laboratory experiments. In order to begin set-up, to stay head, and to be successful please obtain the materials listed below and bring them to class August 19th. If you are unable to acquire these materials for ANY reason, please see me before the 19th so we may make arrangements and prevent losing class points.

Materials Points Possible

Points Earned

1. Two Composition Notebooks College Ruled, 100 pages (Assignments will NOT be graded unless they are in the notebook)

20

3. Three Highlighters of different colors 15

4. Three Glue Sticks OR Rolls of Tape 15

5. Two Pens (blue or black ink only) 10

6. Two Pencils 10

7. One Metric Ruler 10

8. One box of Color Pencil 10

TOTAL ________/90

L a b D o n a t i o n Students enrolled in a science course will be given numerous opportunities to advance their understanding of fundamental scientific concepts by participating in a variety of laboratory activities. In order for the science department to provide these experiences, voluntary donations are welcome. Our class is currently trying to raise a total of $1000 for laboratory materials to help support our department. No student will be precluded from participating in any activity based on whether or not he/she contributes. Contributions can be made by check made payable to Sierra Vista Junior High School Science department. Thank you for any contributions you are able to make.

Signatures: Student ___________________________________________ Parent ___________________________________________

CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES

Students are encouraged to find value in themselves and in others. Make important contributions to your peers, to your classrooms, and to your school. Help create a safe, fun learning environment at all times.

Rule: The laws or regulations given to guide behavior and action; result in consequences if broken. Procedure: A specific way for accomplishing a task. Topic Rules (school consequences will be followed)

1. Classroom behavior Behave in an academic fashion. Profanity/vulgarity, teasing/name calling aggressive

behavior will not be tolerated. Use ________________ language. Talk to me in

private if a problem occurs. Always be _____________.

2. Materials Bring required materials _____________________.

3. Gum, drinks, food in class NO FOOD-Only _______________.

4. Writing on school property NEVER WRITE on ________________________.

Do not damage or lose your textbook the cost for a replacement is ____________.

5. Assigned seats Do not change or move seats unless __________________.

6. Tardy If you chose to NOT be in your _________, sitting ___________, with your supplies

out __________ the bell rings, YOU ARE TARDY. School consequences are given.

7. Electronic devices If I see any I will _________________________ it and turn it into ASB for you to

pick up afterschool. Turn all devices off ____________ coming into class.

Topic Procedures

1. Homework 1. Assigned ______________________.

2. Must be glued into your _________________, on the correct page to be graded.

3. Assignments earn full credit or _____ ____________ if late, absent, incomplete,

incorrect, etc.): Stamp = full credit, No stamp = 0 credit

2. Starting Class 1. Pick up the ________________ at the door.

2. Stack your SNB open to the page _____________ completed or not.

3. Copy down tonight’s HW from the white board (it is always written in _______).

4. Complete your DSJ & neatly stack it with your groups’ __________________.

5. Set up SNB (title page or _______and _____________ in handout).

6. Be ready to ____________.

3. Ending Class 1. Non-Lab Day, cleanup _______ min before I dismiss you

2. Lab Day, cleanup _______ min before I dismiss you

3. Complete your ______ and stack your journal with your groups’ journals.

4. I will collect DSRs when your group _____________________.

5. I will ask the ________________ groups to _________________, NOT the bell.

4. Absent/Late/Missing Work 1. YOU ARE RESPOSIBLE TO GET YOUR _______________ _____________!

2. All assignments are filed in the _________________ by IP/OP and page _______.

Get the pages you need on your own ___________ not ____________ class.

3. It is ________ responsibility to come see me to have assignments graded before

the next test during brunch, lunch or _______________________.

4. Tests/quizzes will be made-up within ____ days of your absence.

5. Copy notes from the __________________, do not glue the handout in SNB.

6. Labs are made up the next ___________________ during lunch only.

5. Grading ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GRADED IF THEY ARE _____ IN YOUR

SCIENCE NOTEBOOK or if it is on the _____________ page. Assignments are

graded __________, notebooks are graded and recorded on _______ _________.

6. Bathroom Breaks Class time used for bathroom breaks will be made up during ___________________.

You will be required to stay a minimum of ____ minutes.

I am available to help!! During brunch, lunch (if you let me know ahead of time) and after school. You may

also reach me anytime via email: jbrandel@hartdistrict.org

Signature: Student ________________________________ Parent ______________________________

Homework Procedures

1. Arrive to class as early as possible.

2. Have your SNB out before you start any other work.

3. Have your SNB open to the requested page.

4. SNBs need to be neatly stacked, facing the same direction, and placed in

the designated area.

5. If you arrive to class without your homework completed, still stack your

SNB.

It is your responsibility to complete the assignments.

Come in during brunch, lunch, or afterschool to have the assignment graded.

All assignments earn full credit if completed accurately or no credit for being incomplete or

incorrect.

Grading SNB Procedures SNB will be graded on the day of an assessment (test or quiz).

1. Complete the Table of Content by filling in all the required information:

Page number

Title of the Activity

Points earned/points possible (an assignment earns full credit if it is stamped or zero credit if it

is not stamped)

Or you may choose to cut and glue the Table of Content portion of the handout to your page.

2. Add up the points you earned, write it on the total line, and highlight the total line ONLY.

If you have completed assignments, but did not have it graded on time, you do not get credit.

3. Open your SNB to the last page that is being graded and neatly stack them facing the same

direction in the designated area.

*If you need to improve your SNB grade, “fix” all assignments

to earn full credit and come in during brunch, lunch, or

afterschool to have the SNB regraded before the next

test/quiz.

After then, no late, missing, or absent work will be accepted!

Got a stamp?

CORNELL NOTE TAKING PROCEDURES (OP)

Please use the following 3 steps to take notes from the text:

1. READ the entire section first. Do not read a few lines and then copy and read some more and copy. This is ineffective. If you catch yourself doing this, put your pencil out of sight and concentrate on just reading.

2. When you finish reading decide which concepts in each title/section or subsection are the most

important. Choose from a minimum of 1 to 3, this is the hardest step and may take a little time, you will get better as you practice.

3. Now you can begin to take notes.

Write your notes in a condensed fashion/develop shorthand Avoid long sentences and complicated wording Bullet or star the main ideas and use letters to organize the details Use symbol and shorthand Develop flow chart/concept maps to organize and simplify connecting ideas

Directions: Highlight the Cornel notes below by following the directions on IP

5.2

Abbreviations: Atoms and Bonding pg 1 + = Positive 10/17/11

- = negative

w/ = with

Ionic Bonds pg. 184-189

Ions

What is an

ion?

Chemical

Formulas

and Names

Properties of

Ionic

Compounds

Lecture Notes Examples

*atom/group w/a charge

*lose or gain an electron -Cl-

-Na+

*subscript-the ratio of elements in the

compound

*naming-+ ion comes 1st, - ion 2nd

*ionic crystals-repeating pattern

*high melting points

*electrical conductivity

Sodium

chloride

CORNELL NOTE TAKING PROCEDURES (IP)

Cornell Notes will be taken only on Input pages in the Science Notebook. You will take two sets of notes: text notes and lecture notes. Use the format below to set-up your SNB. Use the following guidelines while taking notes: Text Notes: Highlight all red titles

Highlight all blue subtitles (a different color) Highlight all vocabulary (a different color)

Lecture Notes: You will start each set of lecture notes with your SNB and three different color highlighters.

Take notes carefully and precisely; for full credit your notes must resemble my notes exactly.

Why: Saves time by providing a format that combines text and class notes Proves “ready-made” study sheet that allows you to quiz yourself & review before tests Pushes critical thinking and reflection after each set of notes

When Note taking from the text occurs the night before new content is introduced Lecture notes are provided the following day—reinforce reading, include new info, provide

examples and real world connections that were text notes, and clarify ideas. How

Carefully examine the sample handout and notice the organization of the concepts and details. Single words and simple phrases are used/develop short hand. The use of spaces and indentations helps the mind organize information. Page numbers are written in area “B” to save time if you need to refer to the text for further information

Take notes from the reading assignment in the SNB, referring to the example as often as necessary Topics, subtopics, and questions are written in area “C”. Notes related to those topics are written

in area “D” marked “Lecture/Text Notes.” Spaces are left between concepts to add additional organization.

The abbreviation key in area “B” contains abbreviations of key words used in the lecture. This will enable you to write faster.

A

B

C

4cm

Lecture/Text Notes Examples/ Notes

D

E

Key A = Section #, page # of notes B = Chapter and section title, date,

and abbreviation key C = Topics – Questions D = Lecture/Text notes E = Examples/notes