Course Syllabus

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School District of Oconee County

Physical Science

Course Number: 321100CW

Physical Science is a course that will provide students with knowledge of the world around them. Physical science will provide a basic knowledge of the physical universe that will serve as the foundation for other high school science courses. The course will be based on the foundations of chemistry as well as the foundations of physics. The class will utilize algebraic concepts in the form of word problems. We will study parts of the atom, properties and classifications of matter, chemical reactions, motion, forces, energy, and electromagnetic waves.

 

Algebra 1 (411401CW) or Algebra 1 Honors (411401HW)
There are no fees associated with this course.

CP Physical Science Syllabus- 2022-2023

Mrs. Jaimie Shaw - Seneca High School

jshaw@sdoc.org

 

Course Description 

Physical Science is the study of matter and energy.  It involves two major sciences, physics and chemistry.  Topics involved are the use of the metric system, structure of atoms, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, types of compounds, electricity, nuclear reactions, Newton's Laws of motion, forces, machines, work and power.

Content

In Physical Science this year, we will address the following questions:

  1. How does the structure of an atom affect its physical and chemical properties?
  2. What are the properties of different classifications of matter?
  3.  How do chemical elements and compounds react with each other in nature?
  4. How do atoms gain stability?
  5. What is the cause of an object’s motion and how can that motion be described?
  6. How is energy transformed in an open or closed system?
  7. How is energy conserved in a closed system?
  8. How is energy transferred through matter in wave form?

Schedule for topics this year:

Unit 1: Scientific Method and Metrics

Unit 2: Structure of the Atom 

Unit 3: Interaction of Atoms

Unit 4: Organic Compounds

Unit 5: Chemical Reactions

Unit 6: Describing Motion 

Unit 7: Electricity 

Unit 8: Energy  

Unit 9: Waves 


Materials needed:

Textbook: “Physical Science” by Glencoe (individual copies can be requested)

Notebook: one 3 ring binder or spiral bound notebook with pockets

Paper, pens, and pencils 

Two packages of 3” x 5” note cards

Calculator 

Chromebook and charger 






Room 201 Expectations-

Prepared Come to class with materials ready

Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings

Make sure all out of class assignments are completed on time

Respect Listen when others are speaking

Always contribute in group activities

Integrity Be responsible for your own actions and work

Take pride in your work

Discipline Respond appropriately to Mrs. Shaw’s direction

Keep all attention focused on the task at hand

Everywhere!


Rules and Consequences:

Anyone who chooses not to follow Mrs. Shaw’s rules will be subject to the following consequence:

1st Offense:  Verbal Warning

2nd Offense:  Lunch Detention

3rd Offense:  Lunch Detention

4th Offense:  Office Referral 

***Severity Clause:  All offenses are subject to office referral depending on severity of offense

***Parent contact may occur at any time

Tardy Policy- Doors will be closed and locked at the tardy bell.  All students not in class will report to administration.


Grading scale:

100-90: A 89-80: B 79-70: C 69-60:D >60: F


Seneca High School Science Department Grading Policy-

Final Grades are broken down as follows:

1st Nine Weeks        45%

2nd Nine Weeks       45%

Final Exam                 10%

 

Term grades will be broken down as follows:

         Major Grades (60% of nine weeks grade):

                        3-6 per nine weeks

  1.       Test
  2.       All tests will be cumulative
  3.       Tests will be graded based on the SC State Standards
  4.       Formal Lab Report Labs
  5.       Major labs must be written up as a formal lab report
  6.       Formal Lab Reports will be graded using the SHS Science Departmental formal lab report rubric which can be found on Canvas
  7.       Projects
  8.       Projects will be graded using teacher created rubrics

         Minor Grades (25% of nine weeks grade):

  1.       Minor Labs
  2.       Quizzes

Homework/Classwork Grades (15% of nine weeks grade):

  1.       Daily Assignments/Activities
  2.       Homework

Zeroes Don’t Make Heroes-

 

Zeroes can have a tremendous negative impact on student grades, and also on student learning.  For this reason, the science department has committed to making sure all assignments get turned in by each student.  If a student does not turn in an assignment at the due date, the procedures below will be used.  Enrichment and lunch detention will all take place during Power Hour during the school day.

 

 

 

 

Extra Help Procedures-

 

We will utilize the Lower Hour during the school day for most of our extra help.  My enrichment availability schedule is listed below. Students are expected to notify the teacher before coming for help.  

 

 

 

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1st Lunch

MEETING

Enrichment

Enrichment

DUTY

Enrichment

2nd Lunch

lunch

DUTY

Lunch

Enrichment

Lunch



Communication Plan

I can be reached by email (jshaw@sdoc.org) at any time. This is the best way to get in touch with me. My classroom phone number is 864-718-5517. I will not be able to answer the phone during school hours. I will gladly attend any parent conferences upon request. Parents will be notified of any outstanding behavior. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have concerns/questions. Parents- PLEASE make sure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool. 


CANVAS

Students will be required to use Canvas on a daily basis. PARENTS- please make sure you are an observer in Canvas. This will allow you to see all course content (assignments, due dates, notes, feedback, etc.) 

If you have Canvas questions, Canvas help pages/links can be found on the district’s website, you can Google tutorial videos, or ask for guidance. 

This is a link to Canvas’s help page for students: https://guides.instructure.com/m/4212