Doral Academy Preparatory Schools Physical Science Honors Syllabus Mr. Javier Lopez Peris

Transcription

1 Doral Academy Preparatory Schools Physical Science Honors Syllabus Mr. Javier Lopez Peris Course Content The purpose of Physical Science Honors is to explore how physical science describes phenomena in the real world. You will use your knowledge of physical science principles, to predict the behavior of real-world systems. Along the way, you will have opportunities to sharpen your laboratory skills, work in groups, and set and conduct your own experiments. 1 st Quarter Scientific Method Matter States of Matter Atoms Periodic Table 3 rd Quarter Motion Forces Work & Energy 2 nd Quarter Structure of Matter Chemical Reactions Solutions Acids, Bases, and Salts Nuclear Changes 4 th Quarter Heat and Temperature Waves Sound and Light The topics you will study include: the nature of science, Newton s laws, momentum, work and energy, elements of chemistry, atoms, periodic table, mixtures, chemical reactions, and waves. Basic high school skills (e.g. SI units, conversions, data analysis) will be reinforced. Science writing and laboratory investigations are a key part of this course. Grading Students will receive a grade in Physical Science based on the following grading scale: A = % Superior B = 80-89% Above Average C = 70-79% Average D = 60-69% Below Average F = Below 60% Failing No grades will be curved in this course.

2 Please note that an F grade indicates a failed attempt, while a Z grade indicates work not handed in. Assignments missed due to unexcused absences and lockouts will receive a Z. No exceptions. Grades are based on quizzes, tests, lab reports, projects, papers, classwork and homework. Quizzes and tests will not be curved. There are no make-ups for failed quizzes and tests. Categories and weights of grades are as follows: Tests 40% Quiz 20% Lab/Project 30% Classwork/Home learning 10% If a student s average falls below a C, his or her parent/guardian will be notified. Athletic coaches, and leaders of other after-school programs, will also be notified. Lab Fee There is a $20 lab fee due for each student. Cash only. The deadline for the lab fee is October 25. After this deadline, the family will receive a financial obligation. Students may participate in laboratory activities only if they have paid the lab fee. This is a science department policy. Class Assignments/Homework Work will be assigned often, sometimes on a daily basis. Assignments include worksheets, math problems, lab write-ups, and other activities. Work must be completed and turned in on the due date. No late work is accepted for unexcused absences. There are no make-ups for assignments missed due to unexcused absences. This includes tests and quizzes. Assignments missed due to an unexcused absence will result in a zero. Work that is turned in without a name or is not legible will be marked as a zero. With the exception of lab reports, work may be typed or handwritten, in blue or black ink only. Red, orange and yellow inks are not to be used. For typed work, the only acceptable fonts are Times New Roman 12 and Arial 10. No exceptions. Assignments will be posted on the class website. You must download and print the assignments yourself, or arrange to have a friend do it for you. Copies will not be provided by the teacher. Plagiarism Students will be researching others work, whether it be for a lab, project, or research paper. Plagiarism will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Plagiarism also includes copying another student s work. If a student is caught plagiarizing, they will receive an F for that assignment and an F in conduct for the nine weeks. They will receive a failure notice immediately for the F in conduct that will reflect as their conduct grade for that 9 week period. This is a science department policy.

3 Make-Up Work Only students having an excused absence will be permitted to make-up work. The student s name must appear on the excused absences report within two days of absence. The student s name must appear on the excused absences report within two days of absence. Tests and quizzes must be made up after school on Friday afternoons, not during class time. If the student cannot make up their test or quiz on this day, a parent or guardian must contact me to make other arrangements. Students are responsible for keeping track of missed assignments. You must check the school s website, get notes from a classmate, and request handouts from the teacher. Students must hand in missed assignments without prompting. Make-up work is due no later than two class period days after returning to school. Students will receive a Z for assignments which are not completed within this time period. For extended excused absences and/or illnesses, you will be given time equal to the time you were absent. If a student is unable to complete an assignment due to reasons beyond their control, a parent/guardian must contact the counselor to make arrangements for reviewing missed material. If students fail to make up work, parents will be notified. Tests/Quizzes A test should be expected at the end of each unit. They may include multiple choice; however short answer and essay questions are emphasized. Points will be deducted for mistakes in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. Students absent for a test will be required to take a make-up test within one week of a missed test. All tests must be made-up before or after school, not during class. Quizzes may be given at any time. They may be announced in advance, which will be posted on the school s website or they may be a pop quiz. There will be no make ups for pop quizzes. Semester Exams Semester exams (Mid-term and Final) are cumulative. They assess of all the material covered during the course of the year. Students should keep all of their notes and work, as textbooks may be collected prior to the final exam. A No. 2 pencil and calculator are required for these exams. Any student that is suspected of cheating on the exam or that is disruptive during the exam will receive a zero. No bathroom passes are given the week of semester exams.

4 Classroom Code of Conduct All students are expected to adhere to the rules set forth in the Doral Academy Charter High School Student Handbook. In addition, the following policies apply in the classroom: 1. Have all appropriate materials and supplies at your desk and be seated when the bell rings. a. Remain in your seats at all times, unless otherwise noted. b. Do not sit on top of the desks or lab tables. c. Keep all bags and textbooks under the seat and clear from aisles. d. Students are dismissed by the teacher, not the bell. 2. Respect everyone and everything in the classroom. a. Use appropriate language. b. Vandalism includes writing on desks, seats, and walls; as well as disposing of gum or candy under the tables or seats. It will result in an immediate referral. c. Do not touch any science equipment or supplies that may be found in the classroom, without permission. d. When passing items to one another, hand them over rather than throwing them. e. Some activities are conducted in a fully equipped science lab. The chemicals and equipment used are sometimes hazardous. Always wear proper lab attire when using these items, which always includes lab goggles (provided to students in class). 3. Cell phones are to be turned off and put away in a purse, bookbag, or the like prior to entering the class and are not to be visible during class. Cell phones may not be carried in pockets, whether or not they are visible Cell phones may not be used as calculators or timers. Cell phones that are visible in any way will be confiscated by the teacher and turned into administration. No exceptions, no second chances, no warnings. 4. Other electronic devices such as ipods and MP3s, are to be turned off and put away prior to entering the class and are not to be visible during class. Headphones must be put away prior to entering the classroom. Electronic devices and headphones which are visible, even if kept in a pocket, will be confiscated by the teacher and turned into administration. No exceptions, no second chances, no warnings. 5. Cell phones and electronic devices will be collected before every test and quiz. The devices will be returned once all students are done with the assessment. Students found with any electronic device during any test will receive an F on the test and in their 9 week conduct grade. No exceptions, no second chances, no warnings. 6. Any student suspected of cheating on a quiz or test or who is disruptive will earn a zero on the assignment. Additionally, they will have to serve detention, the parent or guardian will be contacted, and the student will receive an F in conduct for the marking period. 7. Calculators may be used.

5 Infractions and Procedures If you choose to break a classroom or school rule, the following disciplinary action will be taken: 1st Offense: Verbal warning will be given 2nd Offense: Second verbal warning followed by written documentation and parent phone call 3rd Offense: After school detention and parent phone call or meeting 4th Offense: Referral to Administration Supplies Students should come to class each and every day prepared to work, with pencil or pen (blue or black only for assignments), eraser, and calculator. Students must buy and bring a composition notebook to use as a laboratory notebook. Students may not share supplies during quizzes or tests. Doing so will be considered cheating. Any student suspected of cheating on a quiz or test or who is disruptive will earn a zero, and will receive an F in conduct for the marking period. Uniform Infractions As of day 1, uniform policy is strictly enforced. No warnings, no second chances. Students who come to class out of uniform will be escorted by security to the office. Correcting the problem with the uniform (e.g. removing a non-uniform sweater) will not help. Sweaters or sweatshirts with logos may not be turned inside out to hide the logo. Passes and other interruptions All students should plan restroom breaks before or after class. Students may not visit counselors during class time. Students will be permitted to leave class only at the request of administration, or in an emergency. Students with medical issues requiring bathroom or other passes during the class period should take documentation to the guidance department and make sure that the teacher receives notification. Staying late in another class to help a teacher will not be considered a valid excuse for tardiness. If this is a repeat problem, I will contact the teacher and the administration to prevent it from happening again. This is also true for helping an administrator, in the front office, etc. Other students may not come to this classroom and interrupt the learning environment unless they are office aides with proper documentation. Fundraising, delivering notes, gifts, etc. is absolutely not allowed. Students coming to the room for these and other reasons will be turned away and reported to administration. Textbooks Students must maintain their textbooks in good condition. Do not write or highlight in your text. All textbooks must be covered. No textbook should be left in class. Students who lose their textbook or return it damaged will be responsible for payment. Students that have lost a textbook should let the teacher know immediately so that arrangements can be made to reissue another textbook.

6 To the Parent(s)/Guardian(s): In order for your child to achieve, research has shown that parental support is crucial. The best way to help your child is to make sure that he/she attends class and studies every day. Ask them about their daily, weekly, and cumulative academic average. Your student will receive an average of two grades per week. Expect to see your child doing science reading and/or homework nightly. Ask to review it with them. Students receive one progress report at the midpoint of each nine week grading period. Ask to see it. Should a student s grades fall below a C average, he/she will receive a failure notice to bring home to you. It is the student s responsibility to deliver this notice to you. The delivery of any and all written communication sent home to you via the student is the responsibility of the student. The grade a student receives on their report card each grading period is an average of all the grades she/he received during that nine weeks. Each week s work will be posted on the school website: doralacademyprep.org. This site also allows you to me with questions and concerns you may have regarding your child s progress in my class. I will answer your s as expeditiously as possible. With the combined consistent support, encouragement and supervision of parents/guardians and educators, your child will be provided with the opportunity to succeed commensurate with their abilities. Sincerely, Javier Lopez Peris, Science Teacher

7 Doral Academy Preparatory Charter School Physical Science Mr. Javier Lopez Peris *Please print the information as neatly as possible and return to me.* Student First Name: Student Last Name: Student Id Number: Grade: Period: Parent First Name: Parent Last Name: Daytime Contact Number: Evening Contact Number: Best Time for me to contact you: Parent/Guardian Address: I have read and understood Mr. Peris Physical Science syllabus. Throughout the year, I realize that playing an active role as a student and playing an active role as a parent will no doubt lead to a very successful school year. I have also understood that I am required to pay a $20 lab fee, in cash, and that the deadline for this fee is October 24. I understand that if this fee is not paid, my child will not participate in laboratory activities, and that I will receive a financial obligation. Lab fees must be paid in cash. A receipt will be provided. Student Signature: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: