Combined Science IGSE Syllabus Pine Ridge High School 2017-2018 Teacher: Ms. Filipek-Nieves Email: lbfilipe@volusia.k12.fl.us Website: see Canvas on VPortal Room #: 04-017 Textbook: A person or nation can take your house, your family, and even your pride, but they can never take what you have learned, and for this reason education is paramount. Jumetta Posey Course Description: IGCSE Combined Sciences gives students the opportunity to study biology, chemistry and physics, each covered in separate syllabus sections. Students learn about the basic principles of each subject through a mix of theoretical and practical studies, while also developing an understanding of the scientific skills essential for further study. Student candidates learn how science is studied and practiced, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment. As well as focusing on the individual sciences, the syllabus enables candidates to better understand the technological world they live in, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. Physics is fundamentally an experimental science. The theories, laws, and mathematical descriptions of the physical universe that have been discovered during the past 3000 years are based on experience and observation. The course is designed so that your understanding of physics is enhanced through laboratory experiments, conceptual exercises, theoretical calculations, and analyses of physics principles in everyday situations. In Chemistry, students will be provided with a study of composition, properties and changes associated with matter. The content shall include, but not be limited to: measurement, classification and structure of matter, atomic theory, moles, periodicity, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical equations, stoichiometry, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases, and energy relationships. Techniques of safe laboratory practice are an integral part of the course. Biology includes the study of the methods of science, ecology, cell structures, functions and processes, basic organic chemistry, cell energy, heredity, evolution and the diversity of organisms. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. We will approach these studies as if we were scientist in a research lab. Your ability to perform observations, take data, analyze results, and write reports will be an integral part of this course. Our goal this year is not to memorize laws and equations, but to understand concepts and develop effective problem solving skills. Effectively, since most of you will not be continuing in a science profession, I consider sharpening your observation skills, reasoning ability, and the depth of comprehension to be far more important than any mere memorized facts, theories, or laboratory procedures learned in this class. The essence of this course is not What do you know but rather How do you know what you know?. The challenging nature of this course requires the student to devote significant quantities of time and effort outside of regular class time! Required Classroom Materials: You must bring a scientific calculator, your composition notebooks, and notes to EVERY class. Additional Supplies: (1) 5-Subject Mead (or equivalent) spiral notebook for ISN Graph paper Scientific Calculator (nothing fancy) Dry Erase Marker (1, any dark color) Assessment: Grading of assignments will be on a weighted scale. Your work will be evaluated in the following manner: Approximate Quarter Assessment values: Summative...60% Formative........40% Writing Utensils (Must include #2 Pencil and different colored pens and highlighters) Miscellaneous items for larger projects Rulers Grading Scale: A 90-100 B. 80-89 C. 70-79 D. 60-69 F 0-59 1
Assignments: Assignments will reinforce the concepts learned in class and allow the students to hone their problem solving skills. All assignments must have the student s name, class period, and date in the upper right corner and the assignment name written on the left. Examinations: Examinations will be given at the end of each chapter or over two shorter chapters. Examinations will require the student to demonstrate recall of material presented in the text, lectures, classroom discussions, and laboratory exercises. The student will demonstrate his/her ability to synthesize information by applying previously learned methods to solving new problems. NOTE: When allowed to do so, students can use a 3 x 5 index card that was hand-written for any necessary equations or concepts. Lab work/projects: Laboratory exercises provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability to make measurements and assess their validity and importance. Additionally, laboratory exercises are an important component in the learning process. Experiments must be done in a safe manner; relevant safety precautions and instruction will be given before each lab. All equipment must be treated with care and properly maintained. Failure to do so will result in a point deduction and depending on the misdemeanor an alternative assignment and detention or referral. Students will be charged for broken equipment. A quad-ruled composition notebook is to be kept for the sole purpose of writing down investigations/ lab activity observations (specific instructions will be given per activity). This notebook can be used during test and/or quizzes when laboratory investigations are referenced. Class Participation: Physics is not a spectator sport! Neither is being a member of this class. A large portion of what we will do in this course will take place in the classroom and the student will be expected to participate actively in all the activities including discussions. Ample opportunity will be given for every student to participate; lack of attendance or participation will be regarded as an indication of lack of preparation and the student will be graded accordingly. Remember that notebooks and calculators are required materials every day. You can also lose points for disruptions, sleeping, cell phones, unexcused absenteeism or excessive tardiness. Proper documentation must be provided for any excused absence. Notebook: Students must bring a notebook with sufficient paper for note taking to class every day. Lectures will very often include material not in the textbook and the student is responsible for all lecture material. All lecture notes and handouts are to be kept in the notebook in an orderly manner. HW: Students must bring their homework to class every day. These problems may be referenced during class and it is suggested that notes be taken in the notebook for future reference. Quizzes: To assess the student s performance on a regular basis, quizzes based on the assignments will be given most weeks on Wednesday. (There will be some exceptions.) Quizzes will be based on class discussion and assignments. Therefore, it is vital to do your assignments accurately and correct your errors when reviewed in class. Completed assignments will be collected on test days. Make-up Work: Throughout this course, we will be building on the material we ve learned. It is crucial that students keep up with assignments, review previous notes before each class, and attend class regularly. A great deal of material will be covered in each class session, much of which will not be found in the textbook. Everything counts for a grade. If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and make it up within the proper time limits. If a student is absent they have the time they were absent plus one day to make up their work. DO NOT ASK MS. FILIPEK-NIEVES FOR A MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENT OR LECTURE NOTES. All assignments and notes will be posted on the website. If a student is absent for a test, lab or quiz, the makeup assignment will be given at lunch during tutoring days. If the test is not made up within the designated time frame, you will receive a 0 on that test. Makeup tests will be different from the original tests and will not include any extra credit problems. When a student has field trip status, assignments are due before going on the field trip; be sure to get the assignment ahead of time. Failure to do so will result in the assignment being regarded as late unless discussed ahead of time with me. The county policy on unexcused absences will be enforced. All work missed must be made up on time during the course of the quarter. Late Work: All work is to be turned in at the beginning of the class period. Late work will be accepted up to the end of the current unit for 75% credit. Late work turned in after that will be accepted for 50% credit. 2
Cheating: Copying homework or labs, using another student s homework on a quiz, giving or receiving help regarding an exam will earn you an automatic zero on the assignment, PLUS any school-wide policies will apply. Cheating also includes plagiarism; from a friend, your text, the internet, or any other source that is not your own mind! Remember to cite any reference you use. You are encouraged to study with your classmates, but the work you turn in must be your own. Classroom Rules: Be prepared for class. In order to be prepared you must have your binder and calculator in class with you EVERYDAY. You may rent a calculator from me as well, details will be provided in class. Be respectful and follow the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Be on time to class EVERYDAY. You are expected to be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings, not running through the door when the tardy bell rings. If you are late, a sign in sheet will be provided where you are to sign in before sitting down. As per PRHS discipline codes, 1 tardy = call home & 2 tardies = a discipline referral. Passes to leave Class: You have plenty of time in between classes. Restrooms, water fountains, clinic visits, etc. should therefore be done on your own time (i.e. in between classes). If, however, you are having an EMERGENCY, notify me discretely, disrupting the class as little as possible. This means you may not ask during notes. Also, in order to go to the bathroom, you must leave me your phone before exiting the classroom. 3
I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SYLLABUS, THE LAB SAFETY CONTRACT, AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS CLASS. STUDENT NAME (PRINT): STUDENT SIGNATURE: PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (PRINT): PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: PARENT DAY PHONE NUMBER: PARENT EVENING PHONE NUMBER: PARENT EMAIL ADDRESS: STUDENT EMAIL ADDRESS: Please contact me with any questions or concerns. E-mail is the best way to contact me. Thank you again for the parental support. I look forward to working together to assure your child s success in Physics. 4
CLASS EXPECTATIONS In order to provide an equal learning opportunity for all Ms. Nieves students, the following principles are expected: 1. Students are to raise their hand and wait to be called upon in order to speak. 2. Students are to respect the teacher s property as well as the property of classmates. 3. Students are expected to be alert and attentive at all times during class. 4. Students must bring the necessary materials to each in every class in order to be productive, which includes writing utensils, notebooks and textbooks. Failure to adhere to these above expectations will result in a detention and subsequent infractions will result in a referral. Helpful Study Practices If you have difficulty, the following study practices are recommended: 1. Review the lecture notes, example problems from class, and homework on a daily basis. (Always be prepared to be quizzed on the previous day s material!) 2. Review the example problems worked out within the chapter. 3. Review the Practice Problems within the chapter 4. Ask Ms. Filipek-Nieves for extra help on scheduled days (see class EDMODO Page). 5