Course Syllabus
Pre-AP Physical Science
Allen.Alicia.C@muscogee.k12.ga.us Remind: text @allenpreap to 81010
Course description: This class will cover Chemistry and Physics concepts including: the properties of matter, atomic theory, periodic law, energy, heat energy, forces and motion, work, sound, electromagnetic waves, static electricity, electrical circuits and magnetism. Physical Science is a laboratory course and adherence to lab safety rules is expected and required for participation.
The following units will be covered:
- Atoms & The Periodic Table (SPS1-Chapters 17 & 19)
- Chemical Bonds and Reactions (SPS2 & SPS3-Chapters 20 & 21)
- Nuclear Chemistry (SPS4- Chapter 18)
- Matter (SPS5-Chapters 15 & 16)
- Solutions, Acids, & Bases (SPS6-Chapters 22 & 23)
- Force & Motion (SPS8-Chapters 2, 3, & 5)
- Energy & Heat (SPS7-Chapters 4 & 6)
- Waves: Electromagnetic Spectrum, Sound, & Light (SPS9-Chapters 10, 11, 12 & 13)
- Electricity & Magnetism (SPS10-Chapters 7 & 8)
Class website: Our class has a website that contains helpful links, reminders, documents, and/or other information. Please get in the habit of checking the websites for all of your classes regularly. The website is your course in Canvas (which can be found on the Muscogee County School District Website).
Class Remind group: I utilize the Remind app which allows me to send out quick information and documents while keeping users’ phone numbers private. The app has added a chat feature so you can message me through Remind any time. Please text the number at the top of the syllabus to join the class group. This and email are the best ways to communicate with me outside of school, however please allow 24 hours for me to respond.
Daily materials: You will need to bring to class each day your science folder, your interactive notebook, your textbook (unless told otherwise), and supplies (pens, pencils, crayons/colored pencils, etc.). I also recommend keeping a 3 ring binder to store graded assignments, quizzes, and tests. Other materials may be requested throughout the term. Make sure you bring your planner/agenda to class every day – it is vital to maintaining organization and serves as your hall pass!
Grade determination, Assignments and Absences: Your overall nine weeks grade will be calculated based on grades earned over the course of the grading period. Grades are calculated as follows:
65% Summative Assessments 35% Formative Assessments
*Flashback Friday Quizzes *CAKE (Content & Knowledge Essentials)
*Major Projects *Science and Engineering Practice Activities
*Tests *Daily Classwork & Weekly Homework
As this is a high school level course there are additional requirements related to grades. In order to obtain high school credit for this course the following conditions must be met!
- End of the year average of at least an 70 must be achieved!
- Student must score at level 3 (Proficient) or a level 4 (Distinguished) on the Georgia Milestones End of Course Test given at the end of 2nd Scores on the EOCT are converted into a percentage score that will count for 20% of a student’s final yearly average.
- Any student that does not score at level 3 (Proficient) or level 4 (Distinguished) will not receive high school credit for the course but will instead get credit for 8th grade physical science.
In regards to extra credit…please do not ask me for extra credit assignments to bring up your grade. Statistically speaking if you are completing all of your work to the best of your ability and turning in all assignments on time as required, there is no need for extra credit. Your level of success in class depends on the amount of real effort and energy you put into it! IF you want an A put in the work for that A! I do on occasion offer students the opportunity to earn bonus points throughout each grading period. These are often additional small assignments that reinforce our Georgia Standards of Excellence in the area of science. Please note that while late work is accepted a 40% deduction will apply to the earned grade.
Notebooks and Graded work: We will be utilizing an interactive science notebook this year. Students will need to purchase a bound composition book for this purpose. The most successful students are the ones who remain organized and have material to study. All graded work will be returned for review but it is HIGHLY recommended that you keep up with it so you will have it as a complete course review before state testing at the end of the year.
Hall and restroom passes: You have 3 minutes between each class and 7 minutes at locker break times to use the restroom. Your student agenda/planner is the source for all hall passes. Please bring your student agenda/planner with you to class daily.
Tardies/ dismissal: You are tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings. Do not come to class late without a pass. Any messes will be cleaned up and materials returned to their correct location before being dismissed.
There is a lot of learning from hands on/minds on activities, and not just from reading and listening. When you are doing something during class or a lab, make sure you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it
Class expectations and Code of Conduct:
All students will:
(1) Be on time and prepared (textbook, notebook, colored pencils, pencil) for class every day
(2) Follow all instructions given by the teacher the first time
(3) Behave respectfully, responsibly and refrain from class disruptions
(4) Complete all work to the best of their ability
(5) Follow all school rules
(6) Cooperate and encourage classmates
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|