Physical Science - Course No. 405
Instructor:
Mr. Paul Colombo
Clinton High School - Room 212
200 West Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01510
978.365.4208 (ext 3212)
eMail: colombop@clinton.k12.ma.us
Course Description:
Physical Science presents the processes that involve research, experimentation, and the development of theories necessary to study matter, energy, motion, forces electricity, and sound and light waves. The students acquire general learning skills in reasoning, working in a laboratory situation, analyzing experimental data, reading scientific material, and communicating their findings to others. This course provides the necessary foundation to continue with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses. The course is presented in three units; Physical Science Basics, Energy and Motion, The Nature of Matter.
Course Topics:
Unit #1 - Physical Science Basics
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Exploring Science -
Scientific Method
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Standards of measurement
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SI Units
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Graphing
Unit #2 – Energy and Motion
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Motion and Speed
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Velocity and Acceleration
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Connecting Motion with Forces
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Gravity
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Accelerated Motion
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Projectile and Circular Motion
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Energy and Work
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Temperature and Heat
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Measuring Thermal Energy
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Using Thermal Energy
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Simple Machines and Uses
Unit #3 – The Nature of Matter
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Matter and Temperature
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Changes in State
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Behavior of Gases
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Uses of Fluids
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Composition of Matter
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Structure of the Atom
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The Periodic Table
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Kinds of Chemical Bonds
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Formulas and Names of Compounds
Textbook:
Physical Science. McLaughlin, C., Thompson, T., Glencoe McGraw-Hill Companies - 1999.
Student Grades:
Student grades are earned each quarter by a breakdown of:
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50% Test assessments
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20% Science Binder (this also includes lab and homework assignments – see Class Notes section below)
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15% Quiz assessments
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15% Participation (classroom and laboratory)
Class Notes:
A notebook (binder) for this class is mandatory! There will be many notes and handouts from classroom discussion/lessons and laboratory exercises so the binder will be necessary for organizational purposes. This notebook should be a 3-ring binder and organized into sections as follows:
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First section to include; name of student as well as returned graded papers for assessments (both tests and quizzes).
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Class Notes (organized by date given) as well as activity sheets, problems, and other handouts.
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Homework
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Lab Reports
Homework:
Students will receive approximately 30 minutes of homework for each day that class meets and this will be due at the next scheduled meeting of class. Students are expected to do all homework assignments. These assignments will be collected and graded by the teacher, then returned to students as soon as possible and or practical. Failure to do homework will result in a loss of a letter grade per day late on the assignment plus a detention. In order to earn full credit for a problem, the student must show their work to develop the problem solving method as well as eliminate the possibility of plagiarism. It is simple that an answer without work will not be considered an answer that warrants full credit! Homework is expected to be done in pencil with the appropriate work on a separate sheet of paper. All homework assignments are to be kept in the homework section of the Science Binder in chronological order!
Lab Reports:
Experiments and laboratory work will reinforce the concepts that are covered in class. Lab reports are due when designated, each day late will reduce the report by a letter grade. After 3 days overdue, lab reports will not be accepted.
Assessment (Test & Quiz) Procedures:
Assessments will be scheduled and announced. No talking in class will be allowed until everyone has completed the assessment. There will be no sharing of calculators during assessments. If you miss an assessment (test or quiz) you must meet with me in order to discuss making up the assessment based on the guidelines in the Clinton High School Student Handbook, pages 20-21. (2007-08 edition)
Plagiarism:
Simply put, plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas or work without giving them credit for it. This applies to research work, assessments, lab reports and homework. Plagiarism is unacceptable! Any plagiarized work or word for word copying will result in a zero for all parties involved. Students are expected to do their own work for this class. Students should take pride and satisfaction in their work and accomplishments.
Absence:
It is the student’s responsibility to make up work, assessments and laboratory work/reports missed due to absence via the guidelines of the Clinton High School Student Handbook.
Start of Class:
Everyone is expected to be in their seats and ready to work when the bell rings. Students should be prepared for class – pencil, textbook, calculator, binder or other organizational tools that are needed. Assigned homework will be collected at the beginning of class.
End of Class:
Students will be dismissed by the instructor and not the bell to make sure that everyone has the homework and long term assignments as well as concluding the lesson for the day.
Extra Help:
Extra help sessions will be held after school (by appointment) Monday through Thursday. Please meet with me in advance so I can prepare for and expect you.
Class Rules:
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Respect yourself, your fellow classmates and any adults in the class.
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Pay attention to detail.
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Time for learning; be on time, prepared for class and ready to learn.
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No food or drink (except clear bottled water) in class.
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No foul language.
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Take pride in doing your best work!
