Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Physical Science Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Mr. Scott Scherbinske

Introduction: This class is designed to give students an introduction into basic physical science concepts in the areas of chemistry, earth sciences, and physics. Through activity-based learning students practice and refine their science inquiry skills. As a result of course experiences students develop more positive attitudes towards science. Text: 1. Wysession, Frank, Yancopoulos: Physical Science Concepts in Action with Earth and Space Science. 2. Supplements to include internet and worksheets.

Objectives: 1. Improve the student's attitude toward science. 2. Improve the student's efficacy by increasing her/his knowledge of general chemistry, earth science, and physics concepts. 3. Improve the student's science laboratory skills. 4. Improve the student's quantitative and qualitative reasoning skills by providing opportunities for the student to formulate or generalize basic physical science concepts. 5. Improve the student's understanding through application of science concepts to everyday phenomena. 6. Improve the student's ability to conduct scientific inquiry and communicate the results to others.

Colorado Model Content Standards:

1. Students understand the processes of scientific investigation and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigations. 2. Physical Science: Students know and understand common properties, forms, and changes in matter and energy. 3. Life Science: Students know and understand the characteristics and structure of living things, the processes of life, and how living things interact with each other and their environment. 4. Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of Earth's systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. 5. Students know and understand interrelationships among science, technology, and human activity and how they can affect the world. 6. Students understand that science involves a particular way of knowing and understand common connections among scientific disciplines.

1 Instructional Methods: 1. Hands-on activities 2. Cooperative learning groups and individual work. 3. Class participation 4. Written work 5. Daily assignments (homework and in-class). 6. Assessment in various forms (written, oral, teacher-designed, peer). 7. Bell work

Grading: Each grading period your final grade will be based on (percentage of grade): 1. Class work/homework (20%) 2. Quizzes (15%) 3. Lab/group work/projects (30%) 4. Bell work (5%) 5. Comprehensive exams (Test/Midterm/Final) (30%)

Make-up work: Students with an excused absence(s) have the same number of days out to makeup their work plus one. A quiz or test can be made up with teacher approval, but the maximum score on a quiz or test taken again is 70%. Homework may be done up to three times without penalty as long as it is done before the due date.

Late work: Late work will be accepted with 50% off the total score until the unit comprehension exam. Students with excused absences have the same number of days out to makeup their work plus one. Students with six absences for the course will not receive a grade. A student who comes in late and misses the bellwork will not be given credit for that assignment, unless the student has a pass from a school staff member.

Cheating: A student who is caught cheating will receive a zero for that test, quiz or assignment. This includes copy and paste of someone else’s work into a paper, looking over someone else’s work during a test or other work time, and passing notes with the answers to one another. IF caught a zero will be given and a call home will be made.

2 Expectations:

Respect: Respect the classroom, the equipment that is used and brought into the classroom, you, and others while in the classroom. If disrespect is occurring disciplinary actions will be enforced. Organization: It is essential to be prepared and organized for class in order to be successful within the classroom environment. Keep notes and homework organized whether it is on paper or on the computers.

Bathroom Policy: You may use the bathroom anytime during the class period except the first ten minute of class and the last ten minutes of class. You will also need to present your OWN pass with your name in pen to be allowed to leave the room. If repetitive asking occurs, privileges will be revoked.

Cell Phones: Cell phones are not allowed. If you a cell phone make sure they are turned off otherwise they will be confiscated and will be returned at the end of the day based off my convenience. You may not use your cell phone for any other accessory purposes such as a timer or calculator.

Computers: Do not turn on your computer until instructed to do so. You may not print any documents to the ER unless they are for this class. You may not visit the ER unless it relates to what we are learning in class. No headphones unless your instructor gives you permission and absolutely no YouTube unless it is for an assignment. Laptop activities in this class are for educational purposes only. If you complete your work in this class you may work on assignments for another class. NO GAMES ALLOWED. If for any reason you do not have a laptop/working laptop you are expected to follow along on paper that you supply. My computer crashed is not an acceptable response to not having your work! You should have a flash drive.

Cameras: Do not bring cameras to class or keep them in your bags, it is not time to socialize and share adventures.

Food and Drink: There should be no food or drink in the classroom except for water.

Consequences

Inappropriate Classroom Behavior First offense, warning and loss of participation points for the day. Second offense, sent to hallway to write essay about proper classroom behavior and call home to parents. Third offense, sent to the dean of students.

Improper use of Laptops First offense, warning and loss of participation points for the day. Second offense, laptop is confiscated. A handwritten copy of the rules (by you!) is your ticket to get it back. Third offense, call home to parents and loss of laptop privileges for the year. Course Outline: 3 This is the order at which topics will be covered. In the class we will go into great detail on all subjects, this is just an outline showing the topics covered. At the beginning of each unit you will be given an introduction and specifics on what you will know for each topic. Each topic should not last more than two weeks.

Introduction  Tools for being successful in this class  Characteristics of Science  Science, Pseudoscience, and non- science  Scientific Methods

Chemistry  What is chemistry?/elements of chemistry  Atoms/Atomic models  The periodic table  Elements and compounds  Formation of compounds  Chemical reactions  Chemical energy  Acids/Bases

Earth Science  Rocks and Minerals  Rocks and the rock cycle  Earthquakes  Fresh water  Weather

Space Science  Exploring the solar system  Inner and outer planets  Properties of Stars

Physics  Energy/motion  Work and power  Newton’s 3 laws  Waves and sound  Speed and velocity  Electricity

Materials Needed: 4 Multiple pens (NOT RED) and pencils (teachers are not responsible for providing you these) Flash Drive Calculator Paper Folder Enthusiasm to learn Computer Charger

Contact information: Mr. Scherbinske’s E-mail = [email protected] School Phone = 382-1640 District Web Page = http://www.ffc8.org/

These two Moodle login page for classnotes & handouts: http://moodle.ffc8.org/login/index.php

Quia page for homework, quizzes, labs and tests.

Mod 1: http://www.quia.com/pages/sscherbinske/integratedmod1 Mod2: http://www.quia.com/pages/sscherbinske/integratedmod2 Mod3: http://www.quia.com/pages/sscherbinske/integratedmod3 Mod4: http://www.quia.com/pages/sscherbinske/integratedmod4