West St. John High School Syllabus
Course: Physical Science/ Physical Science Honors Teacher: Ms. K. White
Term: Fall 2023 Email: [email protected]
WSJH Mission Statement
One hundred percent of West St. John High students will be accepted into college or prepared for a technical career.
West St. John High School Believes:
1. Each member of our school community plays an integral part in making student success a certainty.
2. That all students are provided the necessary resources and opportunities to become successful Collaborative Workers, Adaptable Problem Solvers, Critical Thinkers, Involved Citizens, Quality Producers and Self-Guided Achievers.
3. That all students are immersed in vigorous, standards-based curricula that promotes higher level thinking skills.
4. That all students are capable of learning and as such, we educate the whole person providing students the necessary support to achieve their fullest potential.
5. That we value diversity and promote tolerance and espouse understanding and compassion.
6. That the aesthetic value of our campus is an important part of student achievement.
Course Description:
The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science. This course is designed as a survey course of
chemistry and physics. This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion and forces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior. Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.
Louisiana State Standards:
1. HS-PS1-1: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
2. HS-PS1-2: Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
3. HS-PS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.
4. HS-PS1-4: Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
5. HS-PS1-5: Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
6. HS-PS1-6: Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.
7. HS-PS1-7: Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
8. HS-PS1-8: Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
Textbook(s) & Supplementary Materials Provided:
1. Kognity Science Curriculum
Materials Needed Every Day: (part of your grade)
- Notebook/Binder/Folder for daily notes
- Course notebooks/binders are collected twice a semester and represent 10% of your grade (see Grading Policy below). Date each page and keep all work (do not throw homework away) in designated folder/binder sections throughout the semester.
- Each student will need a blue PLASTIC pocket folder for all assignments to be turned in and checked on a weekly basis. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Homework: Students are expected to spend a minimum of 30 minutes each day for this course doing homework, studying, reading, and/or reviewing materials. A minimum of two homework assignments will be assigned Monday through Thursday, with additional assignments as needed. All homework is due at the beginning of the period. For absences, homework is due within three days of your return to receive full credit. Homework assignments are regularly posted on TEAMS.
Make-Up Work: It is YOUR responsibility to find out the missing homework assignments from the TEAMS or from a classmate. Any late or incomplete assignments will receive a maximum of 50% credits. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to collect work from students who are truant to class.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Atoms and the Periodic Table of Elements
Unit 2: Chemical Reactions
Unit 3: Forces and Motion
Unit 4: Energy
Unit 5: Electricity and Magnetism
Unit 6: Waves
Grading Policy: (All available pts for course).
Homework 360 points (20 pts weekly)
Classwork/Participation * 450 points (5 pts daily)
Quizzes 180 points (weekly vocab)
Tests 270 points (biweekly)
Course Binder 180 points (weekly)
Projects 50 points (Science Fair)
Final Exam 100 points
Total: 1590 points
Extra credit work provided at the discretion of the teacher.
*Participation: We at West St. John High School expect all our students to attend school regularly and arrive to all classes on time, ready to participate, learn and achieve. Participation consists of, but is not limited to, arriving to class on time with all appropriate materials, ready to be a positive and productive member of the class. Class participation will contribute to 15% of the student’s total grade.
Points Converted to Percentages
Physical Science I
92.5-100% A
92.499 – 84.5% B
84.499 – 74.5% C
74.499 – 66.5% D
66.499% or below F
Physical Science I (HONORS)
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
69% D
68% and below F
Essential PBIS Expectations: RAMS= Respect/Responsibility, Achievement, Motivation, and Success.
Classroom Behavior Standards and Expectations:
1. Respect your teachers, classmates and school. Any and all forms of disrespect (including foul language) will not be tolerated.
2. Always remain in your seat, unless directed to move by a teacher.
3. Focus your attention on the topic directly related to class lectures/discussions.
4. BE ON TIME!!! Being punctual is very important. With this the hybrid and virtual platform, it is imperative that you log in on time. Also, be aware that daily bell ringers are at the start of class and cannot be made up.
5. Follow the dress code set in place by school officials.
6. NO EATING OR DRINKING IN CLASS. Per the district, we must maintain social distancing and not share or spread germs. If there are any opened food items, they will be confiscated and thrown away.
7. UNAUTHORIZED CELL PHONE USAGE IS NOT ALLOWED!!! Cell phones are not allowed during class time other than during an activity that needs the use of the phone. Cell phones are worth 5 participation points and must be placed in your assigned pocket behind my desk. If you fail to turn your phone in, you will receive a ZERO for the day.
8. Academic Integrity: Students are expected to submit their own, original work. If a student is talking during a test, he or she will be viewed as cheating and will receive a failing grade. If two students turn in the same work, both will be expected to re-submit a new copy of work.
Consequences of violation of class rules:
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Student/teacher conference and detention
3rd Offense: Parent phone call and possible parent/teacher/student conference and detention. Note: If the violation is severe, the teacher reserves the right to immediately remove the student from class.