Lutheran High School in Mayer

2008-2009 School Year Course Syllabus

 

I.          Physical Science

II.        Instructor - Mr. Gary Loontjer

III.       Grade Level – Grade 9

IV.       Prerequisite – none, cannot take this course after successfully completing Biology with a grade

of C or better.

V.        Length of Class – One semester

VI.       Course Summary Description

            An introduction to the physical sciences including physics, chemistry, matter, and

lab skills.

VII.     Integration of Faith & Christian Leadership

A.                 Service: It has been said that “service to humanity is the best work of life”.  We will serve others as we work to keep our classroom and lab in a suitable condition for all to use.  Equipment and supplies are often shared with other classes and their proper use and storage is a positive service to others.  It is my goal to set up a science mentor program for help sessions.  Other outside opportunities for service may arise as the year progresses.

B.                 Faith Integration:  Each class session begins with a prayer/devotion.  Many devotions are based on a creation science theme.  Prayers include individual prayer requests as they arise.

VIII.    Course Objectives

A.  Reading/Comprehension: Textbooks have been selected at the appropriate reading

level for the majority of students taking this course.  Study aids provided by the book will be explained and implemented as needed.  Directions on note taking will be given to help guide comprehension of the material covered.

B. Writing Skills: Students will increase the effectiveness and quality of their writing by following templates for lab reports and using applicable writing conventions for major lab reports.

C. Attitude: Generate a renewed awareness of the world God has created.

            D. Content: Introduce students to chemistry topics (Nature of Matter, Kinds of Substances,

Interactions of Matter) and physics topics (Energy & Motion, Waves, Light, & Sound; Electricity & Energy Resources) through the use of lab activities, multimedia, and classroom presentations.

            E. Problem Solving: Learn and practice lab skills necessary for advanced courses.

            D. Have fun!

IX.       Outline of Units

            Nature of Matter; Kinds of Substances; Interactions of Matter – 12 weeks

            Energy and Motion; Waves, Light, and Sound – 6 weeks

X.        Evaluation Procedures

A. Grading scale:  The LHS grading scale is: A: 92-100%, B: 83-91%, C: 74-82%, D: 65-73%, F: 0-64%.  The semester grade is calculated with each quarter worth 45% and the final exam worth 10% of the total. Weightings for classroom grade: Lab reports-30%, Tests (paper & pencil and lab practicals)-40%, Worksheets & reports-20%, and Effort & Behavior-10%.  All scores will be given based on a maximum of 100 points.  Lab report grades are composed of 45% data collection, 45% investigative questions, and 10% lab protocol.

B. Homework: Will include lab reports, test preparation, and study guide worksheets.

C. Late work: Work received after the due date but prior to the chapter test will

receive a maximum of 70% of the original points.  Work from a given chapter will not be accepted following the day of the chapter test.  If you are absent from school, you will have the number of days absent plus one to turn in work, complete labs, or take any tests that were missed.  Planned absences require advance notification (two days) and may require that certain work be done prior to the absence.  Planned absence days will be handled with the same number of days absent plus one guideline.

D. Neatness – After you leave the room all that remains behind is the assignment you turned in for grading.  Strive to see that the paper is a good witness of your hard work. Papers that are difficult for me to read due to sloppiness, spills, or damage will not receive full credit.

E. Cheating/Plagiarism – You will only get credit for work that is yours.  Taking

advantage of another person’s work is stealing and will result in no credit for that work.  If you allow someone to use your work to complete theirs, you will also receive no credit for that work.  You must make use of proper citation in reports and the act of “cutting and pasting” reports from internet sources will not be allowed.

F  Tests: A written test will be given following the completion of most chapters

of material.  Lab practicals (tests) will also be used to evaluate the use of lab techniques and skills.  

G.  Semester Exams: A cumulative semester exam will be given.

H. Participation: The effort & behavior portion of the classroom grade will be

my assessment of how well you are using your talents and if you are making wise use of your time in class and lab.  Misbehavior and disrespect of others will cause a reduction in earned points as well.

I.  Extra Credit: No extra credit work is planned for this course.

XI.       Classroom Expectations

A. It is very important to be in class, being tardy or absent will have a detrimental effect on your class grade.  It is the student’s responsibility to seek out make-up work.

B. Before entering the room, be sure that you have all the supplies you need for class.  Do not bring book bags, back packs, coats, or other “extras”.  Space is at a premium in room and lab.

C. Feel free to use the restroom (remember the hall pass) when I am not lecturing or giving directions.  I will allow a maximum of two to be out of the room at one time.                     

(Two restroom passes)

D. Respecting other’s property avoids causing problems for others.

E.  I will gladly accept all papers that turned in on time and that meet the neatness standard and use proper headings.

F. At times you may be anxious to talk, and I listen to students who raise their hands.

XII.     Materials

Be sure to bring your textbook, a folder/notebook for notes, reliable writing utensil (pencils for labs).  You will have free use of a calculator for all tests, homework and labs in this course.

XIII.    Technology Integration

Students will make use of computers, calculators, and interface devices on some labs.  Many labs will use a variety of technological devices. Students will be exposed to some content delivery using the computer.