Welcome to Greeneville High School Physical Science…
Greeneville High School, Greeneville TN 37742
gemmerk@gcschools.net
Kathryn R. Gemmer, Instructor
Course Description
Physical Science is a course that explores the relationship between matter
and energy. Students should learn Physical Science through the process of
inquiry. Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group
activities should constitute a major portion of the learning experience.
Using available technology, students will investigate forces and motion, the
chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter and
energy interact within the natural world, and the forms and properties of
energy. Conservation of matter and energy is an underlying theme throughout
the entire course. Physical Science provides the knowledge, prerequisite
skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision-
making about matters of scientific and technological concern. Physical
Science offers a basic foundation for advanced studies in Chemistry and
Physics.
Classroom Notes:
This class is a laboratory science and includes subject content based on
applied inquiry in the laboratory. Grades are based on content tests and
quizzes in addition to laboratory and research papers. Students are required
to demonstrate mastery of subject matter and scientific methodology in the
lab setting.
A. The Notebook: To be graded weekly as a quiz grade….this notebook
will contain all lecture notes, laboratory handouts, graded assignments, and
lab data charts. The notebook models the importance of data organization to
the scientist in the modern world.
Students will keep a three ring binder notebook which includes:
Tabs for lab note organization Colored
pencils
Graph paper Clear
plastic METRIC ruler
College ruled paper Markers
Calculator (graphing) Pens and
pencils
Jump drive (optional) Paper clips/
small stapler
B. Homework Policy:
Homework is an extension of work in the classroom. Homework grades are a
minor portion of the final grade (10-15%) however the expectation for
homework completion is intact. Incomplete homework will result in an
academic detention. This includes the occasional forgotten assignment in the
locker.
C. Book work policy:
The class textbook is used primarily as a reference source for labs and
lecture. Some reading assignments will be given; however, emphasis is placed
on class academic goals and study guides are based on classroom organization
of content material. Independent readings will be required as handouts given
separately from book material. Students with class room absences may have
book assignments given to them as alternative make-up material for various
content areas.
D. Laboratories
Laboratory time is required of all students. Proper care and safety is
required of all lab participants which includes the absence of drinks
(including water) from the lab area. Goggles and closed shoe coverings are
required in appropriate lab settings. Lab write ups and tests will be
expected with most activities.
E. The Laboratory Write Up
Each lab will include a write up for 100 possible points that has the
following:
Title and Heading 5pts
Background and Purpose 10pts
Hypothesis Statement 5pts
Materials and Procedure 10pts
Data Chart 10pts
Data Analysis/Graph 10pts
Conclusion (1-5 paragraphs)
What was the purpose? 10pts
What was the hypothesis? 10pts
What did the data report? 10pts
Did the data support the hypothesis? 10pts
How does the data connect to the world and other experimentation
ideas?10pts
F. Research
All students will participate in inquiry research. Papers are to have
appropriate APA style and bibliographies. Plagiarism is not tolerated. A
formal research paper or project is counted as a test grade.
G. Grading Policy
Regular Classes: Honors:
Homework 15 % Homework: 10 %
Quizzes 15 % Quizzes 10 %
Lab 20 % Lab
20%
Tests 50 % Test
60%
Spring 2008 Class Schedule
UNIT 1 Standard: “The student will examine the classes of matter.”
Learning Expectations:The student will classify a material as a pure
substance or a mixture .
1. Thursday January 3rd
a. distinguish among the phases of matter in terms of volume, shape,
and particle arrangement, given illustrations
i. Lab #1: The water penny lab
ii. Write up due Thursday January 3rd
b. Lecture notes: What is matter?
2. Friday January 4th
a. identify samples of matter as solid, liquid, gas, or plasma
i. Review the penny lab and ideas
ii. Lightning video…what is plasma
iii. Video notes notebook assignment…1 page
b. Homework: write an observation about lightning experience. Include
an illustration. Due Monday to share in class.
3. Monday January 5th
a. Lightning graphing: Background lecture…how do we graph?
b. Graphing of lightning data due at end of class…quiz grade
4. Tuesday January 8th
a. Classify materials as homogeneous or heterogeneous, given examples:
i. Mixture or compound laboratory
ii. Lab write up due Wednesday at beginning of class.
iii. Handout on homogeneous and heterogeneous examples.
5. Wednesday January 9th
a. Identify a material as a pure substance or a mixture, given a
description of the material.
i. Chromatography laboratory…lab write up due at end of class
ii. Exam review and study session
6. Thursday January 10th
a. Test: Classes of Matter Unit
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Unit 1
Due date Problems
1/4/08 (Read p 4-11) Ans 2,6,8,9
1/8/08 (Read p 38-44)Ans 2,4,6,8
1/9/08 (Read p 45-52)Ans2,3,4,5
UNIT2 PROPERTIES OF MATTER Standard: The student will: explore matter in
terms of specific properties
SPI solve application problems related to density, mass, and volume, given
the equation.TPI measure the mass and volume of a variety of items using
appropriate methods and units.TPI analyze data and solve problems related to
density, given the equation D=m/V.TPI create a gradient of liquids with
varyingdensitiesSPI predict the behavior of an object in a fluid, given
their relative densities.TPI design an activity to determine if objects of
different densities will float in a fluid.TPI research the historical
perspectives of Archimedes’ principle." (Gemmer 4th and 7th)
Friday January 11th
Review Unit 1 Exam, Extension Lab: Periodic Table
Monday January 14th
NPC Lecture 10am-11:30am, (7th period String Theory Video)
Tuesday January 15th
Colloids Laboratory, Lecture: Physical and Chemical Properties, HWK: 1-9 p56
Wednesday January 16th
Density Column Laboratory, How to do Density problems, HMWK: Density handout
Tuesday January 15th
Thursday January 17th
Baking Soda and Vinegar Lab, Lecture Chemical Changes, Homework 1-8 p. 17, 1-
2, p. 23, 1-2, p. 24, 5-7, p. 26
Friday January 18th
Buoyancy Lab, Scientific Notation, Conversions HMWK Conversions Handout
Tuesday January 22nd
Win Lose or Draw Unit 2 Review, Study Problems 1-7 p 60, Handout study guide.
