Strength of Character and College Ready
Southwest Magnet High School & Law Academy
1775 Williamson Road, Macon GA 31206
Telephone: 478-779-4500
Instructor: W. F. O’Neal
[email protected]
Physical Science- Course Syllabus
Department: Science
Code: 400110077
Term: 2015-2016
Course Description:
Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue student investigation 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. Our curriculum includes the more abstract
concepts such as the conceptualization of 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.
Textbook: Physical Science, Holt
Additional resources: E2020, various workbooks, various internet sites
Course Objective: You will demonstrate proficiency according to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).
www.georgiastandards.org
Instructional methods: methods of instruction will include lecture, group work, independent reading, and labs
in addition to research.
Required Materials:
- 3-ring Binder
- Dividers
- Pencils/Pens
- Notebook paper
- Composite book for interactive notebook
Southwest Magnet High School Expectations for all Students
P
R
I
D
E
Personal Responsibility: Take charge of your own life and stop making excuses.
Respect: Show it and earn it.
Integrity: Do the right thing, even if no one is looking.
Determination: It’s going to get hard. Never give up, we will get through this together.
Excellence: Never accept mediocrity from yourself.
Computation of High School Grades
 Assessments for Learning (Projects and quizzes)
35%
 Assessments During Leaning (Guided, Independent,
or Group Practice, classwork, homework)
15%
 Assessments of Learning (Tests, culminating exams,
Final drafts, and performances)
50%


All Science students will participate in Science Fair with an individual Science Fair Project.
(Registration form to follow)
EOC test shall count for 20% of student’s final numeric grade in the course.
Please see me before or after class to discuss your grades. Class time will not be devoted to discussing
individual grades. We have a lot to do!
Academic Dishonesty:
SWHS holds high personal and academic expectations for the students. Cheating on a test, quiz, or assignment
is considered to be a serious breach of conduct. The student will be penalized with an ’I” (incomplete) for the
work and parents/guardians notified. Actions considered to constitute cheating are: using unauthorized
materials in a test situation, receiving or knowingly giving information regarding a test, talking during a test,
turning in work for credit which is not one's own, copying and pasting material from the internet, and
plagiarism.
Make-up Policy for Excused Absences & Suspension:
In order for you to be successful in this course, it is important that you are present daily. In the event that you
have to miss a day of class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get your assignment before or immediately after
missing a day of school. Make up work needs to be submitted within 3 days of returning to school.
Mandatory Remediation & Tutorial:
Any student receiving a grade of 73 or below on a progress report may be required to attend tutorial sessions in
the Southwest Tutorial Enrichment Program (S.T.E.P.) or complete Education2020 (E2020 assignments) until
they have earned a higher passing grade in the class. Remediation plans will be sent to parents and guardians
and will require signatures of the teacher, student, and parent/guardians in order for the student to be eligible for
online E2020 remediation. E2020 is available to students as a grade recovery before credit recovery becomes
necessary.
Tutoring:
Tutoring will be offered after school and requires an appointment. Tutoring is an opportunity for engaged
students having difficulty in class to receive additional help. Students who do not participate in class will not be
afforded an opportunity to make up assignments during tutoring.
Laboratory:
Safety in the laboratory is of the utmost importance. Students must demonstrate mastery of safety protocol and
return a safety contract before being allowed to participate in lab activities. Students demonstrating a lack of
safe behavior during lab will be asked to leave the lab. Broken glass, chemical spills, and injuries must be
reported to the teacher immediately. Students must be good stewards of supplies, materials, and lab equipment.
Classroom Behavior and Consequences:
Our objective is behavior change and not the administration of punishment. Behavior detrimental to learning
may result in any of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Conference with student
Contact with parent/guardian
Change seating of student to another seat in the classroom
Refer student to the counselor to discuss behavior
Conference with parent
Assignment to teacher detention
Detention:
Parents will be contacted prior to teacher detention to provide an opportunity to arrange alternate transportation.
Classroom Procedures
1. Begin the bell ringer/opener upon entering the room.
2. Read the current standard and/or essential question.
3. Read the class agenda.
4. Listen for instruction.
5. Clean your work area and put resources in their appropriate designation at the end of class.
6. Push your chair in prior to exiting class.
Please get water and use the restroom during transitions to class. Students will have limited time to use
the restroom during the fifty minute instruction period. Passes will not be issued the first and last fifteen
minutes of class.
Strength of Character and College Ready
Southwest Magnet High School Law & Academy
1775 Williamson Road, Macon GA 31206
Room: 1613
Telephone: 478-779-4500
Instructor: W. F. O’Neal
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian,
I am writing to introduce myself and share my enthusiasm for teaching your child Physical Science at
Southwest High School! Physical Science is a general education course that all students in the state of Georgia
have to enroll in to satisfy graduation requirements. A state mandated test, the End of Course, will be
administered at the end of the semester for this particular class. This exam is cumulative and will be 20% of
your child’s total class grade. Please note that percentage is subject to change based on STATE Board decision.
Students will delve into scientific inquiry the first week of school. During this time, students will learn
the methods scientists use to develop and analyze problems and issues in nature; learn how to appropriately and
safely use laboratory equipment; and demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method by applying the method
to real world applications. We will build on what students have learned by covering units of motion, energy,
matter, chemistry in motion, and charge.
I look forward to hearing from you and establishing relationships with you and your child. I can be reached by
email- [email protected]
You can also call the school. I am more likely to respond sooner to your email than telephone. I periodically
check my email throughout the day. It is my personal goal to ensure your child successfully leaves my class
with a greater understanding of Physical Science. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Wanda Faye O’Neal
Student and Parental Information
Student’s Name: _________________________________
Parental Contact Information:
Parent to contact: _______________________________________ phone number: ___________________
Best time to contact: _______________________________________________________
E-mail contact: _______________________________
Address you wish to receive mail:
________________________________________________________
Please list anything that you want immediate notification about:
Please list any special medical information that the classroom teacher should be aware of:
*Medications and special medical concerns must be listed with the school nurse with required
documentation.
I have read the rules and procedures and I understand the standards to which my child will be held responsible.
Student signature: __________________________________ Date:_____________________
Parent signature: ___________________________________Date:_____________________