Physical Science Syllabus
Mrs. Brandel
Sierra Vista Jr. High
Mission Statement
We challenge students to think
critically as they gain
knowledge and develop the
skills needed to succeed in our
global society. We strengthen
students' ability to express
themselves with confidence and
creativity. We cultivate selfdirected learning. We honor the
worth of people, ideas, and
behaviors. Justice and integrity
guide our learning community.
[email protected]
Course Description
The purpose of 8th grade physical science is to give all students an overview of
common fundamental principles of chemistry and physics including, but not limited to,
the nature of matter, laws of energy, matter, motion and forces, and energy
transformation. Through hands on experiences, cooperative learning groups,
independent projects, lecture, and research projects, students will explore the
interactions of matter in the world around them. Students also study the nature of
energy, how energy is classified and how simple machines help transfer energy.
You Are Responsible for Your Own Learning . . . Engage
Your Brain by Taking an Active Role in the Construction
of Your Knowledge Through the Experiences that are
Created in This Class.
Goals:
 To reach proficiency of the Physical Science concepts listed in the
Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards
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 To successfully follow oral and written procedures
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 To become a self-directed learner
 To utilize standard laboratory equipment
 To make accurate scientific drawings with labels
 To improve critical thinking skills through data supported analysis
 To work in specially designed collaborative learning groups
 To participate in laboratory activities that allow for application and
synthesis of new knowledge
 To apply problem solving skills acquired through the study of
science to personal lives and the community
Textbook:
Focus on Physical Science
Learning Activities
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Oral Presentations
Weekly Reflections
Class discussion
Teacher demonstrations
Research projects
Cornell Note-taking
Daily Science Journals
 Cooperative learning
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Reviews
Daily Science Reflections
Lab activities write-up
Outputs/summaries
Grading Scale and Criteria
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F=0%-59%
Assessments (Test and Quizzes)
Science Notebook (SNB)
Journals, Reflections, Projects
Cumulative Final Exam
40%
30%
20%
10%
*Grades are updated after
each quiz or chapter
assessment
Signature: Student ___________________________________ Parent ____________________________________
Class Materials
Take ownership of your own learning and advancement.
Demonstrate commitment and take pride in your education,
your school, and your community.
The Science Notebooks are the most important tools in this class. Students will maintain
2 notebooks that will include class work, homework, and laboratory experiments. In order to
begin set-up, to stay head, and to be successful please obtain the materials listed below and
bring them to class August 19th. If you are unable to acquire these materials for ANY reason,
please see me before the 19th so we may make arrangements and prevent losing class points.
Materials
Points
Possible
1. Two Composition Notebooks College Ruled,
100 pages (Assignments will NOT be graded
unless they are in the notebook)
20
3. Three Highlighters of different colors
15
4. Three Glue Sticks OR Rolls of Tape
15
5. Two Pens (blue or black ink only)
10
6. Two Pencils
10
7. One Metric Ruler
10
8. One box of Color Pencil
10
Points Earned
TOTAL ________/90
L a b D on a t i on
Students enrolled in a science course will be given numerous opportunities to advance their understanding
of fundamental scientific concepts by participating in a variety of laboratory activities. In order for the
science department to provide these experiences, voluntary donations are welcome. Our class is currently
trying to raise a total of $1000 for laboratory materials to help support our department. No student will be
precluded from participating in any activity based on whether or not he/she contributes.
Contributions can be made by check made payable to Sierra Vista Junior High School Science department.
Thank you for any contributions you are able to make.
Signatures: Student ___________________________________________ Parent ___________________________________________
CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES
Students are encouraged to find value in themselves and in others. Make important contributions to your
peers, to your classrooms, and to your school. Help create a safe, fun learning environment at all times.
Rule: The laws or regulations given to guide behavior and action; result in consequences if broken.
Procedure: A specific way for accomplishing a task.
Rules (school consequences will be followed)
Topic
1. Classroom behavior
Behave in an academic fashion. Profanity/vulgarity, teasing/name calling aggressive
behavior will not be tolerated. Use ________________ language. Talk to me in
private if a problem occurs. Always be _____________.
2. Materials
Bring required materials _____________________.
3. Gum, drinks, food in class
4. Writing on school property
5. Assigned seats
6. Tardy
7. Electronic devices
Topic
1. Homework
2. Starting Class
3. Ending Class
4. Absent/Late/Missing Work
5. Grading
6. Bathroom Breaks
I am available to help!!
NO FOOD-Only _______________.
NEVER WRITE on ________________________.
Do not damage or lose your textbook the cost for a replacement is ____________.
Do not change or move seats unless __________________.
If you chose to NOT be in your _________, sitting ___________, with your supplies
out __________ the bell rings, YOU ARE TARDY. School consequences are given.
If I see any I will _________________________ it and turn it into ASB for you to
pick up afterschool. Turn all devices off ____________ coming into class.
Procedures
1. Assigned ______________________.
2. Must be glued into your _________________, on the correct page to be graded.
3. Assignments earn full credit or _____ ____________ if late, absent, incomplete,
incorrect, etc.): Stamp = full credit, No stamp = 0 credit
1. Pick up the ________________ at the door.
2. Stack your SNB open to the page _____________ completed or not.
3. Copy down tonight’s HW from the white board (it is always written in _______).
4. Complete your DSJ & neatly stack it with your groups’ __________________.
5. Set up SNB (title page or _______and _____________ in handout).
6. Be ready to ____________.
1. Non-Lab Day, cleanup _______ min before I dismiss you
2. Lab Day, cleanup _______ min before I dismiss you
3. Complete your ______ and stack your journal with your groups’ journals.
4. I will collect DSRs when your group _____________________.
5. I will ask the ________________ groups to _________________, NOT the bell.
1. YOU ARE RESPOSIBLE TO GET YOUR _______________ _____________!
2. All assignments are filed in the _________________ by IP/OP and page _______.
Get the pages you need on your own ___________ not ____________ class.
3. It is ________ responsibility to come see me to have assignments graded before
the next test during brunch, lunch or _______________________.
4. Tests/quizzes will be made-up within ____ days of your absence.
5. Copy notes from the __________________, do not glue the handout in SNB.
6. Labs are made up the next ___________________ during lunch only.
ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GRADED IF THEY ARE _____ IN YOUR
SCIENCE NOTEBOOK or if it is on the _____________ page. Assignments are
graded __________, notebooks are graded and recorded on _______ _________.
Class time used for bathroom breaks will be made up during ___________________.
You will be required to stay a minimum of ____ minutes.
During brunch, lunch (if you let me know ahead of time) and after school. You may
also reach me anytime via email: [email protected]
Signature: Student ________________________________ Parent ______________________________
Homework Procedures
1.
2.
3.
4.
Arrive to class as early as possible.
Have your SNB out before you start any other work.
Have your SNB open to the requested page.
SNBs need to be neatly stacked, facing the same direction, and placed in
the designated area.
5. If you arrive to class without your homework completed, still stack your
SNB.
 It is your responsibility to complete the assignments.
 Come in during brunch, lunch, or afterschool to have the assignment graded.
 All assignments earn full credit if completed accurately or no credit for being incomplete or
incorrect.
Grading SNB Procedures
SNB will be graded on the day of an assessment (test or quiz).
1.
Complete the Table of Content by filling in all the required information:
 Page number
 Title of the Activity
 Points earned/points possible (an assignment earns full credit if it is stamped or zero credit if it
is not stamped)
 Or you may choose to cut and glue the Table of Content portion of the handout to your page.
2. Add up the points you earned, write it on the total line, and highlight the total line ONLY.
 If you have completed assignments, but did not have it graded on time, you do not get credit.
3. Open your SNB to the last page that is being graded and neatly stack them facing the same
direction in the designated area.
*If you need to improve your SNB grade, “fix” all assignments
to earn full credit and come in during brunch, lunch, or
afterschool to have the SNB regraded before the next
test/quiz.
After then, no late, missing, or absent work will be accepted!
Got a stamp?
CORNELL NOTE TAKING PROCEDURES (OP)
Please use the following 3 steps to take notes from the text:
1. READ the entire section first. Do not read a few lines and then copy and read some more and copy.
This is ineffective. If you catch yourself doing this, put your pencil out of sight and concentrate on
just reading.
2. When you finish reading decide which concepts in each title/section or subsection are the most
important. Choose from a minimum of 1 to 3, this is the hardest step and may take a little time,
you will get better as you practice.
3. Now you can begin to take notes.
 Write your notes in a condensed fashion/develop shorthand
 Avoid long sentences and complicated wording
 Bullet or star the main ideas and use letters to organize the details
 Use symbol and shorthand
 Develop flow chart/concept maps to organize and simplify connecting ideas
Directions: Highlight the Cornel notes below by following the directions on IP
5.2
Abbreviations:
Atoms and Bonding pg 1
+ = Positive
- = negative
w/ = with
10/17/11
Ionic Bonds pg. 184-189
Lecture Notes
Ions
What is an
ion?
Examples
*atom/group w/a charge
*lose or gain an electron
-Cl-Na+
Chemical
Formulas
and Names
*subscript-the ratio of elements in the
compound
Properties of
Ionic
Compounds
*ionic crystals-repeating pattern
*high melting points
*electrical conductivity
*naming-+ ion comes 1st, - ion 2nd
Sodium
chloride
CORNELL NOTE TAKING PROCEDURES (IP)
Cornell Notes will be taken only on Input pages in the Science Notebook. You will take two sets of notes:
text notes and lecture notes. Use the format below to set-up your SNB. Use the following guidelines
while taking notes:
Text Notes: Highlight all red titles
Highlight all blue subtitles (a different color)
Highlight all vocabulary (a different color)
Lecture Notes: You will start each set of lecture notes with your SNB and three different color
highlighters.
Take notes carefully and precisely; for full credit your notes must resemble my notes
exactly.
Why:
 Saves time by providing a format that combines text and class notes
 Proves “ready-made” study sheet that allows you to quiz yourself & review before tests
 Pushes critical thinking and reflection after each set of notes
When
 Note taking from the text occurs the night before new content is introduced
 Lecture notes are provided the following day—reinforce reading, include new info, provide
examples and real world connections that were text notes, and clarify ideas.
How
 Carefully examine the sample handout and notice the organization of the concepts and details.
Single words and simple phrases are used/develop short hand. The use of spaces and indentations
helps the mind organize information. Page numbers are written in area “B” to save time if you
need to refer to the text for further information
 Take notes from the reading assignment in the SNB, referring to the example as often as necessary
 Topics, subtopics, and questions are written in area “C”. Notes related to those topics are written
in area “D” marked “Lecture/Text Notes.” Spaces are left between concepts to add additional
organization.
 The abbreviation key in area “B” contains abbreviations of key words used in the lecture. This will
enable you to write faster.
A
B
Key
Lecture/Text Notes
Examples/
Notes
C
4cm
D
E
A = Section #, page # of notes
B = Chapter and section title, date,
and abbreviation key
C = Topics – Questions
D = Lecture/Text notes
E = Examples/notes