Thomas Jefferson High School
Course Syllabus 2016-2017
Class: 10X NGSS Physical Science
Teacher Name: Ms. Michalek
Communication: Phone- 253-945-5684
Email - [email protected]
Course Summary/Goals:
This is the fifth year of MYP science. The accelerated content is based on the Next Generation Physical and
Earth Science and Space Standards. The course is designed based upon the IB Mission and incorporates the IB
Learner Profile. Physical Science X is the second of a two-year class progression taken by students in order to
prepare themselves to enter into the Degree Program their Junior year. There is a strong emphasis on inquirybased learning of interdisciplinary science phenomena. This is designed to promote student discussion, the
exchange of ideas, and application in a manner that scientists would as they collaborate and work.
IB Mission: The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledge and
caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural
understanding and respect.
IB Learner Profile: The following attributes and descriptors define the type of learner the International
Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) hopes to develop: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers,
Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.
Content Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards for High School Physical Science (Chemistry/Physics), Earth and Space
Science (Geology/Astronomy), and Common Core Standards. Assessment criterion linked to the content
standards will be covered daily at the beginning of each lesson. You can find more detail about the standards on
the Federal Way Public Schools website: http://www.fwps.org/teaching/sbe/staff/priority-standards/6-12/
Required Class Materials for Each Class Period
Students will come to class daily with ALL required materials.
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Completed assignments – will be checked weekly in notebook.
2 Science notebook (1 composition and 1 spiral bound) – must bring to class every day!
Pen (blue or black and red)/pencil/eraser
Highlighter
Extra notebook paper (do not tear sheets out of your science notebooks)
Recommended Supplies
Colored pencils
Pencil sharpener
Calculator
Metric ruler
Student Responsibilities
• Keep up with readings and study every night. Unlike math or other courses, assignments may not be
something you turn in for a grade.
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You are expected to turn your assignments and projects in on time.
You are expected to do your share of group work. Many projects and labs in IB Biology will be
collaborative (group) projects.
Participate in class. Even if an activity seems silly, it is probably designed on brain based research.
Stay organized. Use a planner to keep track of important due dates.
Utilize the class websites to review before tests (Managebac).
Textbook and Homework electronic resource
There is no textbook for this course, students will record all notes, thoughts, and assignments in their science
notebook as their primary content resource. It is the responsibility of each student to bring their notebook to
class EVERY DAY class is held.
Classroom Expectations:
• Cheating and plagiarism aren’t accepted in any forms and parents will be notified. District policy states that
students who cheat or plagiarize will receive a ZERO on the assignment or assessment; however, will be
given an opportunity to make up the missed work.
• Turned in student work will be ran through an online plagiarism/cheating detector that compares student
work to online sources and student-student work. (turnitin.com)
• On test days, NO TALKING will be allowed while ANYONE is taking the test. Cell phones, head phones
and any other technology must be put away while the class is taking the test. If any electronics are observed
or found during the test (even after that particular student has finished the test) they will receive a
ZERO. Tests can be made up with an excused absence.
• This is an activity based class. Expect to be participating in an activity 100% of the time; therefore, student
attendance is critical! There will be many labs throughout the semester. Students will be advised of lab days
in advance and every attempt should be made to be in class. Some labs can’t be made up or will be much
more difficult to make-up after class.
Behavior Expectation: Daily Behavior
1). Come to class on time which means entering the door and sit in your assigned seat before the tardy
bell rings. Three tardies will result in office referral for detention time.
2). Come to class prepared to learn with materials and a positive attitude!
3). Do Not bring food or drink to the lab. The only consumable permitted is a water bottle with a screw
top that can be stored away during lab. It’s too easy to stop cell function by consuming your lab on
accident or remnant of another lab. I don’t mind if you are snacking in class if it doesn’t interfere with
participation as I know you might be loading up for athletics.
4). RESPECT. Please do not talk while another has the floor. Listening and hearing what another is
saying, demonstrates that you have regard for others and their right to learn.
a.) Cell Phone. You can use it…outside the classroom. I don’t want to see it or hear it vibrate. It
is disrespectful to yourself and others to distract from the learning environment. RESEARCH is
clear that cell phones are distracting.
b.) iPods. You can use it…outside the classroom. I don’t want to see it or hear it including ear
buds. Same justifications as cell phones.
5). Use lab equipment appropriately and safety. Return the lab equipment in the same condition or you
will be charged.
6). If you must use the bathroom, you will obtain the bathroom pass. Only one person may be signed out
of the room at a time.
Attendance and Tardies:
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. We realize some absences are
unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. When students miss too much school— regardless
of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.
Attendance is key to student success. Your child is less likely to succeed if he/she is chronically absent or late
(excused or unexcused). Chronic absence is defined as more than 10 absences a year. Please ensure that your
child attends school every day and arrives on time. Students are expected to be in class and prepared to work
when the bell rings. After an absence, students must follow up with the teacher about missed work. The daily
standards, expectations and Do-Now review are shared at the beginning of the period. Students arriving late to
class may miss out on the tools they need to be successful in class.
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Retake Policy:
Retakes will be worth the same score as the original assessment or assignment. Any assignment given
for practice or completion will not be used to determine a student’s grade, but can be entered into the
grade book for communication.
Specifics for this class: all coursework and homework is purposeful and ties to upcoming assessments,
coursework and homework is required as evidence of readiness in order to retake a particular assessment
or in order to be reassessed on a standard before it is reassessed as part of the curriculum. Students will
be able to retake assessments up to one week after the test or assignment has been graded and returned
to the student. Further preparation for reassessments may be required by the teacher, as they see
appropriate, for adequate preparation for success on the reassessment.
How to get help:
The Library at TJ will be open after school Mondays through Thursdays from 2:15 to 4:00 for students to work
on homework or projects. Tutors and staff are available during this time. An activity bus is available to take
students home at 4:00 on these afternoons.
Academic Integrity:
At TJ, academic integrity is a guiding principle in all classes. Students must be diligent in protecting their
academic reputation and avoiding all forms of plagiarism, academic misconduct, collusion, and cheating.
Discipline:
District policies apply. Each student is accountable for his/her own actions. To be successful, each student
must treat others in a respectful manner. When a student does not uphold the rules, there will be a fair and clear
process to resolve the situation. The student, teacher, administrator and parent will work together to resolve
situations and assign consequences as needed.
Thomas Jefferson High School Grading System:
MYP Scale:
In the gradebook, students will be graded on a 1-8. 1 = Missing work/no effort, 2 = Developing, 3-4 = Nearly
Proficient, 5-6 = Proficient, 7-8 = Highly Proficient. Priority Standards are the major concepts and skills that
will be taught in the class. Class grade barriers are as follows: A = 8.0-6.6, B = 6.5-4.6, C = 4.5-3.0, F = 2.990.0. The teacher will determine a student’s level of proficiency for each learning target using an MYP rubric to
give students more specific feedback and to be in compliance with the MYP program.
The International Baccalaureate:
Middle Years Program (MYP)
This is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program class. The goal of the IB MYP program is to
provide a balanced, rigorous program that provides all students with the ability to be successful in further
academic studies.
MYP has four major assessment criteria in Science and rubrics for each will be used to assess student work:
• Criterion A: Knowing and understanding
• Criterion B: Inquiring and designing
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Criterion C: Processing and evaluating
Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science
Grading Procedures:
The Federal Way Grading System:
• Each course has a set of learning standards (priority standards). These can be accessed on the FWPS
website (http://www.fwps.net/teaching/sbe/staff/priority-standards/6-12/)
• Individual assignments are linked to one or more priority standards, and the score for that assignment
will be averaged with all other assignment scores in that priority standard, resulting in an overall score
for that standard.
• The class grade is the result of the average of all priority standard scores.
• Please check your child’s grade frequently using the district app or ParentVue.
• You may need to contact the counseling office to get the password for your student ([email protected])
Formula for Success:
1. Arrive on time and prepared for class
2. Utilize the goals of the IB Learner Profile - Approach your classes with a growth mindset. The learning is
the most important element. Take pride in your own work, acknowledge when you have fallen short of your
capabilities, and learn from your errors.
3. Students take responsibility for their learning by:
• Bring Planner to class daily
• Complete daily work on time
• Check in on ManageBac regularly
• Communicate with teacher and parents about class information and needs
• Check grades regularly on StudentVue (Grades will be updated at least every 3 weeks)
TJHS Family/Staff
Academic Plan 2016-2017
Signature & Communication Form
Class: 10X NGSS Physical Science
Teacher: Ms. Michalek
Period: ________
Please return this page with the following information to the teacher listed above:
My child learns best when:
My child’s greatest strength is…
COMMUNICATION:
Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________
Preferred Phone #: _________________ Best time to call: ________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________
Preferred Phone #: _________________ Best time to call: ________________
INTERNET ACCESS
Does your student have daily and reliable Internet access for schoolwork purposes (checking assignments,
doing research, accessing online textbooks)? Please circle one.
YES
LIMITED
NO
We have read and understand this invitation to learn as described in the attached Academic Plan. Our
signatures show that we are setting a course for success in this class.
Student Name (please print) ________________________________________ Date __________
Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________ Date __________
Please keep the Course Syllabus for future reference and return this page to the teacher.
Thomas Jefferson High School
Federal Way Public Schools
Course Syllabus