COURSE DESCRIPTION

Intro to Chemistry and Physics (ICP) provides a general overview of broad, but fundamental, topics in physical science: chemistry and physics. A more hands-on, activity driven method will be utilized to learn in this course developing the skills of problem solving and critical thinking. Student performance on course objectives/standards will be emphasized. Chemistry is the study of the changes in a material’s properties from the smallest part of the atom to the most complex molecules. Physics is the study of forces and motion which arise from interactions of matter and energy. Students will explore fundamental concepts including measurement, matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, motion, forces, Earth’s structure, and the changing Earth. Conceptual understanding will be emphasized in order to help students describe the world around them (with a reduced emphasis on mathematical descriptions). Further, demonstrations and laboratory experiments that investigate and reinforce concepts will be conducted throughout the course. Please note that this course is only for the Scholastic Diploma; it will not transfer to the Academic Diploma.

Textbook: Physical Science by Wysession, Frank, and Yancopoulos - Prentice Hall, 2009

Webpage: https://classroom.google.com/ **Join code will be given in class**

Remind: Text: @9fk82a To: 81010

Infinite Campus: https://kycde6.infinitecampus.org/campus/warren.jsp

Contact: joshua.crask@warren.kyschools.us (270) 467-7500 ext. 53064

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Google classroom will be the main hub for assignments, announcements, and other relevant course information. Information for signing up for the course on Google Classroom will be provided in detail in class. No official grades will be posted to Google Classroom, grades will be posted to Infinite Campus.

GRADING

Grading in this course will be determined from homework, laboratory assignments, reports, exams, quizzes, classwork, and similar forms of evaluation. The grade for this course will be determined by the percentage of points earned out of the total number of points possible. A standard ten-point scale will be used:

Grade Percent of Available Points

A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F 59% and below

It is important for both the student and the parent to understand that the grade the student receives in this course will be a reflection of mastery of the course material, not simply of effort. However, there is a strong correlation between mastery of content and effort.

COURSEWORK & ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT: SUMMATIVE: This course will be taught in the standard course format including lectures, labs, assignments, activities, etc. Summative assessments will be slightly different. A large percentage will come from the summative assignments. Students will be assessed using Skills Quizzes. These quizzes ask students to respond to questions that are directly tied to class standards/objectives.

Retaking Skills Quizzes: Because this course is taught in a standards-based format, a student’s overall grade will reflect their ability to meet course standards. Thus students will have the opportunity to retake any Skills Quiz in Quarter 1 until the quarter ends. Similarly, any Skills Quiz in Quarter 2 can be retaken until the end of the quarter. In order to be able to retake a Skills Quiz, the student must have a minimum of 80% on their homework checks. Retakes must be scheduled ahead of time with the instructor, at the discretion of the instructor based on the class schedule. More than one Skills Quiz can be retaken at a time.

FORMATIVE: Formative assignments make up the remainder of the grade in ICP. Formative assignments include primarily homework and labs, but also classwork, projects, participation, etc. Classwork will be assigned and scored at regular intervals during the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to know what is assigned even when absent. Due dates for the assignments will be announced, posted in the classroom and on the webpage. While there is no assigned homework in the course, any classwork that is not completed during class becomes homework. At times, specific homework assignments will be checked for accuracy (worth more points). It is imperative that students complete classwork assignments in order to master the material presented in this course. Other assignments, such as labs, will be graded for accuracy. Students who are absent on due dates, the students will be required to turn in the assignment the day that they return. Each day that non-completion assignments are late, students will receive a deduction in points.

FORMATTING: Students will be assigned a student number at the beginning of the semester and every assignment or assessment must be turned in with the student number clearly indicated. Assignments must be turned in according to the correct format, as discussed in class. The instructor reserves the right to deduct points for formatting errors.

NOTEBOOK: Students will be asked to maintain an organized notebook with notes, handouts, charts, tables, etc. throughout the course. Formatting for the notebook will be discussed in further detail in class.

CLASS MATERIALS

Students are asked to have the following materials by the end of the first week of class:

Binder (with tabs for organization)
Loose leaf college ruled paper
Glue stick
Pens (blue or black only)
Pencils
Scientific Calculator (preference is TI-30X IIS; no graphing calculators)

$10.97 at Walmart
$10.99 at Target

Notecards (3” x 5”)

CLASS POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS

TARDY - Students must be in the classroom before the tardy bell finishes ringing. If a student is late, they will be reported as tardy (unless they have a signed note from a staff member).
CELL PHONES - Cell phones will not be allowed in this class, unless otherwise notified by the instructor. When not in use, cell phones must be silenced and placed in the student’s backpack for the duration of the class. If a device is seen at any point during the class when the instructor has not otherwise allowed it, the student will be reported for a technology violation or sent to the office at the instructor’s discretion.
FOOD & DRINK - Food and drink will not be allowed in class due to the pandemic.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM - Cheating or plagiarism of any kind is not tolerated and will result in an automatic zero which cannot be dropped. This behavior can be reported to administration for further consequences.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES - Students are expected to sign an agreement indicating they are aware of and willing to comply with classroom procedures. These procedures will be maintained throughout the course.
BACKPACKS - Bags, backpacks, purses, etc. should be kept underneath the student’s chair or desk throughout the class to minimize distractions.
HALL PASSES - Students will be given hall passes for each quarter. Each student will receive a laminated copy of their hall pass which they will be responsible for. The hall pass will be hole-punched each time the student wishes to use it.
MISSING CLASS - If a student should miss class for any reason, the instructor should be notified ahead of time. Any missed coursework can be provided to the student and it will be the student’s responsibility to be caught up with the rest of the class.
GRADES - The grade that the student earns in the class is a reflection of the student’s mastery of the course content. Please remember, effort does not mean mastery. If a student needs a certain grade, they must show that level of mastery. Also, any work turned in beyond the unit submission deadline will receive a score of zero.
RESPECT - Students are expected to respect their fellow students and instructor at all times. No bullying or harassment will be tolerated.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR SUCCESS

Study daily. This will be beneficial throughout the course, not just the week of tests or quizzes. It is easy to slip into the habit of only cramming the material when assessments come around, but it will greatly benefit students to understand the content rather than merely cram.
With block scheduling, students should expect to cover material more quickly in class. Practice at home is essential to mastery. Rewrite or study notes daily.
Try to minimize distractions when studying. This means turn off TV, gaming consoles, perhaps even your phone to focus while studying.
Have a positive attitude. Courses can be either a stumbling block or a stepping stone. I expect you to step up and do your best work.
Ask questions. I will explain concepts or problems in a different way if I know that you do not understand. With that being said, please let me know when you are struggling. I will go out of my way to help you succeed if I see that you are working hard to be successful.
Get help outside of class. Fellow classmates, ESS, tutors, and myself are all viable options for receiving help with this class.
Reach out to me for help at ANY time throughout the semester. I am here to help in whatever way that I can and I want everyone to succeed in this class.
The success of the student is a partnership between the student, parent, and teacher. It is my goal to make sure your child succeeds. Please remind your student that they must help me in this goal.