2014-2015Physical Science Syllabus
Teacher: Mrs. Meihls
Course Description
Physical Science is a course in which students develop problem solving skills and strategies while performing laboratory and field investigations of fundamental chemical, physical, and related earth and space science concepts. Additionally, concepts and principles that are related to students’ interest and that address everyday problems will be discussed. The emphasis of the course is on developing the skills, processes, concepts, and attitudes which the students will need to become discriminating consumers, effective decision makers, and productive workers in a scientific and technological society.
Lessons and common assessments for this course have been developed collaboratively using best practice as a guide and Indiana State Standards as a framework. Students will be expected to complete a formative evaluation midway through each semester and a final summative exam at the end of each semester. The formative tests are designed primarily to guide instruction, giving the teacher a measure of the student’s understanding of the essential outcomes of the course content. The infal exams are summative in nature and will be worth 20% of the student’s overall grade.
Grade Level: 9-10
Prerequisites: None
Recommendation: Teacher/Counselor Recommendation; a one credit/one semester course
Physical Lab Science
Essential Outcomes
Students will:
Apply the scientific method in the laboratory exercises using graphs and charts to explain results.
Understand and explain the basic structure of atoms including all subatomic particles and how they interact with other atoms.
Distinguish between atomic number and mass number.
Describe the kinetic theory of matter using diagrams and drawings in your explanation.
List the physical and chemical properties used to identify matter.
Compare and contrast characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases.
Know that physical properties can be used to differentiate among pure substances, solutions, and heterogeneous mixtures.
Realize that mass is neither created or destroyed in chemical reactions.
Explain that heat energy in a material is due to movement of molecules which dissipates into cooler surroundings.
Label and describe the phase changes using the terms endothermic and exothermic.
One of the goals of this course is to prepare students for Integrated Chemistry & Physics.
Course Content
We will be learning parts of the following chapters from the Glencoe Physical Science textbook, authors McLaughlin, Thompson, and Zike. Curriculum will also include the online content from Discovery Education.
Chapter 1 – The Nature of Science
Chapter 14 – Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Chapter 15 – Classification of Matter
Chapter 16 – Properties of Atoms and the Periodic Table
Chapter 17 – Elements and Their Properties
Student Evaluation
18 week grade is weighted as follows:
Tests/quizzes/projects60%
Daily work/labs/homework40%
Semester grade is weighted as follows:
18 week grade80%
FINAL EXAM20%
Late Work Policy
No late work will be accepted with the exception of project work. Late project work will result in a 10% per day point deduction.
Class Expectations:
See Mrs. Meihls’ Classroom Management Plan
Lab Safety
See attached laboratory safety contract
Note: All course content is subject to change. Subject matter may be either added or omitted depending on time, resources, or unforeseen events that lead to variation from this syllabus.