Teacher: Derek SticeIntegrated Science IRoom 140

Course Description

This course enhances students’ understanding of concepts, methods, and techniques employed in chemistry and physics with emphasis in concept development, limited mathematical calculations, and on laboratory work in solving problems of a scientific nature. Earth and space science are to be reviewed at a conceptual level of understanding. Small group lab experiences will be utilized.

Course Content:

  • Geology
  • Universe
  • Atom
  • Periodic Table
  • Chemical Bonding
  • Motion
  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism
  • Waves, Sound, and Light

Class Rules: May be amended as necessary.

  1. RESPECT is expected at all times from all individuals to all individuals.
  2. RESPECT the classroom. No writing on walls or desks.
  3. Be on time. You must be in the classroom in your seat before the bell rings. Class begins when the bell rings.
  4. Stay in your assigned seat unless you have permission to be up. Class is not over until the bell rings, so you should not be out of your seat until that time.
  5. ALWAYS come to class prepared to work – notebook, textbook, scientific calculator, and writing utensils. A good attitude makes class more enjoyable for all of us.
  6. DO NOT touch the projector or SMART Board unless given permission by the teacher.
  7. Cheating, sleeping, and plagiarism are unacceptable in this class.
  8. Food, drinks, gum, and candy are not allowed in the classroom during labs.
  9. Follow all laboratory rules when engaged in a lab activity.

Class Materials:

  • Textbook – Prentice Hall Conceptual Physics
  • Paper, pencil, blue or black ink pen, highlighters
  • Scientific/Graphing calculator
  • Composition Notebook
  • Safety goggles or glasses
  • A 3-ring binder is recommended, but not required. This will allow you to keep your notes, handouts, and worksheets organized.

Hall Passes:

Students should take care of all personal business, such as going to the restroom, calling home, and going to lockers, before entering class. In the event of a restroom emergency, students must do the following to leave class: 1) gain permission from the teacher, 2) sign out on paper next to the door, and 3) take the hall pass with them. When returning to class, students must sign back in and return the hall pass to its proper place. Only one student may leave the room at a time. Students must have an agenda book to leave the room for anything other than being called out by the office and going to the restroom. Students will not be allowed out of class to visit other students. Students that do not adhere to these policies may lose the privilege to leave the room.

Grading Policy:

  • Grades will be based on a percentage of points from the following categories: tests/quizzes and labs, final exam, homework and in class activities, and notebooks.
  • The points assigned within each category vary due to the difficulty of the assignment.
  • To calculate your grade, divide the total number of points earned in each category by the total number of points possible for that category and apply the appropriate category percentage.
  • As per school policy, the final exam is worth 10% of the final course average and each 9 weeks count 45%.
  • The following is each category’s percentage of the total grade:

Tests/Quizzes/Labs60%Grading Scale:A = 90% - 100%

Homework & In-class Activities30%B = 80% - 89%

Notebook10% C = 70% - 79%

Total 100%D = 60% - 69%

F = Below 60%

Homework Policy:

Homework is due upon entering class. Late assignments may be accepted but will be penalized 10% for each day late. If you are absent, check the appropriate envelope for any handouts/worksheets given out during your absence. It is your responsibility to collect assignments and copy any notes missed from another student. If you require assistance with missed work, ask other students for help first and then come to the teacher. Unexcused absence assignments receive a grade of zero (0%). Excused absence assignments have until the number of days absent plus one to be returned completed for them not to be considered late.

Quizzes:

Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester. Quizzes will always be announced ahead of time. They will be worth varying numbers of points.

Brainstarters:

Each day will begin with a question on the board. These questions may be review material or they may be starting points for the day. The teacher will not always go over the answer. These are due at the end of each week. The question and the answer must be provided to receive credit. These will be graded on effort.

Notebooks:

Notebooks will be kept in your composition notebook and will include at least two main components listed below. Specific formatting will be illustrated in class.

  1. Chapter Summaries – For each chapter, you are required to write a summary from your textbook. The summaries should contain all the important information from that section (definitions, formulas, laws, illustrations that demonstrate a key idea, answers to key idea questions etc.). Each summary should be a minimum of 5 pages. These will be due on the day of the unit test.
  2. Unit Review Assignments – At the beginning of each unit a review assignment will be assigned. This assignment will be due on the day of the unit test. These will be graded as part of an overall notebook grade worth 100 points for each unit. Questions do not have to be written, but all work must be shown
  3. Other assignments may be added.

Make-up Work/Tests/Quizzes (for excused absences only):

The class work (homework or in-class work) that was missed will be posted in a manila envelope along with the schedule of missed activities. When you are absent, I will write the days activities on the calendar and put any handouts in the envelope labeled for this class. It is your responsibility to collect assignments and copy any notes missed from another student or download them from my website. If you require assistance with missed work, ask other students for help first and then come to the teacher. Assignments have until the number of days absent plus one to be returned completed or they will be considered late. Late assignments may be accepted, but will be penalized 10% per day. Make-up tests and quizzes will have to be rescheduled. When you return to school, bring your attendance slip to me and we will then schedule your quiz or test. Quizzes and tests must be made-up with-in two weeks of returning to school.

Plagiarism and Cheating Policy:

Students are expected to do their OWN WORK on ALL assignments unless the teacher gives prior authorization that students may give or receive assistance from others. To represent ideas (written or otherwise) taken from someone else as one’s own is plagiarism. One must give credit for any source material used. No warnings will be given and the necessary conferences will be completed.

Contact Information:

The easiest way to reach me is by e-mail: by telephone at 597-2151 before school or during my planning period, which is from 9:35 AM – 11:05 AM. You can also post questions for me and everyone in the class to view by visiting the class blog on my webpage:

Integrated Science I Syllabus Agreement

Mr. Derek Stice

This agreement is my documentation that you and your child have read and discussed the information attached. Please sign the copy and return it with the attached syllabus. The additional copy of the syllabus is for your records. Also, if you would like to receive periodic e-mails about class activities/tests/projects, please provide your e-mail below your signature.

As the teacher of this class, I promise to adhere to the provided policies to the best of my ability without change or exception. I will enforce these guidelines upon all students to the best, fullest of my abilities.

Teacher’s Signature: ______

As a student of this class, I assure that I have received a copy of the syllabus, it has been explained to me by my teacher, and I have had an opportunity to ask any questions I might have. By signing below, I certify that I understand and will, to the best of my ability, adhere to the guidelines of this class.

Student Signature: ______

As the legal guardian of the above student, I assure that I have read the above syllabus and understand what is expected of my child. Furthermore, I will to the best of my ability help my student follow these guidelines throughout the semester.

Parent or Guardian Signature: ______

Guardian E-mail: ______