Mr. Goldstein’s Classroom Policies

Curriculum: Physical Science is the study of matter (Chemistry) and energy (Physics) and their interactions. This course will use contentof Physical Science to develop Scientific Inquiry, Scientific Literacy and Scientific Numeracy Skills.

Notebook: You are required to carry a notebook and will be held accountable for its maintenance. It should contain the following: section for note taking; SQuOD; quiz/lab folder; miscellaneous folder

Classroom Materials: In addition to a notebook, pens (blue or black ink only) or pencils, and a calculator are required for this course. It is highly recommended that the calculator can perform computations using Scientific Notation. Although PDAs, iPods, etc are permitted for use in school, they will not be allowed for use during in-class assessments.

Homework: On a daily basis, you can find your homework assignments on the whiteboard in the front of the class. You are encouraged to carry your agenda at all times and should write you homework assignments in it at the end of each period. Further, this classroom has a web page that will be updated daily not only with the assignments, but the assignment sheets as well: is due at the start of class on the due-date (unless you are absent). If you fail to do this, you may receive partial credit for that assignment.

Lab Reports / Projects: Lab reports and other projects due at the start of class on the due-date (unless you are absent). Late work will lower your grade at the rate of one letter grade per day. I will not accept computer-related excuses. (If you printer brakes, bring me a CD or thumbdrive or e-mail it to me. If your hard drive crashes, hand-write it or don't wait until the last second - plan ahead so you may have time to remedy these disastrous situations.)

Assessments:Tests will be announced approximately 1 week in advance. Test reviews (if applicable) will beposted shortly thereafter. If a test is scheduled for Wednesday and you are not in school (for whatever reason e.g. snow, doctors appointment, etc.) on Tuesday; the test will still happen on Wednesday. If a test is scheduled for Wednesday and you are not in school on Wednesday; the test will happen on Thursday.QuickQuizzes (20 min. max) will almost occur every Friday. Any information from that week is fair game.

Grading Rationale: I grade using a total points system. Each marking period there are approximately 400 points possible. Where around ~200 points are from assessments, ~100 are from lab and classroom activities and ~100 are from homework assignments. Again, these are an approximation – assignments quarter to quarter may hold different weights given their size, time to complete, etc.

Classroom Preparation: You will come to class with the appropriate materials. (i.e. books, notebooks, assignments, pens, pencils, erasers, calculators….) None will be supplied.

Behavior: Every student is entitled to an appropriate education. Any behavior that detracts from this process will not be accepted.

Academic Dishonesty: The nature of this class involves a lot of group work and discussion. At times, groups may have to hand in one assignment for the group. At other times, individual work is required. Individual work must be done ALONE, even though the lab was done in class by the group. Dishonesty in this situation, or any other (cheating on tests, etc.) will not be tolerated. Consequences as outlined by the district.

Absences: If you are absent, you are responsible for all work that you missed. If homework or other projects are due on a day that you are absent, they are due on the day that you return. (There are exceptions for longer-term absences.) You will have five (5) school days to make up quizzes.

Tardies: If you are late to class without a pass, you will receive a classroom detention.

Lavatory / Nurse: Passes to the lav and nurse will be given at the end of class (unless it is a dire emergency).

Need Help??? I will be available during “Academic Success” period and/or Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school (if I don’t have a meeting) until 2:50 for extra help and for quiz make-ups. You can also contact me via email: .

General: Respect the feelings and property of others; Don’t touch what is not yours; If you borrow something - Return it in its original condition; If you make a mess – Clean it up!