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North Allegheny Intermediate School
Course syllabusfor: Course Number 4509, Academic Physical Science – Mr. Harsch
Grades: nine and ten
E-Mail Address: aharsch@northallegheny.org
CourseDescription:
Academic Physical Science 4509 is a course consisting of one semester of introductory physics and one semester of introductory chemistry providing students with individual and cooperative learning experiences to construct concepts of matter and energy as well as to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students learn the skills used by scientists to design experiments and carry out scientific research. Students explore technological advances as applications of physical science laws and evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries on society. Special emphasis will be placed on the mathematical aspects of problem solving in sciences. Academic Physical Science 4509 will introduce physics and chemistry concepts at a more rapid progression than Physical Science 4409. Although Academic Physical Science is a more rigorous course than Physical Science 4409, the amount of credit, the State Standards and the final assessments of both courses are identical.
Course Content:
The topics covered shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Scientific Investigative Methods (including SI measurement, dimensional analysis and mathematical equations)
2. Force and Motion
3. Types of and Transfers of Energy
4. Electricity and Magnetism
5. Sound, Light and Gravity Energy Waves
6. Nature of Matter/Kinetic Theory of Matter
7. Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
8. Classification of Matter
9. Interactions of Matter
Depending upon time and student interests, enrichment topics may be added.
Evaluation:
Grades will be determined from points earned in the following areas:
1. regular completion-type homework assignments
2. graded labs, demonstration activities and concept building worksheets for comprehension
3. lab/ demonstration activity reports
4. daily notebook/journal entries
5. periodic, unannounced, open notebook daily journal entry quizzes
6. announced weekly to bi-weekly main-point quizzes
7. in-class/ take home unit assessments
8. individual/ group projects
9. on-line data collection, graphing and interpretation assignments and projects
10. teacher-initiated extra credit opportunities only
Each nine-week’s grade will be determined from a percentage according to
A 89.50 – 100%
B 79.50 – 89.49%
C 69.50 – 79.49%
D 59.50 – 69.49%
E 59.49% and Below
The end of the year final grade will be an average of all of the points earned for the year divided by the total possible points for the year with a final rounding to the nearest whole percentage point, therefore it is important to try and gain as many points as possible during the course of the year, regardless of how satisfied you are with your nine-weeks grades.
Bibliography:
McLaughlin, Charles William; Thompson, Marilyn; Zike, Dinah. Physical Science. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008. ISBN:978-0-07-877962-6North Allegheny Intermediate School
Course syllabusfor: 4409 Physical Science – Mr.Harsch
Grade: nine
Web Page Address: http://teachers.northallegheny.org/AHarsch/CourseDescription:
Physical Science 4409 is a course consisting of one semester of introductory physics and one semester of introductory chemistry providing students with individual and cooperative learning experiences to construct concepts of matter and energy as well as to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students learn the skills used by scientists to design experiments and carry out scientific research. Students explore technological advances as applications of physical science laws and evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries on society. The major differences between Physical Science 4409 and Academic Physical Science 4509 are: 1) Physical Science 4409 is limited to students in grade nine and Academic Physical Science 4509 is open to students in grades nine and ten, and 2) Academic Physical Science students are responsible for a greater amount of and depth of physics and chemistry concepts at a more rapid progression with a much higher emphasis on mathematical formula development and use. The content covered,amount of credit, State Standards met and final assessment of both courses are identical.
Course Content:
The topics covered shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Scientific Investigative Methods (including SI measurement, dimensional analysis and mathematical equations)
2. Force and Motion
3. Types of and Transfers of Energy
4. Electricity and Magnetism
5. Sound, Light and Gravity Energy Waves
6. Nature of Matter/Kinetic Theory of Matter
7. Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
8. Classification of Matter
9. Interactions of Matter
Depending upon time and student interests, enrichment topics may be added.
Evaluation:
Grades will be determined from points earned in thefollowing areas:
1. regular completion-type homework assignments
2. graded labs, demonstration activities and concept building worksheets for comprehension
3. lab/ demonstration activity reports
4. daily notebook/journal entries
5. periodic, unannounced, open notebook daily journal entry quizzes
6. announced weekly to bi-weekly main-point quizzes
7. in-class/ take home unit assessments
8. individual/ group projects
9. on-line data collection, graphing and interpretation assignments and projects
10. teacher-initiated extra credit opportunities only
Each nine-week’s grade will be determined from a percentage according to
A 89.50 – 100%
B 79.50 – 89.49%
C 69.50 – 79.49%
D 59.50 – 69.49%
E 59.49% and Below
The end of the year final grade will be an average of all of the points earned for the year divided by the total possible points for theyear with a final rounding to the nearest whole percentage point, therefore it is important to try and gain as many points as possible during the course ofthe year, regardless of how satisfied you are with your nine-weeks grades.
Bibliography:
McLaughlin, Charles William; Thompson, Marilyn; Zike, Dinah. Physical Science. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008. ISBN:978-0-07-877962-6
Dear students and parents,
Welcome to Physical Science. The following information should provide you with the answers to some specific questions that may arise throughout the course of the school year with respect to the daily classroom expectations.
- Academic Physical Science versus General Physical Science:
Academic Physical Science is open to freshman and sophomores, and General Physical science is open to freshman only. The District-set curriculum is the same for both courses, thus the end of the year final exams are identical for both courses. Both courses meet for five class periods per week, and both courses are weighted the same at 1.0credits. There is no Honors Credit for taking Academic Physical Science. Academic Physical Science content is covered at a greater pace than in the General Physical Science classes in order to make time for a greater depth of coverage of topics as well as a greater number of enrichment topics. Students in Academic Physical Science areexpected to have a more thorough understanding of mathematics, require less instruction time for basic mathematical principles, formulas and problem-solving techniques and are expected to solve more difficult problems than the General Physical Science student. Academic Physical Science students are assigned more independent work than General Physical Science students.
- Come to class on time, and be prepared to work:
The late bell is a signal to the teacher that class time has begun. It is not a warning to the student to begin entering the room. Be in the room when the late bell rings, and begin class by making the daily journal entry of the review questions, learning goals and homework assignments. After three times that a student is tardy without a legitimate pass, a detention will be issued.
- Respect other people and things:
Bullying, teasing, ridicule and inappropriate language concerning anyone, their mistakes, pronunciation, spelling, beliefs, etc… will not be tolerated. There will be no talking while someone else is answering or asking a question. Raise your hand if you are seeking permission to speak or to leave your seat. You are not permitted to write on the tables, chairs or textbooks and you are required to clean up your work area before you leave the room.
Itis important to be in the classroom in order to receive all important information, class instruction and directives about turn-in dates and times for work. Therefore, students are permitted to use the hall pass for bathroom emergencies only and must be granted permission first before using it. Please choose an appropriate time to ask for permission. Interruption of instructional time will not be tolerated. Our bathroom is right outside our door. Any other bathroom used from this class is unacceptable. Please try and use the bathroom before class begins in order to avoid being restricted from overuse of the hall pass. All other destinations require a prior written pass from the teacher, counselor or other and must be validated and time-stamped by me before leaving the room.
- Graded Work:
Not all assignments will be graded. Those that are graded may be checked for completion at the beginning of class. If the assignment is not in the room at thestart of class, a zero will be issued. Assignments that are graded on accuracy must be turned in at the time requested, or they will be considered incomplete. No assignments will be accepted after the turn-in time unless prior arrangements were made.
- Make-up Work:
It is the student’s responsibility to check for any work that was missed or assignments that were due during an absence. Check the daily journal entries to determine what was missed. Always present your make-up work to your teacher whether it was collected or not. Make-up work grades will be placed on the District grade program at a time convenient to the teacher. Students will have as many days to make up an assignment as they were absent unless the absence occurred on a turn-in date. Students who were only absent on a turn in date are expected to turn in the assignment upon their return. If a student was absent ona test or a quiz day, but the student was present on the last instructional day before the test, they will be expected to take the test or quiz on the day of their return.
- Cheating:
Academic integrity is extremely important, and your reputation should be worth more toyou than a few points on an assignment or assessment. If a student is caught copying from another student on an assignment or test, both students will be issued a zero grade according to District policy. This is true for work that is out during homeroom for other classes as well. Use of cheat sheets, cell phones, texting, etc… on graded assessments will result in a zero grade.
- Computer and Technology Use:
At times you may be using laptop computers, iPods or other forms of technologywhen it is deemed that the regular lesson may be enhanced through its use. You will be issued a number corresponding with a device that has been assigned to you, and you are not permitted to use any other device without first asking and then signing in on the clipboard. Any damages to a device that occurred while in your custody will be considered vandalism and handled at the administrative level.
- Before Period 1 and During the Homeroom Period:
Room 60 is not a lounge. Students arepermitted in the room before Period 1 only to study, complete homework or to seek help from the teacher. For social conversation, students must move to another area of the building. Every student is given the opportunity to seek help from their teachers during the daily Homeroom Period at 8:10a.m. A pass must be obtained from whom the help is needed prior to the Homeroom Period. I am available at this time for help everyday. Any other time must be arranged and mutually agreed upon.
- Extra credit:
Extra credit opportunities will be teacher-initiated only and generally occur in the beginning weeks of a grading period, not at the end. Students should take advantage of these opportunities as they arise rather than wait until it is felt that they are needed.
Mr. Aidan Harsch
Please sign, date and return:
Date
Student Signature
Date
Parent or GuardianSignature
- Academic Physical Science versus General Physical Science:
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- Bradford Woods Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Hosack Elementary School
- Ingomar Elementary School
- Marshall Elementary School
- McKnight Elementary School
- Peebles Elementary School
- Carson Middle School
- Ingomar Middle School
- Marshall Middle School
- NA Intermediate High School
- NA Senior High School
- NA Cyber Academy
