III. Washington State Essential Learnings

  The student will:

  1. understand and use scientific concepts and principles.

  2. conduct scientific investigations to expand understanding of the natural world.

  3. apply scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems or meet challenges.

  4. understand and use effective practices in scientific communication and measurement to build and demonstrate understanding.

  5. understand how science knowledge and skills are connected to other subjects areas and real life situations.

IV. GRADING CRITERIA:

      A.  Most unit grades will be in the form of a point total and will reflect the student's achievement on the unit test, quizes, homework and lab write-ups.  Class participation will also be a factor in the point total; poor attendance or excessive tardies for any reason may result in a reduction in grade.  Test results will normally be available on the next school day following the deadline.  It is the student's responsibility to check the grade. Some units will be graded on the results of a group problem solving assignment.

      B.  In addition to the unit test, students may contribute to their score by completing quizes, unit assignments and participating in class.  Unit assignments will normally consist of a combination of homework problems, computer work, notes, and laboratory reports of experimental work.  The assignments for each unit are indicated on the unit sheet and/or will be announced in class.  If and only if the assignment is completed satisfactorily and on time, the student will receive points toward the unit grade; the maximum possible will be announced at the start of the unit.  Guidelines for the acceptable assignment report form will be available in class. Included in the participation bonus point determination will be proper use of class time, attendance, laboratory work, and other indicators of effort.

      C.  Unit letter grades will be determined according to the following scale.  Quarter and semester grades will use the same scale applied to the average unit point score for the grading period.

                     Unit Points                   Letter Grade

                94 and above                             A

                90 to 93.9                                     A-        

                87 to 89.9                                     B+

                84 to 86.9                                     B

                80 to 83.9                                     B -

77 to 79.9                       C+

                74 to 76.9                                     C

                70 to 73.9                                     C-

                64 to 69.9                                     D+

                60 to 63.9                                     D

                below 60                                        F                           

      D. Assignments will be due at the date and time as announced. Unit test and assignment due dates will be announced in class approximately one week prior to the deadline.  The only exceptions to announced deadlines are for authorized absences on the day of the deadline.  In such cases, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange to take the test on the day of return to class and bring an excused admit slip to the teacher. For authorized absences, a one day extension  will be allowed for each day absent. Except for authorized absences, work not submitted on time will not be accepted for points and tests not taken on time will receive a zero.

      E. Students may attend the LSC, extended day, or meet with the instructor during other agreed upon times to obtain additional assistance.

      F. Cheating: Kamiak has adopted a school-wide cheating policy, which can be found in the student handbook, and it will be strictly followed in this class. Also, since a test's purpose is to measure an individual student's performance, no interaction of any kind between students will be permitted during a testing period.  Students who are observed in any interaction before all tests in the class are completed and returned to the instructor will be given a score of zero on the test.

      G. For a period of five school days following a unit’s test results, students with unit point totals below 70 may complete a take-home test. It is the student’s responsibility to request a copy of the test.  The maximum unit percentage grade on a take-home test will be 70%.  If a test is to replace a zero received as a result of not taking a test on the assigned date, a maximum score of 70 will be possible on the next school day following the assigned date and the score will be reduced by one full grade (10 points) for each additional day late. Maximum points for a unit score of less than 70 where failure to turn in assignments is a contributing factor will be 60.     

      H.  A final test will be given at the end of the school year.  The test will  be over the entire course content.  The score earned on the final will count as the unit score for the final unit.

V. ATTENDANCE POLICY:

  Refer to school policy. Each unauthorized tardy will result in detention. Students who have any unauthorized tardies or absences, excessive authorized tardies or absences, or who do not take the unit test by the assigned date for any reason will have their unit grade reduced. 

VI. PRIMARY INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS USED:

  Lecture, text, laboratory work, interactive discussion, demonstration, audio-visual, computer demonstrations and simulations, teacher-developed written materials.

   Use of Class Time: During this course there will be time allotted for a variety of activities, some more structured than others. These may include lectures and discussion, laboratory work, question and answer periods, review sessions, computer work, and work time with the opportunity to obtain teacher help.  Students who do not use the time appropriately will have their grade reduced and/or be assigned detention to make up the time.  Students who are disruptive may be sent to time-out or have other disciplinary action taken.  Safety: Students failing to practice safe laboratory procedures will not be allowed to work in the lab.  Refer to the class safety contract.

VII. MATERIALS NEEDED:

  Students will be expected to supply notebook paper, graph paper, pencils and pens.  A calculator is highly recommended.  Text used is Holt Physics, Serway and Faughn, ©1999 Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

VIII. TEACHER AVAILABILITY:

  Classes in room 242 periods 1,2,4A,5A,6.  Normally available before school at 6:45 and after school until 3:00; check to confirm for a particular day.  

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