MRS. DUVALL'S

Physical Science Syllabus

2023-2024 School Year

Mrs. Amy Duvall

I. Course Description and Requirements

This course includes laboratory work, study of specimens, projects, and a thorough understanding of scientific inquiry.  Physical Science is the study of matter and energy and includes chemistry and physics. It is a basis for the further study of chemistry and physics. Labs or investigations are used to give students hands on learning and practical applications as well as to teach the material. Math is also very important to science students and calculators should be brought and used in class. Topics that will be studied include: matter, the periodic table, elements, mixtures, compounds, chemical reactions, light and electromagnetic spectrum, energy, heat, motion, Newton’s laws and momentum.

  Students should be prepared to conduct projects and write a formal lab report. Instruction centers around inquiry based learning that is incorporated into class activities.  Learning activities include teacher-lead instruction, group work, student seatwork, project-based learning, and lab exercises with both student-choice and teacher-choice grouping.  Students can expect to start each day with a bell ringer assignment followed by learning activities and/or lecture.   At times students will work independently from the teacher in order to achieve student autonomy expected of upper school students.  Classes are structured to utilize every minute for learning and assessing understanding.  Real world application is a daily objective.  Higher-level thinking will be incorporated into each lesson as well as use of technology when applicable to increase student achievement.  Students are expected to participate in all activities and actively engage and ask questions during teacher-led lecture.  Students are also expected to review and study the content covered in class outside of school daily.

II. Class Expectations 

• Students are expected to be present and active members of the classroom each and every day.  

• Students are expected to come to class prepared with all necessary materials and completed assignments to learn and participate in all lectures and activities. 

• Students are expected to be respectful of the teacher, the classroom, and their peers.  

III. Class Discipline 

Students who are not acting present, coming prepared, and being respectful will earn one of the following consequences:

• Warning in class

• Removal from class activity AND parent contact

• Teacher/Student conference during or after class AND parent contact

• After school detention AND parent contact

• Written referral and removal from class AND parent contact

Any student caught cheating on an assignment will receive a zero and referred to the Principal.    

IV. Required Materials

All students must come to class each day with the following materials: 

• A 2-inch three-ringed binder with dividers, paper and EACH UNIT PACKET!!!

• Pencil

V. Assessment and Grading Plan

We will cover multiple units over the course of the year.  Each unit consists of 1-4 major assessments.  The amount of minor assessments varies per unit.  Students will have a daily open-note quiz each day that will add up to a weekly minor grade.  All unit tests are cumulative and include both multiple choice and open response questions.  Note: Assignments checked for completion will not be accepted late.  Assignments collected and graded for accuracy will be accepted late with a penalty of 10% off every day late.  

**Under absolutely NO circumstances will late work be accepted after the completion of the unit the work is from, unless the student had an excused absence in which case they receive only 5 days to turn in the work.

Minor Assessments - 40% 

• Classwork/Informal labs: Each unit is packed with engaging activities and practice to help master the content.  These assignments range from 15-100 points, depending on the length and depth of the material.  

• Daily quizzes: At the start of each day the students will complete a small quiz over content covered during the previous class period.  Students who were absent the previous class period will not be expected to complete the Prime Time the day they return if it is over content they missed.  Their grade on each day’s quiz will be added up for one weekly Prime Time grade of 25 points at the end of each week.  

• Study guides:  Students will be required to make study guides for each test to help them review the material each day and prepare for the unit tests.  Study guides will be made off of the first sheet of each packet by answering the objectives and defining the vocabulary for each concept.  Every concept study guide is worth 10 points.  Students who make A’s on two tests in a row are exempt from completing study guides if they continue to maintain A’s on the unit tests.  

Major Assessments – 60% 

Unit 1: Structures, Properties, and Reactions of Matter

Unit 2: Forces, Motion, and Field Interactions

Unit 3: Wave Properties and Electromagnetic Radiation

Unit 4: Energy: Definitions, Conservation, and Transfer

Students wishing to exempt a midterm or final exam must have a semester average of an A and meet the attendance requirements.

VI.  Communication

I will regularly post on my google classroom updates, announcements, lecture notes, and assignments for students and parents to access.  If you ever want to know something, check the classroom first! Students and parents are also encouraged to contact me via email.  I will respond to all emails within 24 hours during the school week, and can respond in much more detail and speed than if you attempt to call.  

Email: aduvall@midway.k12.ok.us