Hello and welcome to Middleton's website. If you do not know me already this is my 12th year teaching at MCHS and my 29th year of teaching overall! I am G/T certified instructor that is highly qualified to teach any science grades 6-12! I am teaching Earth and Space Science and Chemistry.
You may reach me by emailing me at smiddleton@sdnc.org. You may also call me at 803-364-2134 x 80102 and leave a message. Any missed call should be returned within 24 hours.
Chemistry Syllabus: PLEASE SEE CHANGE ON REMOVAL OF GRADING FLOOR AT BOTTOM OF SYLLABUS
**South Carolina law now prohibits school districts from using a grading floor (minimum grade) that artificially raises a student's score. Beginning this school year, grades will reflect the actual work a student earns, providing families with a more accurate picture of academic progress.
Mid-Carolina High School
Chemistry Syllabus
School Year 2026-2027
Instructor Information
Name: Sheryll Middleton
Room number: 102
Highly Qualified & G/T certified instructor
Email address: smiddleton@sdnc.org
Planning Period: 2nd Block
Office Hours: Tuesdays after school from 3:15 – 4:00 PM
School phone: 364-2134 ext. 80102
Website: https://sites.google.com/newberry.k12.sc.us/smiddleton
Textbooks
Inspire Chemistry - McGraw Hill
Communication: Feel free to contact me at smiddleton@scnc.org and I will do my best to respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Email is a convenient way to address non-urgent matters or to schedule a parent/teacher conference. If you prefer to speak on the phone, you can contact me at my extension and leave a voice mail. I will return phone calls and messages within 24 hours.
Materials:
Pen or a pencil
Notebook paper or spiral notebook
Binder or folder for holding unfinished assignments, graded papers
School issued laptop and charger (please charge EVERY night and maintain UPDATES) – NO personal computers or laptops will be allowed per state law
Course description
The description of the course has been adopted from the SC Standards for Chemistry and is as follows: “The students [will] acquire a fundamental knowledge of the substances in our world- their composition, properties, and interactions- that should not only serve them as a foundation for the more advanced science courses in secondary and post-secondary education but should also provide them with the science skills that are necessary in chemistry-oriented technical careers.”
The general topics that will be taught are:
- Scientific Inquiry and Technological Design
- Atomic Structure and Natural Processes
- Structures and Classification of Chemical Compounds
- Types, Causes and Effects of Chemical Reactions
- Structure and Behavior of the Different Phases of Matter
- Nature and Properties of Various Types of Chemical Solutions
Instructional Organization:
Classroom instruction will consist of lecture, discussion, Q&A, problem solving, demonstration, labs/hands-on activities, interactive web activities or web quests, and cooperative learning. Students are expected to keep up with assignments in order to participate in the classroom activities. Regular study of notes and practice is required for this class.
Instructional Topics:
Unit 1: Introduction to the Periodic Table & Atomic Structure
Unit 2: Nuclear Chemistry
Unit 3: Periodic Table and Trends & Electron Configuration
Unit 4: Bonding and Chemical Formulas
Unit 5: The Mole and Mole Conversions
Unit 6: Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry
Unit 7: Chemical Equilibrium, Thermodynamics and Kinetics
SC State standards
C-PS1-1. Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy levels.
C-PS1-2. Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
C-PS1-3. Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at a bulk scale to infer the strength of various forces between particles.
C-PS1-4. Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
C-PS1-5. Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
C-PS1-6. Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.
C-PS1-7. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
C-PS1-8. Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
C-PS2-6. Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular structure determines the functioning of designed materials.
C-PS3-4. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperatures are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).
Testing Requirements
In addition to chapter or unit tests, quizzes and major projects, there will be 4 common assessments given throughout the semester, which are major grades. Common assessment #1 covers Units 1 and 2; Common Assessment #2 is the midterm (unit 3 and review of Units 1 and 2) Common Assessment #3 covers Units 4 and 5; Common assessment #4 is the final exam (covers Units 6, 7, & 8). There is not a state mandated end-of-course (EOC) test for Chemistry.
Policy and Procedures:
Learning will be assessed in many different ways. Grading will be based specifically on classwork, homework, quizzes, web quests, lab investigations, unit tests, hands-on activities, worksheets, lab reports, projects, etc.
All students should complete their own work and should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to: plagiarism, searching the internet for worksheet or quiz answers, going to the restroom to look on the internet using your phone, texting a friend for answers during a test or quiz from your class or another, etc.
MOST of the assignments are gone over IN class before they are submitted so the student gets the correct answers and completeness credit upon turning in the work. The only homework every night is to study the notes and practice worksheets or vocabulary words we have learned and discussed.
Classroom Rules Rewards
1. Be on time Praise
2. Be prepared Positive email/phone call
3. Be respectful 5 min breaks in the middle/end of class
4. Be safe OUTSIDE TIME
Grading Procedures:
The district wide weighting scale used for all assignments:
Major Assignments – 50%
Minor Assignments – 40%
Homework/Daily – 10%
The grading scale is as follows:
100-90 = A 79-70 = C 59-0 = F
89-80 = B 69-60 = D
Science Department Makeup and Re-do Policy:
If a student is absent, they are fully responsible for the material covered during that day, including bellwork. All assignments are listed in Schoology and students may get paper copies to complete from the teacher. Most assignments are given on paper so the student has a hard copy to study. It is the students’ responsibility to obtain the missing work from the teacher. For missing assignments, a grade of zero (o) will be given in place of that assignment in Powerschool, until the work has been turned in and graded.
The student will have five (5) consecutive school days to make-up major tests or missing assignments and remediate as per district policy. If the student does not turn in the designated assignment within five (5) school days, a grade of zero (0) will stay in the gradebook and the student will not be allowed to turn it in.
The student will receive half credit for test corrections made or in the instance of a RE-TEST, the two tests will be averaged together to get the test grade, which cannot exceed a 70%. Quizzes cannot be retaken for a better grade. Extra credit will be offered on tests or as separate assignments in order to enhance the student’s major grades!
Important Update Regarding Grading Policies
South Carolina law now prohibits school districts from using a grading floor (minimum grade) that artificially raises a student's score. Beginning this school year, grades will reflect the actual work a student earns, providing families with a more accurate picture of academic progress.
Without the previous grading floor, it is more important than ever for students to complete assignments, seek help when needed, and monitor their grades throughout the semester. Students who are failing at the halfway point of the course have significantly less opportunity to recover their average because grades will no longer be inflated by a minimum score policy. Early intervention and consistent effort are essential for academic success.
For more information about the legislation, please review:
Important Changes in Attendance Policy
Signature Page – sign and return to Middleton.
Please sign below stating you have read and understood the policies outlined within this syllabus. Parent or Guardian, please enter the following information:
______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (first, last)
______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (first, last)
Physical Street address: (Please include street numbers and zip codes)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Do you prefer email or phone calls? _________________
If you would like to receive emails to discuss your student’s behavior 0r academic progress, please PRINT your email address below.
____________________________________________________
If you would like to receive phone calls to discuss your student’s behavior 0r academic progress, please list at least two (2) phone numbers below.
Preferred phone number: _________________________________
Alternate phone number #1: _______________________________
Alternate phone number #2:_______________________________
________________________________________ __________
(Parent/Guardian signature) (Date)
Earth and Space Science Syllabus: PLEASE SEE CHANGE ON REMOVAL OF GRADING FLOOR AT BOTTOM OF SYLLABUS
**South Carolina law now prohibits school districts from using a grading floor (minimum grade) that artificially raises a student's score. Beginning this school year, grades will reflect the actual work a student earns, providing families with a more accurate picture of academic progress.
Mid-Carolina High School
Earth and Space Science Syllabus
School Year 2026-2027
Instructor Information
Name: Sheryll Middleton
Room number: 102
Highly Qualified & G/T certified instructor
Email address: smiddleton@sdnc.org
Planning Period: 2nd Block
Office Hours: Tuesdays after school from 3:15 – 4:00 PM
School phone: 364-2134 ext. 80102
Website: https://sites.google.com/newberry.k12.sc.us/smiddleton
Textbook
HMH Ed - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Dimensions: Earth & Space Science
Communication: Feel free to contact me at smiddleton@scnc.org and I will do my best to respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Email is a convenient way to address non-urgent matters or to schedule a parent/teacher conference. If you prefer to speak on the phone, you can contact me at my extension and leave a voice mail. I will return phone calls and messages within 24 hours.
Materials:
Pen or a pencil
Notebook paper or spiral notebook
Binder or folder for holding unfinished assignments, graded papers
School issued laptop and charger (please charge EVERY night and maintain UPDATES) – NO personal computers or laptops will be allowed per state law
Instructional Organization:
Classroom instruction will consist of lecture, discussion, Q&A, problem solving, demonstration, labs/hands-on activities, interactive web activities, web quests, and cooperative learning. Students are expected to keep up with assignments to participate in the classroom activities.
Topics covered by this course:
Unit 1: Earth’s Layers, Formations and Changes to Earth’s Surface
· Earth’s Layers
· Convection
· Formation of Surface Structure (due to convection)
· Types of Rocks (not cycle)
Unit 2: Earth’s Spheres, Systems, and Cycles
· Water Cycle as Intro to cycles and how it impacts Earth’s surface
· Carbon Cycle and greenhouse gasses
· Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Atmosphere
· Spheric relationships and interactions
Unit 3: Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
· Past and current movement of plates
· Evidence of Earth’s formation
· Natural Hazards at plate boundaries
· Plate boundary interactions
Unit 4: Natural Resources and Human Impact
· Renewable and nonrenewable
· Availability and management of resources
· Human impact by and on resources
· Greenhouse gasses impact on climate change
· Energy within cycles and climate
· Climate models and forecasting changes
· Human’s activity and climate change
Unit 5: Earth In Space
· Nuclear fusion’s effects on orbiting bodies
· Big Bang Theory
· Formation of Elements within a star’s life cycle
· Motion of orbiting bodies due to gravity
· Planets and Celestial Bodies
SC State standards
E-ESS1-2. Construct an explanation of the Big Bang Theory based on evidence to show that the universe is changing
over time.
E-ESS1-5. Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.
E-ESS1-6. Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.
E-ESS2-1. Use evidence to argue how Earth’s internal and external processes operate to form and modify continental and ocean-floor features throughout Earth’s history.
E-ESS2-2. Analyze data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
E-ESS2-3. Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior that describes cycling of matter through convection processes.
E-ESS2-4. Use a model to describe how causes of short and long-term variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes to climate.
E-ESS2-5. Investigate the ways that water (given its unique physical and chemical properties) impacts various Earth systems.
E-ESS2-6. Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon through the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
E-ESS2-7. Communicate scientific information that illustrates how Earth’s systems and life on Earth change and influence each other over time.
E-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources and occurrence of natural hazards have influenced human activity.
E-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions that address the impacts of developing, managing, and using Earth’s energy and mineral resources.
E-ESS3-3. Use computational representation to illustrate the relationships among the management of Earth’s resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
E-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
E-ESS3-5. Analyze data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of regional or global climate change and associated future impacts to Earth’s systems.
E-ESS3-6. Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
E-ESS3-7. Create an argument, based on evidence that describes how changes in climate on Earth have affected human activity.
Testing Requirements
In addition to chapter or unit tests, quizzes and major projects, there will be 4 common assessments given throughout the semester, which are major grades. Common assessment #1 covers Unit 1; Common Assessment #2 covers Unit 2; Common Assessment #3 covers Unit 3; Common assessment #4 covers Unit 4 and Common Assessment 5 covers Unit 5. There is not a state mandated end-of-course (EOC) test for Earth and Space Science.
Policy and Procedures:
Learning will be assessed in many different ways. Grading will be based specifically on classwork, quizzes, web quests, lab investigations, unit tests, hands-on activities, worksheets, lab reports (if applicable), projects, etc.
All students should complete their own work and should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to: plagiarism, searching the internet for worksheet or quiz answers, going to the restroom to look on the internet using your phone, texting a friend for answers during a test or quiz from your class or another, etc.
MOST of the assignments are gone over IN class before they are submitted so the student gets the correct answers and completeness credit upon turning in the work. The only homework every night is to study the notes and practice worksheets or vocabulary words we have learned and discussed.
Classroom Rules Rewards
1. Be on time Praise
2. Be prepared Positive email or phone call
3. Be respectful 5 minute breaks in the middle/end of class
4. Be safe OUTSIDE TIME
Grading Procedures:
The district wide weighting scale used for all assignments:
Major Assignments – 50%
Minor Assignments – 40%
Homework/Daily – 10%
The grading scale is as follows:
100-90 = A 79-70 = C 59-0 = F
89-80 = B 69-60 = D
Science Department Makeup and Re-do Policy:
If a student is absent, they are fully responsible for the material covered during that day, including bellwork. All assignments are listed in Schoology and students may get paper copies to complete from the teacher. Most assignments are given on paper so the student has a hard copy to study. It is the students’ responsibility to obtain the missing work from the teacher. For missing assignments, a grade of zero (o) will be given in place of that assignment in Powerschool, until the work has been turned in and graded.
The student will have five (5) consecutive school days to make-up major tests or missing assignments and remediate as per district policy. If the student does not turn in the designated assignment within five (5) school days, a grade of zero (0) will stay in the gradebook and the student will not be allowed to turn it in.
The student will receive half credit for test corrections made or in the instance of a RE-TEST, the two tests will be averaged together to get the test grade, which cannot exceed a 70%. Quizzes cannot be retaken for a better grade. Extra credit will be offered on tests or as separate assignments in order to enhance the student’s major grades!
Important Update Regarding Grading Policies
South Carolina law now prohibits school districts from using a grading floor (minimum grade) that artificially raises a student's score. Beginning this school year, grades will reflect the actual work a student earns, providing families with a more accurate picture of academic progress.
Without the previous grading floor, it is more important than ever for students to complete assignments, seek help when needed, and monitor their grades throughout the semester. Students who are failing at the halfway point of the course have significantly less opportunity to recover their average because grades will no longer be inflated by a minimum score policy. Early intervention and consistent effort are essential for academic success.
For more information about the legislation, please review:
Important Changes in Attendance Policy
Signature Page – sign and return to Middleton.
Please sign below stating you have read and understood the policies outlined within this syllabus. Parent or Guardian, please enter the following information:
______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (first, last)
______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (first, last)
Physical Street address: (Please include street numbers and zip codes)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Do you prefer email or phone calls? _________________
If you would like to receive emails to discuss your student’s behavior 0r academic progress, please PRINT your email address below.
____________________________________________________
If you would like to receive phone calls to discuss your student’s behavior 0r academic progress, please list at least two (2) phone numbers below.
Preferred phone number: _________________________________
Alternate phone number #1: _______________________________
Alternate phone number #2:_______________________________
________________________________________ __________
(Parent/Guardian signature) (Date)