IPS Syllabus 2019-20 spring
- 1. Course Description Introductory Physical Science (IPS) is a year-long course designed to teach students to think like scientists and to explore the means by which scientific knowledge is gained. Students will engage deeply with the scientific process including asking questions, forming hypotheses, designing experiments and analyzing data. Welcome to Class VII IPS! I am looking forward to working with you this year. IPS is a fun, hands on course where you will learn to do the work of a scientist. We will spend a great deal of time in the lab and you will learn more about lab equipment and lab safety as the year begins. We will use our technology regularly, both in and out of class and my expectations for your technology literacy are high. Please know that I am here to support you as you try new things and navigate challenges at the start of the year. You will be challenged, but you will learn and grow SO much! I look forward to our year together! MRS JOSLIN SPRING TERM 2020 Course Syllabus Information and expectations for Class VII IPS Location 300 Building Rm 308 Meeting Times Tuesday 8:30AM Weds 10:49AM Thursday 10:49AM Friday 2:41PM Contact Info rebekkajoslin@ waterfordschool.org Office Rm 314 ATOMIC THEORY We will review atomic theory and explore this concept by researching radioactivity. 1 BONDS AND RXN We will learn about chemical bonds and reactions, including balancing reactions. 2 ELECTRICITY We will play with circuits and solar panels to understand why the lights come on. 3
- 2. Expectations and Skills We will discuss important details regarding these three topics during our first weeks of class. Not only will this class prepare you to think as a scientist, an invaluable skill that you will use for the rest of your career at Waterford School and beyond, it will prepare you to utilize the technological and scientific tools that the school provides in order for you to be organized, efficient, and well-informed. This is a skill oriented course. It is my expectation that you will gain proficiency in certain academic, scientific, and personal skills upon completion of the course. The heart of education is the education of the heart CLASSROOM CULTURE Your experience is very important to me, both in and out of the classroom. It is my goal that every individual in our class feels engaged and supported. We will work together as a class to establish important guidelines for our classroom culture. Please know this is a very important part of our success together this year. CANVAS AND GOOGLE DRIVE1 LAB EXPECTATIONS2 TECHNOLOGY3 SKILLS WE WILL PRACTICE PROBLEM SOLVING SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY ORGANIZATION TEAM WORKTECHNOLOGY GRAPHING
- 3. Assignment and Attendance Policies The following polices will help support you in developing strong study and accountability habits. We will practice these together this year. Grading Your overall grade will be based on points earned in each of these categories. Percentages are approximate. Final scores will be rounded to the nearest whole number to determine letter grades. Content Knowledge (25%): What do you know? Includes quizzes and tests. Labs/Projects (30%): Lab reports and major projects. General Assignments (30%): Includes in class and homework assignments to practice skills and content, sometimes collected, sometimes not. Final Exam (15%): The final is will include material from the entire term (and year). Required Materials Please connect with me in person or via email regarding missed classes so that we can get you caught up! ABSENCES It is a great skill to practice tracking your progress in this course. Check Canvas and come see me often with questions or ideas! RESPONSIBILITY Late work will receive a penalty up to 50% of available points. The penalty varies by assignment type and tardiness. LATE WORK Nightly HW should take 30 minutes or less. Please check Canvas daily for details on how to complete and submit HW. HOMEWORK LAPTOP Be sure to charge up your laptop every night so it is ready to go! 1 3-RING BINDER Make sure your binder has dividers and looseleaf lined paper! 2 UTENSIL With which you can write, ie a pen or pencil please! 3 CALCULATOR You will need a basic calculator most days in class; it does not need to be for graphing! 4 We ALL can aspire to live lives of meaning and purpose.
- 4. Citizenship and Integrity In IPS, as at Waterford School, we pledge to LIVE HONORABLY, LOVE BEAUTY, and SEEK WISDOM. We will be guided by our core values to act with INTEGRITY, embrace EXCELLENCE, prize CURIOSITY, take RESPONSIBILITY for our individual lives and actions, and create a CARING environment in our classroom. We keep these values in mind daily as we engage with our learning. Students are encouraged to seek advice when they have questions about appropriate behavior or decision-making, in particular with regard to ACADEMIC HONESTY. Scope and Sequence Spring Term Topics SPRING TERM Week Unit Topics 1 ATOMIC THEORY Protons, neutrons, electrons Bohr’s Model 2 NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY Nuclear energy, fission, fusion 3 RADIOACTIVITY Understanding radioactive elements 4 Half-life labs Presentations 5 BONDING Ionic, covalent, metallic 6 CHEMICAL REACTIONS Balancing chemical reactions Exothermic and endothermic 7 8 9 ELECTRICITY Circuits and solar panels 10 REVIEW Study skills