Class Topics     Our first two quarters are devoted to physics topics.  Quarters three and four are devoted to chemistry topics.  

 Grading         Students will earn their grades based on tests, quizzes, assignments, labs, portfolios and attendance: 

                                                               Excellent Performance                 A = 90-100%

Good Performance                        B = 80-89%

Average Performance                   C = 70-79%

Low Performance                         D = 60-69%

Not Meeting Expectations           N = < 60%

Materials        You need the following items in class every day:

1)       One 3-ring binder (a.k.a. portfolio), 1.5 inch thickness

2)       Looseleaf paper (spiral fringe makes me crazy!)

3)       4 section dividers

4)       A basic calculator (one that is simple and cheap!)

5)       #2 pencils

6)       Colored pencils

 Books             Books will be checked out by the student only if the student wishes to have one (they can be very useful as extra, at-home help).   All of the books are located in the library and are checked out just like library books.  There will be a classroom set of books that we will be using in class to complete assignments.  Instead of a book, you MUST bring your 6 materials to class every day. The tests come from the notes that are given in class, the class assignments and lab activities.

 Eating and Drinking       No Way!  This is a science classroom. We will be using chemicals that are guaranteed to find their way onto your hands or into your food or drink.  Do not bring food or drinks into the class or I will gladly have them for my after-school snack.  Your parents don’t want you to eat chemicals and puke on the floor or die, and neither do I.

 Start of Class  Use that planner!  This is for your benefit, and to limit the amount of energy I expend on empathy.  The first 5 minutes of class begin the same each day.  Class is quiet once the bell rings.  Take out portfolio, turn to journal section, put the DATE on a portion of the page, and respond to the quote on the board.  (Write what you think the quote means in your own words or draw a picture illustrating what the quote means.  Writing “I don’t know” will get you a zero for the day and “Boooooo” from the crowd.)   Next, you must look on the Physical Science Schedule on the board and write down any upcoming assignments in your planner.  Seriously.  Your planner is attractive, handy, useful, grown-upy, possibly delicious, and the first one is FREE!  USE IT!!!