Course Syllabus

Course Title: Physical Science

Teacher:  Ms. Elliott

Contact Information: elliotte@issaquah.wednet.edu

Course Description: Issaquah School District course guide

Course Goals:  Students will develop their skills in collecting and representing numerical data, through investigations that study physics, electricity, and chemistry.

Course Outline:

  • Trimester 1 - Physics (Force, Motion, Magnetism, & Energy)
  • Trimester 2 - Electricity and Waves
  • Trimester 3 - Chemistry (Matter & Chemical Reactions)

 

Required Course Materials and Supplies:

  • Student laptop and charger
  • Science folder
  • Pencils and erasers
  • Calculator

 

Grading Policies

Grade Percentages: 

Letter Grade    Range

  • A                      90-100
  • B+                    87-89.99
  • B                      80-86.99
  • C+                    77-79.99
  • C                      70-76.99
  • D+                    67-69.99
  • D                      60-66.99
  • F                       0 -59.99

Grading categories and types of work:

Category weights:

  • Assessments - 70%
  • Assignments - 30%

Recovery Plans: Students will have recovery opportunities for grades below 80% on coursework that substantially impacts the student’s course grade.  These opportunities may have conditions that include but are not limited to time-bound windows, initial test corrections, reflection assignment, complete missed unit classwork. Please read below to understand those conditions for this course.

  • Students are provided an opportunity to recover from an assessment grade below 80%
  • On recovery opportunities students may recover up to 80% of the assessment's original value.
  • Students may only recover an assessment grade if they:
    • Complete all missing assignments for that unit
    • Present their notes packet to the teacher for review

 

Homework: Students will not have homework unless they were unable to complete in-class assignments during the school day.

Grading Adjustments: Grades for this course reflect mastery of course content and are not rounded at the end of the trimester.

Gradebook: The grade book in Canvas will be updated every couple weeks so students and parents can monitor progress. Final grades will be provided in Skyward at the end of each Trimester.

 

Classroom Values and Expectations:  

IMS School Motto:  Take Care of One Another and Be Kind

Mission Statement: Issaquah Middle School is an interdependent community that creates an environment in which all are empowered to be responsible, respectful, thinking citizens.  To achieve such an environment at Issaquah Middle School, we:

  • meet challenges as flexible, creative, and critical thinkers;
  • value ourselves and others as contributing members of society;
  • create a rigorous academic environment which generates excitement for lifelong learning.

IMS Way

  • We are Safe
  • We Are Respectful and Kind
  • We are Responsible

 

Academic Integrity: Please refer to the ISD student handbook for the district-wide academic integrity policy.

 

Classroom Expectations:

  • Technology
    • Personal devices (cell phones, earpods, smartwatches, personal laptops) are not permitted in school and will remain in your bag or locker at all times
    • Bring your school laptop and charger to class every day
  • Housekeeping
    • Arrive to class on time and be in your assigned seat by the time the bell rings
    • Keep backpacks off your desk or workstation
    • Sign out if you leave the classroom
    • Stay at your seat until the bell rings and you are dismissed by the teacher
  • Safety
    • Do not sit on lab benches or tables
    • No outside food or drinks
      • Plain water in a closed container is OK
      • Gum stays in your mouth or in the trash
    • No horseplay or running
    • No chairs at the lab benches
    • Goggles stay on at all times during lab (unless the teacher instructs otherwise)
    • A safety contract must be signed by the parent and student to participate in lab activities
  • Classwork
    • All classwork can be accessed through Canvas, which is grouped by week in the modules. Due dates for each assignment are provided in Canvas.
    • All textbook readings and all class notes are available in their own separate modules. A link to those modules can be found on the homepage
    • Students are responsible for tracking their assignments and turning them in on time. Late work will be accepted for credit only until the date of the unit assessment.
    • If a student is absent for an assessment, it will be made up on the day they return to school. Extended absences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.