Pickens High School Faculty

Physical Science :  
   

Instructor’s Message
 I need everyone to use their ParentConnect account.  This is a program that allows students and parents to get access to the student’s grade (in all classes) through the internet.  This is an excellent way to “stay on top of things” so that bad grades, etc… don’t sneak up on you.  I am giving an extra daily grad of 100 to every student if they print a copy of their ParentConnect progress report each week—get it signed by a parent and the student—and turn it in.  If you do not have internet access at home, the student can print it out at school and take it home to his/her parent and get it signed.  In either case, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the signed printout each Friday (starting August 14th and ending December 11th) to class.

I have very few classroom rules.  Instead, I prefer to think of them as overriding tenets that help foster a warm and productive environment.  Since all people are different and every situation is different, I will deal with any significant problems on a personal one on one basis in the hopes of helping each student grow and learn from his or her actions.  If students abuse this system, I will be forced to instigate more concrete rules.  If that happens, the new rules will be clearly posted and discussed in the classroom.

Guidelines for Student Behavior

1. BE RESPECTFUL
2. BE HONEST
3. BE DEPENDABLE
4. TRY YOUR BEST
5. DO NOTHING THAT INTERFERES WITH THE EDUCATION OF OTHERS

Syllabus
Please take some time to look at the textbook when you get it.  While the textbook does not determine exactly what is studied in the course, it does give you a good idea of what to expect.
During the first 8-9 weeks we will study the topics from chapters 1-14 (with the exception of chapter 9). Those chapters deal predominantly with physics concepts.
During the second 8-9 weeks we will study the topics from chapters 15-23.  These chapters are mostly made up of chemistry concepts.  We will be finished with all these topics approximately 1-2 weeks before the end of the semester.  The remainder of the time will be spent reviewing for and taking the End of Course Test.  After the EOCT, we will go back and cover chapter 9 and/or do some “fun” activities/labs/movies as time permits.
Please see the calendar attached to these sheets.

Grading

Please understand that there is NO reason that the students should have anything below a 100 average on the Daily Checks section!  Students are given ample time to complete their work, both in class and outside of class.  Therefore, this means that a student who has a 60 average on the 75% section can still pass if he/she has done ALL their daily work.  On the other hand, a student who does no daily work will have to make 93 or above on EVERYTHING else just to pass with a 70.  (Both of these scenarios assume that the student passes the End of Course Test.)

Also remember that the grade breakdown above is how I will determine each 9 weeks average. 
Local and state policy then dictates that I count each 9 weeks as 42.5% and the End of Course Test as 15% of the overall semester average.

In addition to the above, we will be doing several labs.  (…as many as possible)  On at least one of the labs (maybe 2 or 3), I will require a formal lab report.  On the rest, I will only require completion of the lab worksheets.  (Required Formal Lab Reports will have a specific format to follow and will count more than labs in which the students only complete worksheets).  However, I will give extra credit to the students if they go on to do an appropriate lab write-up. 

Pertinent lab safety information will be discussed before each lab.  Students will be expected to act carefully and conscientiously at all times during labs.  Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and the student will be removed from the lab and given a zero for the activity.  Depending on the situation, the student may also be sent to the administration for additional disciplinary measures.

Students should study their notes and work on their assignments every night.  Not only does this help the student remember material and stay current on topics, but it also prevents the student from being overwhelmed the night before a major test.  Even if you are caught up on all the assignments.... just a few extra minutes of review each night can really make a difference!

Finally, I am available for help after school on most days.  Students should come prepared to ask me questions so that I can determine how to help them best. Additionally, I may permit individual students to retake a chapter test(s) if he/she is consistently trying (doing all work, asking questions, etc…).  Students should ask me privately about a retake if they want to try one.  Retake tests will usually be arranged after school on an individual basis and must be before the next week’s test.  Retake tests may not be used for unexcused absences.  Makeup/Retake tests and quizzes for excused absences should be arranged as soon as possible after the student gets back to school.
           
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for other ways to help the learning process. 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me.  E-mail is by far most efficient for me. 

Physical Science Calendar

Chemistry :

Instructor’s Message

I need everyone to use their ParentConnect account.  This is a program that allows students and parents to get access to the student’s grade (in all classes) through the internet.  This is an excellent way to “stay on top of things” so that bad grades, etc… don’t sneak up on you.  I am giving an extra daily grade of 100 to every student to print a copy of their ParentConnect progress report each week—get it signed by a parent and the student—and turn it in.  If you do not have internet access at home, the student can print it out at school and take it home to his/her parent and get it signed.  In either case, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the signed printout each Friday (starting August 14th and ending December 11th) to class.

I have very few classroom rules.  Instead, I prefer to think of them as overriding tenets that help foster a warm and productive environment.  Since all people are different and every situation is different, I will deal with any significant problems on a personal one on one basis in the hopes of helping each student grow and learn from his or her actions.  If students abuse this system, I will be forced to instigate more concrete rules.  If that happens, the new rules will be clearly posted and discussed in the classroom.

Guidelines for Student Behavior

1. BE RESPECTFUL
2. BE HONEST
3. BE DEPENDABLE
4. TRY YOUR BEST
5. DO NOTHING THAT INTERFERES WITH THE EDUCATION OF OTHERS

Syllabus
Please take some time to look at the textbook when you get it.  While the textbook does not determine exactly what is studied in the course, it does give you a good idea of what to expect.
Please see the calendar with quiz and test dates attached to these sheets.

Grading

Please understand that there is NO reason that the students should have anything below a 100 average on the Daily Checks section!  Students are given ample time to complete their work, both in class and outside of class.  Therefore, this means that a student who has a 60 average on the 75% section can still pass if he/she has done ALL their daily work.  On the other hand, a student who does no daily work will have to make 93 or above on EVERYTHING else just to pass with a 70. 

Also remember that the grade breakdown above is how I will determine each 9 weeks average. 
Local policy then dictates that I count each 9 weeks as 42.5% and the Final Exam as 15% of the overall semester average.  The final exam will be comprehensive and long, but I will make every effort to word questions and problems in a simple and straightforward manner.

In addition to the above, we will be doing several labs.  (…as many as possible)  On at least one of the labs (maybe 2 or 3), I will require a formal lab report.  On the rest, I will only require completion of the lab worksheets.  (Required Formal Lab Reports will have a specific format to follow and will count more than labs in which the students only complete worksheets).  However, I will give extra credit to the students if they go on to do an appropriate lab write-up. 

Pertinent lab safety information will be discussed before each lab.  Students will be expected to act carefully and conscientiously at all times during labs.  Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and the student will be removed from the lab and given a zero for the activity.  Depending on the situation, the student may also be sent to the administration for additional disciplinary measures.

Students should study their notes and work on their assignments every night.  Not only does this help the student remember material and stay current on topics, but it also prevents the student from being overwhelmed the night before a major test.  Even if you are caught up on all the assignments.... just a few extra minutes of review each night can really make a difference!

Finally, I am available for help after school on most days.  Students should come prepared to ask me questions so that I can determine how to help them best. Additionally, I may permit individual students to retake a chapter test(s) if he/she is consistently trying (doing all work, asking questions, etc…).  Students should ask me privately about a retake if they want to try one.  Retake tests will usually be arranged after school on an individual basis and must be before the next week’s test.  Retake tests may not be used for unexcused absences.  Makeup/Retake tests and quizzes for excused absences should be arranged as soon as possible after the student gets back to school.
           
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for other ways to help the learning process. 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me.  E-mail is by far most efficient for me. 

Chemistry Calendar        

Dates are definite.    You will have a test or quiz on the dates indicated.   However, the chapters are approximate.  We may end up moving slower or faster.  If we move faster, we will cover chapter 17 and/or chapter 18 after chapter 20.