Materials Required:

Pencils and ink pens
Paper/ Notebook
Folder/ binder
Highlighter
Calculator (scientific, graphic calculator not necessary)
Edmodo Account

Course Overview:

Physical Science is divided into two different disciplines. A brief description, order, and estimated time spent with each discipline are listed below:

Chemistry- a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the transformations that they undergo. Students will analyze the structure and properties of matter and the regularities of chemistry. (8 weeks)
Physics- the science that deals with matter, energy, motion, and force. Students will analyze force, motion, energy and its conservation, electricity and magnetism. (10 weeks)

My Responsibilities as a Teacher:

To treat you with respect and care as an individual
To provide you with an orderly classroom environment that stresses learning and accountability
To provide the necessary discipline
To teach you the required content

Your Responsibility as a Student:

To treat me and others with respect and care as individuals
To attend class regularly
To be cooperative and not disruptive
To study and do your work to master the material (SUCCESS = EFFORT)

Coach Snarey’s Test Correction Policy

All students will complete test corrections for partial credit back on any test. This is a requirement with the incentive for students to go back and learn from their mistakes. In order to receive credit for test corrections, a student must:

write the corrections NEATLY by hand (please do not type the corrections).
turn corrections in within 3 days of receiving his/her graded test back.
include the correct answer with a minimum 20 word detailed explanation about why the student got this question wrong and why the correct answer is the best choice.
highlight the 20^th word.
include a source for the explanation (ex: Atomic Structure Notes from 9/3/14, Modern Chemistry textbook pg. 47, etc.).
turn in the corrections and the original answers all stapled together.

When a student completes test corrections, it is the student’s responsibility to turn corrections in to Coach Snarey along with the graded test within the 3 day time frame. These corrections will be done during Ram Redemption time and can be completed at home.

Test corrections are expected to be correct. Because corrections are done with unlimited resources over the course of a three day period, there is no excuse for a student to turn in test corrections that are incorrect or done with little effort. Students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the explanations given in their corrections. They should not simply write 20 or more words that do not show depth to their understanding. If a student turns in a set of test corrections with two or more corrections that are done incorrectly, that student will not receive credit back for any corrections on that particular test. Examples of test corrections are available and will be shown by Coach Snarey.

Projects/ Labs:

One initiative that we are going to be working on together is implementing more team projects into the class. This will involve collaborative and cooperative work from small groups (maximum of 4 per) to answer various questions about real world issues in an effort to make the topics in this class, which are very relevant to all of us, put more to the forefront of the students minds. Students should get information from their team members such as email addresses, phone numbers, and social media names for communication throughout the class. We will work together to push forward with a more hands on, student-driven approach to learning. We will discuss this in class as the first few weeks of class progress.

Nine week grades:

The following is a breakdown of the physical science grading scale:

40%: Tests

30%: Labs and Projects

20%: Quizzes/ Classwork

10%: Homework

Semester grades:

The following is a breakdown of all semester grades and exams:

1^st 9 weeks grade 40%

2^nd 9 weeks grade 40%

Final Exam 20%

Final Thoughts…

My job is to assist you in becoming successful. Your job is to take accountability and responsibility for your actions and education. If you ever are having any difficulty with the material or with comprehending the assignments, please do not hesitate to see me as soon as possible. If you want to have someone help you, you must first help yourself. This means I want you to take advantage of the opportunities to see me, contact me, and get help from me. If you do not take that responsibility, then you will be setting yourself up to be unsuccessful. Please see me in my room if you have any problems.

The best way to contact me is through e-mail or Edmodo. I am able to send progress reports home through e-mail and Edmodo to the parent or legal guardian, so please be sure you give me your e-mail address (mine is: bsnarey@wcpss.net).