My Welcome:  Welcome to Integrated Physics and Chemistry! It is my distinct pleasure to be your instructor this semester! This course will provide you with the tools to help you be successful in high school, college and after. Take this course seriously because it could be one of the most important courses you take throughout your academic career. One of my goals this semester is to help you feel confident as you embark upon the rest of your studies. I will guide you, cheer for you, coach you, and hold you accountable. This class as well as your other courses will require time management.

About Me:   Hello! My name is Amber Bolden, and I’m passionate about education. With a background in Public Health Education. This will be my fifth year teaching education. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach many different children with all kinds of talents and skills. This has allowed me to hone my skills and deepen my understanding. I’m excited about a great year, and I look forward to meeting everyone!

 In the Event You Are Absent: Students will refer to canvas. All course information will be uploaded prior to absence.

Course Description: IPC Students will master basic chemistry concepts including the general properties and classifications of matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, atomic interactions in bonding, and chemical reactions. Students will master basic physics concepts including motion, force, heat and energy, electricity and electromagnetism, waves, sound, and light. Students will master basic Earth/space science concepts including plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, the energy of weather and climate, the solar system and the universe. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the applications of chemistry, physics, and technology in everyday life. Students will become more fluent in the scientific process.

Course Objective: Conduct safe and effective laboratory investigations using the scientific method, appropriate equipment, and communication devices. Use critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving to make informed decisions. Understand the relationship between the structure of matter and its properties.

Evaluate how the changes in matters affect their everyday lives.

Labs: When you are involved in a lab, you MUST act accordingly. Participating in a lab is a privilege, one that can be taken away if the proper procedures are not followed. Specific lab rules and guidelines will be handed out separately, and they will be enforced when the lab is in session. If you do not follow the rules of the lab, then you will not be allowed to participate and will receive a zero for that lab. To participate in a lab, you must do at least 80% of the safety quiz and turn in a signed safety contract.

Lab Reports: Lab reports are to be professional quality, and in the format provided by the instructor. They are due at the beginning of class, usually within one week after the lab is completed. Not all labs will have a report. Labs missed due to excused absences (as stated above) need to be made up in/on an agreed upon time with the teacher. You cannot borrow data! It is the student’s responsibility to be sure these labs are made up and will be at the teacher’s convenience. If a student is absent, they have 5 school days to make up the lab and turn in the assignments for it.

Contact Information:

Preferred Mode of Communication: TEAMS Chat or Email

Email: Amber.Bolden@houstonisd.org

Web Address:

Room: 335

Materials:

·         HISD issued laptop and charger

Grade Weight and Grading Scale:

Formative- 60% (Daily Grades, Quizzes, Homework)

Summative- 40% (Projects, Tests, Essays)

(A=100-90)          (B=89-80)            (C=79-75)            (D=74-70)            (F=69-0)

Honor Code:  Jack Yates High School embodies a spirit of mutual trust and intellectual honesty that is central to the very nature of learning and represents the highest possible expression of shared values among the members of the school community. The core values underlying and reflected in the Honor Code are:

·         Academic honesty is demonstrated by students when the ideas and the writing of others are properly cited; students submit their own work for tests and assignments without unauthorized assistance; students do not provide unauthorized assistance to others; and students report their research or accomplishments accurately.

·         Respect for others and the learning process to demonstrate academic honesty

·         Trust in others to act with academic honesty as a positive community-building force in the school

·         Responsibility is recognized by all to demonstrate their best effort to prepare and complete academic tasks.

·         Fairness and equity are demonstrated so that every student can experience an academic environment that is free from the injustices caused by any form of intellectual dishonesty

·         Integrity of all members of the school community as demonstrated by a commitment to academic honesty and support of our quest for authentic learning.

Policy on Electronic Devices: Once students enter a classroom, all electronic devices should be silenced and put away such that they are not visible. These include cell phones, headphones, ear buds, etc. Students may only use electronic devices if authorized by a teacher.  Teachers may use electronic devices for instruction purposes at their discretion.

Make-Up and Late Work: Homework and daily class work should be submitted in a timely manner as much as possible.  Evaluation on late work will be done on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the teacher.  Make-up work will not be made-up during class time; this time will be reserved for planned instruction. It is the responsibility of the student to get make-up work and to return it to the instructor in a timely manner.

Student Success: Additional time will be required for written assignments. The assignments provided will help you use your study hours wisely. Successful completion of this course requires a combination of the following:

·         Reading the textbook

·         Attending class in person and/or online

·         Completing assignments              

·         Participating in class activities

There is no shortcut for success on this course; it requires reading (and probably re-reading) and studying the material using the course objectives as a guide.

As your teacher, it is my responsibility to:

·         Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived

·         Submit a minimum of two grades weekly to represent a reflection of student learning

·         Facilitate an effective learning environment through learner-centered instructional techniques

·         Provide a description of any special projects or assignments

·         Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness, and making up assignments

·         Provide the course outline and class calendar that will include a description of any special projects or assignments

·         Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required

As a student, it is your responsibility to:

·         Attend class on time

·         Participate actively by reviewing course materials, interacting with classmates, and responding promptly to your communication with me

·         Read and comprehend the textbook

·         Complete the required assignments and exams

·         Ask for help when there is a question or problem

·         Keep copies of all paperwork, including the syllabus, handouts, and all assignments

·         Attain a raw score of at least 50% on the departmental final exam