Course syllabus for the Introduction to Physical Science at Waterford School.

1. Course
Description
Introductory Physical Science
(IPS) is a year-long course
designed to teach students to
think like scientists and to
explore the means by which
scientific knowledge is gained.
Students will engage deeply
with the scientific process
including asking questions,
forming hypotheses, designing experiments and analyzing data.
Welcome to Class VII IPS! I am looking forward to working with you this
year. IPS is a fun, hands on course where you will learn to do the work of
a scientist. We will spend a great deal of time in the lab and you will
learn more about lab equipment and lab safety as the year begins. We
will use our technology regularly, both in and out of class and my
expectations for your technology literacy are high. Please know that I am
here to support you as you try new things and navigate challenges at the
start of the year. You will be challenged, but you will learn and grow SO
much! I look forward to our year together!
MRS JOSLIN SPRING TERM 2020
Course Syllabus
Information and expectations for Class VII IPS
Location
300 Building
Rm 308
Meeting Times
Tuesday 8:30AM
Weds 10:49AM
Thursday 10:49AM
Friday 2:41PM
Contact Info
rebekkajoslin@
waterfordschool.org
Office Rm 314
ATOMIC THEORY
We will review atomic
theory and explore this
concept by researching
radioactivity.
1
BONDS AND RXN
We will learn about
chemical bonds and
reactions, including
balancing reactions.
2
ELECTRICITY
We will play with
circuits and solar panels
to understand why the
lights come on.
3

2. Expectations and Skills
We will discuss important details regarding these
three topics during our first weeks of class. Not only
will this class prepare you to think as a scientist, an
invaluable skill that you will use for the rest of your
career at Waterford School and beyond, it will
prepare you to utilize the technological and
scientific tools that the school provides in order for
you to be organized, efficient, and well-informed.
This is a skill oriented course. It is my expectation that
you will gain proficiency in certain academic, scientific,
and personal skills upon completion of the course.
The heart of
education is the
education of
the heart
CLASSROOM CULTURE
Your experience is very important to me,
both in and out of the classroom. It is my
goal that every individual in our class feels
engaged and supported. We will work
together as a class to establish important
guidelines for our classroom culture. Please
know this is a very important part of our
success together this year.
CANVAS AND GOOGLE
DRIVE1
LAB EXPECTATIONS2
TECHNOLOGY3
SKILLS WE WILL PRACTICE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
SCIENTIFIC
INQUIRY
ORGANIZATION
TEAM WORKTECHNOLOGY
GRAPHING

3. Assignment and Attendance Policies
The following polices will help support you in developing strong study and
accountability habits. We will practice these together this year.
Grading
Your overall grade will be based on points earned
in each of these categories. Percentages are
approximate. Final scores will be rounded to the
nearest whole number to determine letter grades.
Content Knowledge (25%): What do you know?
Includes quizzes and tests.
Labs/Projects (30%): Lab reports and major
projects.
General Assignments (30%): Includes in class and
homework assignments to practice skills and content,
sometimes collected, sometimes not.
Final Exam (15%): The final is will include material from the entire term (and year).
Required Materials
Please connect with
me in person or via
email regarding
missed classes so
that we can get you
caught up!
ABSENCES
It is a great skill to
practice tracking
your progress in
this course. Check
Canvas and come
see me often with
questions or ideas!
RESPONSIBILITY
Late work will
receive a penalty up
to 50% of
available points.
The penalty varies
by assignment type
and tardiness.
LATE WORK
Nightly HW should
take 30 minutes or
less. Please check
Canvas daily for
details on how to
complete and
submit HW.
HOMEWORK
LAPTOP
Be sure to charge up
your laptop every night
so it is ready to go!
1
3-RING BINDER
Make sure your binder
has dividers and
looseleaf lined paper!
2
UTENSIL
With which you can
write, ie a pen or pencil
please!
3
CALCULATOR
You will need a basic
calculator most days in
class; it does not need
to be for graphing!
4
We ALL can
aspire to live
lives of
meaning and
purpose.

4. Citizenship and Integrity
In IPS, as at Waterford School, we pledge to LIVE HONORABLY, LOVE BEAUTY, and SEEK
WISDOM. We will be guided by our core values to act with INTEGRITY, embrace EXCELLENCE,
prize CURIOSITY, take RESPONSIBILITY for our individual lives and actions, and create a CARING
environment in our classroom.
We keep these values in mind daily as we engage with our learning. Students are encouraged to seek
advice when they have questions about appropriate behavior or decision-making, in particular with
regard to ACADEMIC HONESTY.
Scope and Sequence
Spring Term Topics
SPRING TERM
Week Unit Topics
1 ATOMIC THEORY
Protons, neutrons, electrons
Bohr’s Model
2 NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY Nuclear energy, fission, fusion
3
RADIOACTIVITY
Understanding radioactive elements
4
Half-life labs
Presentations
5 BONDING Ionic, covalent, metallic
6
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Balancing chemical reactions
Exothermic and endothermic
7
8
9 ELECTRICITY Circuits and solar panels
10 REVIEW Study skills