This document provides an orientation for a physical science classroom. It outlines the topics that will be covered in physical science including physics and chemistry concepts. It discusses expectations for students to be independent learners and responsible. It describes teaching techniques the teacher will use like cold calling, stretching answers, and requiring everyone to write. It outlines procedures, discipline policies, notebook guidelines, hand signals, internet resources, and maintaining a cooperative classroom culture and environment.

1. Classroom Orientation
What is Physical Science?
Physics
• Forms of energy
• Energy transformations
• Heat
• Waves
• Sound
• Light
• Forces and Motion
• Electromagnetism
Chemistry
• Atoms and molecules
• Periodic Table
• Properties of matter
• States of matter
• Chemical reactions
• Acids and bases
• Nuclear energy
Discussion:
1. Which of these topics do
you already know
something about?
2. Which of these topics
are you most interested
in learning about?

2. Classroom Orientation
Expectations:
• Be an independent learner – This is what is expected of
you in high school and college, so since I am preparing
you for high school and college, this is my expectation too.

3. Classroom Orientation
Tie Your Shoes
You learned to tie your shoes after being shown how. Then you practiced
doing it on your own. Making a few mistakes was part of your learning
experience. And now that you can tie your shoes all by yourself, you can
get where you want to go without tripping over untied laces.
In this classroom you will be shown how to do many things. If you are to
master these things the way you mastered the ability to tie your shoes, you
must practice doing them on your own. You must be willing to learn from
your mistakes and try again. And once you can do these things all by
yourself, you can get where you want to go in life without getting tripped up
by your confusion. When you no longer depend on others to do things for
you, then you may be considered independent.

4. Classroom Orientation
“Let your mistakes make you stronger.”
Discussion:
Discuss with a classmate how making mistakes can make you stronger.

5. Classroom Orientation
Expectations:
• Be an independent learner – This is what is expected of you in high
school and college, so since I am preparing you for high school and
college, this is my expectation too.
• Be responsible, respectful, and honest – Exhibiting these three
qualities will make you a person of value and ensure that we have a safe
environment in which we can learn effectively.
• Treat every mistake and failure as a learning opportunity – Mistakes
can be our greatest teachers when we are not afraid or ashamed of them.

6. Classroom Orientation
Teaching Techniques:
In order to build a strong foundation of understanding you will be held accountable for
demonstrating your knowledge of topics in a variety of ways and on a daily basis:
• Cold Call – You may be called on to answer any question at any time whether
your hand was raised or not!
• Stretch It – Even if you answer a question correctly, you may be asked to provide
more information, explain, use appropriate science vocabulary, or answer a
follow-up question.
• No Opt Out – “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer in this classroom. You
are expected to give the correct answer to the question asked of you. Relax…
assistance will be provided as needed.

7. Classroom Orientation
The only real failure in life is not trying.

8. Classroom Orientation
Teaching Techniques (cont.):
• Everybody Writes – In order to have deep, thoughtful, and productive
classroom discussions, occasionally you will be given a prompt to answer
individually in your composition book. EVERYBODY is expected to
answer the question. Everybody Writes is good practice for the 8th grade
writing test, high school graduation tests, and college work.
• 100% - There is only one acceptable percentage of students following
directions in this classroom: 100%. Anything less poses a threat to the
learning environment by suggesting that you have the option not to do
what is asked of you.

9. Classroom Orientation
Procedures and Discipline:
"If we don't discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us."
-William Feather
Discussion:
1. How does the world discipline us?
2. How can we discipline ourselves?

10. Classroom Orientation
Procedures and Discipline:
• Problems in the classroom generally occur for one of two reasons:
incompetence or defiance. While there is never one best way to deal
with occasional discipline problems, there are some general guidelines
that we will use as necessary. Please know that the rules and
expectations that I enforce exist to ensure that I have a safe and
effective learning environment for ALL students. Irresponsible
behavior should be seen as an opportunity for growth so you will be
encouraged to exercise self-discipline through reflection and self-
evaluation.

11. Classroom Orientation
We are here to build each other up, not
tear each other down.

12. Classroom Orientation
Notebook Guidelines:
You are expected to maintain a composition book for this class. Your
composition book should be for science ONLY. It will be used for notes,
illustrations, vocabulary words, Everybody Writes, and for recording lab data.
• It should be kept in the classroom at all times and may only be taken
home to prepare for tests and quizzes.
• You should get it at the beginning of each class and return it at the end.
• Write on both sides of the page and DO NOT skip pages!
• Your composition books may be checked periodically for organization and
completeness.

13. Classroom Orientation
Hand Signals:
In order to minimize disruptions, you are NOT permitted out of your seat
without permission. Rather that interrupting instruction to ask for
permission, please use the hand signals posted at the front of the room to let
me know what you need.
Pencil Restroom Trash Tissue

14. Classroom Orientation
Procedures and Discipline:
End of Class:
1. Organize class materials and clean up your area.
2. Stay seated until you are dismissed. I dismiss you, not the bell!

15. Classroom Orientation
Internet Resources:
I make extensive use of a variety of online resources to demonstrate,
support, or enrich topics studied in class. Sometimes we will use these
resources in class and other times you will be expected to use them on
your computer at home. If you do not have internet access at home,
please have your parent/guardian let me know in writing.

16. Classroom Orientation
Cooperative Classroom Culture:
Our classroom houses a small society. Each of us is a
citizen who is expected to behave properly. We want our
classroom to be encouraging and productive at all times. In
this way, we can develop the academic and behavioral skills
that are so necessary for successful lives.

17. Classroom Orientation
Cooperative Classroom Culture (cont.):
One of the most important aspects of a strong and
successful learning environment is trust. We must trust
each other to provide support and encouragement. While
the occasional disagreement is normal, negative and hurtful
speech or actions are never appropriate.

18. Classroom Orientation
Cooperative Classroom Culture (cont.):
So that we may better learn from the teacher and from each
other, your work may be made public. We will share good
examples of student work so that we can see how to properly
do things. We will share bad examples of student work so
that we can learn from the mistakes of others.

19. Classroom Orientation
Classroom Environment:
Our minds are shaped by our environment and a messy
learning environment can be a big distraction to teaching and
learning. Therefore we must work to maintain an orderly
classroom.
Keep the aisles clear! Your book bags, backpacks, binders,
jackets, and anything else you bring must be kept under your
chair at all times.

20. Classroom Orientation
Inspirational Quote here…