Teacher: Mrs. Patterson

Biography: I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Chestnut Hill Collegee. I went on to Rutgers University to receive my M.Ed. in educational theory. I have taught chemistry in Florence Township High School. I have also taught remedial math and technical math at Burlington County College. For the last nine years I have taught many science courses at Deptford Township High School, including physical science, advanced placement chemistry, and honors chemistry.

Philosophy: I believe that all students have the ability to be successful in CPS-A with a proper attitude and work effort. I will provide for you a quality education in the ever-expanding fields of earth science, physics and chemistry. You should be willing to work hard, seek help when you need it, and be dedicated to all the assignments to the best of your ability. We will also have some fun along the way!

Classroom Procedures: As your teacher, I intend to

• respect EVERY student.
• present exciting lessons/demonstrations
• be available for extra help – feel free to schedule a time to meet with me.
• be Fair, Reasonable, and Compassionate.
• return all assignments as quickly as possible.
• keep parents and guardians involved in the learning process.

• be respectful and considerate of other members in the classroom. This means raising your hand to speak and listening when others are speaking.
• be on time prepared to learn.
• arrive prepared for class – notebook, pen and homework.
• submit any assignments on time.
• be diligent about making up work after an absence.
• Call a classmate, e-mail me
• Labs must be made up within one week
• Tests – absent one day, take it the next day; absent more than one day, see me to make it up within one week
• be responsible for any materials given to you and maintain a clean work area.
• to provide your best effort at all times and HAVE FUN!!

Course Goals: Addressing NJ, National, Cherry Hill Science and Cherry Hill Life Skills, the following topics will be studied:

Standards: Cherry Hill Physical Science Standards used in this course:

1. The student acquires the skills necessary to engage in scientific inquiry, analysis, deductive and inductive reasoning, information gathering, and problem solving as essential and integral elements in the study of science.
2. The student develops an understanding of how people of various cultures have contributed to the advancement of science and technology, and how major discoveries and events have advanced science and technology.
3. The student demonstrates an ability to use all necessary scientific tools related to the study of science and will use technology to apply knowledge of scientific principles.
4. The student demonstrated an ability to undertake a variety of types of scientific investigation(experiments, research, library media, data collection, design, field work,) and to communicate results with a depth of understanding.
5. The student produces evidence that demonstrates an understanding of the structure, properties, and behavior.
6. The student produces evidence that demonstrated an understanding of the natural laws as they apply to motion, forces, and energy transformation.

8. The student produces evidence that demonstrates an understanding of the various sources of energy in the universe, and their effects on matter, with an emphasis on Earth’s system.

11. The student demonstrates an ability to integrate mathematics for problem solving in science, and uses mathematics to express and/or model scientific theories.

The following Principles of Learning used in this course:

1. Organizing for Effort 2. Clear Expectations 3. Accountable Talk

4. Fair and Credible Evaluations 5. Recognition of Accomplishment

6. Socializing Intelligence 7. Academic Rigor in a Thinking Curriculum

8. Self-Management of Learning 9. Learning as Apprenticeship

Grading Policy: 1. I use a total point system with the approximate percentages below.

1. total number of points you earned/total number of points for the marking period
2. In a marking period, there will be two/three tests; a few quizzes; two formal lab reports; one lab per week; usually some form of daily homework to reinforce/introduce topics addressed in class.
3. There will be one paper due at the end of each month. Topics will be concerned with current topics in science, topics seen in your social studies class, and topics dealing with future science.

Grading Percentages 40% Tests and Quizzes 15% Papers and projects

25% Lab reports 20% In-class assignments and homework

(These are approximate values and can change based on the total number of points accumulated.)

Revision of Work: Any student earning less than a 70% on any major assessment; test, quiz, lab report, paper, or in-class presentation; will have the opportunity to revise the work within a week. Before the revision occurs, the student should come and see myself or some other means for help concerning the topic.

Academic Honesty: I expect that when students turn in any assignments, that it is your own work. Cheating of any kind is not acceptable and will be dealt with according to the Honor Code Policy of C.H. East. When an assignment is to be worked on in collaborative groups, students have the guidelines set for them. At the very least, a zero will be given for the assignment, parents will be notified, and a special Academic Dishonesty White Card will be filed with the grade-level principal.

Textbook: Trefil, J.; Hazen, R.M., The Sciences An Integrated Approach John Wiley & Sons, 2000