Thanks for choosing to make Physical Science part of your academic program for this school year! I hope this class will be a challenging and enjoyable experience for you. This class is designed to introduce the basic principles of chemistry and physics. Here's the info on this class. Please read it, share it with your parents, and both sign. Thanks!

Teacher info: Ms. VanWie
Office: Room 602
Office phone number: (303) 442-2430 ext 2220
Email: claudia.vanwie@bvsd.org
Please email or call with questions or concerns.

Web access: The class web site has links to the goals, a calendar, and practice activities for each unit. There are also links to copies of the guidelines for writing lab reports and graphing as well as many worksheets, graphic organizer summaries, and supplemental web sites. The class web site is at http://adams.bvsd.org/~claudiavanwie/  (Please note: No "www"; no "dot" between first and last name; the slash at the end is required.) Please bookmark or add to favorites for easy access. Although it is often helpful to be able to access the web site from home, it is not necessary to do so. Students have access to computers in the library, the Ozone, Adelante, study skills and the third floor computer lab.

Grading: Since the purpose of taking this course is to learn the basics of physical science, grading is based on demonstrating mastery of the material. Most of the grade depends on assessments and labs. In general, about 75-80% of major assessments tests mastery of the basic skills and concepts of the course. Twenty to twenty-five percent of the assessment tests more advanced concepts and applications of the material. Since I expect all students to master at least the basic requirements for the course, you will be given a second chance to do this if you were not successful the first time. To re-do major assessments, (1) you will need to give me a plan showing what you are going to do to improve your understanding of the material; (2) you will need to come in during tap period or lunch to re-do the work; and (3) you will need to complete this in the time given, generally one week. In other words, it is easier to do a good job the first time, but should you not do so for whatever reason, the opportunity will still be there to learn and to show me that you have mastered the concepts.

Between ten and fifteen percent of the points for each unit are earned by completing all material for the unit and organizing it in a notebook. Practice assignments, which will be reviewed in class, must be kept in notebooks and will be included in the notebook grade.

The percentages for each letter grade are as follows:  90 - 100% = A; 80 - 89% = B; 70 - 79% = C; 60 - 69% = D; and below 60% = F.

Attendance and making up missed work: A significant portion of the information in this class is learned while doing labs and class activities. Consequently, one of the best predictors of success in this class is good attendance. If you know you are going to be absent on a given day, please let me know in advance and check the web page. If possible, complete the class work and homework on time so that you can benefit fully from the class activities when you return. All work missed must be made up and you must make arrangements within two days of your return to school to complete make-up work. Labs and work can be made up during TAP period, during either lunch, or after school. The key is to work out a plan as soon as you know you will be missing classes.

Tardies: Class starts on time. If you come in late, please be considerate. Enter the room quietly with minimal disruption of other students. Since I generally give directions for the class at the beginning of the period, you may have to wait to start a lab or activity until I have time to meet with you individually. If tardies occur repeatedly, we will need to find a way to solve the problem.

Late work: Not completing work on time will quickly result in a student being overwhelmed. We do new work every day and much of the work builds on concepts discussed previously. If these are not mastered, you can quickly become lost. I do accept late work; however, I may quiz you orally on it to be sure you really understand it and that you have done the work and I generally lower the grade given. Please see me immediately if you are falling behind for any reason so that we can jointly find a way to solve the problem. Boulder High has lots of ways to help students get back on track quickly.

Quality of work: All work must be neat, legible and of high quality.

Notebooks: All work for this class must be organized and kept in a three-ring binder. The details for this notebook are on an attached paper and on the website.

Behavior Expectations: Every student has the right to a positive learning environment and the right to feel safe and comfortable in school. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken if a student disrupts the learning of other students, in any way threatens the safety of any person, or does anything that may damage equipment or school facilities. We do frequent labs in this course; safe and appropriate behavior is absolutely required. For safety reasons, food and drinks are not allowed in the science room.

Always leave the class with a clean desk, clean floor, and a clean lab space.

Supplies: The following items will be needed in class every day: pencil and pen, regular lined paper, graph paper, calculator (simple -- NOT on a cell phone), the planner that you received at the beginning of school, textbook, and your science notebook. The following items will NOT be needed in class: cell phones, ipods and other electronic items. Please check your planner for school policy on these items.

A final word: I am here to help you. Please ask for help when needed. Come to TAP periods Wednesday morning for help or to make up work or come in after school. Take advantage of the help available in the Ozone. And enjoy your freshman year!