Physical Science

Harding University High School

Teacher: Ms. Barnhill

Room: G-203
E-mail: macyt.barnhill@cms.k12.nc.us
School phone #: (980) 343-6007
Office (extra help) hours:
Monday - Thursday: 2:30- 3:30
(Other hours will be arranged by appointment ONLY)

ABOUT THE TEACHER

I graduated from Francis Marion University located in Florence, South Carolina, where I obtained my bachelors
degree in Chemistry with a collateral in Physics. During my college years at Francis Marion, I served as a
Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant, where I taught pre-laboratory lectures for General Chemistry and
Organic Chemistry Labs. I also taught STEM at the Florence Montessori School for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Besides educational positions, I worked as a Quality Assurance/Control Associate for 3 years for Tupperware
Brands, which is a leading houseware plastics company. In June 2017, I moved from Florence to Charlotte, to
continue my path in facilitating education, leading me here to Harding University High School.

COURSE OVERVIEW
The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue the investigation of the physical sciences begun in
earlier grades. This course is laboratory-based science class in which students will study the principals of
chemistry and physics that include matter, energy, structure of atoms, chemical reactions, forces, and motion.

Competency Goals

1. The student will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
2. The student will construct an understanding of forces and motion.
3. The student will analyze energy and its conservation.
4. The student will construct an understanding of electricity and magnetism.
5. The student will build an understanding of the structure and properties of matter.
6. The student will build an understanding of regularities in chemistry.

COURSE MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

1. Pencils/Pens
2. A supply of loose leaf paper (lined AND punched but NOT torn from a spiral binder) for assignments.
3. 3-ring binder to hold all papers.
4. A supply of graph paper for labs with graphing components.
5. Colored pencils or different colored highlighters.

GRADING
The final grade in this course will be computed by using percentages. The grading scale is as follows:

100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69-60 = D <59 = F

For each quarter, work percentages will be as follows:
 Formal (Tests, Projects) 70%
Informal (Home, Quizzes, Labs and class work) - 30%

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS Rules of conduct

1. Respect ME, YOURSELF, AND ANYONE ELSE in the room.
2. Be prepared and ready for class when the bell rings.
3. Raise your hand and wait to be called upon to speak in class
4. Keep the classroom neat and clean at all times.
5. Follow directions the first time they are given.

Positive Consequences
Verbal praise
Positive parent note home, or phone call, or email
Free homework pass or Free Test Question
Opportunities to attend speakers, school programs, etc.

Negative Consequences
Verbal warnings
Student-Teacher conference
Parent Contact via phone call, email, or home-visit
Parent-Teacher conference
Referral submission

** ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY **
Be present and be on time for class every class day. You cant learn if you are not here.
CMS allows 10 absences per term. You must do recovery for all days over 10 that you are absent.
Student will follow the schools tardy policy, which will be enforced in my class.
TEST- Tests are administered after each unit of material are completely covered. Tests are announced
ONE WEEK in advance of the date. If youre absent on a test date, you have to take that test within 5
days.
LABS- Attendance in labs, as well as written reports is MANDATORY. If you miss a lab, its your
responsibility to arrange a make-up lab within 5 days. The students are to complete the lab report at
home.

RETEST POLICY:
Failure is not an option
Youre eligible for a retest if you score a grade of 80 or below on a test. Before it will be given, you have
to complete a test correction and after school tutorial. The highest score that can be earn on a retest is
a 79.

HOMEWORK POLICY:
Homework will be given on an ongoing basis. Students will be strongly encouraged to incorporate writing,
reading, inquiry, and collaboration. Homework is to be turned in at the beginning of class in the designated
Turn-In Bin. I will collect homework after the first 10 minutes of class, at that time, homework is considered
LATE and is subject to a 3-5 point deduction.

COURSE OBJECTIVES