!cid_003301c5823c$b4b7a4f0$6501a8c0@Steve          Physical Science         !cid_002f01c5823c$b4b7a4f0$6501a8c0@Steve

Course Agreement

2008-2009 School Year

Mr. Rosenoff’s Class

 

Thank you for your interest in Potter's School Physical Science class.  I am excited about the new school year for two reasons:  (1) our class will be live-feed Internet. Unlike some Internet courses which require you to send in assignments which I grade and then return, you and I will be communicating directly with each other on at least a weekly basis.  This arrangement gives us greater opportunity to interact and learn from each other because we will be together for ninety minutes each week; (2) our curriculum will be challenging and exhilarating.  Sixteen major topics will be covered during the course of this year.  These units are all outlined in the book Exploring Creation with Physical Science, 2nd Edition, by Dr. Jay Wile, which will also be our classroom text.  As a former medical and industrial research scientist, you can be certain I will bring a depth of knowledge to the topics we will study together.  I am eager to share my experience with you in an educational capacity.

 

In order to start out with a firm understanding of my expectations for this class, I would ask that you please review the following requirements with your student:

 

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1.  Students entering physical science must be concurrently enrolled in or have completed pre-algebra prior to the start of the 2008-2009 Potter's School academic year.  (Success in physical science at this level and math ability goes hand-in-hand, according to research.)

 

2.  Incoming physical science students must have mastered the introductory concepts covered in a basic general course, including basic laboratory procedures and experiment report writing.  (Please see Exploring Creation with General Science, by Dr. Jay Wile for guidance as to basic curriculum covered in a general science course.)

 

3.  Students are expected to have a basic understanding of document citation and have the ability to produce a one to two page formal laboratory experiment report following a standardized documentation style I will provide.

 

4.  Students or their parents are required to have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of how to download files, load web pages, open and create e-mail attachments in Word 6.0/95 format, and how to copy from a Word document and paste to a website template.  (These are not skills I teach in class.)

 

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5.  The text we will be using for our course, as stated earlier, is Exploring Creation with Physical Science, 2nd Edition, by Dr. Jay Wile.  You are also required to purchase the textbook Solutions Manual.  The textbook and manual or a complete CD-ROM version of the text/manual and other support materials are available through Apologia Educational Ministries, www.apologia.com at a reduced cost to you once your tuition is paid.  The text is divided into 16 modules.  Unless otherwise noted in the physical science course schedule, (1) a parent-graded module study guide; (2) a paper and ink informal report (following an informal format I will provide) for each module experiment; and (3) an instructor-graded online module test MUST be completed for each module.  Each student will also produce a formal lab report each quarter following a formal report format that I will provide.  There will also be an instructor-graded semester exam given at the end of 1st and 2nd semesters.  I will also require that the student maintain a penciled lab notebook of all lab experiment work completed: I will post a list of the required experiments to be completed for each semester.  Remember -- in general, these assignments MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DUE DATES LISTED in the course schedule which I will post.       


6.  Students must complete the module test and the semester exam and post their formal experiment report ONLINE on the Apologia Educational Ministries website: www.apologiascience.com.  Parents MUST post their parent notebook report on the Apologia site also.  Completing this assignment submission process provides the student/parent with a receipt for the assignment which is time stamped and gives me a computer-stored copy to look back on.  There is a link for posting each one of these assignments available on the site.  Please note: I require that you word process (Word 6.0/95, Times Roman, 12 font) and spell check the formal experiment report prior to its being posted to the Apologia site.  I will provide you with a Steps to Success handout which will detail the best method to accomplish all the assignment work once class begins in September.

 

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7.  Laboratory work is an important endeavor in your child’s overall grade and education and must be completed to continue on to biology.  Please, be sure to be diligent in completing ALL the required lab assignments indicated in the Schedule I will post.  Laboratory supplies for this course are obtained from common household and pantry items, hunting and gathering activities, and by purchasing a few supplies through local variety stores.  I will require a parent notebook report be submitted each semester stating the total number of experiments completed per number required.  This report will amount to one third of your student’s laboratory grade.  Please do not be late.     

 

(Those of you living and working overseas have special needs regarding completion of laboratory work.  Please feel free to contact me on an individual basis so that I can help with any concerns you may have.)

 

8.  Students must be disciplined enough to submit required work on time.  As per Potter's School policy, I will deduct 10% per day from the score received on the assignment on all late work (including the parent notebook report), unless the lateness results from personal illness, family emergency, or computer problem of a non-reoccurring nature.  In these instances, I will grant full points.  A schedule for the course, providing due dates for all assignments for the entire year, will be forwarded before the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.  (If you are leaving on vacation or some other personal choice holiday, please adjust your study schedule to submit the assigned work before leaving.  I will always accept an assignment early.  I am available during my office hours to help you complete assignments before the due date, when and if necessary, during the school year.)

 

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All class assignments are due by 6:00 PM, Eastern Time, on the date indicated in the Schedule I will post.  (The Apologia Science time stamp on your work is the final authority on whether something is submitted on time or not.)  NOTE: 6:01 PM, Eastern Time, starts a new day and I will subtract 10% if your work arrives at or after that time.

 

9.  In order to begin class immediately, students are expected to be signed on to their computers at the class start time with materials ready.  Technology is often a fickle thing.  Many students have to log in several times to get a decent connection.  Try to log into class early to avoid being late.  (This also provides the student time to chat with classmates prior to the start of our session.)  Those students who are habitually tardy for no valid reason will be referred to the school administrator. 

 

(Those of you living and working overseas have special problems regarding absences and tardiness.  Please feel free to contact me on an individual basis so that I can help with your needs.)

 

10.  Students are expected to come to class prepared every day, which means all assigned reading, exercises, and labs have been completed.

 

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The following rules and procedures have been established to create an environment conducive to learning:

 

                    a.   Be Prepared -- have assignments finished prior to class.

                    b.   Be Prompt -- turn in all work on the date it is due.

                    c.   Be Respectful -- to yourself, other students, and your tutor.

                    d.   Be Involved -- daily participation is required.

 

Those students who follow the rules stated above will receive positive reinforcement through the use of participation points.  These points will be given, at my discretion, to students who are organized, complete work on time and to the best of their ability, and have behaved in an appropriate manner. 

 

11.  Daily participation in class is also required.  Students are expected to ask questions, participate in discussions, and generate and share ideas.  Often participation is the deciding factor when figuring grades (an ‘A’ vs. an ‘A-’ or perhaps a ‘D’ vs. an ‘F’).  You need to do more than show up to class and complete your assignments to succeed -- you need to be an active participant in your education. 

 

(Please note: I cannot and will not, in good conscience, pass a student who does not participate in his or her education.)

 

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12.  The following grade scale will be used for the course:

 

                    A    93 - 100%              C+   77 - 79%              F  59% and below

                    A-   90 -  92%               C     73 - 76%     

                    B+   87 -  89%              C-    70 - 72%                                

                    B     83 -  86%              D+   67 - 69%    

                    B-    80 -  82%              D     60 - 66%

 

The two, typewritten, formal, laboratory write-up (one required each quarter) and the parent notebook report detailing completion of all required experiment work comprise 25% of the student’s semester grade, seven module tests each semester make up and an additional 50% of the student’s grade, and the end of semester exam comprises 25% of the total score for each semester.

 

A perpetual grade report for each semester for every student is available on the password protected Apologia site www.apologiascience.com for your viewing at anytime during the school year.

 

If you have further questions regarding course requirements, my e-mail address is rosenon@apologia.com. Please feel free to contact me on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons between 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Eastern Time.  My phone number is 765-608-3280, Ext 203.  (Note: I am there even if the message says the Apologia office is closed, so please dial my extension.)

 

Looking forward to seeing you in September.

 

God Bless,

 

Steve Rosenoff

Physical Science Instructor

 

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