PHSC Syllabus: The class has added their expectations

Instructors

Dr. Rosalie A. Richards, Kaolin Endowed Chair in Science & Professor of Chemistry

Office: Herty 349 (Science Education Center); Tel: (478) 445-7531; rosalie.richards@gcsu.edu

Office Hours: by appointment
Dr. Victoria Deneroff, Assistant Professor, Foundations and Secondary Education; victoria.deneroff@gcsu.edu

Course Description

This course is a survey of the physical sciences that embraces physics, chemistry, earth, and space science concepts primarily covered in Georgia’s sixth and eighth grade Performance Standards. Content and pedagogical content will be addressed. The course will cover the development of ideas in the physical sciences including Atomic Theory, Light, Heat and Energy, and Mechanics (forces and motion). A common “text” will be assigned but resources will be available through the various online materials available in this field. In addition to in-class individual and group assignments, students will be required to engage in reading activities in and outside of class time.

Course Outcomes

• Assess own scientific knowledge in relation to expectation for being a “highly qualified” teacher
• Resolve common physical science misconceptions 
• Experience science inquiry learning and be able to apply elements of science inquiry teaching
• Apply important scientific concepts addressed by Georgia’s sixth and eighth grade Georgia Performance Standards (physical, earth, and space science)
• Develop best practice skills for learning science content
• Develop “sense-making” skills critical for teaching
• Make interdisciplinary connections for middle grades students whose minds are ready to integrate knowledge
• Develop the confidence to ask/ponder physical science questions about observed phenomena

Expectations decided by the Class
No laziness or negativity

Class to on time to class, leave on time (but we won't complain if we leave early)

We expect to participate equally

We expect to leave with a basic understanding of scientific concepts

Themes

Models

Scale

Hypothesis-building

What counts as evidence?

What is the role of the possible – what is a scientific test?

Is science a human process?

What does it mean that science is tentative, ever-changing?

Required Materials

1. Textbook: A Short History of Nearly Everything. Bill Bryson. Broadway; ISBN-10: 0307885151; ISBN-13: 978-0307885159 (Amazon.com from $1.56
2. Textbook: Primary Science; taking the plunge. Wynn Harlen; ISBN: 0325003866 (Amazon: $13.00-$21.81)
3. Sketchbook - for Moon Journal (about 4x6 to 5x7; need at least 50 pages; no lines): http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_products.cfmclassID=1610&subclassID=161011&brandname=Utrecht is a URL for a company that sells sketchbooks. The appropriate one on this page is the 5X7” for $7.99. You may be able to find a smaller one (4 X 6” or 4 X 4”), and a better price elsewhere.
4. Access to a scientific calculator
5. Safety glasses or goggles
6. A curiosity for science
7. A positive attitude!

Attendance

Class attendance and enthusiastic participation are mandatory. Students are expected to be in class and are responsible for all material assigned and/or addressed. One 4-hour class is equivalent to 2-3 semester lectures and one laboratory period!! Prior arrangements must be scheduled BEFORE for any absence can be considered “excused”. Work missed for absences due to emergencies or sicknesses must be made-up within a week of returning to class. Any unexcused or “without prior arrangement” absence will be recorded as a zero and factor into the final grade in a number of ways.

A course grade of F will be assigned to a student who has acquired in excess of 2 occurrences of either of the following (in any combination): class absence, or not being present for the majority of a class period.

Academic Dishonesty

Simply, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any violation OR attempted violation will result in an F for the course AND will be reported to the Judicial Council under the GC&SU Honor Code. The AcademicDishonesty Policy and Procedures can be found in the GC&SU Student Handbook: see

http://www.gcsu.edu/student_affairs/Student_Handbook/honor/honor.html for further details.

Academic Etiquette

Cellular phones must be turned to silent or vibrate once you enter the classroom. Class begins at the scheduled start time. Late arrival or early departure is disruptive and disrespectful to both your peers and the professors. Computers (laptop or otherwise) are to be used for note-taking and reference only. Laptop/computer use will be prohibited if use is abused by any one student.

Fire Drill

In the event of a fire signal, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of this building. Do not use elevators. Crawl on the floor if you encounter heavy smoke. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life.

Assemble for a head count north of the building.

Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability

If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations needed to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in

Maxwell Student Union at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.

Shared Syllabus Statement

Graduates of Georgia College’s Middle Grades Education Program will meet all standards outlined by the National Middle School Association for Initial Certification, including tools of inquiry of specific disciplines. Middle level teacher candidates will possess a depth and breadth of knowledge in content fields that are broad, multidisciplinary, and inclusive of the major areas within those fields; candidates will also use content knowledge to make interdisciplinary connections. See

http://nmsa.org/ProfessionalPreparation/NMSAStandards/tabid/374/Default.aspx for further details about

knowledge, dispositions, and performances within content fields. In light of this aim, faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Education regularly collaborate and agree to use criteria for meeting the content preparation standard as a focal point of the courses in the Middle Grades Education Program. Our faculties examine the progress of the students, exchange and review documented performances of individual students in all courses, and reflect together upon the effectiveness of the program as a whole. In this way the faculty members show their shared responsibility for and commitment to preparing knowledgeable and effective middle grades teachers, Architects of Change.

Assessments

Assessments will take the form of group work, quizzes, presentations, exams, and other assignments.

One midterm exam and one final project will be administered. One inquiry project will be completed.

The exam will be closed book, closed notes and no study guide or review will be provided.

“Close reading” consists of taking notes on a piece of paper (folded lengthwise) about your general understanding the science from the reading, any surprising or memorable aspects from the reading, further questions or explanations the reading incites. Close reading notes will be due after every  reading assignment at the beginning of class.
Group Assignments and Labs                    100
Weekly Activities                                       300
MidTerm Exam                                          150
Moon Journal                                             100
Present to A Scientist                                 100
Science in the Media                                    50
Final Exam (Theory Team Teaching)        200
TOTAL                                                    1000

A (≥93%) B (86-93%) C (75-85%) D (62-74%) F (<62%)

Incomplete (I) Grade

A grade of incomplete “I” will be given only when the student has completed the majority of the course requirements, and a written excuse indicating a legitimate reason why the course work cannot be completed by the close of the semester is provided to the instructor and the Dean. The student must complete the required course work in the next semester on or before the date indicated by the Registrar’s Office. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in a grade “F” for the course.

VISTA

Scores will be available for view at http://vista.gcsu.edu. The instructor will let you know by e-mailwhen scores are available for view. Please do not request information about scores until availability is

indicated via e-mail. If a posted score is inconsistent with your score, please feel free to let me know via e-mail or in class.

Important Dates

Classes begin: August 17

Last day to add a course; last day to drop a course without fee penalty: August 19

Labor Day Holiday: September 3

Midterm Exam:
Midterm grades due: October 5

Fall Break: October 10-11

Last day to drop w/out academic penalty: October 13

National Chemistry: Week October 21-27

Thanksgiving Holidays: November 23-25

Last Day of Class: December 5

Final Exam: (5:00 pm) December 6