INTRODUCTORY PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Re: Study Guide: ("HOW CAN I MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE GRADE?")

Daily Preparation

  1. Lab Notebook:

            All lab information, all observations, all notes taken in class - everything done in, around or about this class - must be recorded in the lab notebook. This notebook will be the only source of study material for this course.

            You will do some work in your notebook for each lab exercise BEFORE you know the correct answer and, consequently, some of your answers may be incorrect.

Update and correct all notes and information in class during our pre-lab and post-lab discussions. Keep the info in that notebook both complete and correct; keep an ACTIVE notebook.           

  2. Homework Assignments:

            (a) Get and keep an Assignment Book in which you write out the specific HW assignment for each day. These assignments can introduce new material or will

reinforce material already covered.

            (b) Spend 30 minutes on science EACH NIGHT. Your science HW usually includes written assignments AND reading of all information that you put into your notebook in class. Do your assignments completely and with your best effort. These assignments must be turned in on time for full credit; late work is usually not accepted at all.

            Keeping up with the concepts is an ongoing process; this requires extra time to mentally sort and internalize them. It is absolutely NOT POSSIBLE to cram for this class.

            Read over all notes and observations again and again, DAILY.

This is the single, most important thing that you can do to maximize your success!! 

  3. Pre-Lab Work:

            All lab exercises must be prepared in advance, using a specific format in your notebook, prior to starting each exercise. If this preparation is not done in advance, you will be declared "unexcused absent" and will not do the lab exercise that day, receiving a

"zero" for the day. This daily prior preparation is necessary to get the most out of your lab time. Continual lack of daily preparation is grounds for dismissal from this course, earning you an automatic failing grade.

 BEST SUGGESTION: Do not get behind. Review the material EACH NIGHT. Read over your lab notebook and work some sample problems every day. Always think through the assignments and turn them in on time. 

  4. Office Hours:

            I am available for those needing extra help in Room 200 before school beginning at approximately 7:30 AM.  All students are welcome to just drop in, however, making an appointment would likely be more practical.

 5. Missed Class Time:

            Making up lab work on your own is difficult. You miss the discussion that goes on with the class exercise. Getting behind in your work compounds confusion. Since

each lab builds on the one before it, missed work creates gaps of understanding that are hard to fill in.

 NOTE: You are still responsible for any and all material covered during your absence.

Be sure to take the proper steps to get all assignments done during your absence. These are all on the web page. Get your lab partner’s phone number so that you can go over with him what was covered in class. Be sure to come see me before school on the morning of your return. 

NOTE AGAIN: Be aware: it is science department policy that you must still take any  quiz or test that might be scheduled on the day of your return to class. So keep up with the material as if you had been there the whole time! I assure you, it’s BETTER TO JUST NOT MISS AT ALL!

If absent, get all work made up and turned in right away. Work that is not turned in receives zero credit and it is not the teacher’s responsibility to track down missing work, so don’t wait for the teacher to chase after you because it usually won’t happen!

  6. Class Materials:

            Each student needs his science text, lab notebook, a pen, a #2 pencil and his assignment book each day in class. Goggles are also required, but they will be kept in the lab.

            At the start of the school year, calculators are recommended for homework and class exercises, but will not be allowed on tests or quizzes during the 1^st semester or until the class demonstrates a solid grasp of the mathematical process. The use of calculators on tests later in the year is possible, but it will be decided on a class-by-class basis. Should you wish to purchase one, I recommend the TI 30x Solar calculator which costs about $15 at Target or Krogers. It has all of the scientific functions that you will use.

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