CPS Classroom Contract Development

In Class:

Develop classroom contract between teacher and students. We came up with:

Student Expectations (What makes a good student):

• Cooperative
• Follows Directions
• Resourceful and Creative
• Honest
• Respectful

Teacher Expectations (What makes a good teacher):

• Doesn't talk (lecture) too much (more than 30 minutes is too much)
• Be nice
• Have fun
• Be cool... at least some times
• Have a good sense of humor

Homework:

• Get course description form signed. Due Tue 9/4/2007.

RPS Rounding Review and SI Units Intro

In Class:

• Review how to round numbers
• Begin work on HW 1.1: Rounding Numbers
• SI Units Intro, part 1

Homework (all due Tue 9/4/2007):

• Get course description forms signed.
• Complete HW 1.1: Rounding Numbers, if not finished in class.
• Read, study, and do practice problems on Notes 1.2: SI Units and Prefixes

Handouts:

• Notes 1.1: Rounding Numbers

HPS SI Units and Unit Conversion

In Class:

• SI Units Introduction
• Begin SI Unit conversion using dimensional analysis

Homework (all due 9/4/2007):

• Get course description forms signed.
• Read textbook pp. 33-45, 750-752
• Get science fair log book.
• Surf web to http://www.scifair.com/ and read a little about science fair.

Handouts:

• Notes: SI Units and Prefixes

HPS Course Description

In Class:

• Welcome, general course information, class expectations.
  
• Distribute Course Descriptions.

Homework:

• Read course description document with parents, return top page signed by 9/4/2007.

Handouts:

• 2007-2008 Honors Physical Science Course Description
  

CPS Course Description

In Class:

• Welcome, general course information, class expectations.
  
• Distribute Course Descriptions.

Homework:

• Read course description document with parents, return top page signed by 9/4/2007.

Handouts:

• 2007-2008 Conceptual Physical Science Course Description

RPS Course Description

In Class:

• Welcome, general course information, class expectations.
  
• Distribute Course Descriptions.

Homework:

• Read course description document with parents, return top page signed by 9/4/2007.

Handouts:

• 2007-2008 Regular Physical Science Course Description

Welcome Message

Hello Students and Parents!

Welcome to Physical Science with Mr. Yamashita! I'm looking forward to working with you all this year.

Physical Science is the study of matter and energy. Students will explore a wide variety of physical science concepts, systems, and principles. This course is designed to prepare students for success in biology, chemistry, and physics courses.

On the first day of class, I will distribute to all my students course description guides. Please read these carefully and return the top page by Tuesday, September 4, 2007. (The first homework assignment!) The course description document has lots of good information, such as class expectations, policies, and information on how grades will be calculated.

While you are here, please explore this website. What you can expect to find here:

• Daily postings of what is covered in class (they can be sorted -- see "Categorized Entries"; and they are archived -- see "Archived Entries")
  
• Links to documents handed out in class
• Some videos relevant to class (either as supporting information or actual lecture videos)
• Links to useful online resources, such as:
• practice quizzes
• online tutorials
• online resources for information
• links to science in the news (see bottom of this page!)
• A little information about me (even a sound clip of how to pronounce my name!) and information on how to contact me.
  

Sincerely,

Mr. Taro Yamashita