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Friday, March 19, 2010

2010 West County Science Fair Winners

The 2nd Annual West County High School Science Fair was held on the evening of March 8, 2010. Winners were:

Behavioral Science:
1st Place-Amanda

Biology:
1st Place-Grace
2nd Place-Dillan
3rd Place-Alex

Physics:
1st Place-Jesse
2nd Place-Daniel

Congratulations to all who entered their projects. Best wishes to those who will be participating in the Mineral Area College Science Fair on March 26, 2010.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Principles of Physics--Syllabus

Principles of Physics

1. Course Description:
Principles of Physics aims to give the 9th grade student a solid background in physical science and earth science concepts. As the first required science course for high school students, it has no prerequisite. Principles of Physics is a year-long course that will cover the topics listed below.

Objectives to be covered include:
-Stars and electromagnetic energy
-Mass, gravity, orbits
-Water in the environment
-Atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere
-Climate and weather patterns
-Weathering and erosion
-Plate tectonic theory
-Relative and real dating techniques
-Weather prediction
-Characteristics and motions of objects in the universe

-Energy transfer
-Energy sources
-Electromagnetic spectrum
-Conductors and insulators
-Kinetic and potential energy
-Mass, velocity, work, acceleration, speed, momentum, power, efficiency, inertia
-Simple machines
-Magnetic fields
-Electric currents
-Newton's Laws of Motion

2. Instructional Philosophy:
Course material will be read aloud and discussed in class. Students will have assignments almost every day. They will be given some time in class to work on assignments, in case they have questions. There will be some partner and group work. Some hands-on activities will be done in the classroom, and for others, students will go to the science lab. Students must pass a lab safety test and wear proper clothing and shoes before they will be allowed to participate in lab activities.

Grading will be based on Tests (1/4), Daily Assignments (1/2), and Participation (1/4). Tests will be mainly objective rather than essay. Daily assignments are due the same day if time allows, or at the beginning of the next class period. Late assignments will be graded at half credit, or students may make up the work in PATHS for 80% credit. Participation grades are based on attendance, bringing materials (text, paper, and pencil) every day, participation in activities and discussion, and behavior that does not violate classroom rules. The participation grade is worth 5 points per day, all or nothing.

3. Major Course Goals:
Students will understand the following principles:
--Changes in properties and states of matter provide evidence of the atomic theory of matter.
--Energy has a source, can be stored, and can be transferred, but is conserved within a system.
--The motion of an object is described by its change in position relative to another object or point.
--Forces affect motion.
--Earth's systems (geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) have common components and unique structures.
--Earth's systems (geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) interact with one another as they undergo change by common processes.
--Human activity is dependent upon and affects Earht's resources and systems.
--The universe has observable properties and structure.
--Regular and predictable motions of objects in the universe can be described as the result of gravitational forces.
--Science understanding is developed through the use of science process skills, scientific knowledge, scientific investigation, reasoning, and critical thinking.
--The nature of technology can advance,and is advanced by, science as it seeks to apply scientific knowledge in ways that meet human needs.
--Historical and cultural perspectives of scientific explanations help to improve understanding of the nature of science and how science knowledge and technology evolve over time.
--Science and technology affect, and are affected by, society

4. A+ Core Competencies:
*Students will apply Newton's three laws of motion to explain everyday phenomena.
*Students will assess strategies to limit human impact on resources and the environment.
*Students will explain how the earth's axial tilt affects temperature, seasons, and intensity of sunlight.

During instruction, students will discuss the core competency material, complete a study guide, and take a quiz on the competencies. They should pass at 90%, or may be required to take the quiz over again until 90% is reached.

5. Major Course Projects and Instructional Activities:
A science project worth 200 points will be assigned during 3rd Quarter. Students may choose to work with a partner on the project.

First semester, students will use an earth science text, and switch to the physics text after the earth science objectives are covered.

Second semester, students will use formulas to calculate work, energy, power, mass, speed, velocity, acceleration, momentum, efficiency, and inertia, as well as construct graphs.

6. Classroom Expectations:
*Be on time and in assigned seat when the bell rings
*Have book, pencil, and paper ready. If not, students will not earn the participation points for that day
*No gum, candy, food, or drink is allowed in the classroom
*Work not turned in at the beginning of class on the day after it is due will be graded for half credit

7. Supplies and Materials Needed:
Notebook/paper, pencil/pen, assigned text, calculator, science project board (3rd Quarter)

8. Homework Policy and Grading Scale:
*Most work is due the day it is assigned, as time is allowed in class.
*Work not turned in at the beginning of class the day after it is due will be graded for half credit.
*Assignments with grades under 60% may be done again in PATHS to be graded at 80% credit (per PATHS policy).
*Very few, if any, bonus points are offered during the year.

GRADING SCALE
100-97.....A
96-93.......A-
92-90.......B+
89-85.......B
84-82.......B-
81-78.......C+
77-71.......C
68-70......C-
67-66......D+
65-63......D
62-60......D-
59-0........F

9. Extra Help:
The school PATHS program operates from 3:00-5:00 each afternoon, Monday-Thursday. Science day is on Tuesday.

With advance notice, I can stay after school from 3:00-4:00 most days if a student needs individual help on a specific topic. This is not to sit with them while they do homework.

10. Time and Place to be Reached by Parents:

Telephone: (573) 562-7521
Plan Time: 9:09-9:59, 2nd hour
Email: kcureton@westco.k12.mo.us

EHC-Course Syllabus

EHC

1. Course Description:
The EHC Program has been established to assist those students who are failing core subjects. These students may be at risk of dropping out of school or not graduation on time, due to lack of credits.

This assistance will come in the form of individual or group tutoring in the core subjects, as well as instruction in study skills such as organization, listening, note-taking, test-taking, time management, and learning styles. The teacher will monitor students' work with the core teachers in an effort to prevent missing assignments and failing grades.

2. Instructional Philosophy:
Students will bring assignments from their core class subjects such as language, algebra, history, and science. They will work on the assignments and get one-on-one help from the teacher as needed. This help could be in various forms, such as checking over answers on completed assignments, working out algebra problems step-by-step, reviewing for tests, using chapter headings to find answers to questions, planning best use of time to complete multiple assignments, etc.

Students can only get out of the EHC program what they put into it. For example, if they do not ask for help or make an effort to complete core class assignments correctly, the program can not help them improve their grades.

3. Major Course Goals:
*Students will acquire knowledge and skills to gather, understand, analyze, and apply information and ideas.
*Students will acquire knowledge and skills to communicate effectively within and beyond the classroom.
*Students will acquire knowledge and skills to recognize and solve problems.
*Students will acquire knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as responsible members of society.

4. A+ Core Competencies:
*Evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its source.
*Examine problems and proposed solutions from multiple perspectives.
*Explain reasoning and identify information used to support decisions.

During instruction, students will discuss the core competency material, complete a study guide, and take a quiz on the competencies. They should pass at 90%, or may be required to take the quiz over again until 90% is reached.

5. Major Course Projects and Instructional Activities:
EHC does not require a course project, but can assist students with projects in core classes, such as a research paper or science project. Instructional activities include one-on-one and small group work in core subjects.

6. Classroom Expectations:

*Bring core class assignments that require completion or extra help
*Use class time to finish core assignments, and ask for help if needed
*If all assignments are caught up, use time to read so others are not disturbed

7. Supplies and Materials Needed:
Notebook/paper, pencil/pen, core class materials and assignments

8. Homework Policy and Grading Scale:
*No homework will be assigned in EHC.
*Grades are based on attendance, bringing core assignments, completing work, asking for help.
*Students can earn 5 points per day, with a weekly grade of 25 points possible.

GRADING SCALE
100-97.....A
96-93.......A-
92-90.......B+
89-85.......B
84-82.......B-
81-78.......C+
77-71.......C
68-70......C-
67-66......D+
65-63......D
62-60......D-
59-0........F

9. Extra Help:
Extra help for core subjects is the purpose of EHC. Students should use EHC class time for individual help, or rely on the afterschool PATHS program, which operates from 3:00-5:00 each afternoon, Monday-Thursday.

10. Time and Place to be Reached by Parents:

Telephone: (573) 562-7521
Plan Time: 9:09-9:59, 2nd hour
Email: kcureton@westco.k12.mo.us

Biology -- Syllabus

Biology

1. Course Description:
Biology is the study of all living things. Subject matter will include ecology, cell theory, genetics and heredity, man's effect on the earth's resources, and the scientific method. There will be activities and laboratory opportunities to reinforce understanding. Learning is checked after each lesson with objective and section questions. Worksheets are provided for reinforcement. At the end of each section, outcomes are measured with an objective evaluation. A science project will be required to emphasize steps of the scientific method.

Objectives to be covered include:

*Biology: the study of life
*Ecology: communities and biomes, population biology, biological diversity and conservation
*The Cell: chemistry of cells, structure and function of cells, cellular transport, cell cycle, energy within a cell
*Genetics: mitosis/meiosis, DNA and genes, heredity, human genetics, genetic technology
*The Scientific Method: observe/question, research, hypothesize, experiment, collect data, organize data, revise hypothesis/draw conclusions

**20 PERCENT OF THE 4th QUARTER GRADE WILL COME FROM THE
End Of Course Test score.**


2. Instructional Philosophy:
Course material will be read aloud and discussed in class. Students will have assignments almost every day. They will be given some time in class to work on assignments, in case they have questions. There will be some partner and group work. Some hands-on activities will be done in the classroom, and for others, students will go to the science lab.

Students must pass a lab safety test and wear proper clothing and shoes before they will be allowed to participate in lab activities.

*Grading will be based on Tests (1/4), Daily Assignments (1/2), and Participation (1/4).

*Tests will be mainly objective rather than essay. Daily assignments are due the same day if time allows, or at the beginning of class the next day. Late assignments will be graded at half credit, or students may make up the work in PATHS for 80% credit. Participation grades are based on attendance, bringing materials (text, paper, and pencil) every day, participation in activities and discussion, and behavior that does not violate classroom rules. The participation grade is worth 5 points per day, all or nothing.

**The End of Course Test score will count as 20% of the student’s 4th quarter grade.**

3. Major Course Goals:

*Characteristics and Interactions of Living Organisms
-Predict movement of molecules across a selectively permeable membrane
-Compare and contrast movement of molecules across a semi-permeable membrane based on the energy needed for movement
-Predict patterns of inheritance, using Mendelian genetics, in a monohybrid cross
-Identify and describe cell structures and functions, the processes of mitosis and meiosis, diploid and haploid chromosome numbers, and how daughter cells compare to parent cells
-Describe interrelationships between photosynthesis and respiration, and factors that affect both processes
-Describe the chemical and structural properties of DNA, and recognize the DNA codes for proteins, which are expressed as inherited characteristics in organisms

*Changes in Ecosystems and Interactions of Organisms with Their Environment
-Explain and predict energy flow within a food web
-Describe symbiotic relationships and how the addition or removal of a given species can affect an ecosystem
-Identify and explain limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that affect carrying capacity
-Hypothesize how a given species adapts or reacts to environmental changes
-Explain how the natural selection process is related to environmental changes or species adaptation

*Scientific Inquiry
-Design an experiment, formulate a testable hypothesis, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions
-Identify constants, variables, proper laboratory tools and techniques, factors that influence the reliability of results
-Formulate and interpret data tables and graphs of quantitative data gathered in a scientific experiment


4. A+ Core Competencies:
*Discuss the importance of genetic technology in society, and form an opinion about ethical issues caused by such technology.
*Discuss and provide examples of the three types of symbiotic relationships found in the environment
*Compare and contrast the structures of plant and animal cells. Draw and label a typical plant cell and a typical animal cell.

Students will discuss the core competency material, complete a study guide, and take a quiz on the competencies. They should pass at 90%, or may be required to take the quiz over again until 90% is reached.


5. Major Course Projects and Instructional Activities:
*A science project worth 200 points will be required during 3rd Quarter.
*20% of the 4th quarter grade will come from the End Of Course Test score.**


6. Classroom Expectations:
*Be on time and in assigned seat when bell rings
*Have book, pencil, paper ready. If not, students will not earn the participation points for that day
*No gum, candy, food, or drink allowed in classroom
*Work not turned in at the beginning of class on the day after it is due will be graded for half credit


7. Supplies and Materials Needed:
Notebook/paper, pencil/pen, assigned text, calculator, science project board (3rd Quarter)

8. Homework Policy and Grading Scale:
*Most work is due the day it is assigned, as time is allowed in class.
*Work not turned in at the beginning of class the day after it is due
will be graded for half credit.
*Assignments with grades under 60% may be done again in PATHS
to be graded at 80% credit (per PATHS policy).
*Very few, if any, bonus points are offered during the year.

GRADING SCALE

100-97 A
96-93 A-
92-90 B+
89-85 B
84-82 B-
81-78 C+
77-71 C
68-70 C-
67-66 D+
65-63 D
62-60 D-
59-00 F


9. Extra Help:
*The school PATHS program operates from 3:00-5:00 each afternoon,
Monday-Thursday. Science day is on Tuesday.
*With advance notice, I can stay after school from 3:00-4:00 most
days if a student needs individual help on a specific science topic.


10. Time and Place to be Reached by Parents:

Telephone: (573) 562-7521
Plan Time: 9:09-9:59 2nd hour
Email: kcureton@westco.k12.mo.us