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Physical Science and Algebra  with Mr. D Dasari – 2003 / 2004


[ddasari@aisj-jhb.com ]

 

Physical Science / Algebra

 

A little bit about myself  

My Philosophy

Course Objectives : Physical Science

Course Objectives : Algebra

The Physical Science  /  Math Binder

Materials

Assessment of Students in Physical  Science

Assessment of Students in Algebra

Parent Partnerships

The Text and Support material : Physical Science

The Text and Support material : Algebra

The Physical Science Syllabus

The Algebra Syllabus

 

                               

A little bit about myself :  

                                                               

Hi , my name is David Dasari . I am South African and my Teaching Certification is in Middle and Higher level education with specialization in the Physical and Biological Sciences . I have 11  years of teaching experience and during this time I have had the privilege of teaching a variety of subjects to students in grades 6 to 12. These subjects include  Physical , Chemical , Biological , Human / Life  and Environmental Sciences and Mathematics. My teaching career at AISJ started in October 2000 and since then I have taught High School Biology and P.E. and Middle School Pre – Algebra , Algebra , Physical Science and Life Science. This year I have the privilege of teaching your 8th grade son/daughter both Physical Science and Algebra.

 

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My Philosophy :

                     

My philosophy rotates around the belief that all students can learn. My philosophy of teaching drives my passions on how I teach my students and can be summarized by the following 5 questions :

 

  1. What introductions , information and activities are going to capture and maintain my students attention ?
  2. What activity is going to allow for maximum Student-Student and Student - Teacher interaction.
  3. What kind of activities are going to allow my students to be intrinsically motivated , so that the desire to master skills and do the best they can will come from within them and not from outside rewards?
  4. What kind of activity will cater for all intellectual levels in my class - i.e. Slow learners, High fliers and those in the middle?
  5. How is the work we are covering related to the real world and to the environment immediately around the school and the areas in which the students live?

 

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Outlined below are a few important aspects regarding 8th grade Physical Science and Algebra

                      

Course Objectives :  Physical Science

This year’s Physical Science class is a culmination of our 3 years Middle School science program which are based on our internal standards and benchmarks. Some specific outcomes for our students include :

 

  1. Students will be aware of the importance of curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, and skepticism in science and will be able to question scientific claims and arguments effectively.
  2. Students will apply the skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.
  3. Students will be able to select and use tools and instruments to conduct scientific activities.
  4. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
  5. Students will be familiar with safety procedures for science activities and the safe operation of science tools.
  6. Students will be familiar with the forms and transforming of energy and the significance of energy in understanding the structure of matter and the universe.
  7. Students will understand the relationship between force, mass, and the motion of objects.
  8. Students will be familiar with the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation.
  9. Students will recognize gravitational, electrical, and magnetic forces as kinds of forces acting in nature.

 

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Course Objectives : Algebra

 

Like Physical science ,  8th grade Algebra is also designed around our internal standards and benchmarks. Some specific outcomes for our students in Algebra this year include :

 

  1. Students will apply a wide variety of mathematical concepts, processes, and skills to solve a broad range of problems.
  2. Students will develop their ability to reason mathematically by solving problems in other content areas to justify and clarify their thinking.
  3. Students will develop their ability to communicate mathematically by solving problems in which there are a need to obtain information from the real world through a variety of ways; and present and justify mathematical ideas in diverse formats.
  4. Students will interrelate and connect mathematical ideas, concepts, and procedures within the discipline, with other content areas, and to everyday situations.
  5. Students will solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, solve literal equations (formulas) for a given variable and apply these skills to solve practical problems.  Graphing technology will be used to confirm algebraic solutions.
  6. Students will analyze a given set of data for the existence of a pattern, represent the pattern algebraically and graphically, if possible, and determine if the relation is a function.
  7. Students will determine the slope of a line when given an equation of the line, the graph of the line, or two points on the line.
  8. Students will add, subtract, and multiply polynomials and divide polynomials with monomial divisors, using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and algebraic manipulations.
  9. Students will solve quadratic equations in one variable both algebraically and graphically.  Graphing calculators will be used both as a primary tool in solving problems and to verify algebraic solutions.

 

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The Physical Science  /  Math Binder :

The  binder should have the following sub-divisions laid out in the following order :

 

SUB - DIVISION

What is to be found in this sub-division

 

SYLLABUS

Includes things like handouts on like this one and everything else dealing with safety and policy

 

CLASS

 NOTES / WORK

Includes all class notes that you take down during the lesson , worksheets , Labs activity sheets and everything else that relates to what you do in class. This also includes the problems you do for Math in class.

 

TESTS , QUIZZES and OTHER  ASSESSMENT

Includes all Tests , Quizzes , Pop Quizzes and any other form of assessment that relates to this class.

 

PORTFOLIO  PIECES / S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

Includes all pieces of class work , tests , quizzes , projects , labs and homework which you and your teacher think will be suitable for the achievement of your SMART goals in Physical Science / Pre - Algebra / Algebra or your  portfolio that you will use for Student Led Conferences.

 

HOMEWORK

Includes all work that you take home to complete.

 

 

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Materials :

The following materials must be brought to class during every lesson :

 

Textbook   [ to be covered neatly  ] , Binder , Pencil [ and a pencil sharpener if pencil isn’t a clutch pencil ] , Eraser, Black  / Blue  pen , Ruler and Scientific calculator

Grading :

I stand  firmly in the following motto :

“ Grades are not given , they are earned ”

 

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Assessment of Students in Physical  Science

The AISJ Science Faculty has agreed , for the sake of consistency , on the following weighting of grades in all Science subjects. These percentages apply to the quarterly grades only.

 

Category

Percent

Test , Research Projects , Assignments and Portfolios     [  T. .R . A . P . ]

40

Quizzes

15

Graded Homework

10

Laboratory Work  [ incl. write-ups and Reports }

25

Participation

10

TOTAL

100

                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Assessment of Students in Algebra

Students will be assessed on a regular basis through tests, quizzes, graded assignments, group activities, and projects.  Many of these activities and projects will integrate science and the other subjects.  Tests, projects, and group activities will count as 50% of the trimester grade. Quizzes represent 25% of the grade.  The final 25% of the trimester grade will come from homework and class participation.

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Parent Partnerships :

                 

Part of my philosophy revolves around the belief that real and effective student learning takes place when we have passionate involvement from all the stakeholders in the learning process. Primarily , the 3 main factors / stakeholders are the student , the parent , and the teacher. These 3 form a triangle which when any one of them is missing or not involved makes the learning triangle incomplete.

 

Making this triangle work takes hard  work , diligence and dedication from all people involved and it requires transparency  and effective communication. The best and most direct way to communicate is through e-mail.

 

My e-mail address is  :

ddasari@aisj-jhb.com

 

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The Text and Support material : Physical Science

The Text : Science Explorer – Physical Science . Published by Prentice Hall.

You can get an Overview of the Physical Science course on the Prentice Hall website :  www.phschool.com  ,  where your you and your child will be able to access a large number of learning resources.

 

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The Text and Support material : Algebra

Text : Algebra 1 . Published by McDougal Littell.

For further student and parent support , the following website can be used :  www.mcdougallittell.com

 

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The Physical Science Syllabus :                   

The Physical Science course is designed to give 8th grade students maximum opportunities for discovery , learning , exploration and excitement  while developing a respect through knowledge and self discovery of the world around them. The class begins with a hands on project that sets the tone for the awesome activities and experiences that await students during the remainder of the year. This course is designed around our internal Standards and Benchmarks which allows our students to make a smooth transition from Elementary school and into  High school . The following units will be covered during the course of this academic year and will include Labs , Projects , assignments, class work, homework , tests , quizzes and other forms of assessment :

             

1.       THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD  :

                 In this unit we learn the correct method of formulating Hypotheses , designing procedures,  carrying out   

                  experiments , recording and interpreting results , drawing conclusions and a host of other scientific skills.          

2.       METRICA  :

            Waterquest [ a water purification project which incorporates the skills we learn in Metrica ] , Linear measure  

            Area ,  Mass , Volume and Density

3.       CHEMICAL BUILDING BLOCKS  :

In this unit we learn what matter is made up of , the characteristics / properties of the phases of matter,  understanding and graphing Gas behavior,\ the Periodic Table  and a lot about Chemical Bonding.

4.       CHEMISTRY IN ACTION  :

In this unit we learn all about Chemical Reactions , balancing of chemical equations , Acids and Bases , solutions and carbon chemistry .

5.       MOTION , FORCES and ENERGY :

In this unit we learn about Force , Weight , Mass , Gravity , Work , Energy and  Power [ includes an understanding of definitions , symbols , S.I. units , formulae and calculations ] We also learn about forces and pressure in liquids , hydraulic pressure , simple machines , mechanical advantage , efficiency and thermal energy.

6.       ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM :

In this unit we learn about magnets , magnetic fields , the magnetic fields of the earth , electromagnets , electric current , electric circuits [ including construction of our own simple  circuits ] , electricity in our homes and electronics .

 

Long Term Projects in Physical Science

We will have one major project per trimester.  These are :

 

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The Algebra syllabus

The Algebra syllabus focuses on the following Key Units which will be designed around our internal Benchmarks and standards with the aim of preparing our students for high school / IB math and real life applications :

 

 

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Finally, please feel free to set up a conference with me  , should you wish to discuss your child’s progress or any other matter relating to Physical Science at any time throughout the year.

 

Thank  you,

 

David Dasari 


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