AFNORTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Course Overview (2004-2005)

Grade 10 Academic Science (SNC 2D) Mrs. K. Benke

Course Description

This course enables students to develop a deeper understanding of concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics; to develop further their skills in scientific inquiry; and to understand the interrelationships among science, technology, and the environment. Students will conduct investigations and understand scientific theories related to: ecology and the maintenance of ecosystems; chemical reactions, with particular attention to acid-base reactions; factors that influence weather systems; and motion.

This is the 2^nd and final science course required for high school graduation in Ontario, Canada.

This Academic level course is designed for students planning to study university programs that are focused on science, such as medicine or medical technology, physical science, engineering, & computer science or technology. (The Applied level course is offered as well.)

Expectations

The curriculum and expected student achievements are comprised of four units (that will be studied in the order that best suits the available resources):

Detailed course expectations are available at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/secondary/science/scieful.html

1) Biology: The Sustainability of Ecosystems (20 periods)

• demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic nature of ecosystems, including the relationship between ecological balance and the sustainability of life;
• investigate factors that affect ecological systems and the consequences of changes in these factors;
• analyse issues related to environmental sustainability and the impact of technology on ecosystems.

2) Chemistry: Chemical Processes (20 periods)

• demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions, the symbolic systems used to describe them, and the factors affecting their rates;
• design and conduct investigations of chemical reactions, using standard scientific procedures, and communicate the results;
• determine why knowledge of chemical reactions is important in developing consumer products and industrial processes and in addressing environmental concerns.

3) Earth and Space Science: Weather Dynamics (20 periods)

• demonstrate an understanding of the factors affecting the fundamental processes of weather systems;
• investigate and analyse trends in local and global weather conditions to forecast local and global weather patterns;
• evaluate how technology has contributed to our understanding of the physical factors that affect the weather.

4) Physics: Motion (20 periods)

• demonstrate an understanding of different kinds of motion and of the quantitative relationships among displacement, velocity, and acceleration, and solve simple problems involving displacement, velocity, and acceleration;
• design and conduct investigations on the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of an object;
• analyse everyday phenomena and technologies in terms of the motions involved.

Students at AFNorth are in the unique (compared to home) situation of living in a foreign country and working with students from several countries. This will allow the pursuit of course expectations from several viewpoints. Course expectations focus on Canada, but students should also be gathering information from the local environment as well as their home country. Students will be encouraged to work in their own language and develop the science vocabulary of their home country. (But of course, assignments will have to be prepared in English or French.)

Parents please assist students as much as possible with data collection, and discuss science concepts with them. Make them aware of the issues at “home” regarding environment, weather, technology, etc; so they may share with their classmates.

Use of Technology

It is expected that students will provide and be proficient in the use of a scientific calculator.

Graphing calculators and graphing software may also be used. Information will be gathered from various print sources including the internet. Access to the internet at home would be an asset.

Text: Sciencepower 10, ©2001 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd, Toronto, Canada

Each student will be issued at book valued at $75.17, that should be brought to class each day.

Assessment/Evaluation

Students will be assessed/evaluated according to the attached Achievement Chart under four categories: Knowledge (Understanding), Inquiry , Communication (Oral & Written), and Applications (Making Connections). Assessment/evaluation in this course may include some or all of the following: tests, assignments, lab reports, projects, quizzes, journals, portfolios, presentations.

The Ontario provincial standard for student performance is Level 3 (70-79%). This means a credit is granted with high knowledge and skills. It indicates the student is well prepared for work in the next grade. Level 4 (80-100%) indicates very high to outstanding knowledge and skills.

Level 1 (50-59%) indicates limited knowledge and skills, but a passing mark nonetheless. Students will be given guidelines for the minimum requirements for an assignment. Submission of less than the minimum will result in a failing mark. Not submitting an assignment will result in a mark of zero. Students must demonstrate achievement of the expectations to earn credit in the course.

Students who fail a major test will be given the opportunity to improve their mark, by first correcting the test, and then making an appointment for an oral test to prove their achievement of the expectations.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is intended to provide students with descriptive feedback to guide their efforts toward improvement. These tasks may not “count” toward the final mark for the unit, but they will be directly related to the final summative assignment or test for the unit (which does count!).

Summative Evaluation

Summative evaluation occurs toward the end of a unit and provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned.

70% of the grade for this course will be based on assessment and evaluation activities conducted throughout the course, in the four areas of achievement (Knowledge, Inquiry, Communication, and Application).

The breakdown of marks will be as follows:

Tests 30%

Assignments / Lab Reports 30%

Journal / Presentations 10%

Final exam & task 30%

Literacy / School Improvement Plan

The goal of AFNORTH International High School’s School Improvement Plan (SIP) is,

“All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.”

The 6 + 1 Traits^TM is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6 + 1 Trait^TM writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what strong writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6 + 1 Trait^TM model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 + 1 Trait^TM become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International High School. This is very consistent with the Ontario goal of improving literacy across the curriculum.

The 6+1 Traits^TM will be used in the Science course, as appropriate, to convey understanding of the concepts. Tests will contain paragraph-answer questions. Lab reports will be written in accordance with standard formats. Students may also be asked to write short essays or make oral presentations. The traits will be adapted to the technical writing style required for communication of science with emphasis on conventions (symbols), organization and voice (as applicable). Students will receive instruction and they will practise writing paragraphs.

Report Cards

The academic year is divided into 2 semesters. US and international students receive 2 half-credits with grades calculated for each semester. Canadian students receive 1 full credit with marks cumulated throughout the year. The US office will send progress reports by email 3 times per semester and produce a transcript with final grades at the end of each semester. The Canadian office will send complete transcripts of grades and learning skills 3 times per year.

Learning Skills :

Five areas have been identified as learning skills and are being evaluated separately from academic achievement: work habits/homework, organization, initiative, teamwork, and working independently. These are very important skills to learn at school and at home, as they are crucial in determining future success in employment or post-secondary schooling. Both parents and students need to pay close attention to this section of the report card, and to understand the impact that these skills have on learning, despite the fact that they are not directly factored into the academic mark. (Similar feedback is available to US and international students upon request.)

Late Work

Due dates for all assignments will be agreed upon by students and teacher in advance, and so,

late submissions reflect poorly on the student’s organization and time management skills.

Late assignments will not be accepted after correct solutions have been posted. The student will have to negotiate an alternate way to demonstrate achievement of the expectation(s).

It is highly recommended that students use the Planner/Agenda provided by the school. Parents are urged to review upcoming test and assignment dates with the student, in an effort to build planning and time management skills.

Absence

In accordance with school policy, parents will validate all student absences for illness, etc by providing a note for the teacher, or otherwise notifying the appropriate high school office so that the computerized attendance record is accurate. If the attendance record says “Absent no reason” it will be interpreted as “Truant” and test or assignment marks may be forfeited. Absence due to sleeping in and working on assignments is not acceptable.

Students should make arrangements immediately upon their return from any absence (before 9am) to make up missed tests and/or hand in assignments.

Athletic Eligibility

In accordance with school policy, athletic eligibility is reported weekly, but determined on a quarterly basis. Each quarter the slate is wiped clean, so to speak. Note that a student who is passing the course, may be failing the quarter and so be ineligible; while a student who is failing the course, may be passing the quarter, and so be eligible to play.

Final Task & Exam

Students will prepare a written project (format to be determined later) for each of the four units. The final task will be a group project to produce a news show (live or video) that incorporates and inter-relates the research done for each unit.

Students may prepare throughout the year by collecting information from newspapers, TV (Eurosport, Discovery Channel/Animal Planet), newsmagazines, etc. as well as family trips to museums, sporting events, etc.

The final exam will cover most of the expectations covered throughout the year. There may be a lab activity as well.

Extra help:

There should always be ample time during class to ask questions. But students may also make arrangements for extra help almost any day before or after school, or of course during Seminar .

Classroom Expectations:

It is expected that students will come to class with a willingness to learn. Behavior should never interfere with the learning of others and should be in accordance with the AFNorth Parent/Student Handbook. Gum chewing must be discrete (no cracking or bubbles). No personal music devices, cell phones, computer games, laser pointers or other items not directly supporting the educational environment are allowed. No food or drink (except water) is allowed. Hats should be removed while in class. Students may use the restroom during the very generous 10-minute passing period.

Consequences will be in accordance with the Parent/Student Handbook. Confiscated items may be retrieved from the high school office.

Email: Parent or student may contact Mrs Benke at school: kim_benke@eu.odedodea.edu

Parents are requested to keep updated contact information on file at the school.

Canadian Curriculum Science Courses – Grades 9 to 12

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 University

_______________________________________________________________________________

We have read and understood the course outline for SNC 2D distributed Aug 2004.

We will see/contact you immediately if we have any concerns.

Student name: _____________________ Signature: ______________________

Parent name: ______________________ Signature: ______________________

Parent email address: _________________________________________

Parent phone number / hours / etc. __________________________________________

__________________________________________

Any information that the teacher should know to facilitate the student’s success in this course?

(Strengths/weaknesses/distractions/medical concerns/seating preference/etc)