Physics Syllabus /Class policies
Welcome,
This sheet is an overview of course subject matter, expectations, requirements and the grading system. Keep this sheet in your notebook.
Syllabus
First semester – Motion and Mechanics including: velocity, acceleration, forces, vectors, projectile motion, harmonic motion, gravitation, momentum, simple machines, work, and energy.
Second semester- Waves and Electricity including: wave behavior, sound, light, optics, static and dc electricity
Course work- Usually we will do a couple of labs a week, there will problems assigned on a regular basis, tests on a regular basis, and occasionally quizzes. Some lab work can be done with a partner or group this means your grade is dependent on them, so you always have the choice to do your own write-up.
Attendance- regular attendance is important. Most lab work must be made up before or after school. It is easy to fall behind if you are out of class. If your absence is not excused you will not be allowed to make up the work. If it is excused you can make it up, it will be your responsibility to check with me as soon as you return to find out what you missed and arrange to make it up and set a time for doing that. If you don’t show up within arranged time you will not be able to make up the work.
Materials- You are required to bring the following materials: your textbook, pen or pencil, paper, scientific calculator (doesn’t need to be an expensive graphing one)n, sometimes a ruler and a protractor will be needed.
Grades- You will be graded on a points system approximately 50% of you grade will be from tests, and 50% from labs quizzes and daily work. Late work is not accepted. Cheating will not be tolerated, if you are caught cheating you will receive a zero for the entire test or assignment, and parents and administrators will be notified. Rely on your own merits. Extra credit- There may be some opportunities to earn extra credit, it may be enough to raise your grade if you are near the cut-off, but do not rely on extra credit to get the grade you want, you must earn it with regular class work and tests.
Grading scale: A 93%-100% A- 90%-92% B+ 87%-89% B 83%-86% B- 80%-82% C+ 77%-79%
C 73%- 77% C- 70%-72% D+ 67%-69% D 60%-66% F 0%-59 %
Parent Online grade access: I try to update my grades on a regular basis. Sometimes there are projects or extended assignments during which there are no new grades. Other times I have projects from five classes to grade and it takes me awhile to catch up. Most times they won’t be more than a week or two old and in most cases students grades don’t change that quickly. If you don’t have online access, ask your student, I post grades in the classroom on a fairly regular basis.
Behavior/Safety- Because this class includes lab work safety is very important. Inappropriate behavior in the labs can cause accidents and, therefore cannot be tolerated. Misbehavior may result in several consequences depending on the seriousness of your actions, including reduced lab grade, detention, reduced lab privileges. To maintain a good learning atmosphere in the classroom students will not be allowed to be disrespectful to me or other students.
Student lab safety contract
I agree to:
Read/listen to and follow all written /verbal instructions given by the teacher.
Always report accidents or equipment breakage to the teacher.
Clean up your own mess.
Never eat or drink in the science room.
Never apply cosmetics in the science room.
Pay for equipment you break
Be respectful (of other students, the teacher, and others property)
Follow school rules
Dress appropriately both according to school dress code and for safety during labs (closed toe shoes, goggles, aprons, hair tie backs as instructed)
Behave in a manner appropriate to a good learning atmosphere.
Organization: You should keep a notebook for the class. Not all material is in the book, so take notes during lecture. Record due dates of assignments. Keep returned assignments, they can be good study references and good evidence if an error occurs in your grade. The final will be cumulative.
What to expect from me: You can expect I will do my best to; provide a good opportunity to learn, treat you with respect and in a fair manner, listen to your concerns (when voiced at an appropriate time) and help reach your goals in science.
Most importantly- If you have concerns or questions, feel free to talk to me. This applies to students and parents. Parents, I would be happy to talk to you about concerns, if e-mail is all you need or to set up an actual conversation I can be reached by e-mail:anichola@osd.wednet.edu" anichola@osd.wednet.edu or by voicemail 596-8253.I ____________________ have read and understand my teacher’s policies, grading system, and safety rules. I agree to abide these rules and any additional instructions, written or verbal given by the teacher.