0128 – Physics Syllabus and Contract

2012 – 2013OVERVIEW

Coach Wehner

What is PHYSICS?

• Branch of science that studies Nature.• The language of Physics is mathematics – from

Algebra to Calculus.• Generally speaking, it concerns with Motion

and its causes, Energy, Electromagnetic phenomena and Waves.

• Pre-requisites: having passed Algebra I; currently enrolled in Algebra II and/or Trig.

What Skills Will You Be Working on in This Course?

Requirements:1. Working knowledge of Algebra I and II concepts, as

they are introduced;2. Development and Application of critical-thinking

and problem-solving skills.In addition, you must keep up with the material covered and assignments given.

Expect to spend extra time outside of class on a regular basis.

What Materials/Resources Will You Need for Class?

• Notebook or binder for notes;• Writing utensil(s);• Calculator (it is not necessary to have a

graphic calculator, but a scientific one);• Book, when requested (will be assigned in

class);• Your best self.• Access to an Internet connection.

What Math Skills Will You Need?1. Scientific Notation, Orders of Magnitude,

Conversion of Units and Powers of Ten;2. Linear Equations;3. Quadratic Equations;4. Algebraic Manipulation of Equations; 5. Graphing (plotting);6. Coordinate Systems;7. Solving systems of equations;8. Pythagorean Theorem;9. Geometry (areas and volumes);10. Trigonometric Functions (sin, cos, tan).

Grading PolicyForms of assessments:•Formative•Summative

Types of assignments:•Tests and quizzes•Labs and activities•Projects•In-class assignments•Homework

In addition, grades will be given for•Warm-ups and Exit Slips•Class participation

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

• Designed to assess what students have mastered and still have to master

• Grade based on effort, quality of problem-solving and higher level thinking skills.

• Ex:1. Homework2. In-class assignments3. Some projects and lab investigations4. Diagnostic tests

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS• Designed to evaluate the degree of mastery after

a series of lessons on a topic(s)• Grade based on mastery of concept(s) taught, as

well as communication skills (i.e., how accurately students are capable of communicating their ideas to the evaluator)

• Examples:1. Tests;2. Quizzes;3. Certain projects and investigations (senior

presentations; college thesis defense)

So that you know…

• You will be taking two formative assessments in the next few days:MathPhysics

• The Physics test will be given again periodically (about every 4 weeks.)

A – TESTS• 30 to 50 points• Content may be theoretical, experimental or both• 80% of the content is “current material”; 20% is “cumulative”• In general, there are two versions of each test.• Types of questions:

1. True/false2. Short prompts3. Essay4. Word problems5. Drawing of diagrams and/or charts6. Graphs to complete or interpret7. Hands-on tasks

• Your investigation notebook will be permitted during the experimental part of a test.

• PLEASE NOTE: the SHARING OF CALCULATORS is not permitted during a test.

B – Lab Investigations

• 20 points (questions are worth extra points)• Lab sheets and/or instructions will be distributed

prior to the lab, outlining the details of the investigation, rubrics and deadlines

• Inquiry-based questions, observations, etc. will be recorded on an investigation notebook (distributed for this purpose.) You will be allowed to use your investigative notes during tests.

C – Projects

• 50 points• Grading rubrics will be handed out prior to each

project• May be individual, or group• When working in groups, you may or may not be

permitted to choose your partner(s)• They will be assigned throughout the year, at the

end of the 1st semester and also at the end of the second semester.

D – Quizzes• 10 to 20 points• Some may be open notes• Quizzes will be given often – every week, or every

other week. Actual frequency depends on the number of sub-topics within the unit

• 80% of the material is “current”; 20% is “cumulative.”

• In general, there are two versions of the same quiz.

• The sharing of calculators is prohibited during quizzes.

E - Homework• Homework is assigned and collected weekly (on

Thursdays);• Homework sheets come out on Thursdays, and are posted

on my website as well;• Each sheet contains 5 daily sets – one per day of the week

the class meets;• You are required to solve and turn in 3 sets per weekly

sheet; you may be permitted to choose which to turn in;• Weekly sheets also include directions and rubrics for

grading;• Homework will be either review of concepts taught, or

preparation for an upcoming topic. In some instances, homework may be collected earlier than on a particular Thursday.

• Points: 30 per weekly sheet

F – IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

• Points: 1 – 5 per question, depending on the type of question.

• Mostly checked for completeness and critical-thinking skills (formative).

• Some are checked for accuracy (summative).• Students may be working with different

materials at any given time (scaffolding, differentiated instruction, skill building, reinforcement)

G – WARM-UPS

• Warm-ups will be given during the first few minutes when the bell rings.

• Warm-ups will focus mainly on Keystone Exam topics.

• Warm-up sheets are collected and closed (grades computed) on the last day of class each week. Keep your sheet until then.

H – EXIT SLIPS

• Exit slips are collected and checked (graded) for accuracy daily.

• Slips are “closed” on the last day of each week.• Points: 2 – 7 per day.• Entries will include short prompts, problems and

reflective statements.• Exit slips must remain in the classroom! Taking

yours with you will automatically earn you a “zero” score for that day.

I – BONUS POINTS

• Bonus points opportunities will be given throughout class.

• They will consist, in general, of special questions and activities.

• Bonus points will be marked on exit slips, “closed” and reported on the last day in each week.

PARTICIPATION IN CLASSResponsible, accountable independence

•Total number of points each week:2 × (number of times class meets that week)

•Students are expected to be physically and mentally on time for class, bring materials, volunteer, and abide by school and classroom rules.•Computed and reported at the end of the week based on students’ weekly tallies.•My addressing your behavior, providing you with materials, and so on, will lower your grade.

Late Work Policy• Late assignments will be graded, then docked

50%.• Certain late assignments are not accepted. For

example, late exit slips, or tests/quizzes (after removal of them from the testing room).

• Assignments are considered late if they are not turned in when requested.

• For quizzes/tests announced in advance: you are expected to take them the day you return to class. Adjustments will be made only in exceptional cases and at the teacher’s discretion.

SCHOOL and LIFE RULES• PROMPT• PREPARED• PRODUCTIVE• POLITE• PROUD

ALSO… • No cell phones/electronic devices• No food/drinks containers (open or closed)• No inappropriate attire

… even if it’s 8th period and “nobody said nothing” to you before.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

• In this class we…

… raise our hand before we speak;… don’t interrupt the speaker;… talk to others politely;… apply ourselves fully;… remain in our seats.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES (cont’d)

There will be…

… no passes during class;… only accountable communication;… only permitted/approved activities;… no standing while in the classroom;… no answering the door – your teacher will take care of the door.

In Case You Are Absent…

• Check the website for posted worksheets, assignments, etc.

• Check the website often for announcements!• Check the bulletin for updates on what we

did.

In Case Your Teacher Is Absent

• Assignments will be posted on the “substitute page” on my website

• They will be collected on that day (to you, it means you turn it in to the sub/coverage teacher)

• Assignments given in my absence will be worth twice as many points!

• In my absence you are expected to stay and work on the assignment.

Contact me!!!

• E-mail me atwehnli@whsd.net

• If you send me an e-mail directly from Edline, please include your name. Those e-mails do not identify the sender, so I don’t know who I am talking to.