Welcome to Curriculum Night

Jen Tetler

Chemistry and Physics

Lynnwood High School

Why science?

Science for citizenship– Development of logical and

analytical thinking

– Making decisions that affect public policy, personal health, and consumer choices

Why science?

Science for 21st Century Job: science, technology & math coursework required for the areas expecting greatest job growth

• High-skill & high-wage jobs (IT, aerospace, engineering, health sciences and biotech)

• Skilled trades (electricians, metal workers, etc.)

Lynnwood High School Science Program

• 2 full years of science credit required for High School graduation.

• All students encouraged to take 3-4 years of science.

• Four-year colleges require 3-4 years of science.

Lynnwood High School Science Program

• Course options after completion of Biology (required): Chemistry, Global Science or Elective (geology, astronomy, biotechnology)

• Advanced Electives (after completion of Chemistry): Physics, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Biology.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

• Science provides a means of understanding the natural world.

• Systems have interrelated/interdependent components.

• Every event or occurrence is a result of a change/transformation of energy.

• Scientific ideas are always changing based upon objective evaluation of new evidence.

• Problems can be solved efficiently through a systematic approach.

• Scientific knowledge can be used to solve human problems or meet challenges.

Honors Chemistry CONCEPTS COVERED

• Measurements and Calculation

• Matter and Energy• Elements, Atoms, and

Ions• Chemical Naming• Chemical Reactions• Chemical Quantities• Modern Atomic

Theory

• Bonding• Solutions• Acids and Bases• Nuclear Chemistry

and Radioactivity• RedOx Chemistry• Organic Chemistry

PhysicsCONCEPTS COVERED

• 1D Kinematics• Vectors• 2D Kinematics• Newtons Laws of

Motion• Work and Energy• Momentum • Gravity

• Waves and Oscillations

• Thermodynamics• Fields (E&M)• Circuits• Optics

AP Physics - Semester 1

Topic Time

Kinematics (1 and 2 dimensional)

September 8 – October 5

Newton’s Laws October 8 – November 3

Conservation Laws (Energy, Momentum)

November 9 – December 9

Other topics in Mechanics (Gravity,

December 11 – January 15

AP Physics – Semester 2Topic Time

Electrostatics February 1 – February 17

Electric Circuits February 19 – March 4

Magnetism March 8 – March 24

Hydrodynamics** March 27 – April 4 (**spring break)

Waves and Optics April 5 – April 14

Geometric Optics April 16 – April 28

Heat and Thermodynamics SATURDAY

Modern Physics SATURDAY

Review April 30 – May 4

AP Exam Monday May 10, 12:00pm

Academic Preparation for UW (and other colleges)

• An overall strong level of academic achievement as demonstrated by GPA, rigor of curriculum, standardized test scores, and academic distinctions

• Taking advantage of college-preparatory courses during high school, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Running Start, or college in the high school; or academic subjects beyond the minimum required for college entrance

• Taking full academic advantage of the senior year

Academic Preparation for UW (and other colleges)

cont’d• Demonstrating a positive grade trend

• Demonstrating habits associated with independent intellectual growth such as self-guided reading, engagement with other cultures, or research activities

• Demonstrating exceptional artistic talent and achievement

Academic Preparation for Stanford University

Science: three or more years of laboratory science (including biology, chemistry and physics).

Choosing Courses• We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging

curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment here, and to consult with your counselor, teacher, and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP, Honors, or Accelerated class just because it has that name.

Academic Preparation for Stanford University

Advanced Placement Courses and Scores• Our admission process allows – and indeed encourages

– the flexibility of a high school to design the most appropriate curricular offerings and opportunities for its students. What a course is named or whether it concludes with a standardized test is considerably less important to us than the energy a student contributes to the learning process and the curiosity with which he or she pursues questions and ideas. Sometimes this challenging high school course load will include advanced placement classes; other high schools choose to offer equally demanding courses that neither carry the AP designation nor lead to an AP exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my assignment marked missing even though I *KNOW* I

turned it in!?

Asterisk means not entered into gradebook yet.

Zero and missing means you were absent when it was collected and should

turn it in ASAP

Zero and not missing means you did not do it

when it was due, but can still turn in for partial

credit. (And you should!)

Zero and missing means you were absent when it was collected and should

turn it in ASAP

Asterisk means not entered into gradebook yet.

Zero and not missing means you did not do it

when it was due, but can still turn in for partial

credit. (And you should!)

Are there test retakes?

• YES! For an average of the scores of your tests. – This means it still behooves students to study

for tests and do well the first time.– Retakes that get a lower grade than the first

test will not count.– Students will need to do some make-up or

extra work to show that they are working toward understanding the concepts before retaking a test.

Test Retakes Even for AP Physics?

• NO…– But there is an opportunity after each test to “get

points back” for any work that was shown on the test and has some validity.

– Students can look over their test with their peers (with RED PENS) and if they saw that they did some work correctly but used a wrong variable, or made a slight math mistake, they can tell me about it and get points back.

– They can only do this once per test.

AP PhyiscsWhat the heck is this grading

scale?70-100% = A 55-70% = B 40% – 55% = C 30% – 40% = D Below 30% = F

• (Note: + and – designations may be given at the discretions of the instructor)

• As you can see, this is not a standard grading rubric. This scale is designed because the tests will be hard (as will the AP exam) and you will not be expected to know everything from the class. I want to foster an atmosphere in AP Physics so that students realize that doing well does not mean getting every question correct, but working to figure out how to logically approach problems goes a long way in college and beyond.