Grade Open To: 11-12                                     Term: 1 & 2                                         Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite/Grade Recommendation: "B" or better in Algebra and completion of Algebra II or
                                                               concurrent enrollment in Algebra II
Fees: None

This course is a college-preparatory introduction to physics. Emphasis is placed on the student's application of basic relationships in areas of mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, and modern physics. These relationships are developed through lab work as well as lecture. This course is highly recommended for those students who want to sharpen their problem solving skills for college.

Responsibility!!   All students are expected to be responsible for their own actions.

 

Classroom Behavior:

1.       Students must have respect for themselves, their peers, and their environment in order to reach their full potential.  It is inappropriate to speak while the teacher or another student is speaking.  Inappropriate noises or words are not allowed.  Respect your peers’ comments, views and opinions.

2.     The bell does not determine when class begins or ends, the teacher does.  This means that you should arrive to class on time and begin working the minute you enter the class and continue working until dismissed by the teacher.  Working on other subjects is permitted with the teacher’s permission only after all science work is completed.

3.     Be prepared!  Books, binders, student handbook, paper, calculators, pens, and pencils should be brought to class everyday unless otherwise instructed.  No food, drinks or gum are allowed.  Having food, drinks or gum in a science room will result in a detention.

All handbook rules will be enforced!!

Classroom Policies

Tardiness:  The tardy policy is as stated on pages 33 and 34 in the student handbook.
Students who arrive to class late will be asked to sign in on the tardy log.  The first tardy will be a warning, the second tardy can result in a 30 minute detention with the teacher, and a third tardy will result in a 1 hour BSA/ASA as well as a phone call home.  The fourth tardy will result in a dean referral and a 2 hour BSA/ASA; the fifth tardy will result in a dean referral as well as a Saturday assignment; and the sixth tardy will cause a student who is a discipline problem and/or a failing grade to be dropped from the course with an “F”.

Absences: All students are responsible for completing all work that was completed during any absences.  Be sure to check the absent notebook and the absent folder to see what was done in class.  Remember, it is your responsibility!!  If you are absent on the day of a test or the day an assignment was due, then you are responsible for taking the test or turning in the assignment the day you return.  If you want the opportunity to make up the work your absence must be excused.

Pass Policy: Each student is responsible for his or her own learning, but to learn the student must be present in class.  It is inevitable that even the most diligent, responsible student will need to go to leave class to use the restroom or make a quick run to a locker.

          For a student to leave the classroom he/she must:
                         1) Ask the teacher at an appropriate time. 
                    2) Present the teacher with his/her own student handbook. 
                    3) The teacher will sign the handbook giving the student
                             permission to leave the classroom.
If the student abuses the pass privilege, any further permission to leave the room during class time will be denied.

Binders:  All students are required to keep track of class information, which includes all notes, handouts, labs, homework and quizzes.  I suggest using a three ring binder because it will prevent loose papers from falling out and getting lost.  Make sure to keep papers at least until you receive a grade print out and can verify that the correct grade has been entered into the computer.  I try not to make mistakes and double check the accuracy of my data entry, but an occasional error may occur.

 Homework & Projects: The assignments required of students are important to the learning process and are expected to be complete, neat and on time.  You will receive 60% credit for work turned in one day late, 25% credit for work turned in up to the day of that Chapter’s test, and a zero for work turned in any later than that.  
You will receive one late work pass per semester that can be used to turn in any one assignment late while still earning full credit.  If the late assignment is a lab, it must be turned in before the next lab is due.  If the late assignment is a homework packet it must be turned in before the next homework packet is due. 

On your birthday (or half birthday) you will receive a homework pass that will allow you to skip one of the homework assignments from a homework packet.  The homework pass cannot be used or a lab or a large homework assignment.  Occasionally if I see someone doing something that I consider to be extraordinary, I have been know to give out additional homework passes throughout the course of the year. 

Most of the assignments we do are hand written, but occasionally you will have to type an assignment.  You will have prior notice if an assignment is to be typed.  Typed papers are to be double-spaced, 12-point font and single sided. 

Assignments completed on spiral paper will not be accepted.   AHHHH FUZZIES!!!

Class Participation: Every student is expected to participate in class.  Learning is an active experience!  Class participation is taken into consideration at the end of the semester when determining final grades.

Tests & Grading: A minimum of 2 days notice will be given before any major evaluation.  My goals are to be fair, consistent and timely.  I sometimes make mistakes, so always check your score!  The grading score is as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                             

Labs & Activities: For your safety and that of your classmates, it is imperative that all lab directions are followed.  Proper clothing, and safety equipment must be worn during lab days.  Shorts, open toed shoes, and excessively loose clothing may not be worn during a lab day.  Students will be informed of lab days at least one day prior.  Any student who fails to follow directions, acts in a manner that the teacher considers dangerous, who is not dressed appropriately, or is found not wearing proper safety equipment will not be allowed to participate in the lab and will receive a zero for the day.  All safety guideline are stated in the Flinn Safety Contract that all students and parent/guardians must read and sign.  All students must view the safety video and pass the safety quiz in order to participate in lab.

SAFETY FIRST!!!

Flexibility:  If you are having trouble understanding some of the material or if you have trouble on an assignment please see me before the due date.  This means before your class period!  We will work through any misunderstandings together.

Substitute Teachers:  Substitute teachers are guests in our classrooms and should be treated with the utmost respect.  If your name appears on a negative report, you will be issued either a teacher detention or given a referral and sent to your dean.

Supplies:  ALL STUDENTS NEED THE FOLLOWING

Bookcover

3-ring binder (1”) or folder

Loose-leaf notebook paper/Spiral  notebook

#2 pencils

Black or blue pens

Crayons, markers, or colored pencils are strongly recommended

Scientific calculator (Calculators in science class are to be used for mathematical calculations and NOT TO PLAY GAMES.   If graphing calculators are abused, students will be required to use a non-graphing calculator for the remainder of the school year.)