Welcome to  Honors Conceptual Physics

Course Description:

 Classroom Requirements:                                  

  • textbooks:     Conceptual Physics - Paul Hewitt

                                       Active Physics: Home

                                      Active Physics: Transportation

                                      Active Physics: Communication

  • 1 - 1 ˝"  3 ring binder

  • notebook paper - college ruled preferred

  • 6" ruler / calculator / pens and/or pencils

 Content Standards:

  • To achieve a level of development, which would permit a successful transition into higher education, the student must be able to demonstrate their ability to think and act in a scientific manner.

  • To be able to function effectively in the future, the student must be able to apply both the language and the tools of science.

  • To develop a stronger understanding of the world we live in, the student must be able to assess the resources available and develop a respect for the necessity of these resources.

  •  To develop into a confident learner, the student must be able to investigate different methods of problem solving.                                                        

Grading / Assessment will be based on the following:

  • group activities / self & group evaluations

  •  student log books

  • quizzes

  •  tests

  •  chapter CHALLENGES

 

Grade Determination:

Grades are determined by accumulating points per quarter.  Points are received from the 5 main sources listed above.   Additional points come from writing assignments, worksheets, extra credit, etc.

 YOUR total number of points    X 100%     =   YOUR grade   (letter grade follows school scale)

Total possible points/ quarter                                                       

 

Class Regulations for Conceptual Physics:

1. When entering the classroom, you will take your assigned seat and prepare to start work.   You will remain quiet and will not roam about the room.  DO NOT TOUCH any equipment, lab set-ups, audiovisual aids, etc. that are in the room without permission from me --  this includes my desk!!

 2.  When you are absent see me if you have questions about what we did in class.  If an assignment was due or a test was given on the day you missed, you are expected to turn it in on the day you return.  If you are absent for multiple days, see me so we can set up a schedule for missed activities, quizzes and tests.  Group activities are an important part of this class and must be “made up” – arrangements will be made on an individual basis.

 3. You need to bring your textbook, log book and a pen/pencil to class every day – and be prepared to work.   Your textbook should be covered. 

 4. The grade that you receive is the grade that you earn.  There are many chances to accumulate points in this class and it is up to you to get as many as you can.  Your Chapter Challenge is a large part of your grade.  If you should be a “poor test taker”, then make sure that all your assignments are completed correctly!! There will be one extra credit assignment per quarter – I do not believe in curving grades!

 5. Use the standard form for all written work  (Name, Course Name & Number, Date and  Community in the upper right hand corner ).  All work must be neat and legible or you will receive NO credit for it.  This is your work, make sure it is the best that you can do.

 6. Anyone caught cheating will automatically receive a zero for that assignment, quiz or test.  This includes homework!!  Continued cheating will be dealt with individually.  Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations concerning Cheating/Plagiarism in your handbooks!!

 7. There will be regular pop-quizzes of from 5 – 10 points.  Missed pop-quizzes will receive NONE grades.

 8. All work must be handed in on time.  Late work will receive a zero.

 9. This course involves many, many activities.  Specific safety regulations will be discussed and a safety contract will be signed by each student and his/her parent or guardian.

 10. Oral participation is important in this course.  It is not enough to take notes, pass tests and vegetate.  You should offer opinions, criticism, and intelligent questions.

 

ACTIVITY / LAB REPORT RULES

Experiments are usually group work.  Lab reports are not.  Lab reports are individual assignments. So are the Activities!

 WHAT IS ALLOWED:

     ·        Data can always be shared between partners.  It is understood that this is the person that you shared the work with during the lab or activity.

·        Students can work together when solving problems and answering questions.  However the report should reflect the author’s own writing and should never be copied.

·        If a student discovers that the data they have collected is not correct, they may use another student’s data as long as they cite who the data was borrowed from.  A statement such as the following is allowable:

o   “The data my partner and I collected was not usable.  I am using Mary Smith’s data with her permission.”

 WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED:

    ·        Other than data, all other parts of the lab report or activity sheet should be the student’s own work.  Students should never directly copy, cut and paste, or use another student’s work, including their partner’s, in any other way.

·        Students should not directly copy the purpose or procedure from the lab handout for their lab report.  They should express everything in their own words. The WDYTs and RACs should reflect individual thought.

 

                                                                                                                back to Mrs. Borland's homepage