CONCEPTUALPHYSICS2014
Teacher:Meghan Bender Email:
Phone number:(770) 819-2521 ext. 661Blog:
Welcome to Physics!
This year you will learn standards associated with the following units of study:
Kinematics (Linear Motion)
Dynamics (Forces)
Conservation of Energy
Electricity & Magnetism
Waves
By the end of this course you will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge and processes to make informed decisions and solve problems.
Communicate scientific information effectively.
Design and conduct scientific investigations to test hypotheses.
Textbook: Physics: Principles and Problems
The student is responsible for taking care of his/her Physics book, bringing it to class as assigned, and returning it at the end of the semester. There will be periodic book checks during the semester. All class sets of books should remain in the classroom at all times.
Materials: 3 ring binder (3 inch) with dividers, loose-leaf paper, black or blue pen, pencils and a scientific calculator.
You should not throw anything away throughout the semester, and the binder should be organized accordingly. Start with a warm-up section, notes section, and a section to put papers that have been passed back.
Assistance: If a student needs additional help, tutoring is offered in Room 403every Tuesday before school from 7:30–8:10 amand every Thursdayafter school from 3:30-4:20 pm.The Student must inform the teacher ahead of time that he/she will be attending tutoring. If a student cannot make it to any of these tutorial times, he or she may make an appointment with me for another time. Students and parents may email me with any questions or concerns. If a parent or student wishes to set up a conference, they must call the school’s Guidance Office at 770-819-2524 to set up an appointment through the counselor.
Attendance:
Students are tardy to class after the bell unless they have a pass. Tardinessand unexcused absences will be handled according to Pebblebrook High School policy.Upon returning from an excused absence, it isthe student’s responsibility to check on missed work and complete the tasks that the class accomplished in your absence.
Make-up Work:
The Cobb County policy on make-up work will be strictly enforced by all teachers at Pebblebrook High School. If a student has an unexcused absence, no make-up work is allowed. If a student has an excused absence, the student may turn in work up to the number of days absent plus one.
IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHAT ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN MISSED.Make-up work must be handed directly to the teacher. Any missed notes are the responsibility of the STUDENT. The student will need to obtain the notes from a classmate. If this is not possible, student may come in before or after school and copy teacher notes. No photocopies of notes from teacher will be provided!
Grading Scale: A = 100-90 B= 89-80 C = 79-74 D = 73-70 F=69-0
Knowledge will be evaluated by the standard and unit that the student is learning. Each standard will have 1-3 units each (SEE COURSE OUTLINE for unit breakdown with the standards). Each standard is weighted differently, depending on the difficulty and length of time for each standard. The “Cumulative Knowledge” standard is the final exam. The standards and their weights are listed below:
Kinematics (Linear Motion)……………………………………………………….15%
Dynamics (Forces) ………………………………………………………………….20%
Conservation of Energy……………………….……………………….……………20%
Waves…………………………………...……………………………………………10%
Electricity and Magnetism...………………………………………………… …….10%
Common Assessment…………………………………………………………………5%
Cumulative Knowledge(Final Exam)...………………….…………...... 20%
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TOTAL ………………………………………………………………………………..100%
This course is designed with student learning based on experiences with science and self-discovery; therefore participation and completion of all class work is vital. Participation in all class work, from lectures to more student-centered activities, is expected, and all is subject to grading. Each unit within each standard will have daily work (this includes class work and homework), at least one lab or project, several quizzes, and a test. The specifics of each category, including expectations and point values, are described below:
Tests …………………………………………………………………………..………………
Tests will be given at the end of each unit and are cumulative. During the first three unit there will also be tests at a halfway point of the unit. Tests will include a combination of multiple choice, true-false, short answer, and/or problem solving questions. Students should try to be at school on test day if at all possible. If a student is out of class for a school related issue (standardized testing, field trips, suspension), that student must make up the test the next class day. If a student has an excused absence (such as an illness or a family emergency), tests can be made up within the same number of days the student missed plus one. Excuses MUST be turned in to the Attendance Office within 3 days of the student’s return to school. Please keep in mind that Cobb County can only accept a limited number of reasons as “excused.” People without a valid excuse may take the exam upon their return for their own benefit; however they will receive no credit for the work. If a student is caught talking, with their cell phones out, or cheating during a test, he or she will receive no credit for that test.
Test Remediation:
For each test, we will review for the test and give a practice test the day before to alleviate any test anxiety. After going over the practice test, the students will be tested. Bonus questions and worksheets will be posted online for additional extra credit to supplement test scores. Should a student need supplemental remediation, they may make an appointment to come in after or before school to complete test corrections, which by far are more work than studying and doing well on the test in the first place.
Quizzes…………………………………………………………………………………….……
Quizzes will be given frequently. A similar policy regarding absences and cheating in testing is applied to quizzes.
Labs and Projects……………………………………………………………….……………..
Laboratory experiments will be performed during class. Because science is based on experimentation and discovery of knowledge, we will perform many labs this year. If a formal lab write-up is required, students must follow the Lab Rubric to receive full credit. As lab attendance and participation is an important part of this course, the absence policy for tests and quizzes applies here as well. For late work please reference the section below.
Daily Work/Homework ……..…………………………………………………………………
Daily work consists of class activities, as well as homework. Homework is expected to be completed the next time class meets, unless otherwise specified. Homework must be handed to the teacherwhen called for or it is counted as late. Homework assignments are generally graded using a homework quiz. The student can use his or her completed homework only to assist with the homework quiz. If the homework is not checked with a homework quiz, it will be checked for completion. The absence policy is the same as for the other categories above. For late work, please reference the section below.
Late Work:It is yourresponsibility to attend class, write down due dates, and turn assignments in on time. Late work will receive a maximum grade of a 70. I will NOT remind you of late assignments after the first late day. Assignments turned in after the instructor has gone over the answers in class will not be accepted. It is the Pebblebrook High School policy that no make-up work will be accepted after the Unit has been completed.
Tardiness:Being late to class will not be tolerated. Tardiness will be handled according to Pebblebrook HighSchool policy.A student mightchoose to drop his/her books off and then leave the classroom. If the student returns to the classroom after the tardy bell, then the student’s books are not tardy to class, but the student is tardy and will have to get a tardy pass.
Participation:Class participation is required. If students do not participate in review games, group projects, class discussions, or group lab activities points may be deducted. Should a student choose to let their lab group complete the experiment and not participate at all, the lab partners are not required to even put the student’s name on the work, as they did none of it. In such a case, the student will receive no credit for the lab or group activity, as they were in class but chose not to participate.
Bathroom Passes:Students have 6 minutes between classes in which to use the restroom. Students are encouragedand expected to use the restroom during this time. Bathroom passes are given at my discretion. Passes will not be allowed during testing, demonstrations, or lecture. Each student will have 5 passes a semester, and once they’ve been used no more will be issued.
Consequences:Failure to follow procedures will be handled as follows:
1st Step:Verbal warning, seat change or Time
2nd Step:Call home and detention
3rd Step:Call home, possible conference, &detention.
4th Step:Administrative referral
NOTE: Any of the above steps can be taken at any time and some behaviors may require a seating change, relocation to another room, or immediate referral.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Respect! Students are expected to respect their fellow students, the equipment and materials in the room, and the instructor. One person speaks while others listen and hands are raised for recognition.
Be on time! When the bell rings, students need to be in their seats and working on the warm-up assignment.
Be organized and prepared! Studentswill not be allowed to return to their locker during the class period. For every class period he/shewill need a pen and pencil, three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper, and his/her book as needed.
No food, drinks or gum are allowed in the room.
If you have any questions or concerns about the class, please contact me in writing via your child, email, or by leaving a message for me at the phone number at the top of the page.
SAFETY CONTRACT:
A science laboratory can be a safe place to work if you, the student, plan ahead and are alert and cautious. The following practices will be followed:
1. Read lab procedures before starting the lab.
2 Do not start the lab without your teacher's permission.
3. Only teacher is allowed in the storeroom or preparation area.
4. Know the locations of the fire extinguishers, eye wash and shower stations
5. Wear goggles and gloves when instructed to do so by your teacher.
6. Do not carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals.
7. Pull back long hair while in the laboratory. Long sleeves should also be rolled up.
8. Be careful when using any sharp instruments such as razor blades or scalpels.
9. Keep hands away from the face and wash them immediately after the lab activity is completed.
10. Notify your teacher when you suspect a dangerous lab situation (such as injury, broken glassware)
11. Clean up your work area at the end of each laboratory activity.
12. Return all materials to the location indicted by your teacher.
13. Dispose of all garbage properly.
14. Appropriate behavior is expected in the lab!
GREAT WAYS TO SUPPLEMENT LEARNING:
If you are struggling in ANY area of Physics (or in other classes) please use the following websites to help you. Just follow the instructions provided. If you have questions, please email me at or ask me in class.
This website has practice worksheets, videos, and note taking guides for the videos for each lesson. I will be referring to this site throughout class, including for extra credit.
- :
This website gives tutorials for each unit of Physics that we will be studying.After each tutorial, you will complete a short quiz that will help you to evaluate your understanding ofthat section.
Username:first and last name with no spaces in between
Password: cobb (unless you have changed it to your own personal password)
Site id: pebblebrook01
This site can help you with vocabulary and concepts. This is a fantastic place to take practice Georgia High School Graduation Tests. It includes all subject areas that will becovered on the GHSGT as well as any class that includes an EOCT. It’s never too early to startpracticing!
Username: pebblebrook
Student password: newton88
- Other sites that I like that you may find useful:
To the parents/guardians of Physics students,
As this class is lab-based and fast-paced, attendance is necessary to ensure success. Excessive absenteeism puts students at a tremendous risk of not passing this course. Class expectations and requirements, course timeline, and my contact information are all provided in the attached syllabus. Please feel free to use the “comments” section to inform me of anything that you think I should know about you or your student’s situation (medical, familial, etc.) that you think would affect your student’s success in this course. Email is the best way to get in contact with me with questions or concerns so that I can respond in a prompt manner; however, you may call the school and leave a message for me. Please review this information, fill out the bottom of this page, and have your student return the bottom of the sheet to class. Let me know if you have any questions.
What can you do to help your student be successful?
Please check SYNERGY frequently to keep up with your student’s grades and attendance! If you do not have Synergy access, please contact the school guidance office.
Please talk to your student and encourage him/her to come in for help the moment they feel like they are struggling. It’s important to ask for help right away. Students tend to get more frustrated and lost if they wait too long to ask for help. Please check with your student daily and remind him/her to do homework. Your student should be studying and summarizing what we did in class every single day.
Pebblebrook has also subscribed to a couple of fantastic websites that will help your student to succeed in Physics as well as many of their other classes. They are: and Please see the attached sheet for instructions on using these sites.
Sincerely,
Meghan Bender
Science Department
Pebblebrook High School
I have read the course syllabus and understand what is required in order to be a successful.
Student signature: ______Name printed: ______
Parent/guardian signature: ______Name printed: ______
Parent/guardian phone numbers:______
______
Parent/guardian email:______
Student email: ______
Comments:
Please sign and return this pageonly