SC 81 - Physics Policy Letter
Course Information
Modeling Physics
Collaborative
Groups
Study Skills
Calculators
Homework
You are going to be a part of an exciting approach to learning called
Modeling Physics. In this approach, tested and shown very effective by
physics teachers throughout the nation, you will be confronted with a
series of situations in which you will decide what factors might be related,
how you can go about measuring them, then collect the data. You will
learn how to use a computer to help you graphically analyze the data and
you will learn how to clearly describe the relationships you found, using a
variety of representations. You will then go on to explore how the
relationships you discovered can be applied to a wide variety of new
situations. So, in this approach, you will derive from your experiments
most of the equations you will use in physics.
You will work in the lab and on assignments in 3-4 person groups.
Members of your group will make oral presentations before the whole
class in which you present your ideas and answer questions from your
classmates. The emphasis is on the general understanding of the
principles involved and how you solved the problem rather than on the
answer. These groups will and can change often.
Each day you are expected to bring to class a three-ring binder with tab
dividers and loose-leaf paper. You will keep all the materials for a given
unit in your binder until the unit test. On the day of the unit test I will
grade your note packet. You should keep these note packets for completed
units to study for semester finals.
Unless you plan on using a graphing calculator for your math class, don’t
feel the need to get one for physics. There are a number of inexpensive
(under $20) scientific calculators (ones that include trig functions will do
nicely) which are suited to your needs in this class. However, graphing
calculators can be used and are encouraged as you will use them through
the rest of your schooling. Texas Instruments TI-84Plus (or TI-83) is the
model that is used in class.
The problems assigned as homework in this class are designed to test to
see if you really understand the concepts developed in class. It is
reasonable to expect that you will often experience difficulty in setting up
and solving these types of problems. It's not such a bad thing that you
struggle a bit in trying to complete the assignment. It is in the discussion
of the homework the following day that you and your classmates really
learn the material. To be a meaningful contributor to your group you
must attempt to do the problems. To receive credit for attempting the
assignment you must make a genuine effort. At the beginning of the
period, I will stamp your homework if you have made a reasonable effort.
Assignments not stamped will not receive credit when I grade your note
packets. Test & quiz questions will be similar to the problems you
encounter in the homework. So, it's simple: if you DO YOUR
HOMEWORK you are more likely to be successful!
Students who miss a test or quiz due to excused absence have 1 day to
make it up. If students know they will be absent due to a school related
activity, they are expected to make plans with me to take the test/quiz in
advance whenever possible. Graded tests/quizzes will not be returned
until all students in the class have taken them.
Tests/Quizzes
Laboratory Work
and Reports
Your % score will be computed based on a weighted average of your
scores in the following categories:
Grades
89.5 – 100%
79.5 – 89.5%
69.5 – 79.5%
60.0 – 69.5%
Below 60%
Almost everything you learn this year in physics is based on the results
of your experiments. For each experiment you will be expected to write
a report in a format you will soon receive. Since you will be given class
time to discuss your findings with your group, you are expected to work
together to insure that each member of the group is able to turn in a
quality product. If your lab is not completed by the due date, it may not
receive full credit. Students who are absent must make up the lab
activity in order to receive full credit for the lab report.
A
B
C
D
F
Extra Help
Acknowledgement
Test & Quizzes
Lab Reports
Homework/notes
55%
35%
10%
Semester grades will be calculated using 40% for each quarter and
20% for the final exam
If you are having difficulty with anything in this course, get help as soon
as possible so you won’t fall behind. I am available before school and
during lunch via appointment.
Please take the time to read this guide. If you have any questions or
concerns about your child's performance, please feel free to call me at:
480 308-5621.
Please acknowledge that you understand what is expected by signing on
the lines below. Students: please keep this guide as a reference for the
entire year.
Keep this portion in your binder all year. Sign and return the next page.
SC 81 PHYSICS
Student Name (please print)
Please acknowledge that you understand the class policies and expectations by signing below. This
sheet is to be returned no later than 8/16 for full credit.
Student
_______
Student e-mail ___________________________________________
Parent
___________________
Parent e-mail ____________________________________________
Parents, if you have any comments or if you would like to leave me a phone number where you can
be contacted, please write in the space below.