Dr. Kaplan says
anyone in the class
can get a 5 if they are
willing to do the work!
I know I can do this!
The Key’s To Success in
The AP Physics C Class
Develop
Your
Tools
All policies, rules,
procedures have one
goal: Your ultimate
success in mastering
the material.
Engage
and
Explore
Success
Use the
Resources
Provided
Help
Each
Other
Practice!
Practice!
Practice!
Classroom Expectations
AP Physics C
2013-2014
Rules
Rules
Procedures
Additional Resources
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Rules
4 Classroom Rules
1.
2.
3.
Obey school rules
Follow directions first time given
Raise hand and wait for permission to
speak

4.
Only applies during class discussions and
lectures
Show respect for other students and
teacher




Help make this a safe place to ask and
answer questions
Pay attention to the person speaking
No side conversations
Do not participate in distracting behaviors
Classroom Expectations
Rules
Procedures
Procedures
Additional Resources
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Procedures
4 Classroom Procedures
1.
2.
3.
4.
How
How
How
How
we start the class
I get your attention
you get my attention
we end the class
1. How we start the class

Come prepared with notebook, writing tool,
and assignments that are due in the notebook.

Textbook stays home.

Sit in assigned seats.

Look for Do Now and begin working it.

Procedures
When the class bell rings all conversations
should have ended and students should already
be working individually.


School rule – late if not in by bell
My rule – late if not working by bell
Procedures
2. How I get your attention
I
raise my hand
Stop where you are.
 Stop all talking.
 Turn and face me.
 Be ready for instruction.

3. (Only pertains during class discussions)
How you get my attention to…

Ask a question, Answer a question –


Procedures
Raise your hand and wait to be called on
Leave the room
 Point
to the door. When I nod to you
come to the front of the room and fill out
a hall slip. After I sign it, you must return
in 5 minutes.

MoVe around the room
 Raise
hand with a V signal. When you
get my attention, show me non-verbally
what you need to do. I will signal you
with a nod.
Procedures
4. Dismissing the Class
 Wait
in your seats for me to
dismiss you.
 (The
bell is a reminder for me
to dismiss you.)
 After
the bell rings, when
everyone is seated, I will
dismiss the class – then you
may leave.
Classroom Expectations
Rules
Procedures
Additional Resources
Resources
Additional
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Additional Resources
Additional Resources For Success in Physics Class

In addition to




participating in class discussions
learning through hands on labs
challenging yourself with the assignments
I provide you with


a website packed with materials
a daily after school tutorial
Additional Resources
Edmodo



We will use Edmodo in our
classroom
You should have already joined.
The Edmodo group ID is: 8wdqis
School Website
Additional Resources
Classroom Expectations
Bookmark My Page!!
Additional Resources
You need a password


A lot of material on the website is
password protected.
The password is:
Outline of Concepts and Equations
Last Year
New Material
Classroom Expectations
Additional Resources
Lots of useful materials
Additional Resources
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
More details
about this
later
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
Unit Power Point
– A pdf file---6
Slides Per Page
Print this out
and include in
your notebook
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
The specifics of the
review materials will
depend on the unit!
Drilling down for more
information
Additional Resources
Materials used in
class can usually
be found on the
website.
Additional Resources
Getting extra help or making up work




I am available almost every day after
school. I usually stay until 3:30 PM.
Only exceptions are faculty meetings and
club meetings.
Even if I have a club meeting, I might be
able to work with you for a short while.
You do not need to make a reservation, but
if you know you want to see me it would be
a good idea to let me know. If there is no
one there for help, I might leave.
Classroom Expectations
Rules
Procedures
Additional Resources
Notebooks
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Notebooks
Notebooks

Notebooks will be graded.
Bonus: If your notebook grade
exceeds a cutoff level then you will
earn a marking period bonus.
 More details later when we get to
grading.


Best practices

Many of my former students use
these techniques throughout
college.
Notebooks
Standardized Notebook Formats

Why must it be a narrow 3-ring binder?




I will provide a lot of pre-punched notes, worksheets,
and lab handouts that you will want to keep safe.
Immediately place these papers in the appropriate
place in your notebook.
3-ring binders are the recommended format for
success in college (see the Cornell method)
Why must everyone use the same format?



It will enable me to check your notebooks, homework,
and some labs.
While you are taking your unit test I will be busily
checking your notebook and giving you a grade for
notebooks, in-class participation, and homework
participation.
I will not have time to find material that is not in the
correct location in your notebook.
No quick cards in AP Physics C
Since you can not use them on the
AP test, I do not want them to be a
crutch for you all year.
5 Tabs
Notebooks
1) In Class Work 2) Notes
The Layout
3) Labs 4) Homework
5) Previous Units and
General Reference
HW
Do Now
Previous
Labs
Notes
Other In Class
In Class Work
Unit Summarization Sheet
Notebooks
Unit Name
Concepts, Laws,
Principles,
Graphical Tools
Equations
Additional key
notes and diagrams
Measurable
Quantities, other
Vocabulary,
important scientists
You can use these
sheets on quizzes,
but only if they are
hand written!
5 Tabs
Notebooks
1) In Class Work 2) Notes
The Layout
3) Labs 4) Homework
5) Previous Units and
General Reference
HW
Do Now
Previous
Labs
Notes
Other In Class
UNIT SUMMARIZE
In Class Work
Notebooks
Unit Title
Upcoming tests
and quizzes
Unit
Homework
Assignment By
Due Date
Planning
Report
Lesson Title
Lesson Purpose
Reading Assignment
Available on line
If you are absent download to see
what work you missed.
5 Tabs
Notebooks
1) In Class Work 2) Notes
The Layout
3) Labs 4) Homework
5) Previous Units and
General Reference
Do Now
HW
Notes
Other In Class
Previous
Labs
UNIT SUMMARIZE
Unit Planning
In Class Work
Notebooks
The Layout
HW
Labs
Notes
Notes
Other In Class
Previous
UNIT SUMMARIZE
HW
Unit Planning
Labs
Downloads
Do Now
In Class Work
5 Tabs
1) In Class Work 2) Notes
3) Labs 4) Homework
5) Previous Units and
General Reference
Slimming Down Your Notebook

After the notebook check, you
will remove and store all of
the materials from the first 4
sections of your notebook
except for the


Notebooks
Unit Summarization form
You may keep them in
another section of your
notebook- or better - leave
them at home in a folder for
quarterlies, midterms, and
finals

The summarization form
must be moved to the back
of the “previous units tab”.
Notebooks
The Layout
HW
Labs
Notes
Other In Class
Previous
UNIT SUMMARIZE
HW
Unit Planning
Labs
Notes
Downloads
Do Now
In Class Work
After unit test
most material
moved to
notebook at
home.
Notebooks
In-class work section

All do now’s, class worksheets,
will be included in this section.
All work must be dated
 Recorded Do Now’s and worked
problems shows proof of
participation.
 When I check your notebook, if I
do not see this evidence, I will
reduce your participation grade.

Notes/Handouts
Notebooks
Notes Section Requirements




The goal – record the notes that you
will need for this unit.
All notes and handouts must be dated.
If you are absent – fill in the date and
then print absent next to the date
You do not have to have a separate
page each day, but it must be in
chronological order.
Notebooks
Teacher’s Unit Notes
Unit notes are available on-line for each
unit.
 You must print these out. It will make it
easier for you to follow the lecture.
 Scan over them the night before the
lecture.
 This is what you should be doing in college!
 You still will need to take notes, but you
will spend less time just trying to keep up
with class presentation

Notes, Do
Now’s,
Handouts,
In-class
Information Consolidation
In your notebook and your brain!
Unit
summarization
End of
Quarter
AP
Unit
Notes
Review
Labs
Test
Midterm
HW
Quiz
Final
Classroom Expectations
Rules
Procedures
Additional Resources
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Grading
Policies
Grading Policies
Labs (25%)




Grading Policies
Labs/Proj
There will be two or three formal lab
reports per marking period.
I will go over lab expectations in
general terms later, and then set
specific requirements for each lab.
We will not have any “worksheet labs”
in this class.
After the AP test we will have a project
period that will run until the end of the
school year.
Labs/Proj
Grading Policies
Projects and Labs - Grading
Late projects and labs reduce the
maximum grade by 25%/day.
 We will go over the lab report
expectations later.

Homework
Grading Policies
Homework
Grading Policies
The top 6 reasons for doing homework
# 6. Reading the material in advance in addition
to discussing it in class will improve your
understanding and retention.
# 5. This is good practice for college.
# 4. The homework will reinforce the material
that we learn in class.
#3. If you have difficulty with the homework, tell
me about it so that I can help!
HINT!
#2. Some of the homework problems will be
repeated almost exactly on the quizzes or
tests. If it appears in the homework it is fair
game on a test.
#1. It directly affects your grade (described later)
Homework
Grading Policies
Homework Grading – Each Unit




Homework must include due date.
Homework must be in the homework section of your
notebook on the day and period that it is due. No
make-ups allowed.
For regular homework I grade on effort and
completeness.
For homework with answers provided:


Required:

Try the homework yourself. Then check the website.
Correct your homework based on answers provided.
For problems, you will not get credit for just answers.
Diagrams, algebraic physics equations, knowns, unknowns,
physics concepts, worked out solutions, with units and proper
significant digits.
An algebraic physics equation has no numbers in it – just
letters which represent physical quantities.
F=ma 
F=3x5 
Homework
Grading Policies
Homework Grading (continued)



Each homework problem gets equal
weight
Some homework will be spot
checked in class
Most homework will be checked
during notebook check. Be sure all
homework assignments are in the
homework section of notebook, in
order, on day of test or makeup.
The Big
Homework
Bonus
If your homework
grade exceeds
85.0% in a marking
period, your lowest
test grade will count
less based on a
sliding scale. For
100% homework, it
will count 50% less.
Homework
Grading Policies
Participation
APPLE

Attendance




Never display disruptive behavior in class. Follow rules and
procedures.
Listening:


Arrive on time with all materials: notebook, pen or pencil, follow
startup procedures without teacher reminder.
Lose point if late to class/start - this can not be made up.
Late with a note from another teacher – possibly excused or can
make up work –depends on how late.
Politeness:


No participation points for days you are absent –including
school sponsored events. But, points can be made up
through after school tutorials.
Preparedness:


Newton
APPLE?
Good
Idea!!
Grading Policies
Listen in both lecture and work group settings. Show respect for
the ideas of others and build off of these ideas. Pay attention.
Engagement


Proactively contribute to class, offer ideas, ask questions.
Engaged in group and lab activities.
The in-class do now’s and problems must be in your notebook to
receive full credit.
Grading Policies
Participation Grade – Each Unit


+1 point earned each regular day (or lab day)
0 if absent for any reason – even class trips –




BUT, can make up absence after school – or in some cases
through making up work at home -up to day before unit test.
If late to class (even with a note) you may need to
makeup work to recover lost participation credit
Once we finish unit – no more makeup credit for that
unit.
Some behaviors will result in lost participation points.

On very rare occasions you may lose more than 1 point in a
given day.
Points Earned
Grade 
 In class % missing
Possible Points
The Big
Participation
Bonus
If your participation
grade exceeds 88.0%
in a marking period,
your lowest quiz
grade will count less
on a sliding scale.
For 100%
participation it will
count 50% less.
Grading Policies
Notebook Bonus



For Notebook grades exceeding 90% you
will get a marking period bonus.
The amount depends on the Notebook
grade.
At 100% the bonus will be worth 1%.
Comparison between tests and quizzes
Duration:
Quizzes
5-10 minutes
Tests
Entire period.
Material covered:
Everything in unit up to 2 days prior
Entire unit and some cumulative from prior units.
In class preparation:
You must stay current
Unit summarization sheet
Calculators (usually)
Review day
AP Formula Sheets
Calculators (usually)
Make up within:
2 schools days. (Not during class)
2 schools days. (Not during class)
Fraction of grade:
25%
40%
Participation
Homework
May use:
Drop lowest bonus
from:
Format:
Who must take:
Usually open ended
Both multiple choice and open ended
Anyone who was in class two days
Anyone who was in class day before test. If you
before quiz. Quiz does not cover material
missed review day you may postpone test.
from prior day.
How I curve grades on tests and quizzes




Grading Policies
I calculate your raw score in %
Basic curve = Square root of raw score
For test – adder can not exceed 10%
For quiz – adder can not exceed 20%
without curve
test
quiz
Grading Policies
Grading Summary







Unit Tests
Quizzes
Projects and Labs
Participation
Homework
Notebook
Total Possible
Maximum Grade: 100%
40%
25%
25%
2%
7%
1%
+ Quiz Bonus
+Test Bonus
+ Bonus
100%
1%
101%
Extra Point Can Not Be Carried Over
Sample
Grade
Weight
7%
Additional
Weight
Better
Effort
100
Pts1
7
Homework Average
50
Pts
3.5
25%
Lab Average
90
22.5
90
22.5
2%
Participation Average
75
1.5
100
2
Notebook Average
Notebook Bonus
75
0.75
0
100
1
1
1
86.8
21.7
86.4
34.6
89.8
1%
100%
Quiz1
Quiz2
Quiz3
Quiz4
Quiz5
25%
Average
Test1
Test2
Test3
Test4
Test5
40%
Average
Marking Period Average
96
63
93
88
82
84.4
97
100
95
40
77
81.8
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
21.1
100%
100%
100%
50%
100%
32.7
82.1
Grading Policies
Cheating 






I follow the school policy. It will be
reported.
Cheating is a serious school offense with
many consequences.
Both people involved will be impacted.
Results in a zero for the quiz, test, lab,
homework or project.
The zero from a cheating offense will not
be minimized for bonus.
It may jeopardize your marking period
grade.
Grading Policies
Reporting Grades


Grades will appear on school website –
parent portal
On website, bonus values will not be
included for





Reduced weighting on lowest quiz
Reduced weighting on lowest test
Additional points for notebook bonus
So usually the website shows a lower
grade than you will actually get for the
marking period
I will also provide you a printed grade
report to understand grades
Rules
Rules
(4)
Procedures (4)
Additional Resources (homework, tutorial, website)
Notebooks (a resource and a responsibility)
Grading Policies
(bonuses, designed to encourage you to try your best)
The take away
I want you to succeed!
There are lots of good things in place to
help you succeed in Physics class.
If you make a commitment to get a
good grade in Physics class, you will!