You have made it!
You are in one of the best high
school physics classes in the state of
New Jersey! Now I will show you
how to succeed in this class.
The Key’s To Success in
The Academy Physics
Develop
Your
Tools
You will observe that all of
the policies, rules, and
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
Academy Physics
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.
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
Part of tonight’s homework
assignment is to join the Academy
Physics Edmodo group and
response to the prompt
The Edmodo group ID is: d5p4gz
School Website
Additional Resources
You need a password


A lot of material on the website is
password protected.
The password is:
Classroom Expectations
Bookmark My Page!!
Additional Resources
Outline of Concepts and Equations
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 etc.
Notebooks
Quick Cards
Unit Notes
Unit Summarization
Lab Participation
Homework Participation
Notebooks
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, homework
participation, and lab participation.
I will not have time to find material that is not in the
correct location in your notebook.
Quick Cards
1st page of notebook
Your Name
•I will provide you with heavy stock paper for this
purpose and the 3x5 cards.
•You may include equations, notes, drawings as you
see fit.
•You will be allowed to use this on quizzes, tests,
quarterlies, midterms, and finals.
• You will make the card before the exam day.
Basic Physics Skills
Kinematics in 1D
Kinematics in 2D
Statics and Dynamics
Circular and Gravity
Work, Energy, Power
Momentum
Harmonic and Waves
Sound
Geometric Optics
EM /Wave Optics
Static Electricity
Current Electricity
•The material for each unit must be limited to both
sides of one 3x5 card.
•It must be hand written.
•The Quick Cards must be kept in the front of your
loose-leaf - except during a quiz or test
•The index cards must be taped onto the quick card
to allow for a fan fold liftup.
•You will add 3x5 cards to this as the year
progresses
•Each student must have his/her own quick cards
Notebooks
•If you do not bring the Quick Cards to the exam,
you still must take the exam.
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 3
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
(but not labs).
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.
I will check for this to see what notes
you recorded each day.
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.
Notes/Handouts
Notebooks
Teacher’s Unit Notes





Unit notes are available on-line for each unit.
Students must download these notes.
Fill in blanks as we go through the unit and
take notes in margins.
You will still probably want to take some notes
in your note section.
If you have not printed out the notes you might
not be able to keep up with the lecture.
Notes, Do
Now’s,
Handouts,
In-class
Information Consolidation
In your notebook and your brain!
Unit
summarization
Unit
Notes
Quick
Cards
Review
Labs
Test
Midterm
HW
Quiz
End of
Quarter
Final
Classroom Expectations
Rules
Procedures
Additional Resources
Notebooks
Grading Policies
Grading
Policies
Grading Policies
Labs




Labs/Proj
Grading Policies
Labs are a critical part of the learning cycle.
You must makeup missed labs.
Labs section of the notebook will include the
lab instructions and the write-up pages.
Most labs will include a worksheet.
Labs





Labs/Proj
Grading Policies
There will be one formal lab report per marking
period.
Aside from the lab experiences, the
introductory pages provide additional
information for the unit that might not be found
elsewhere in the notes or textbook.
Tests and quizzes will frequently include
questions that come from the lab
instructions and/or the questions and
results.
Many students tend to lose their labs! 
Immediately put them in your notebook, and
you will never lose them.
Labs - Grading








Grading Policies
Labs will account for 25% of the marking period grade.


Labs/Proj
10% for fully graded worksheet labs
10% for the formal lab report
5% for participation labs.
Usually the filled in worksheet will be due the day after
the lab work in class.
The formal lab report will be heavily weighted. Late labs
lose 25% per day late.
I will randomly select some labs for detailed grading.
These will be collected on the due date.
The other labs will be given a “lab participation grade”
during the notebook check. I will check for completeness
and spot check these labs.
If absent, all of the labs must have been made up by the
day of the test and they must be in the appropriate
section of your notebook.
You will get a week or more to write the formal lab
report.
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





Grading Policies
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.
Some homework may be spot checked on due date.
For regular homework I grade on effort and
completeness.
For homework with answers provided:



Homework
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.
Required:



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.
Homework
Grading Policies
Homework Grading (continued)

Agent Pi (∏) – take home homework quiz




This is a special homework assignment in which
each student gets a different problem.
Parts of the assignment are easy. They are
interspersed with more challenging sections.
You will be graded on correctness for the
easier parts.
Parts of the assignment are more challenging.
You will be given a participation grade for this
part. Do not leave it blank.
However, if you get the entire challenge correct
and solve the puzzle you will get extra
homework credit.
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
Material covered:
Everything in unit up to 2 days prior
In class preparation:
You must stay current
Tests
Entire period.
Entire unit and some cumulative
from prior units.
Review day
Unit summarization sheet
and /or quick cards
Calculators (usually)
2 schools days.
Not during class
Calculators (usually)
2 schools days.
Not during class
Fraction of grade:
30%
35%
Drop lowest bonus from:
Participation
Format:
Usually open ended
Who must take:
Anyone who was in class two days
before quiz.
Homework
Both multiple choice and open
ended
Anyone who was in class day
before test.
May use:
Make up within:
Quick cards
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
Labs
Participation
Homework
Notebook
Total Possible
Maximum Grade: 100%
35%
30%
25%
3%
5%
2%
+ Quiz Bonus
+Test Bonus
+ Bonus
100%
1%
101%
Extra Point Can Not Be Carried Over
Sample
Grade
Weight
5%
Homework Average
50
Pts
2.5
Addtnl
Weight
Better
Effort
100
+2.5
++ Doing90 all22.5your
90
3%
Participation Average
75
2.25
100
homework,
staying
+0.8
2%
Notebook
Average
75
1.5
100
organized,
and
making
100%
Notebook Bonus
0
1
+0.5
up missed classes will +1.0
Test1
97 better
100%
result
in
Test2
100
100%
Test3
95
100%
understanding
and
Test4
40
50%
Test5
77
100%
higher
grades
on
tests
35%
Test Average
81.8
28.6
86.4
and
quizzes
Quiz1
96
100%
+1.5
25%
Lab Average
Quiz2
Quiz3
Quiz4
Quiz5
30%
Quiz Average
Marking Period Average
35
93
88
82
78.8
Pts1
5
22.5
3
2
1
30.3
50%
100%
100%
100%
23.6
81.0
83.7
+1.7
25.1
88.9
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!