Physics Syllabus
Name ___________________________________
Course Description
Date __________
Physics is an academic, math-based laboratory course that meets six periods per week.
The first part of the course is to study motion and its causes. In the latter part of the course, waves, light, and sound will be discussed. Projects will be used each marking period to solidify the concepts taught. In addition, a field trip in May to Hershey Park completes the course of study in mechanics using real-life data collecting and analysis.
Students taking physics should be taking either Trigonometry and Advanced Math or
Calculus. The course will require daily readings and problem solving outside of the classroom. A midterm and final exam will be given for this course. A student who averages a 95% or above for the first two marking periods may opt out of the midterm exam with parental permission (see Student Handbook); however, the final exam must be taken by all students regardless of his/her average grade.
Course Textbook
Holt’s
Modern Physics ©2012 and various laboratory sources
For online access to textbook, go to http://my.hrw.com
Username : phepler3 and password : z5a6j
Course Requirements
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Students are to bring to class daily: a notebook or three-ring binder for storing classroom notes, handouts, and lab reports; a pen or pencil ; a scientific calculator ; and their assigned textbook .
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Students are to follow all lab safety rules and classroom rules at all times. In addition, all students are required to clean up after themselves and to return all equipment to its proper place after class and lab activities.
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Students are to hand in all required assignments on time to successfully complete this course. This includes chapter homework, weekly laboratory reports, prelabs, monthly technology critiques, daily classroom assignments, and projects.
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Students are responsible to find out what was missed when absent. Please see me for missed class work and handouts. My homepage (found on the school’s website, www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us) is updated weekly, and the white board lists upcoming tests and major assignments. Be prepared to make up tests upon your return from a brief absence!
Labs must be made up within five (5) days of your absence unless arranged otherwise.
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Students must complete their own homework, lab reports, critiques, daily classroom assignments, and projects. Any copied work or plagiarism will result in a zero for the entire assignment.
In addition, all completed projects, assigned or as extra credit, must contain cited references for any credit.
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All students are required to keep track of his or her grades through out the year.
Grades will be posted about every week by student ID number, and it is the responsibility of the student to check them periodically for any mistakes. I will be able to discuss your grade before or after class.
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us

Physics Syllabus
Name ___________________________________
Required Assignments and Grading
Date __________
Marking period points total between 250 to 350 points. Required assignments and their estimated points are listed below.

Chapter Homework : Homework is due on the day of the test unless otherwise noted by the teacher. Homework will not be accepted after 2 days . Extra credit will be assessed if homework is turned in 2 days early . Points: 5 per assignment

Lab Reports : Lab reports will be completed after each lab experiment as a conclusion to the experiment. Lab reports are usually due the day after the lab is completed unless specified by the teacher. Lab reports will not be accepted after 5 days . Points: 15 per report
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Prelabs : A prelab is the start of your lab report that you do before coming to class.
Prelabs are required for each lab report unless otherwise noted by your teacher.
Points: 3 points per prelab

Technology Critiques : Students are required to complete a monthly technology critique on any area dealing with physics or a physics related technology. A critique contains a paragraph summary and a paragraph opinion. Critiques may be turned in at any time during the month and can be turned in months in advance. Each critique is due on the last class day of the month—no excuses ! Extra credit will be assessed to each student who turns in all nine critiques (September through May) . Points: 4 per critique
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Projects : Students will be required to participate in and complete a few projects throughout the year. Points: 20-40 points per project
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Study Guides : Study guides are handed out a week prior to the end of each chapter.
Study guides are optional. Students who complete them are given extra credit on their chapter test grade. Study guides are due the day of the chapter test. Late study guides will not be accepted for extra credit. Points: vary by chapter

Tests/Quizzes : A test or other assessment will be given after each chapter covered.
Quizzes may be given on notes, problems, or assigned reading passages. Points: 30-
60 points per test and no more than 20 points per quiz

Miscellaneous Assignments : May include graphic organizers, problem solving in class, or assigned readings/research outside of class. Points may vary for each assignment. Points: no more than 20
Rubrics
The following assignments will be graded using a rubric. Each rubric will be reviewed prior to turning in the assignment. All rubrics can be found on my homepage or in the rubric organizer in my room. Rubrics can be attached to the front or back of your assignment. The assignment is then placed in the “turn in tray” in my room. Graded assignments can be found in the homework return box on the bookshelf.
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Chapter Homework
—a rating rubric is used to grade all chapter homework assignments.

Lab Reports
—a standard rubric is used to grade all lab reports. Please remember to fill out the top of each rubric before turning in your assignment.
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us

Physics Syllabus
Name ___________________________________ Date __________

Critiques —a simple rubric will be used to grade your monthly technology critique.

Projects —depending on the project, a rubric will be used to explain what details are needed to successfully complete it.
* Student/Parent Reply and Contact Information
Student Name ______________________________________________________
Student Signature ___________________________________________________
Parent(s) Name _____________________________________________________
Parent(s) Signature __________________________________________________
Daytime Phone #(s) __________________________________________________
Email(s)___________________________________________________________
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us