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Instructor:
Mr. Don Crider / Room: 425 / Prep period: 4th / Office hours: M- F 2:05-2:30 / Phone: 571-3073
Web site: http://classrooms.tacoma.k12.wa.us/stadium/dcrider/index.php / e-mail:dcrider@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Welcome to Physics!
Physics is the most basic science; however this is THE MOST MIND BLOWING COURSE IN HIGH SCHOOL! It is an
attempt to discover and explain the rules of our natural universe. Once you understand these basic rules, then
you can apply them to more specific and complex systems – such as the interaction of non-living matter
(Chemistry) and the processes and interactions of living organisms (Biology).
The Advanced Placement Physics course at Stadium High School is a demanding curriculum, designed specifically
to prepare you for the AP Physics B test. Physics is truly the most fundamental of all sciences, and one of the
most enjoyable (not to mention challenging!) to study. You will receive a strong college-level foundation in
physics: we will emphasize solving a variety of high-level math problems.
Overview and Course Objectives
This course is designed to provide the student with a college-level, non calculus-based, introduction to the study
of physics. At the completion of the course, all AP students will be well prepared to take College Board's Advanced
Placement Physics B examination (Monday May 11th). The course covers topics in kinematics, dynamics,
energy, rotational motion, momentum, harmonic/wave motion, fluids, thermodynamics, electrostatics, circuits,
magnetism, sound, optics, atomic theory, nuclear physics, relativity, string theory, and bridge engineering.
Students are encouraged to participate in West Point’s Virtual Bridge Designer Competition
http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/prizes.htm and the Seattle Civil Engineer’s Bridge Competition http://seattleasce.org/ymf/popsiclebridge.html
Course Requirements
The time you spend on this course will consist of participating in classroom problem based discussions, homework
problems (lots of them), performing weekend take-home labs and activities, Tuesday and Friday Quizzes, and
taking very challenging tests; all of which are designed to prepare you for the AP test. You will have a wellorganized composition book; pencils, pens, and a "scientific" calculator (i.e., one that performs sin, cos, tan,
exponential notation, exponents, and log functions.) You are expected to know how to operate your calculator
correctly, including interpreting answers in degrees or radians, using scientific notation, and interpreting the
correct number of significant figures.
AP Physics is an intense course and is purposely designed to extract your best reasoning skills.
Consequently, it is not unusual for students to occasionally become frustrated with laboratory work, problem
solving, and tests. Don’t get behind; AP is designed to move fast. For this reason, there are several fundamental
requirements that I expect from you that will allow you to reach your personal goals in this course. First, students
are expected to attend all classes. Absences related to legitimate reasons are unavoidable. However, it becomes
your responsibility to obtain the information and assignment for that missed day. Missed assignments, quizzes,
or tests will be made up immediately after your return. Students who are not proactive towards meeting this
requirement will receive a zero for that graded opportunity (I am very serious about this.) Second, problems
assigned in class are valuable for understanding the material. It is expected that all assignments be completed on
time to the best of your ability. Third, develop relationships with classmates; work together to make this course
work for you.
Grades
Your grade will be based on a weighted percentage, according to the following scale:
A: 90% and above
C: 70%
E: less than 50%
B: 80%
D: 60%
+/- are not given in this class. Assignments used to determine each student's grade will include tests
(~35% of the total grade), quizzes (~35%), homework (~20%) and labs (~10%).
Homework
You can best reach your goals in this course through daily preparation. There is no substitute for hard
work, especially in a course such as AP Physics that requires a collection of skills to succeed (i.e, writing,
mathematics, reasoning, etc.) Students should expect to spend thirty minutes on weeknights and 2 hours per
weekend outside of class on physics related assignments. The noted Nobel laureate Richard Feynman cautioned
that "You do not know anything until you have practiced and we take his warning to heart: Do Your Homework!
At the beginning of most class sessions, I will ask if there are any questions on the previous night's homework.
Students will receive credit for fully completing home work. Students will be quizzed on Fridays over one of the
week’s HW problems.
Labs
Weekly lab activities are an important part of the course curriculum. They will give practical, hands-on experience
collecting and analyzing data, and reinforce the learning that goes on in the classroom. Some of these labs will
be conducted outside of class to conserve valuable, yet limited, class time. We will conduct about 12 in-class
labs. Pre labs will be posted online and must be highlighted prior to the lab. All labs are due the following
Tuesday.
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Tests
Chapter tests will be administered approximately every 1-4 weeks, covering 1-3 chapters of material. Most tests
will be worth 100 points, and consisting of free-response questions. Questions will consist mostly of questions
based on the current unit of study, but may include review questions from previous units. Both multiple-choice
and free-response questions may include selections taken from actual AP tests. Students who show up to class on
a test day are expected to take the test that day, unless discussed prior. If you will miss a class for a school
related activity (or something preplanned) you will take the test before you may be excused.
Online Activity
I believe very strongly in online access to classroom material. I use this to decrease distractions (so I can be a
better Sherpa), reduce school resources, and most importantly offer SHS students an unlimited access to
education. I will go out of my way to make all classroom material accessible from home. However, I expect you
to use it, and check it nightly. You will be required to review class slides at home. Many SWIFT of these
documents are password protected. Students are welcomed to download and copy, but not to repost to another
internet site. Acrobat reader is required to download homework (see website for directions.) Note: I will make a
hard copy available for those without internet capability.
Late Work
Assignments are due on the assigned date--late work is not accepted! If you have an excused absence on
the day an assignment is due, the work is due on the day you return to class. For unexcused absences and
tardiness, you may not make up missed work. I stamp homework in the beginning of class, late student=
zero credit. While many students are accustomed to turning in late work, this won’t be accepted in a college level
course. Please ensure that your work is turned in on the day it is due.
Missing Class: This is a college level course. It is YOUR responsibility for making up work or tests
when you miss class. I will not seek you out. I will assist you by maintaining an updated web site that will
have notes and assignments posted. Old notes and assignments will always be accessible so that you can review
or keep up as needed. If you know that you will miss class please see me beforehand and we’ll arrange work
requirements before you leave. In most cases, I will expect that you’ve checked the website and already
attempted the homework. I will also be available from 2:05-2:45 on Mon, Weds, and Fri for extra help. I am
accessible for minor questions via email (which I will check every night.) Students will contact me via my SWIFT
site, but never to respond to me directly (to keep TPS in the loop). Parents may contact me as they wish.
Honor Violations
I assume all AP students adhere to SHS/TPS academic standards. A great deal of trust goes into this fast paced
system. Students are encouraged to work together in ALL outside class activities. However, students will always
complete and turn-in only their work. Student violations will receive a score of zero for that assignment/quiz/test
and will always be referred to the respective Assistant Principle for disciplinary action.
For Parents
Open Door Policy
I am available to students for 45 minutes after school T, Th, F for additional help. This is not a “tell me what is on
the test” opportunity. Students should come prepared with questions and areas of interest (or concern). I will be
happy to assist in homework problems and areas student might be struggling with. I am usually not available
mornings, except for conferences with parents. Extra credit is offered to B or below by SHS tutoring on Weds.
Guardians: Thanks for entrusting your student with me. I look forward to meeting you at back to school night.
Your students will have at approximately 30 minutes of homework S-Th nights. Please feel free to contact me if
they are not doing this much each evening. I am at your (and their) disposal. My school phone number is 5713073. The best times to call is 7:05-7:30 am and 2:05-2:45 pm. A message can also be left at any time.
My e-mail address is:
dcrider@tacoma.k12.wa.us.
My Web site
http://classrooms.tacoma.k12.wa.us/stadium/dcrider/index.php
will show all class documents.
will show Physics grades (you need your student’s number) Your student will
need limited computer access each evening, I will provide this accommodation after school if this is not possible.
If there are any questions, please feel free to call.
https://www3.tacoma.k12.wa.us/tpsstudents
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Student Signature
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Parent/ Guardian (Please attend open house Oct 16th)
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