3rd Block
Honors Physics Syllabus
Mrs. Brown
Contact Information
Room 615
Website:
http://iss.schoolwires.com/Domain/5199
Email: julia_brown@gmail.com or juliapdbrown@gmail.com
Twitter:
@jpdrake10
Phone Number: (704)799-8555 ext. 1615
Remind: to sign up text
@2g8hd to 81010
Course Description
The goal of this course is for students to be able to understand the basic physical principles
that govern the way our world works. The course is implemented based on the North Carolina
Essential Standards for Physics. This includes algebraic and graphical manipulations of data as well
as real world observations. Upon successful completion of this course, a student should
understand and be able to explain basic forces, motion, momentum, work, power, energy,
electrical circuits, magnetism, and wave behavior.
Materials
Students should bring the following to class each day

Something to write both with and on (there is a lot of math involved in Physics
and you need to be able to work out problems on paper)

Calculator (scientific or graphing)

MacBook Air (fully charged)

Textbook (to be left in classroom) Serway, Raymond A. and Faughn, Jerry S.,
Physics. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Expectations
 Every student is expected to be the three R’s every day: Respectful, Responsible, and
Reasonable. This includes (among other things): being in class on time, having all the
necessary materials for the day, having a working and fully charged MacBook Air,
participating in class activities and discussions, using a kind tone when speaking to
others, and listening when others are speaking. If students can be respectful,
responsible, and reasonable, it is much easier to incorporate a wide range of activities
into class-time that make class enjoyable and more rewarding for each student.
 Students also need to check the class website every day, where important information
and assignments will be posted. There is no excuse for not checking the website,
especially when a student is absent. There are multiple ways to contact Mrs. Brown
3rd Block
(that information is listed above and on the website), so there is no excuse for not
contacting her regarding any issues that arise. Assignments should also be downloaded
(when necessary) before leaving the classroom each day to ensure there are no issues.
 Students are expected to sign up for Remind notifications, and parents are encouraged
to sign up as well. This allows Mrs. Brown to send reminders about upcoming due
dates and important information.
 Students are expected to conduct themselves according to the ISS Student Code of
Conduct at all times. This code can be found at:
http://iss.schoolwires.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1598
 UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE IS CHEATING OK. Anyone caught cheating or facilitating cheating
will receive a ZERO for the assignment, forfeit any extra credit points earned thus far, be
written up, and their parent/guardian will be contacted.
Safety
A separate safety contract will be sent home that must be reviewed and signed by both
student and their parent/guardian. Performing labs is a privilege (and the most fun
part of a science class), and this privilege will be revoked if students cannot behave
responsibly in a lab setting.
Technology
Because each student has their own MacBook Air, we will be using these devices regularly
in class. Due to this regular use, it is extremely important that students bring their
laptops to class every day, fully charged (please plug them up every night). In this
class, if a student does not bring their laptop to class, or is not able to use their
laptop in class when they should (for whatever reason), they will not receive extra time
to complete assignments. The accessibility of materials and assignments means there is
no excuse for not being aware of deadlines and responsibilities, and fulfilling them
appropriately.
Canvas: Canvas is what is referred to as the class website. This must be checked every
single day.
Remind: Remind notifications (about upcoming deadlines and important information) are
sent via text message (although you can elect to receive emails instead), and two-way
communication is allowed. This communication is documented and passes through a
secure server so that no personal phone numbers are revealed (for either
student/parent or teacher).
3rd Block
Grading Policy
The final grade in this class will include the following components:
Final Exam: 20%
Homework/Classwork: 10%
Tests: 15%
Quizzes: 10%
Labs: 20%
Portfolio: 10%
Projects: 15%
Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit given within the Science Department at
LNHS. There are incentives offered for actively participating in SMART lunch tutorials
(at least 4 times) throughout the semester.
Make-Up Work
If a student is absent, they will be expected to check the website and contact Mrs.
Brown as soon as possible for any missed assignments or materials. It is the student’s
responsibility to find out what happened in class and what needs to be done before the next
class period. Because everything is now online, this should be fairly easy to do. In
addition, if a student does not understand the material covered in the class he or she
missed, they should come by for extra help, as discussed further below.
In general, the electronic nature of assignments means there should be no late work.
However, there are always special/extenuating circumstances (not “I forgot” or “I
wasn’t here”) and those will be addressed individually, as long as the student comes to
Mrs. Brown either before or immediately following the absence.
All planned absences (appointments, field trips, etc.) must be recorded on the
classroom calendar at least 1 day prior to the absence, or assignments missed/not
turned in on that date will not be accepted.
Additional Instruction
I will be available before and after school and during lunch to provide extra help every
day (with the exception of Wednesday afternoons). I will have 2nd Block planning as
well. My SMART lunch availability can be found in the table below. Students are
welcome to come by during any of those times to ask questions and get help. There is
also the possibility of conferencing electronically if none of those options will work. If
you would like help from someone other than me, there are a variety of resources
available on the class website, or I would be happy to put you in touch with someone
who can help.
Before
School
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
*
*
*
*
*
3rd Block
A
Lunch
*
*
*
B
Lunch
*
*
Physics Tutorial
After
School
*
*
Meetings
(NOT Available)
Supervision Duty
Earth/Environmental
(NOT Available)
Science Tutorial
*
*
*
Supervision Duty
(NOT Available)
*I should be in my room and available to help, but please try to check with me
beforehand.