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Course Syllabus
Physics- 11th and 12th Grade
Credit Hours: 1
Classroom: 108
Instructor
Ms. Kena Allison, Science Teacher
Phone Number: 202-563-6862 ext 125
Email: kallison@tmapchs.org
Textbook
Prentice Hall Conceptual Physics Paul G. Hewett
Website- access through Teacherweb.com or
TMA website
Materials
One 3-Ring Binder with dividers
Pens
Loose leaf paper
Scientific Calculator*
Office Hours: Monday and Thursday from
3:30pm-5:30pm and by appointment
Class Days and Times
Period
1 or 5
(8:45-10:45)
2 or 6
(10:20-11:00; 11:35-12:25)
3 or 7
(12:30-1:55)
4 or 8
(2:00-3:00)
A Day
B Day
Physics
Physics
Honors Physics
Course Description
Physics is a year-long course offered by Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School. The physics
course is a conceptual course focusing on physics concepts themselves, rather than concentrating on only
mathematical problem solving. The purpose of the course is to teach students how the equations of physics
reveal the connections in nature. The students’ understanding of physics will enhance their laboratory skills,
mathematical skills, and connections to the law, government, and public policy.
Course Overview
 The following is a tentative outline of the material we will cover this academic year.
 Unit
1. Kinematics
2. Laws of Motion
3. Conservation of Momentum and Energy
4. Mechanics of Fluids
5. Waves: Sound and Light
6. Electromagnetism
Weeks
3
5
5
4
4
5
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Instructional Outcomes: To be successful in this course you should be able to
 Recognize that the scientific progress is made by asking relevant questions and conducting careful
investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content in this grade,
students should develop their own questions and perform investigations (P.1.).
 Identify that Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation describe and predict the motion of a vast variety
of objects (P.2.).
 Understand that the laws of conservations of energy and momentum provide independent approaches to
predicting and describing the motion of objects (P.3.).
 Recognize that all objects experience buoyant force when immersed in a fluid (P.4).
 Understand that energy cannot be created or destroyed; however, in many processes energy is
transformed into the microscopic form called heat energy, that is, the energy of the disordered motion of
atoms (P.5.).
 Understand that waves carry energy from place to place without the transfer of matter (P.6.).
 Understand that the phenomena that fall into the categories known as electrostatics and
electromagnetism are due to respectively to the behavior of stationary and moving charged particles
(P.7.).
Course Policies
Attendance/Lateness
 Students are expected to attend class on a daily basis and be prepared.
 Absent students must bring a letter from a parent and/or doctor to be excused for an absence, in order to
make-up work.
 Tardy students must report to security to receive a pass before being admitted to class.
Class Participation and Class work
 Class Participation is an important part of the learning process; therefore, it is 20% of the student’s grade
as outlined later.
Exam and Quiz Make-up Policy
 In-class tests and quizzes may be made up with a documented excused absence.
 Students MUST make-up quizzes and tests for each day absent.
 It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to arrange this with his/her teacher.
Make-up Work Policy
 Students with excused absences should pick up their work that day they return to school.
 It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to request this from his/her teacher.
 Students MUST make-up work after being absent. This includes class notes, handouts, and other missed
work. Students should attend office hours to receive missed work.
 Students exceeding five EXCUSED absences in a row are to see the teacher to create a make-up work
plan. This is the responsibility of the student. NO credit will be given if the plan is not followed
correctly by the student.
Homework Policy
 Late homework will be accepted for reduced credit.
 Students with excused absences have two days for each day absent to turn in their homework
assignment.
 It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILTY to get the homework from the teacher the day he/she returns to
school.
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Senior Final Exam Exemption Policy
Seniors who have a cumulative “A” average, 90.0% or greater, at the end of the course may be eligible to
exempt the final exam. The 90.0% or greater average will be calculated from the mean of each quarter
through progress report two in the last quarter of the course. For example:
Year-long Course Qualification
(Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4P2)/4 = 90.0% or higher
Seniors will NOT be eligible to exempt a final exam in a class if they have more than FIVE absences in
the class for the fourth quarter. All absences (excused and unexcused), except school sponsored
activities count against the total of five absences.
Academic Dishonesty
 Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, and/or facilitating academic dishonesty.
 A student who submits work which is not his/her own will receive due process outlined in the Student
Handbook
Grading
 Each semester is 45% of the final grade, and a cumulative final exam is equal to 10% of the final grade.
Mid-term exams are calculated as part of the second quarter and first semester grades.
 In order to meet promotion and graduation requirements a student cannot score lower than a C- for a
course final grade. Students whose final grades are 69% or below do not receive credit for the course in
which they have received this grade.
 The Thurgood Marshall Academy grading scale is followed as outlined in the student handbook.
 In Physics you will receive different types of assessments. Your grade will be determined as follows:
Assessment
Percent of Grade
Major Assessments
40%
(exams and major projects/labs)
Minor Assessments
30%
(quizzes, short writing assignments, etc.)
Homework, Class work, Class Participation
30%
Classroom Expectations
 Be Respectfulo listen without whispering to neighbors when someone (teacher and students) has the floor
o sit-up attentively, awake and ready to learn
o focus on achievement and excellence rather than “getting by” and failure
o be open-minded rather than critical and down-putting (distracts from the good energy)
o ask questions related to the class topic, not to use the restroom
o abide by all the expectations and I will feel fully respected
 Follow Directions at all times.
 Remain seated unless given permission
 Store all bags pocketbooks, coats, labels, etc. in locker.
 Abide by the TMA ‘No Brainers’ at all times.
 Leave all material away from this classroom that will distract from the teaching process.
 Use academic language, using standard English
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Lab safety
 Students should always abide by the lab safety contract and the following general rules:
1. Follow all directions
2. Come prepared
3. Know all lab equipment
4. Respect the lab equipment and materials
5. Follow the proper clean-up procedures
 Students must pass a lab safety quiz before participating in the first lab!
Bathroom Passes
 Students receive 4 Bathroom passes per quarter. Students should fill-out the pre-signed pass and simply
lift the pass in the air for the teacher to excuse the student. Students should not verbally ask to use the
bathroom; only visually display the pass for the teacher to sign. Then the student may go to the
bathroom. Only one student is permitted to be out of the class at a time.
Classroom Norms
 The teacher or a student delegated by the teacher will collect work each day.
 Warm-ups will be on the board or on a handout distributed at the door
 Warm-ups are to be completed independently and in silence daily
 Talking out of turn results in reminders and consequences based on the leveling system
 Transitions into groups, lab work, and other activities should be done within 30 seconds. Off topic
conversations will result in a level.
Behavior Rewards and Consequences
 Positive Behavior
o Reach for the stars- rewards system for answering tough questions within the lesson
o Earning Degrees- based on participation, students can receive different degrees from Associates
to a PhD. Students who earn PhD status can submit the degrees for rewards equivalent to reach
for the stars.
 6 associate degrees = PhD
 3 Bachelor’s degrees= PhD
 2 Master’s degrees = PhD
 Negative Behavior
o Leveling system
o Detentions and parent contacts
o Teacher conference
o Teacher, student Dean conference
 Good and Bad day Station
o Students can write to the teacher to let her know when things are going well and when they are
not to help encourage healthy interactions each day in class.
Support Services
 My Office Hours
 Homework Help
 Website- http://teacherweb.com/DC/ThurgoodMarshallAcademy/KenaAllisonPhysics/t.aspx
The website will be a resource for you. There will be some assignments that will require you to
post on the website. More information is to come.
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Student Safety Contract
Purpose
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities which require
planning to ensure no one is hurt. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers,
and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in
this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times. This must be signed by both you
and a parent or guardian before you can participate in the laboratory.
As a science student, I will adhere to the following safety and lab rules:
1. Conduct yourself responsibly at all times.
2. Follow all general and specific instructions given by the teacher for a lab activity carefully.
3. Study all assignments. If in doubt about ANY procedures, ask the teacher for help.
4. Always read the lab packet before your perform the lab. These instructions will be given verbally.
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware
as containers for food or beverages.
6. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in
the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
7. Do not run, shout, or throw things in the lab.
8. Do NOT perform any activities that are unauthorized.
9. Immediately report to the teacher any accident, injury, incorrect procedure, or damaged
equipment.
10. Safety goggles and aprons should be worn for any activity indicated by the teacher. When
working with heat, chemicals, or glassware, safety goggles must be worn in order to participate in
lab. Safety aprons will be provided for labs involving chemicals that could potentially stain
clothing.
11. Tie back long hair.
12. Wear appropriate clothing. No open-toed shoes or shorts are permitted on lab days. Always make
sure to have appropriate attire or you will not be able to participate in the lab and will have to do
an alternative assignment.
13. Do not engage in horseplay or any other such actions during a lab activity.
14. Use the safety equipment provided to you.
15. Any accident that might cause personal injury must be reported to the teacher. A copy of this
accident report will be sent home.
16. An incident report must be filed with the county security department for any major accident. A
copy of this incident report will be sent home.
17. Place broken glass and waste chemicals in the designated containers. Keep insoluble waste
materials out of the sink.
18. Never taste or mouth pipette any chemical substances. Never inhale chemicals. Keep combustible
materials away from open flames.
19. If an accident/injury should occur, follow the teacher’s directions.
20. Keep your hands away from your face during lab. After the completion of lab, make sure to wash
your hands at the sink before leaving class.
21. Know the location and operation of all safety equipment.
22. When you activity is complete, clean your work area and return all materials to their proper place!
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Student Safety Contract
In addition to knowing the rules, it is also important to know where safety equipment is located in the
classroom. Please review the classroom pictures to ensure you know where and how to use all the
safety equipment.
Left Wall of room- same side as entrance
Using Fire Extinguisher
Notify teacher immediately
of any fires.
Remember PASS
Pull the Pin at the top of
the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire,
not the flames.
Squeeze the lever slowly.
Sweep from side to side.
Never spray at people!
Shower
Only pull the shower in
emergencies when a person
is covered in a harmful
chemical. Notify teacher
immediately.
Eye Wash
Immediately flush eyes for at
least 15 minutes. Keep the eyes
open and rotate the eyeballs in
all directions. Notify teacher
immediately.
Broken Glass Disposal
Notify teacher of broken
class immediately. Do
not touch the glass with
bare hands. Use a broom.
Dispose glass into
designated box
Right side of classroom- opposite entrance
Fire Blanket
Notify teacher immediately of
any fires. This can be used on
people who are on fire.
Throw the blanket over the
person and carefully get them
to the ground- remember
STOP, DROP and ROLL.
Call 911 is a person is on fire.
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Course Syllabus
Physics- 11th and 12th Grade
Credit Hours: 1
Classroom: 108
I have read and understand the syllabus and acknowledge that all students must
abide by the policies.
In addition, I understand the policies and procedures outlined on the lab safety
contract are for all students to abide by whenever lab work is completed.
Please turn in by the next class period!
Student’s name (print): __________________________________________
Student’s signature: ___________________________________________
Date: __________________
Parent/Guardian’s name (Print):___________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s signature: ____________________________________
Date: ________________
Parent/ Guardian email (Please print clearly!)
_____________________________________________
Email is an excellent way for me to contact you about progress in class.
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