PHYSICS I (REVISED 2014)
(IS, Regular, Pre-AP/GT)
Ms. Genevieve Cruz Room 808
NAME________________________
PERIOD________
School year: _______ - ________
SYLLABUS
THE STUDENTS WILL:
1. Develop study, learning, thinking and problem solving skills necessary to generate and implement
ethical and practical solutions to real-world problems and applications by completing an academically
rigorous, student centered, content focused, standards based and/or trans-disciplinary and integrated
curriculum.
2. Develop positive attitudes toward science by working purposefully and reflectively as well as
collaboratively and independently to accomplish common, meaningful and new learning/s as demanded by
the College Board (Advance Placement Program), SAT/ACT, and Physics TEKS (Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills) STAAR CONTENT/COURSE objectives.
3. Practice laboratory safety and exhibit mature and responsible behavior and competent use of
technology (computers, assigned URLs, CBLs - Calculator-based labs or computer-based labs, CPO) and
physics equipment in a safe and knowledgeable manner so that s/he will be able to collect and analyze data,
create, perform, and present relevant lab observations/results; and complete daily as well as project and
performance assessments.
4. Demonstrate competent understanding through mastery of the PHYSICS TEKS so that s/ he may
successfully pass the State/District requirements for graduation, and begin to develop into a scientifically
literate citizen, a life long learner AND A PRODUCTIVE, SUCCESSFUL STUDENT FOR THE 21ST
CENTURY.
5. Commit to an advanced level of preparation or acceleration in an area of giftedness/expertise,
serious study for diagnostic benchmark tests and/or the AP exam and be responsible for the considerable
learning/work load so that s/he may be prepared for LOCAL DISTRICT BENCHMARKS, STATE EOC
STAAR TESTS as well as the AP exam and college physics (if applicable).
6. Develop into a well rounded and informed person by participating in community service projects
and investing time and effort to excel and participate in U.I.L. Academic competition, Campus/District Math
& Science days, Robotics Competitions, and other offered opportunities as they become available.
TEXTBOOKS:*
CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS by Paul Hewitt, Prentice Hall. 2002 (Regular, GT, PAP)
PHYSICS: PRINCIPLES AND PROBLEMS by Paul W. Zitzwitz, et al, Glencoe - McGraw-Hill. 2002
(GT/PAP)
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED READING: (As assigned by the instructor.)
A PERFECT STORM by Sebastian Junger, Harper Collins. 1998
SIX EASY PIECES by Richard P. Feynman, Perseus Books. 1995
PHYSICS FOR THE REST OF US by Roger S. Jones, Contemporary Books. 1992
SIX NOT SO EASY PIECES by Richard P. Feynman, Perseus Books. 1997
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME by Stephen W. Hawking 1988
Reputable professional journals, science magazines and new sources or as provided by the instructor.
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MATERIALS PROVIDED:
Reference books, science journals, magazines, science equipment and supplies for conducting laboratory
activities and procedures. Physics/Science websites, research project or interactive notebooks. Students are
urged to utilize the computer labs found on campus - BIM, APEX, GEAR, AVID and library.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Polyvinyl binder 1 ½ - 2 inch (tufgard/plastic)
Dividers with pockets
Pens (blue, black)
Blank CDs
#2 pencils
Loose leaf notebook paper
Color pencils/markers
2 – 4 spiral notebooks (Warmups/quickwrites)
Flash/thumb drive (for projects: ppt, prezi, etc..)
Calculator (There will be some available. Although it is
a bit more expensive a TI - 84 + graphing calculator
is recommended as it is used in calculus and physics.
Scientific solar calculators (such as the TI30x calculator
can be used on the (TAKS/EOC STAAR) State mandated
graduation tests, Accuplacer and SAT/ACT tests. These are
the current standard if our child is college bound.
Miscellaneous - as required for projects.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Each student is responsible for
 Mature behavior and a high standard of personal ethics in his/her academic endeavors to assure
individual integrity and scholastic honesty.
 Prompt arrival daily with work due, textbooks, folder and necessary materials for class and a clear intent
to learn.
 Satisfactory adherence to and completion of the following:
1. Compliance with the HISD Parent/student/teacher Compact, Cowboy Code – “The Cowboy Way” guiding
principles, HISD laboratory safety rules/contract, HISD computer usage policies/agreement and
instructor’s expectations and directives.
2. BINDER containing all course work. (This will be checked & purged periodically at the teacher’s discretion.)
A. Agendas and Journal – including daily entries, notes, or outlines, weekly reflections and assigned
TAKS/STAAR practice problems.
B. Daily work – including TAKS/STAAR warm up practice/review problems, notes and video reports,
class work and quizzes.
C. Lab work – including safety contract, equipment, pre - lab and post-lab and computer lab activities.
D. Project work - including special topics, research, performance assessments and participation in
Community service opportunities (science night/fairs; open house) and academic competitions.
E. Homework - including chapter SQ3Rs, practice problems and any/all uncompleted daily work as
assigned.
3. Active/appropriate participation and successful completion of all assignments.
GRADING: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY DEPARTMENT OR CAMPUS DIRECTIVE)
The student’s grade is based on his/her successful prompt completion and submission of assignments and
demonstration of learning. Although the formula may change according to the number of tasks each term, the
following is a rough estimation: (This may be subject to change as directed by campus or district mandates.)
Laboratory and Daily work…………..40%
Evaluation & Assessment (tests, quizzes, projects)…...40%
Homework …………………………..20%
GT/PAP/Extra credit (as assigned) …………………...10%
CLASS RULES:
1. Be punctual and prepared.
2. Be focused and neat.
3. Be responsible and courteous.
4. Be your best self.
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Students will receive behavioral referrals for
 inappropriate choices (use of cell phones, iPods or electronic devices) or poor performance (lack of
effort or completion of assignments) which may endanger their ability to earn academic credit.
 any inappropriate behavior which hinders teacher progress, disrupts the learning environment, or
violates the District Internet/Technology policies.
 chronic misbehavior which may include but is not limited to tardiness, excessive absences, and truancy.
 questionable behavior which endangers the student/class or failure to follow safety rules/procedures
which result in careless accidents or breakage.
 deliberate theft or destruction of property which requires repair and/or replacement of broken or missing
materials.
 scholastic dishonesty which includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and any act
designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student.
Laboratory safety is a constant and prudent practice. Our lab rooms are equipped with safety features which will
assure additional protection. The eye wash and safety shower are not to be used unless imminent danger or
emergency occurs. One hundred gallons of water in the classroom will disrupt instruction for our learning
community. The penalty for such an offense may include the following consequences: disciplinary hearing,
removal to the Alternative Center, payment or reparation for damages, exclusion from any science class for an
academic year causing future scheduling problems.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES:
The State attendance law, HISD Policies and McCollum High School regulations will be followed. Please be
aware that by the current law, students who are absent three days from class may be in danger of legal action,
losing credit and may have to make up time and assignments missed. Regular and prompt attendance is a
standard to earn or keep a job and is strongly recommended since most students find it difficult to catch up or
make up missed work.
LATE WORK & MAKE UP WORK:
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHECK THE CLASS WEBSITE: CUSTOM PAGE. TODAY’S AGENDAS
INCLUDE DAILY WORK AND DUE DATES FOR MOST OF THE WORK ASSIGNED. Since
students usually have at least one week (seven days) to complete assignments, late work is not usually
accepted. If exigent circumstances exist or I allow, assigned late work will be penalized 10 points per day.
Assignments more than 3 days late will receive a 50. There will be special assignments or projects which WILL
NOT be accepted late, however, you and our student will be informed in advance of upcoming deadlines. In
most situations, students make advance arrangements such as in cases of family emergencies, funerals and/or
out of town trips. In the event of extenuating circumstances, bring a note from your parent or physician and a
delayed deadline will be considered. If a student misses class for any reason (i.e.: in ISS, TAPP, counseling
center, vice-principal’s office, illness, family emergency, etc.), it is the student’s responsibility to REQUEST
MAKE UP TESTS or missed work. A maximum grade of 70 can be earned on the retest. Inquire about and
complete makeup work in a timely manner (as soon as the student returns or not more than three days after the
assignment is graded).
EXTRA CREDIT:
Extra credit will be assigned at the teacher’s discretion. Adult verification of completion or supervision may be
necessary. Students should already be passing. Extra credit is not a substitute for missing or incomplete
daily work, lab work, project and homework.
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PROGRESS/FAILING REPORTS:
txConnect is available to all parents wanting to keep up with their child’s daily progress and attendance. If
you have computer and internet access, please create an account. Progress/failing notices will be sent home
every third week of the grading period. Be sure that the demographic information (home address and phone) is
accurate, as report cards may be mailed home after the grading period has ended or you may need to be
contacted in the event of an emergency. Refer to your child’s school calendar for dates and call the Counseling
Center at 989 - 1542 if you do not receive any reports or report cards. Parents are expected to review and discuss
the progress/report card progress of the child, sign and return it to the designated teacher via the student.
TUTORING:
Various opportunities for tutoring are available. I usually arrive on campus at 7:45 a.m. and stay on campus until
5:15. I may be available for tutoring if I’m not at a meeting, STAAR tutoring, coaching academic U.I.L.
Science/Robotics or setting up a lab. Students are encouraged to come tutor with any of the physics teachers on
staff, go to Khan Academy/Physics Classroom (or any of the recommended tutorial websites) or set up study
groups/sessions.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT/CONFERENCES:
There will be several opportunities for you to come to McCollum and become more aware and involved in your
child’s academic life. When visiting, please schedule an appointment and sign in at the main office to obtain a
visitor’s pass. Whether it is attendance at athletic events, PTA, SUAVE, Alliance Round Table, TriC’s/Band/Athletic Boosters, College or Open House Nights, your effort and participation make a difference in
your child’s achievement. Please feel free to ask your child for his or her science folder so that you can be
assured that s/he is keeping up with the work. You may e-mail or call me with your concerns. My e-mail
address is genevieve.cruz@harlandale.net (Please use a secure, reputable address as the spam filter may not
allow your or your child’s e-mail to be received). My voice mailbox # is 989-6206. You may call the
McCollum High School Counseling Center at: 989 - 1542 to schedule an appointment for a conference with me
or leave a message with a phone number and time so that I may return your call. My conference period is
___6TH __ period from 1:15 to 1:45.
COURSE OUTLINES/FOLDERS:
The student folders may contain daily assignments, laboratories, Project directions, Journal formats and home
work. If you are curious about the day’s efforts, students are required to copy Today’s Agenda which is an
outline of that day’s work and a reminder of homework, project work, quizzes/tests or deadlines. We will follow
the HISD Physics Scope and Sequence (located on District website) Curriculum Science folder .
( STUDENT & PARENT: PLEASE READ, SIGN AND RETURN FOR A GRADE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR
AGREEMENT AND COOPERATION. (ADDITIONAL COPIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR STUDENT FOLDER & UPON
PARENT REQUEST.)***
STUDENT SIGNATURE: X__________________________________DATE________________________
PARENT SIGNATURE: X__________________________________DATE________________________
CONTACT/CELL NUMBER/S: ___________________________________________________________
COMMENTS: (Medical conditions such as epilepsy, AD/HD, allergies, asthma or as needed), confidential information
regarding our student (which may inform instruction), you E-mail address, notification before referral to counselor/vice-principal, etc.
STUDENT/PARENT SIGNATURE CHECKLIST
______ Physics Syllabus/Advanced Placement addendum
______Lab Safety Contract & Computer Usage Contract
FIRST FOLDER CHECK ON _______________
START YEAR PAPERWORK SIGNED ______
Pre- AP & AP
This is a weighted class so students will earn additional points for the grade earned. While classes for the most
part consist of laboratory, problem solving sessions and traditional lecture, the academic rigor of the content
may demand more than one hour of study time at home daily. Assigned homework (i.e. Projects, problems etc.)
should take half an hour. The other half hour should be spent reviewing the previous day’s homework and the
class notes for the next day’s quiz. Developing and maintaining a study schedule is critical. The pace of this
course is intense. It is extremely important to remain current. Unfortunately, student-led problem-solving
sessions are time-consuming and cannot occur in class everyday.
Besides the regular curriculum, students are required to complete several projects, including an original research
project. Students may be required to participate in competitions such as science fair, academic U.I.L. (science
team), academic Decathlon, or other local and national competitions as coached or directed.
The primary purpose of this course is to prepare for the AP exam. Every student is required to take the exam
which is given in May. If a score of 3, 4, or 5 is achieved, then he/she may earn college credit for the class.
Please feel free to ask our student about his or her progress in class. Your support and encouragement are
invaluable and appreciated.
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE - subject to change
(HEWITT’S CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS)
WEEK
1
DATE
______
CHAPTERS
1-2
TOPIC OF STUDY
Lab Safety/Kinematics
HOMEWORK
SQ3R, Motion
1
2
______
3-4
Newton’s First & Second Laws
SQ3R, Forces 3
3
______
5-6
Newton’s Third Law & Vectors
SQ3R, Vectors 2
Performance Assessment/Project:_______________________________
4
______
7-8
Momentum & Energy
5
______
9-11
Center of Gravity, Universal
SQ3R, Momentum 4
Energy 5
SQ3R, Law UG 7
Gravitation, Gravitational Interactions
6
______
12-14
Circular Motion & Rotational Motion SQ3R, Circular 6
Performance Assessment/Project:________________________________
7
______
15-16
Special Relativity
SQ3R, Special Rel 8
8
______
17-20
Properties of Matter
SQ3R, Solids 9
9
______
21-24
Heat and Thermodynamic
SQ3R, Temp 10
Performance Assessment/Project:__________________________________
10
______
25-26
Vibrations, Waves and Sound
11
______
27-28
Light and Color
12
______
29-31
Reflection and Refraction, Lenses,
Diffraction and Interference
SQ3R, Simple 11
Waves 12
SQ3R, Reflection 13
Lenses 14
Performance Assessment/Project:___________________________________
13
______
32-33
Electrostatics, Electric Fields & Potential SQ3R, Electro 15
14
______
34-35
Electric Current & Circuits
15
______
36-37
SQ3R, Direct 16
Magnetism, Electromagnetic InductionSQ3R,
Magnetism17
Performance Assessment/Project:______________________________________
16
______
38
Atomic and Quantum Physics
17
______
39-40
Nuclear Physics
Performance Assessment/Project:________________________________________
18
FINAL EXAMS
SQ3R, Modern 18