Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
Course Description:
This course is divided into two semesters. Semester one is a yearlong course in physics/ this is a
laboratory based course designed to provide sutents with a strong education as scientific thinkers in
the physics arena.
Instructor:
Dr. Mary-Anne Richards
(970) 348-5843
mrichards1@greeleyschools.org
B.S. Life Sciences
Colorado State University Ft. Collins
M.S. Applied Genetics
Texas A&M University College Station
M.A. Teaching Gifted and Talented
University of Northern Colorado Greeley
Ed.D. Science Curriculum and Instruction Design University of Northern Colorado
Greeley
2015 - 2016 Physics Unit Outlines
There may be changes to the activities as the term goes on. A day by day schedule and rubrics
will be published separately.
Semester 1
Review start up Graphing, Scientific Method, Design a lab activity
Unit 1: Measurement
Assessment Lab: Physics Quest 2013, the atoms, measures physics and the world; measure your
table and unit conversions;
Supports: Paper airplane design and flight path; The Big ideas labs; apply and practice skill sheets
for the following

Relation of Physics to Other Fields

Models, Theories, and Laws

Laws of Physics

Measurement and Uncertainty

Significant Figures

Units, Standards, and the SI System

Converting Units

Order of Magnitude

Rapid Estimating

Dimensional Analysis
Application: Uncertainty in Measurements and Graphing Data
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
Assessments: Vocabulary quiz, Unit test
Unit 2: Mechanics:
Kinematics in One Dimension
Labs: Mighty Missile control variables of direction, angle, velocity

Reference Frames and Displacement

Average Velocity

Instantaneous Velocity

Acceleration

Motion at Constant Acceleration

Falling Objects

Support: Determination of g
Kinematics in Two Dimensions; Vectors

Vectors and Scalars

Graphical Addition of Vectors

Component Addition of Vectors

Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

Projectile Motion
Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion
Labs: Newton’s Apples
Impact testing – save that egg
video understanding car crashes

Force

Newton’s Laws of Motion
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106

Mass and Weight

Gravity and the Normal Force

Free-Body Diagrams

Friction

Inclined Plane
Thermodynamics: Heat
Labs: Physics Quest 2011, Spectra heats up
Supports: chemical heat pack, handboiler,

Entropy

First law of thermodynamics

Heat

Heat transfer

Second law of thermodyamics

Temperature

Thermal energy
Thermodynamics cycle- the relationship to work
Semester 2
work energy, power and linear movement
wave
magnetism/
electromagnetic waves, sound and optics
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
Grading System:
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
90% + = A
80-89.9% = B
70-79.9% = C
60-69.9% = D
00-59.9% = F
THERE IS NO INDIVIDUAL EXTRA CREDIT WORK WILL BE OFFERED. IF EXTRA
CREDIT EXISTS IT WILL BE OFFERED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE ENTIRE CLASS AS
A WHOLE.
Assessments (Quizzes and Exams)
70% of course grade
 Quizzes will be given frequently to assess your progress with the daily material.
 Cumulative exams will be given with prior notice, including a comprehensive final exam.
 Projects and lab reports.
 Dishonorable conduct during an assessment will result in a score of ZERO.
Assignments
30% of course grade
 Daily activities and skill building
 Vocabulary for each unit will be expected and will be in weekly quiz
 Lab activities and other hand-on activities to gain skills .
 Deadlines and due dates will be announced during class.
 Late assignments will be accepted for partial credit (70% of original value) and only within
the time frame of the current topic being studied. It is the wish of the instructor that all
students turn in all assignments on time. However. Circumstances may arise which makes
this complicated, see attendance. Any assignment not submitted for reasons other than an
absence (for example just not doing it) will be given a grade of zero. The instructor reserves
the right to declare when assignments are due, and assignments are due on that day and
during the class period.
Additional instructional support:
 Students are expected to utilize the academic support time and tutors provided within the
daily schedule, if support beyond the regular class period is needed.
 Additional support from instructor is available by appointment.
 Please email or call if you ever have ANY questions.
 Check the class page on the Early College Academy webpage for assignments, resources,
etc. Check your Something happens angrade at least once a week on the Early College
Academy webpage (Infinite Campus Portal).
 If something happens- life – please let me know before your assignments and other graded
items are effected. I can not help if I do not know if something is wrong.
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
Attendance:
 Your first and strongest strategy for success is to fully participate in class EVERY DAY!
 Excused Absences - Planned: If you will miss class because of a planned event, i.e. school
activity, family event, doctor’s appointment, you must get the day’s assignment prior to your
absence. This work is due on the same due date given to the rest of the class. Maintaining
this practice will ensure that you are keeping up with your classmates in the learning of the
content.
 Excused Absences - Unplanned: If you miss class because of an unexpected event, i.e.
illness, family emergency, check the website and/or contact Mrs. Rupple by phone or email
for your assignment. You are allowed two days for each class missed to turn in your makeup work.
 Unexcused Absences: If your absence from school is unexcused, you are still required to
make up any work missed, but are only entitled to partial credit for that work (50% of
original value). This applies to any work missed, assignments or assessments.
 At 4 and 8 absences from this class, the teacher will call home/email parents.
 After the 4th day of absence, a letter will be printed from IC and will be sent home/emailed.
 After the 7th day of absences, a letter will be printed from IC and will be sent
home/emailed.
 After the 10th day of absences, the district will be notified as per truancy law, and the
student may be referred to truancy court.
Tardiness:
 Students are expected to be in their seats, prepared to begin class, at the appropriate time.
 If tardy, students will be expected to stay either 10 minutes at the beginning of lunch OR 10
the end of lunch to encourage professional behavior.
 Repeated tardiness will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action, as defined by
the policies of Early College Academy.
Behavioral Expectations:
RESPECT
 Mutual respect and courtesy among all members of this classroom community – teachers,
students, tutors, administrators, visitors, etc.
 Respect of the learning environment including the building, all equipment and furniture, etc.
 Music devices and cell phones ARE NOT allowed in the classroom; it is your responsibility
to ensure that the device is silenced and stored. Violation of this policy shall result in
confiscation of the device. Confiscated devices shall be returned to you in accordance with
the policies of Early College Academy.
 If
 Personal needs must be addressed during the passing period; only emergent needs will be
dealt with during the instructional class period.
 Standards of behavior and dress will otherwise be aligned with the current student handbook.
Food and Drink Policy:
Students are allowed to have a bottle beverage in the classroom provided that the following
two rules are followed.
1) The bottle must have a screw on lid (such as a standard bottle of water) which is to
remain closed when not being drank from.
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
2) The bottle must be set on the floor, closed and out of the way while not being drank
from. These rules exist so that students may be comfortable in the classroom, while
maintaining a clean, dry work area. Further, this is for the preservation of Academy
provided laptops.
Should these rules not be followed, the instructor reserves the right to take away this
privilege.
At no time will food/candy/gum be allowed in the classroom.
Accommodations:
If you have a special need, an accommodation that works best for you please let me know. You do
not need to tell me in class, see me before school, after school or write me a note.
Required to be read by student and parents/guardians
Students are expected to be active and responsible participants in their own education.
Physics
Early College Academy 2015-2106
______________________________________
Student Name (Please Print)
________________
Period
I have read and agree to comply with the policies for this course.
Student Signature
ID #
Date
I have read and agree to support my student in complying with the policies for this course.
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
E-Mail Address: (please print) ___________________________________________________
Cell phone number: _______________________________
Home phone number: ______________________________
Please list any comments or concerns I should be aware of: