The course has also been approved for University of Connecticut (UConn) Early College Experience (ECE) credit.  If you register with UConn, they will establish a college transcript and include your grades in this course.  This course represents UConn’s General Physics I (1201Q) and General Physics II (1202Q) semester long courses. Our midterm and final exams will be provided by the UConn Physics Department and their uncurved score represents 25% of your semester grade for UConn. While the actual impact will be minor, the midterm and final weight for your THS grade will be adjusted to be consistent with THS policy (20%)

Grading

Your marking period grades will consist of the following:

70%   Tests/ Lab Reports

20%   Conceptual Quizzes

10%    Notebook/Lab Journal

Tests will occur every 4-6 class days.  Tests will include problems similar to those assigned for homework and the conceptual questions at the end of each chapter.  Lab Reports will generally follow an open-ended format that will be defined individually.

The conceptual quizzes will come from released AP multiple choice test material.

Your notebook should be spiral or loose leaf and include:

1.              Clear identification on the cover.

2.              Homework chapter problem sets  - These should have a heading with your name and the chapter number in ink. Problems should be clearly numbered. A problem set can be interrupted by a lab activity or class notes as long as the problem set is resumed with a continuation header.

3.              Classroom and home reading notes

4.              Lab activity records – If a lab activity does not require a full lab report, notes and question answers should be clearly labeled in the notebook.  Graphs should be taped into notebook if they are needed.

The website should be checked regularly to ensure notebook completeness. Grading of the notebook should be expected any time after the halfway point of a marking period and will be unannounced. Points will be deducted from the notebook grade if it is not available when requested. Diligence and completeness are more important in the notebook than correct answers.

Your grade should reflect what you can expect to achieve on the AP Test (A=5, B=4, C=3 etc)

Class Citizenship

You have earned your place in a college level class and will be expected to participate without distracting your fellow students.  Distracting behavior includes excessive background conversation, obscene or derogatory language, dress code violations, throwing things in class and unexcused absence/tardiness.  Any distracting behavior shall result in 1 point reduction in marking period grade.  It has been my experience that most THS honors students act appropriately and do not incur grade reductions.

Extra Help

I am usually available after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school.  Considering the course pace and intensity, you are encouraged to come for extra help promptly to minimize anxiety.

Website (TeacherWeb)

·       As grades are accumulated, they will be made available on this web site.  You can access your grades by clicking on the APB Grades Icon and entering your code, which will be your last initial followed by your student number.  (i.e. if my student number were 1065432, my code would be D1065432).

·       The web site will also list assignments and due dates so you can be prepared if you are absent.

·       The web site can link you to my school e-mail, so you or your parents can e-mail me questions at school.

·       The Plan Book page in the web site will contain a spreadsheet for the course schedule.