GENERAL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

 

1)         MATERIALS STUDENTS NEED

 

            A)         Folder for experiments, guided practice, and homework.

            B)         2 Metric rulers for measurements, graphs, and charts. 

                        1 Clear 6 inch and one clear 12 inch (must have metric scale).

            C)         Graph paper for all graphs.

                        It should have divisions of five or ten between the bold lines.

                        Room for labels on the X, Y axes (not graph lines on the whole page).

            D)         Protractor for measuring angles.

            E)         Notebook paper for lab reports, guided practice and homework.

            F)         Scientific calculator with an exponent key TI-82 or higher is great

                        but any $10 calculator with an EXP, EE or ^ key will work.

 

2)         CLASS ACTIVITIES (Approximations)

 

            A)         40 % of the class time will be in laboratory or laboratory related activities.

            B)         10 % will be used to introduce new concepts.

            C)         10% will be consumed in reviewing homework.

            D)         30 % for GUIDED/INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (GP/IP)

            E)         10% will be used to conduct reviews for the test and evaluation of the chapter or unit in the form of a test.

 

3)         ASSIGNMENTS

 

            A)         Some class time will be set-aside for GUIDED PRACTICE, GP, because I am there to help you

                        personally.  These assignments are designed to give practice in problem solving techniques.

 

B)                  Homework assignments, known as INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (IP), will be required for each unit

 (IP because I am not there to help you).  They could be in the form of unfinished labs, unfinished guided practice, and additional problems for reinforcement of problem solving techniques.  When you have experienced trouble with the assignment you should seek assistance the following class meeting.

                       

            C)         Share responsibilities in the lab, one person could get the equipment and another returns it at the end of class.  The person not manipulating the equipment could record data for the others in the group.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THE DATA BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE ROOM.  WHY???  DO YOU WANT TO START OVER AGAIN BECAUSE SOMEONE IN YOUR GROUP LOST THE ONLY DATA RECORDED OR GET BEHIND THE OTHERS IF THAT PERSON IS ABSENT THE NEXT DAY AND DOES NOT BRING THE DATA TO CLASS?

 

            D)         ALL PROBLEMS do NOT have to be written out.  Problems are to have a FORMULA, CORRECT SUBSTITUTION, and ANSWER!!!  The answers should be expressed with three significant figures. 

WHY THIS METHOD ??? YOU CAN ONLY HAVE TOO MUCH PRECISION.  NOTE: YOUR BOOK POSTS THE ANSWERS IN SIGNIFICANT FIGURES AND YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS MATCH THE FINAL ANSWER EXACTLY DUE TO ROUNDING.  AP Physics exam does not grade significant figures.

 

4)         REVIEWS will be conducted the day or two before the test.  Reviews will consist of my self going over what will be stressed on the test and problems likely to be on the test.  This will not be inclusive of everything on the test.  You are expected to study everything you have done and read and be familiar with the entire chapter(s).

 

5)         TESTS will be given as scheduled following the review.  If you do very poorly on a test you can take the test over again.  THIS IS PROVIDED YOU DO AN ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT APPROVED BY THE TEACHER THAT SHOULD PREPARE YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON THE RETEST.  Also, the maximum number of points allowed will be an 70%.  Retests will be discouraged during the last week of a grading period.

 

 

 

 

6)         GRADING SYSTEM

 

            A)         Each problem and question on a test will be graded as a ratio.  All of your grades will be recorded on your assignment papers as a ratio.

POINTS EARNED / TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE (such as 40/50 times 100% = 80 %)

           

B)                  Your grade will be can be determined as follows:

1)       10 % DAILY COMPLETION OF WORK  

2)       10 % GRADED WORK & POP QUIZZES

3)       20 % LABS

4)       60 % TESTS

 

            C)         Your assignments, such as lab reports, homework and guided practice may have some errors and still receive full credit.  However, students who do assignments that are incomplete or show a lack of good problem solving techniques will not get a grade above a 70%. 

           

            D)         An assignment is considered late if it is due on a particular day and if it is not turned in before class on the following day.   Thus, students who wish to finish an assignment as homework that was not completed in class on day that it was assigned or due will have one last evening to complete the assignment. This will help those students who are hard working but like to understand the concept fully and take their time with each question to make sure they understand it completely.  LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE 50% OFF.  ONLY TWO LATE ASSIGNMENTS PER NINE WEEKS ARE ALLOWED.

 

E)                  Any assignment turned in after the test will be a ZERO.  It does no good to master the material after the test as concepts build.

 

            F)         At the end of each three week progress period no late work will be taken. You will be aware of these dates in advance.       

 

7)         RULES FOR BEHAVIOR

 

            A)          Rules from the STUDENT HANDBOOK will be enforced.

 

            B)          If you are not in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings, then you will be considered tardy.

 

8)         FIRE DRILLS are for every ones safety.  Go to the RIGHT out the door and follow the hallway to the stairwell and wait outside away from the fire trucks path.

 

9)         SPECIAL PROJECTS

           

A)      SOME TYPE OF CONTEST(S) WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PREAP CLASSES 2^nd nine weeks.  This is an at home project.  It could be a TRANSPORTER, BRIDGE, CATAPULT, TOWER, or an EGG DROPPING CONTAINER.  The contest will be counted as a test grade with the winning scores securing the top grades.   

 

 B)  The other 3 nine weeks will have some sort of major project that will count as either as a test grade or double

       lab grade.

 

C)                  Science fair may substitute for these grades as appropriate if pre-approval is secured in August.  However, once you have committed to science fair you must finish.  This program is a great way to do extension work and get the full science experience!!!  See me immediately if interested.