AP+Physics+Course+Info

= Welcome to AP Physics! =

Course Description:
This course is an overview of the major topics of physics, and therefore will cover the topics broadly instead of learning deeply about one specific topic. Employing laboratory experiments, inquiry activities, and mathematical calculations, students will discover ways to describe the world and enrich their thinking and analyzing capacities. The course will be based on the Advanced Placement Physics B standards as set by the College Board, and seek to provide the mental tools necessary for students to succeed in post-secondary education or other life pursuits.

Assessments:
A variety of assignments will be used to gage the students’ progress, both in a formal and informal manner. Formal assessments include unit tests, quizzes, laboratory work, and homework, whereas informal assessments will be daily participation, Do Now activities, and other short activities. This class will be a point-based system, with unit tests usually having a value of 100 points, quizzes 50 points, homework 10 points, and laboratory work 30 points. These values should produce percentages that make unit tests, the total amount of quizzes, and the total amount of laboratory work approximately equal to 30% of the total grade, with homework completing the remaining percentage. There will be no extra credit, so the final grade for the quarter will simply be the amount of points a student has earned divided by the total number of points in the quarter. Individual grades will then be determined from the Charleston County School Division breakdown of percentages (100% to 93% = A, etc.).


 * Homework** (approximately 10 points per homework) has a purpose, which is to provide additional practice of concepts learned in class. It will be given on through an online software company called WebAssign, and graded for completion on a scale of 0 to 10.


 * Quizzes** (approximately 30 points per quiz) will be shorter than tests and assess knowledge of previous classwork or homework, and they may be announced or unannounced.


 * Tests** (approximately 100 points per test) will be given at the end of a unit, and are scheduled for 50 minutes. Question formats will include multiple choice, free response, calculations, and data analysis, and may come from the textbook, laboratory work, class notes, and other sources. Tests will be announced at least three days in advance.


 * Laboratory Work** (approximately 30 points per lab) will bring theoretical concepts to life through hands-on activities. Students will be responsible for writing a formal lab report individually, and to promote writing skills. The laboratory work will be very inquiry-based, meaning students will develop their own hypotheses and procedures from given equipment. Students will also analyze the data to form meaningful conclusions about their experiments and compare those to their predictions. Following given laboratory procedures and safety rules is part of a student’s laboratory grade, and horseplay in the lab is not permitted and will result in disciplinary action as well as a lab grade deduction for the offenders.

Classroom Expectations:
Classroom Rules (subject to additions by individual classes):
 * 1) Report to class on time with all necessary materials.
 * 2) Follow directions the first time.
 * 3) Respect the feelings, space, and property of others.
 * 4) Complete all classwork and homework on time.

First offenses will receive a warning, and second infractions will result in a discussion with the offending student. Third infractions will result in a phone call to the parent/guardian, and any additional infractions will result in an administrative referral or detention.


 * Make-up Work**: If a student misses class (excused absence), the student will have one school day for each day of excused absence to turn in the missing classwork or homework. If a student misses a test or quiz (excused absence), the student will take a make up test or quiz after school. Make up tests and quizzes will be given on Mondays and Thursdays from 2-3:30 after school in room 212.


 * Late Work** will not be accepted unless the student qualifies under the Make-up Work category. Students will be given a 0 for the assignment.


 * Help Sessions** are available on request. Please make arrangements with me in advance, and my office is in room H222.


 * Materials Needed** for this class are mostly the basics. To follow Classroom Rule #1, each student should bring paper, a scientific calculator (either non-graphing or graphing), a writing utensil, classwork or homework, and a way to organize the paper (either binder or folder). There will be many handouts in the class, so it may be useful to have a large binder at home in which to place the paperwork. Compiling all the documents will be useful when it is time to study for the end-of-semester exams and provide easy reference if there is ever any dispute over grades or other questions. Students should also have access to a metric ruler and a protractor for various calculations throughout the year.