Conceptual Physics Syllabus
Mr. Anthony
Room E115
sites.google.com/a/bridgeportps.net/engphysics
Welcome to Conceptual Physics! In Physics class, we will learn about ourselves and the world around us. Physics is the backbone of all sciences, in that it builds the foundation for biology, chemistry, and other science courses to come. You will learn everything from why seatbelts serve a purpose to how musical instruments create sound and everything in between. In this class we will aim to act as engineers do! We will develop brainstorming, problem
solving, critical thinking and creativity skills! On top of this, we will study a multitude of real-world applications of physics using a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations, laboratories and, most importantly, team projects!
Our Vision
We will be able to hold ourselves as young professional engineers.
Our Goals
As we explore the wonders of the world of Physics together, it is important that we keep in mind our purpose for undertaking this course of study. As students, it is
your choice to further your education. Whatever you are aspiring to do in life, we can agree that a solid foundation in all subjects will give you the best opportunities for success.
Therefore, I have drafted three goals that we can aspire to accomplish as a class. In this spirit, I ask that you reflect upon your decision to take physics and, drawing from your past experiences and your desire for self-improvement, decide upon a realistic, measurable goal for yourself this year.
Academic
We will master 80% of Physics content as measured by tests, quizzes, projects and labs and a final exam.
Intellectual
Fairchild Wheeler Magnet
Engineering & Aero/Hydrospace Science
203-We will value the study of Physics and appreciate the impact it has on our world and on our lives.
Personal (Part I)
80% of students will develop the college-ready and young professional skills by the time class comes to a close.
Personal (Part II)
_________________________________________________________________________
Our Student Expectations
My goal is for all my students to be successful and learn a lot. To make that happen, I expect students to:
1. Be Respectful: Students will respect themselves, their classmates, their teacher and their school.
2. Be Responsible: Students will take full responsibility for their learning. They will be prepared for class and they will seek help from me when needed.
3. Be Responsive: Students will use their voice, always participate and try. Students will use effort and perseverance at all times, even when things are hard.
Our Teacher Expectations
I know each of my students is capable of excellent work, and I will do my best to help you excel. I want you to build the skills and knowledge you will need to be successful in high school, college and the rest of your life. If we work together, I am certain you will succeed!
I will be available for extra help after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as other times by appointment. Students are always able to talk to me about anything they made need help in.
Our Curriculum
Unit Topics Covered
Introduction to Science Scientific Method Engineering Method Data Analysis & Graphing
Metric System
Mechanics & Motion Linear & Nonlinear Motion Forces & Newton’s Laws
Momentum Energy
Circular Motion & Rotation
Properties of Matter Atomic Nature of Matter Solids
Liquids Gases
Heat Heat & Temperature
Vibrations, Waves & Sound Wave Properties Sound Properties
Light EM Spectrum
Light Properties
Electricity & Magnetism Circuits
Magnetism
*Most units/chapters will include a Chapter-Challenge (Material Application) Project
Grading Policy
Students will be graded on classwork, homework, labs, projects, quizzes and tests. Their cumulative grade breakdown is 40% for Quarter 1, 40% for Quarter 2 and 20% for final exam. Students and parents will be able to check their current grades at any time, day or night, via Powerschool. The grade breakdown of the class will be calculated as follows:
Category Weight Description
Classwork (CW) 10% - Warm Ups, Cool Downs - Notetaking and Classwork
Sheets
Homework (HW) 20% - Assigned Every Day!
- Weekly Homework packet due every Friday
- Graded on effort Quizzes & Labs 30% - Mastery Quizzes
- Lab Writeups Tests & Projects 40% - Unit Tests
- Chapter Challenge Projects
Homework & Classwork Details
Homework (HW) and classwork (CW) is graded on EFFORT. Each homework will require students to watch videos, do practice problems and write essay responses. Classwork requires students to complete Warm Ups, Cool Downs, take clean, organized notes and fully complete classwork handouts. HW & CW is graded as 100%, 90%, 75%, 50% and 0%. The criteria are:
Grade Category Description
100% Exemplary - Everything is
attempted with true effort
- Neat and organized - Submitted On Time
problems missed - OR unreadable /
messy
75% Approaching Proficient - More than 5 problems missed 50% Needs Improvement - Half or less than
half of work completed
- No real effort is shown
0% No Effort - Work not turned in
at all
- Work copied from classmate
- No effort shown
Notebooks
All classwork points will be earned for work in your binder. These will be graded on quiz days.
Make Up Work / Late Work
It is each student’s responsibility to make up missed work when absent. Students can always ask a classmate for missed work OR access the class website where all assignments are posted. Late work will ONLY BE ACCEPTED 24 hours after it is due or 24 hours after an absence. All work is due at a certain time purposefully, to reinforce material. Work done after that date will not be helpful to the student or teacher, and is thus not accepted. Lastly, after school homework detentions are given for missed work, with notice given at least 1 day in advance.
Our Routines, Rules & Expectations Extra Help
Students MUST ask for extra help when needed! Homework parties are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weekly. I am happy to help students with anything they are confused with!
Class Supplies
Students will be required to bring the following items to class every single day:
1. Pencil (I recommend Dixon Ticonderoga or 0.5mm lead mechanical pencils)
2. 3-Ring Binder: 1” should suffice and take up minimal space in backpack
4. 5 Dividers: Labeled as Notes, Classwork, Homework, Tests/Quizzes, Projects
5. School-Provided Laptop
6. (Optional) Calculator: Scientific or Non-Scientific Work Fine
Entering the Classroom
- Come into the classroom quietly, pick up any classwork sheets and sign in before sitting down
- If homework is due, place HW in the appropriate bin before sitting down for credit.
- Head to seat and open binder. Copy the date, the topic of the day and the objective. Proceed to copy down the Warm-Up Question and then answer the question. Independently & Silently.
Leaving the Classroom
The class ends when Mr. Anthony dismisses the class, not when the bell rings.
Talking During Class
We will abide by the Voice-O-Meter chart to gauge talking in class.
Getting Your Attention
When I need your attention, I will either issue a clapping signal and wait for response or raise my hand and wait. When any signal is given,
students should stop talking and place eyes on teacher.
Getting Up During Class
Students can only get up with permission. Students only have 4
bathroom passes per semester and must use them wisely. It is up to the discretion of Mr. A if a student should leave the class.
Tardiness and Uniform
Because we strive to act as professionals, I expect all students to show up on time in full uniform. Students will be given a detention if late to class or out of uniform without an excuse
Consequences
If you choose to misbehave in class, you face consequences. These will be issued out as follows:
First Warning
Time-Out & Phone Call Home
Move to Beginner Level Work, usually textbook work 1-Hour Detention
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I want to extend to you and your student a warm welcome. My name is Mr. Anthony and I will be your son/daughter’s Physics teacher this spring semester at Fairchild Wheeler High School. I really look forward to working with you over the semester to ensure that your son/daughter has the best possible chances for success in my class and onwards in life. This course your son/daughter will be taking this year will
introduce him/her to a broad range of topics in physics, which is basically the foundation for all the sciences. This year, my goals are to not only to equip your
son/daughter with valuable critical thinking and problem solving skills, but also to help guide them as they grow into young adults.
My vision for your son/daughter this year is to develop him/her as a professional young adult who has learned the values necessary for entry into college. On top of this, I want every student, by the end of the class, to be able to think, speak, read and
write like an engineer. This will encompass performing weekly mastery quizzes and tests, creating and presenting projects with a team, reading wordy scientific text and writing college-level lab reports and essays.
I hold extremely high expectations for all students because I believe that they are capable of doing great things. I expect that all students stay on task during class time to ensure the maximum amount of material retention. Not to mention, I expect that all homework be fully completed and presented on time to ensure that all material is being practiced repeatedly. If these two simple expectations are followed, we can achieve great things this semester. To start off, each student will be required to attend class with a 1” 3-ring binder, 100(+) sheets of 3-hole paper, 5 (3-hole) dividers and a pencil.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or would simply like to talk about your son/daughter’s experience in the class. I will always be happy to talk with you about ways we can work together to ensure your child’s
success. I can be reached by e-mail at [email protected], by phone at (609)-206-4131 or you may send a note in with your student. Again, I’m excited to work with your son/daughter as well as yourself in this brand new school setting as we learn and grow together. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Anthony
Parent Name/s: ___________________________ _______________________________
Parent Email/s: _____________________________ ______________________________
Parent Phone/s: _____________________________ _______________________________
