/ Physics
Ms. Elbein, Mr. Khalilian and Ms. Townsend
W:312.445.4680
; ;
Office Hours by appointment after or before school. One day a week will be set on the wiki.

I. Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to the study of physics. Physics weaves together scientific practices with physics big ideas. This class will focus on the following practices and big ideas:

Science Practice 1: Use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems.
Science Practice 2: Use mathematics appropriately.
Science Practice 3: Engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the physics course.
Science Practice 4: Plan and implement data collection strategies in relation to a particular scientific question.
Science Practice 5: Perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
Science Practice 6: Work with scientific explanations and theories.
Science Practice 7: Connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations in and across domains. / Big Idea 1: Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structures.
Big Idea 2: Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big Idea 3: The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
Big Idea 4: Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
Big Idea 5: Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
Big Idea 6: Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.

Homework will be given with every class, in preparation for the next. Most homework will consist of readings which will strengthen students’ literacy skills while giving them a background with which to approach the inquiry and discussions in class. Most of class time will be spent discussing, debating, and designing labs. In order to make this effective, the readings outside of class must be highly prioritized by the students and seen as a type of lecture rather than “just a reading.” To help you with this, readings will include many examples and good demonstrations, and your feedback will be taken into consideration when selecting readings.

II. Required Text and Materials

We will use a variety of texts in physics class, most of which will be handouts adapted from online sources. Most readings will be provided in soft copy.

Students will be expected to have the following materials in class every day:

·  Daily Agenda (supplied by school)

·  Lined, college-ruled loose-leaf paper

·  Pencil and pen

·  TI-83 Plus graphing calculator

·  Lab Notebook (composition notebook) – This will be used only for physics. All physics materials will go in it; all physics notes will be taken in it.

·  SSR Book (so you have something nice to do if you finish a test early)

III. Grading Information

Grading Scale:

97-100 A+ 87-89 B+ 77-79 C+ 67-69 D+ 0 - 59 F

93-96 A 83-86 B 73-76 C 63-66 D

90-92 A- 80-82 B- 70-72 C- 60-62 D-

CATEGORY: / Subdivision of Category / How it Will Look on PowerSchool / Total possible points per assignment / Estimated number of assignments / Approx. Total possible points / Percent of Total Grade
Classwork / Do Nows, Exit Tickets, ACT Prep, Participation in Discussions / CW#.#: Name (e.g. CW1.1: Name) / 10 / 10 / 100 / 10%
Homework / HW assignments, HW Reading Checks / HW#.#: Name / 10 / 10 / 100 / 10%
Performance Events / Discovery Labs / PE: DL: Name / 50 / 3 / 150 / 15%
Application Labs / PE: AL: Name / 100 / 3 / 300 / 30%
Assessments / Tests / A: T#_Net Force / 100 / 3 / 300 / 30%
Final Exam / None / F: Semester # / 100 / 1 / 100 / 10%
Total possible points (per SEMESTER): / 1000 / 100%

The use of the total points system allows for full transparency; therefore students may maintain his/her own scores on a class grade record sheet. Students should understand that all are totals given are approximate. Teachers reserve the right to provide additional assignments as deemed necessary for the continuity of the course. (If this is adjusted before the start of the year, another grading sheet will be provided at the beginning of the year.)

IV. Student Expectations

Tardy Policy (not in seat when bell rings): Less than 1 minute = 1D, 1 – 3 minutes = 2D, More than 3 minutes = 4D

Lessons begin as soon as the bell rings.

Absences: Absence from class will reflect heavily on your learning, your grade, and your preparedness for that class, the ACT, and final exam. Students must return absent work within the same number of days as they were absent. Late absent work will not be accepted and participation cannot be made up. You only have as many days to make up work as you missed. Because physics is every other day, if you miss physics class but are at school the next day, you are expected to attend the following class with your homework that was due previously and the homework that is due that class.

If you miss a day of class, you are still expected to complete the homework for the following class on time. Failure to do this will result in a lasalle. This is because the homework will allow you to participate in class. It is preparation for the following class, not based on what was previously covered.

Do NOT EVER fill in your lab notebook with information you were not there to collect. You will be given an alternative assignment/opportunity. Copying somebody else’s lab information is worth 4 demerits and a zero. Ask your teacher if you are ever uncertain.

If a project is due on the date of an absence, the assignment must be emailed to the teacher by no later than 8am, or it will be counted as late. Late projects will receive a 50% deduction after the due date and may be turned in up to one week late for no more than 50%.

Use professional email etiquette when sending messages (emails without proper salutations, capitalization, punctuation, and closings will not be responded to or acted upon). Your teachers promise to send emails always with professional etiquette as well.

Restroom Policy: Juniors will receive 1D for using the restroom. We have a lot to do in a VERY short amount of time. Please go during passing periods. Time lost from class will result in a loss of participation points if the situation is necessary.

Homework: Homework will be assigned every night. You are expected to have your homework completed on the due date and be ready to turn it in at the beginning of the class period, even if you were absent the previous class. See page one for details.

**Homework that is not on the desk ready to be checked will result in a LaSalle. Homework that is not 100% complete will result in a LaSalle. Homework that is not in complete sentences or with work shown will result in a LaSalle. If you get stuck on the homework, write a question.**

Readings: Readings, which are part of the homework, are a very important part of class. If you miss a day, you are still expected to come to class with the reading done for the following class. Check the wiki or stop by the classroom to collect the reading. Reading comprehension checks will be given following assigned readings. Your feedback will be asked for in an effort to improve the readings. Please be open, honest, and specific in what you like, what you get, and what you struggle with.

Lab Safety: In order to promote a safe lab environment any inappropriate behavior while in the laboratory will result in an automatic detention. You must wear safety goggles at all times when instructed. Failure to do so will result in a demerit. Students must follow the Flinn Scientific Laboratory Safety Contract (see summer homework packet).

Lab Equipment: You are responsible for ensuring all materials and equipment issued to you are clean and accounted for prior to exiting the lab. You are financially responsible for all lab equipment that is lost or broken during your lab period, and you may earn four demerits for any lab equipment not returned in its original state.

Tests: Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will cover all of the material in that unit (lab skills and content knowledge).

Labs: Students will complete two types of labs per unit. The first is a discovery lab, which will often serve as an introduction to the topic. The second is an application lab, which will test a scholar’s ability to use the concepts learned to design a lab to answer a scientific question. Both types of lab will be individually scored. Application labs will be submitted to turnitin.com and scored according to the lab writing rubric (see the end of the syllabus), while discovery labs will be scored according to the scholar’s data and answers to reflection questions.

When you get stuck: There are many resources available when you get stuck in physics class. These include: talking to Ms. Elbein, Mr. Khalilian, or Ms. Townsend after school, working with your group, and asking for additional resources. In addition, the weekly wiki will always contain links and page numbers to supplementary sources. Because of the effort your teachers use in finding these sources, please USE THEM.

School Policies: All students are expected to follow Muchin College Prep policies as set forth in the Student Handbook.

Classroom Rewards / Classroom Consequences
Students who meet the expectations of the class will be rewarded in several ways, including:
- Praise and recognition
- Merits (GZOg-based)
- Higher grades and a better understanding
- Positive communication to parents and advisors
- Higher ACT scores and more college options
- A fun and enjoyable science experience / Students who choose to break a rule or not meet the expectations of class (including laboratory expectations) will be responsible for the following consequences, depending on the severity of the behavior:
- Demerits, LaSalle, or Detention
- Conference with parents/guardians
- Possible suspension or expulsion from school

V. Classroom Procedures

Beginning of Period / Students enter the classroom silently and must be seated before the bell rings every day. Students should place completed homework on their desks and copy down the daily homework assignment from the board into their agenda. Students will start learning as soon as the bell rings. Student work areas should remain free of unnecessary items, which should be neatly placed in the designated area. If the student’s homework is not out and ready to be checked when the teacher arrives it will be counted as late, resulting in a LaSalle.
Classroom Behavior / During whole class time or to gain the teacher’s attention, students must raise their hands and wait to be acknowledged by the teacher before speaking.
During group work time, students must be working with their group and not speaking to other groups. When groups have questions, every group member must raise his or her hand.
For minor disruptions* students will receive a warning (verbal or non-verbal) for the 1st offense, a demerit for the 2nd, and will be required to leave the room after the 3rd offense. Students who leave the room will automatically receive a detention. Prior to re-entry students must meet with their instructor to discuss their inappropriate behavior.
*Some disruptions, including inappropriate use of lab equipment, may earn an automatic demerit, detention, or suspension (up to teacher’s discretion - refer to the Student Handbook for further clarification).
End of Class / Most class periods will end with an exit ticket or reflection. As a college-prep class, you are expected to treat the teacher and fellow peers with respect. Do not get ready to leave unless the teacher, not the bell, has signaled you to do so. All trash should be thrown away, not left in the desk. Trash left in the desk will result in demerits for all table members.
Integrity, in class time and especially during group work / Physics is difficult, and students will not always have the correct answer, in which case classmates are expected to act with respect and integrity. If this is violated, students will be administered the necessary number of demerits. This includes name-calling, eye-rolling, audible sighs, derogatory slurs, laughing at another classmate’s mistake, etc. Disagreements may occur, but value judgments about another student’s opinion will be respectful and thoughtful at all times. Offenses will be treated harshly to maintain the productive classroom environment.
Academic Integrity / All work that students turn in is expected to be their own. Academic dishonesty of any sort (including but not limited to cheating on a test, exit ticket, project, or paper, incorrectly citing a source, not citing a source) will result in an automatic 0 and 4Ds on the first offense, and a one-day suspension on the second.
Your teachers want you to be successful and believe in you. If you are lost or confused, you have your teachers’ emails. Set up an appointment. Do some extra work. Use the extra resources (they are there so no student feels the need to resort to academic dishonesty).

VI. The Yearly Calendar

These dates are subject to change. Ms. Elbein and Mr. Khalilian will do their best to provide you with a calendar for the entire unit at the beginning of each unit.