Syllabus

Nova High SchoolInstructor:Mrs. Kopek

Physics Pre-APPlanning: 5th Period

Required Text: Holt Physics 2009Phone: 754-323-1674

Email: Website:

Facebook: Kopek’s Physics

Course Description:

Physics I Honors will provide students with an in depth study of the theories and laws governing the interaction of matter, energy, and the forces of nature. Topics will include but not be limited to: Kinetics, dynamics, energy, power, heat, and thermodynamics, wave characteristics, light, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics. Laboratory activities that include the use of the scientific method, measurement, laboratory apparatus, and safety are an integral part of this course.

PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II and School Guidelines.

Special Note: SUB/BF, NCAA

Content Overview:

1st Semester

Math of Science/Scientific Method

Vectors

Kinematics

Forces

Energy/Work

Momentum/Collisions

2nd Semester

Rotational Motion

Thermodynamics

Sound/Harmonic Motion

Light and Optics

Electrostatics/Circuits

Magnetism

Evaluation:

Each assignment will be worth up to 100 points. All points earned by the student will be divided by the total possible points and a percentage will be calculated. The student's scores will be divided according to the following approximate breakdown:

Tests/Quizzes60%

Class work20%

Homework20%

Course Policies

1. All students will be expected to follow Broward County Safety Rules in all laboratory activities.

2. All students will be expected to follow the current Broward County School Code and Conduct Handbook at all times.

3. All students are required to keep a notebook in this class.

Class Rules

  1. Students must be in the classroom on time with ALL their needed learning materials (binder, pencils, calculator, etc.) Coming unprepared will result in loss of participation points.
  2. Prohibited items (hats, playing cards…) are not allowed in class. You are responsible for any items of value. Cellular phone use will not be tolerated during class. Any cellular device found will be confiscated and must be retrieved at the end of the school day. Please tell your parents to limit their texts to you for lunch time!!!!
  3. Students will remain in class unless given permission by the teacher.
  4. Students will respect the teacher AND each other. Bullying is not tolerated.
  5. Students will keep the room clean by putting all refuse in trashcans, returning materials to proper places and observing general school cleanliness.

Class Procedures

  1. Heading papers –
  2. First and last name
  3. Period
  4. Date
  1. Seating and Dismissal – Remain at your assigned seat unless the class is working in lab teams or problem-solving teams. All things must be put back to their original place before anyone leaves. The bell does not dismiss class, Mrs. Kopek does.
  2. Talking – Be polite. No unnecessary talking during lecture sessions, while other students are asking/answering questions, and while students are presenting to the class. Courtesy and respect for each other in the class must be displayed at all times. Raise your hand to speak during a lecture.
  3. Bathroom or Other Passes – Students are responsible for going to the restroom between classes. Passes to lockers will NOT be permitted. Passes will not be issued when any lecture or presentation is being given.
  4. Absences – (Refer to the Nova Handbook or agenda books) It is the responsibility of the student to obtain missed assignments and notes from my website or a classmate. Keep all returned work in your class notebook so that you know what assignments you might have missed. Make-up tests or quizzes are to be scheduled for before or after school. No student will be allowed to miss another class to make up missing work.
  5. Notebooks - Students are required to keep a notebook and binder for the class; the notebook is for your TRIP and your binder is your portfolio of Do Now’s, Word of the day, Notes and completed work. The TRIP notebook will be graded at the end of every quarter. At the end of each unit/chapter there will be a binder check. This is to make sure you have all your materials to study for the test. Some units will also have a vocabulary/key terms note card check.
  6. Academic Integrity – Any student found cheating during a quiz or test will receive a zero and parents will be notified. Any assignments that are copied from other students will not receive credit. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  7. Homework – When homework is assigned, it will be checked at the start of the following class. There is also independent homework that is assumed; for example reviewing class notes, completing problem sets, and reading key sections in the text.
  8. Chapter Schedule– Every chapter you will be given an outline of what each day will entail; this includes notes, activities, independent practice (aka homework), and anything else that will be happening in the class. It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of the daily schedule and what is expected of you.

Lab Procedures –

  1. All safety precautions must be strictly followed.
  2. Labs are team-oriented hands-on activities; this does not mean it is a time for play. Act responsibly during lab and respect the school’s lab equipment.
  3. All members of a lab group must participate and contribute to the completion of the lab. Reports must be turned in on time to receive full credit for formal lab exercises. Some mini-labs will not require a formal report.

Materials:

1. Scientific calculator (trig. functions and scientific notation required; i.e. sin, cos, tan, √, x2)

2. 1-One inch 3-Ring Binder or larger

3. 12 Dividers (Homemade or store bought)

4. 1 – Small Spiral/Composition Notebook

5. Writing utensils

6. Highlighters

7. 4 Page Protectors

8. 1 Pack of 100 3x5 Lined Notecards*

9. Ream of paper*

* If financial assistance is needed for the purchase of these items please contact the instructor.

** This schedule is tentative and subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

I have read and understand Mrs. Kopek’s policies. I, ______, agree to follow all procedures and classroom rules in Mrs. Kopek’s class. (student name)

Dear Parent,

Thank you for taking the time to read this syllabus. I wanted to make sure you knew ahead of time the resources I provide to the students in my class. Pinnacle is a school wide gradebook that is completely accessible to all parents at any time. It also has the option for email updates any time your student’s grade changes. I have a website (nhsphysics.pbworks.com) that has all of the materials for my class, including my PowerPoints, fill-in note worksheets, homework assignments, and the schedules for all of the chapters for the entire year. Your student also has the opportunity to have access to my Google calendar with the daily schedule for both classes. It even offers reminders for events that are sent by email, text, or pop up reminders on their phones. Please feel free to contact me by email any time you have a question or concern about anything that is going on in my class.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kopek

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