Student Responsibilities and Expectations for Mrs. Kreutter’s Physics Class

  1. Behavior: I expect to be treated with respect in order to provide every student with a positive learning environment. I expect you to come to class each day ready to work. I expect you to adhere to all school rules within my classroom. I do not police/record restroom visits; however I do expect you to go before, rather than during a test.
  2. Absences: It is your responsibility to make up any missed assignments, tests, quizzes, homework, projects, etc. Assignments will be posted on the website. If you have questions about missed assignments please see me. Tests will be made up during your study hall or after school; you are responsible for scheduling make-ups with me, usually within a day or two of your absence unless absence was excessive.
  3. Homework: Homework is for your benefit. Homework will sometimes be assessed indirectly through quizzes; sometimes it will be checked for completeness and sometimes I will collect it. In other words, you should always do it and it will always be relevant.
  4. Academic Integrity: I expect each student to present their own work. Collaboration is encouraged and required in some instances; however each individual must contribute (to a final project, for example) and must turn in lab reports, papers, and other assignments written in their own words (i.e., no copying other people’s work and claiming it as your own). Infractions will be dealt with harshly (no credit for each party involved and the filing of an Academic Integrity Violation Form). With projects, papers, and lab reports, be sure to cite any “borrowed” ideas or words. When it doubt, it’s better to cite a source than plagiarize.
  5. Class Participation: I expect all students to participate in class. I will call on you whether your hand is up or not; be ready. You will be expected to participate fully in lab activities in your lab group. If not, you will be required to sit at your desk and do something much less interesting and that assignment will be graded.
  6. Electronics: Per school policy, electronics are not allowed in class. If I hear or see anything that qualifies as an electronic device, I reserve the right to confiscate it for the period. Repeat offenders will lose their devices for longer periods. There MAY BE an exception or two to this rule during certain labs/activities during the school year. I will let you know if such a situation arises.ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USE DURING OR AFTER TESTS.

Grading Policies

You will be graded on a point system. Every assignment and test will have a point value assigned to it. The total number of points may vary from marking period to marking period, but assignments will be in each of the following categories:

  • Homework: If spot-checked or collected, usually worth 4 points.
  • Quizzes: We will have frequent small quizzes to check for understanding of the previous day or two’s lesson(s). You will have the opportunity to redo any quiz that is unannounced. The procedure for this is as follows:
  1. Come see me, with your quiz (not during class; you must make an appointment).
  2. Explain to me what you missed, why you missed it, and what the correct answer should be.
  3. Be prepared to do another problem or two that is similar to the problem that you missed.
  4. You can only redo quizzes up until that unit’s test.
  • Journal entries: One per week, 10 points each. Submitted through your school Google docs account. Due every Friday unless otherwise noted. Set-up your school Google docs account/physics folder if you have not done so. More detailed instructions on my web page.First journal entry will be due 9/18.
  • Lab Reports: Guidelines will be provided with each lab that is to be reported. Depending upon topic, lab reports will be worth 25-50 points. At my discretion, you may also be able to redo lab reports for partial credit.
  • Tests: Major tests at the end of each unit. Usually worth 75-100 points.
  • Projects/Papers: TBD. You will be provided rubrics and grading guidelines for special projects and papers during the school year. Count on at least one of each.

Course Supplies

  • I suggest a large 3-ring binder for notes, homework, and handouts. You will need to save all your handouts and notes for the entire year as the final will be cumulative.
  • You will need to take notes in class. I don’t care if you use loose-leaf and your binder or have a separate spiral notebook. The notes are for you. Use your best judgment.
  • For labs, you will need to record predictions, data, outcomes, etc. as you complete the lab. You can use a composition book for all your lab work, loose-leaf and a section of your binder, or a separate spiral notebook. All labs that are graded will be submitted to me as more formal reports so develop a system that works for you for your lab notes.
  • You will need a calculator and a pen/pencil daily. You will need graph paper.
  • You do not usually need to bring your textbook to class. The online student version is accessible to you with the following access code: D3900E85AB. Go to to access this version. Note: you need to use Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari to access the online textbook (no Chrome) and you have to be sure that you have enabled Adobe Acrobat in Firefox for Portable Documents.

Laboratory Contract and Guidelines

Physics is a laboratory course. As such, much of your learning will occur during activities and labs. While we will not be using chemicals, animals, or fire, there will be opportunities for poor choices to lead to accidents. Using common sense will go a long way towards keeping a safe, productive learning environment, but here are a few explicit rules:

  1. No running, pranks, jokes, horsing around, or other irresponsible behavior at any time in the lab space unless running and jumping are part of the experiment (This is physics. We may need to jump; we almost certainly will need to run).
  2. Follow written and verbal instructions at all times. Don’t be afraid to ask me if you don’t know what to do next.
  3. Do not touch anything in lab (equipment, supplies, etc.) without my permission.
  4. No experiments are to be conducted when I am out of the room.
  5. No eating, drinking, gum chewing, or tasting in the lab.
  6. Only have lab notebooks and necessary materials out when conducting an experiment.
  7. Clean up after yourself when finished, but report any spills or broken equipment to me immediately.
  8. In addition to spills and breakage, let me know if there is an injury, fire, or inoperable/dangerous equipment.
  9. Do not remove any equipment from the lab without my permission.
  10. Be careful with sharp tools. Use them only as and when instructed. If cutting, cut away from your body. Let me know if you do cut yourself.
  11. Do not open any cabinets or go into the storage room without my permission.
  12. Matches, burners, power supplies, catapults, and hot plates are dangerous. Use them only as instructed.
  13. Know where the safety equipment is—the shower, the eye wash stations, the fire extinguishers, the fire blanket, and the exits. Know where to go when there is a fire drill or emergency.

Please read and sign and have your parents sign also. Due by 9/18.

I have read the handout detailing the student responsibilities, grading policies, course supplies, academic integrity, and laboratory contract and guidelines for Mrs. Kreutter’s physics course. I agree to follow these rules to ensure my safety and the safety of others. I agree to follow other rules and teacher instructions as such additions arise. If I do not follow these rules I understand I will be removed from the science classroom and will not be allowed to complete assignments.

______Student Signature and Date

Physics Period: ______

I have reviewed the safety contract with my child and am aware of measures that have been taken to ensure my child’s safety and academic success:

______Parent Signature and Date

Photo Release Permission:

We will video and/or photograph some experiments; these videos will be posted on my website but no student names will be posted.

______I give permission for photos/videos of my child to be posted on Mrs. Kreutter’s website.