HONORS PHYSICS

Mr. GasparRoom # 24

E-mail: one #627-7731 Ext.63324

Website: (or you can go to the schools website – click Educator’s Corner– click on my name)

Wiki site:

Objective: In this class we will be covering a wide range of topics that will help students develop an understanding of how to model real world phenomena both conceptually and mathematically. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, linear and circular motion, momentum, electricity and circuits, energy, force and assorted strands of these. This course is geared toward applications and as such will develop concepts in numerous mediums including direct instruction, laboratory explorations, technology, and projects.

Materials: 1-inch, three ring binder filled with paper, pencils, blue or black ink pen (no other color), Calculator at home (TI-83 or better is recommended but a scientific calculator is also acceptable), two marble tablet type composition notebooks are required – no other notebook is acceptable, a flash key may be needed.

Text:Holt Physics (Serway, Faughn)

This is the textbook that will be available and used occasionally. However there are going to be plenty of times where we use resources other than the book for notes, reading material, sample problems and so forth. YOU MUST take careful notes and use a folder to store reading materials. It is extremely important to get yourmissed notes ASAP. Be sure to copy example problems!

Grades: Your grade is based on a point system. Total points is the name of the game. Each assignment, quiz, test, project, etc. will be worth a certain number of points. You EARN points during each marking period and then what ever that total ends up being is divided by the total possible points. So, if in the first marking period there were 450 points available to earn and you earned 398 your grade would be 398/450 = 0.884  88.4 %. Your semester grade is an average of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd marking periods and the Final Exam (i.e. each counts for 25%).

Missing Work: All work missed due to excused absences must be made up within 48 hours. It is your responsibility to get the work you missed and turn it in within the given time period. Be sure to get any notes you missed. This means I will not automatically give you missed work; you must be persistent with me until you get the missed assignment. If you are absent on the day of a test, you will be required to take the test on the day of your return. I will NOT accept projects, lab reports, or research late. This means, even if your absence is excused, I will NOT accept late work. You must find a way to get your work to school (email, send with a friend/sibling/parent, etc.). You will be given ample time for these projects.

Progress Reports: Students will be given a progress report every two weeks to keep them “updated” on their grades. I will provide these to the students every other Monday (or whatever day is the first of the week). The report will give their current grade, missing assignments, and scores for all specific tasks.

Extra Help: If you ever wish to receive extra help…come and get it! I usually am here early in the morning (about 7:15 or so) and stay for at least half an hour after school. I would greatly appreciate you letting me know when you are coming because I have lots of errands to run and I might not be there right at the time you arrive.

Participation: Each student must be a contributing member of the class. Group work must be shared equally. Students who cannot or will not contribute to their group will be assigned to work alone. You will be required to have a lab partner or group. A reminder, even though you are working with another person(s), EACH person must submit their own Lab Report. The main body of the Lab may be identical but the conclusion must be different.

I am really looking forward to getting to know each of you throughout the semester. This class is fast-paced and demanding, and requires a commitment on your part. I already have high expectations for each of you and will hold you up to putting your best effort forward! I hope this will be a successful semester for you in this class and your others

Mr. Gaspar