Welcome to Honors Physics!

Student/Parent:

In this newsletter you will find the following information:

  1. Instructor Information
  2. Address/Information for our class wiki, google classroom, remind, and UTexas online homework
  3. Needed Materials
  4. Online Textbook Log in information
  5. Grading Policy
  6. Quiz Policy
  7. What to do for struggling students
  8. Class Rule/Consequences

Physics attempts to explain and model the world we see around us every day. It is a challenging yet exciting subject. I hope you are excited about class and I look forward to working with you this year!

Thanks,

Mr. Scott G. Shoaf

Instructor Information

Mr. Scott G. ShoafEmail:

School Phone: 980-343-5800 Please see class wiki for additional information.

Email is the most efficient way to contact me. Thank you.

Class Wiki

Information for parents & students can be found at Upcoming due dates, guided notes, class assignments, and online help can be found on the class wiki.

Google Classroom

We will be using google classroom this semester to distribute and turn in items. You need to sign up for Honors Physics in Google Classroom by going to the following site: search class code: w9w5sx

Textbooks

Textbooks are available online at or just google essential physics.

Student Access Code: 6220232844

Items Needed for Class:

  1. Scientific Calculator. A graphing calculator can be useful but is not required.
  2. Pencil. You work will require you to make corrections and adjustments. ALL work must therefore be submitted to me in pencil.
  3. Three-ring Binder. A notebook will be needed to be kept specifically for Physics. Because there are so many printed notes and handouts, the three-ring binder is the notebook of choice.
  4. Colored Pencils/Thin Markers. Not required but will assist in understanding concepts in notes and on exercises.

Attendance

Because each class builds on previous knowledge, it is very important that students are in class every day. When absences cannot be avoided, it is the student’s responsibility to get the notes and the assignments missed. This is the expectation of the teacher and the responsibility of the student.

Beginning Class

Students should come to class every day with their notebook, calculator, paper, pencil, reference pack, and all work. Students are expected to be in the door BEFORE the bell rings.Students should take care of all bathroom business BEFORE class.

Grading Policy

Formal Assessments 70%Informal Assessment 30%

Test (4)Informal Lab (3)

Formal Lab (2 or 4)Homework and class work (1)

Quiz (1)

A formal assessment includes tests, quizzes, projects, or formal labs. An informal assessment includes homework, class work, or informal labs. In each category the assignments will be weighted differently.

Unit Tests

Tests will be given at the end of every unit. If a student knows that he or she will be out of class on the day of a test (for a field trip, band concert, etc.) the student is responsible for making an appointment with the teacher and taking the test ahead of time. These tests will cover the same material as the regular test, but will not necessarily be the same test or format. If a student misses aregularly scheduled test due to illness, the student has five class days to make up the test during an afterschool tutoring session, until that time the tests are considered to be zeros in the grade book. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule their tests within that time frame, not the teacher’s.

Quizzes

Quizzes will be announced and unannounced. Your two lowest quiz grades will be omitted at the end of each nine weeks, provided all quizzes were taken. You can simply omit the first two quizzes you miss or you must make up your quiz afterschool within 5 school days, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Homework

Students are assigned homework most nights. Some assignments will be online, and students will need internet access to obtain the work and turn in their answers. They DO NOT, however, need to be on a computer to work on the assignment, nor do they need to answer the questions in order or all at once.Homework is an extension of the class lesson and is vital to successfully mastering Physics. They need to work on problem sets every evening, not just the day before it is due. The due date for homework is given in the syllabus, and will be due at 10 pm CST on that date. After the due date has passed, students will be able to access the correct answers and solutions by picking up the solutions on the UTexas site. Students will not be granted extensions to turn in late assignments so please plan accordingly.

University of Texas Homework Information

Getting Started

a) Log on to the following address

or go to the class wiki and use the provided link.

b) Get your UTEID by following the instructions at the given link. Then log back in to the system.

c) When you view "My Courses", if you don't see any courses listed, click "Enroll in new course".

Obtain the unique number for your class from your instructor and enter this when prompted. Your instructor will be notified that you want to register, and you will see a status message indicating that your enrollment is pending.

Your number is:10816

d) Viewing and submitting your assignment

Choose My Courses to view your course listings, and then choose a course to see the assignments associated with that course. Click on an individual assignment to see problems and a form to submit your answers. Problems have many different variations, so your assignment will be different from another student in your class. All assignments have due dates and your instructor has the option of displaying a solution after the due date has passed.

Please see class wiki for “UT Homework Document” to see how answers should be formatted.

HAVING TROUBLE AND NEED HELP?

  1. Try reading the section in your textbook and do the interactive activities that corresponds to the material being covered in class.
  2. Go to the class wiki and link to the online review for topic that corresponds with the material being covered in class.
  3. Come to tutoring afterschool on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday afterschool 2:20 – 3:20 locations TBA.

If you have tried these three things and are still having difficulty, please see me as soon as possible to explore other alternatives.

Remind

Students should and parents can get text reminders for class by signing up through Remind. Text the following to 81010:

@hpmphs

Class Rules

The following are four simple rules that will be followed in addition to the school rules/policies and lab procedures.

  • Be Courteous—respect the other students around you as well as the teacher, and behave in a manner that exhibits this respect
  • Be Prepared—come to class on time with all materials, ready to work and learn for a full ninety minutes
  • Be Responsible—for your materials, your deadlines, your behavior, and the lab equipment when it is in use.
  • Be Safe—due to the nature of many of our physics labs it is EXTREMELY important that you respect the rules of the lab to protect yourself and those around you.

Consequences

Should any of the rules of the class or school be broken the following consequence plan will be put into action as appropriate.

  1. Warning verbal or non-verbal cue
  2. Private discussion with Mr. Shoaf after class
  3. 15 minute detention
  4. 30 minute detention student will write a letter home to parent to be used at next consequence describing behavior and consequences
  5. The letter written will be sent home to parent with addendum from current behavior issue. In addition Mr. Shoaf will call home to discuss the issue and an after school detention will be issued
  6. The issue will be referred to the office

Mr. Shoaf’s Wish List

Lab Donations for Consumable Items (Make Checks to: Myers Park High School)

Tissue/Kleenex

Paper Towels

AAA Batteries/ AA Batteries

By signing and returning this form you are agreeing you have read and understand everything in this handout. In particular the following items:

  1. What to do if your student needs help.
  2. How to sign up for text reminders.
  3. Materials needed for class everyday.
  4. The quiz policy.
  5. Students will need access to a computer with Internet access throughout the course of this class.
  6. Homework is due and a grade is received date listed in class and on UTexas website.

Please print the information below and return it to me by Friday January 29, 2016

Student Name: ______

Guidance Counselor: ______

Parent / Guardian Name: ______

Home phone: ______

Daytime phone: ______

Best time to contact: ______

E-mail: ______

Any other important information: ______

______

I have read this letter and understand what is expected of my child. I will do my best to help my child fulfill his or her responsibilities and keep up with his or her progress. If I have any questions or concerns or if I am unaware of my child’s progress, I will contact you through e-mail.

Student Signature: ______

Print Parent Name: ______

Parent Signature: ______