PHYSICS FIRST INFORMATION 2008 - 2009
Welcome to physics first with me, Tom Vining, as your guide. This class is designed not only to teach you about physics but also to challenge you like you have never been challenged before. You will learn how to analyze and solve problems, which will lead you to become a more in-depth analyzer and thinker. We will explore many concepts, such as motion and sound, that you have studied before only we will delve deeper into them and hopefully correct any misconceptions that you might have. Many students have told me that by the end of the year I had corrupted their minds to the point that almost everything they experience in their daily lives they now evaluate the physics involved in it. I will also be working closely with your math teacher with the goal of improving your math reasoning and your mathematical skills. It is my goal to get you successfully though this new learning process and I will do everything I can to get you there. What I ask from you is that you try this new way of learning and question everything. Take notes at all times - there will be times that I am discussing concepts with you and this will actually be the lecture on the subject. Review your notes frequently. When we start a new chapter read the chapter in your textbook over quickly (do not read it for details). After we have discussed a specific concept in class go back and read the section(s) very carefully and take notes on your reading. If you have a question do not be afraid to ask it, chances are several other students have the same question. If you don’t ask questions I will assume you understand the material and will move on to new information which will only compound your misunderstanding since most concepts build on prior concepts. Also if you encounter a word you are unfamiliar with look it up in the dictionary. If you become frustrated or overwhelmed please come in and talk with me. I am usually here before 7 AM and will be more than happy to work with you. Some people say that I am intimidating - well yes I am - get over it. You are going to meet numerous intimidating people in your life and most of us are real people who care about you and want the best for you, we just don’t show our emotions well.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Students are to be in their seats with notebook & pencil (or pen) ready when the tardy bell rings. You must have homework, lab materials, & any other necessary materials ready at that time. Students will otherwise be considered tardy or absent as appropriate. The tardy and attendance policies will be enforced. When entering the room students should check the table next to the door for handouts and returned work.
Appropriate class conduct is expected at all times. Destructive and disrespectful behavior will NOT be tolerated and will result in removal from the class.
Grades will be posted online and I will attempt to update them on a weekly basis. You do not need to keep a notebook specifically for this class BUT you must save all work until the end of the grading period in case of recording errors.
We will be using computers in this class quite frequently. Along with other programs we will be using Microsoft Word and Excel. It is a great idea to bring a USB capable memory stick (flash drive, USB drive etc.) everyday to save your work on.
Seating & lab groups will be assigned and changed at the teacher’s discretion.
It is the student’s responsibility to get to class on time. If I am giving a quiz and you are late you will not be allowed to take or make up the quiz.
** Calculators are a useful tool in this class and each student must have their own calculator in class daily. It does not have to be a graphing calculator but it must have scientific functions on it. Students MAY NOT be shared during tests and quizzes. If needed you can rent a calculator for $1 per period.
WORK LOAD
All assignments, due dates, & test dates will be posted in class, on my web site and will be distributed to each student in the form of a syllabus. If you are absent please consult the syllabus posted on the southwest wall for any changes in the assignments.
Homework will be assigned almost daily. It will be collected and graded on a random basis. YOU MUST SHOW YOUR WORK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT !!!
There will be two group projects assigned per semester worth approximately 200 points each. You must complete both of these projects. If you have an area you would like to explore or research other than the assigned projects please talk with me about it.
There will be 1 - 4 labs per week. Lab reports are usually due the day of the lab or the day after completion of the lab. Labs will be worth between 5 and 150 points each. At different times throughout the year, I will be grading each of you on your participation during the lab period.
Quizzes will be given on a regular basis (i.e. 1-5 times a week). They will be very short (1-5 questions). The quizzes will cover homework, labs, reading, or any previously assigned work as well as lecture material. Each question will be worth around 5 points. No make-ups will be given for 1 & 2 question quizzes.
There will be a test at the end of each unit & cumulative tests at the end of each semester. Unit tests will usually consist of both objective questions & problems. There will be 10 to 50 objective questions & 0 to 6 problems. Most of the problems will be similar to the homework & vary in difficulty. The last couple of problems will be less familiar & the most difficult. Tests are generally worth 100 points but this can vary. ALL TESTS ARE CUMULATIVE. A "help card" of specified size will be allowed for tests. A semester final will be given, that will be worth up to 10% of your final grade.
GRADING
Final grades will be determined on a 60% - 70% - 80% - 90% scale. Therefore 90% & above of the total points possible will earn an A, 80% - 89.9% will earn a B, & etc.
Tests and quizzes will total about 40% of the total grade (the final makes up 10% of this grade). Lab reports & lab participation will total about 35% of the total grade. Projects will be worth 10% of your grade. Homework & class participation will make up the final 15% of your grade.
Scores on all graded work will be in the form:
total points earned
total points possible
Extra credit work is available, but only to those individuals that have completed 90% of their assignments. You can receive a maximum of 100 points of extra credit points per semester.
ATTENDANCE
Students should attempt to attend all class sessions. If a student misses a class, they are responsible for all material covered during that class session. The student should obtain any missed notes from another member of the class.
LATE WORK
Quizzes
Make-up for “short” (1 to 2 question) quizzes will not be given. If you miss a quiz it will go down as a zero. However, a few quizzes will be dropped from your final grade. Longer quizzes must be made up on the morning of the day of your return to school
Homework Assignments & Projects
No late work will be permitted! Due dates will be given for assignments in advance and you are responsible for getting the assignment in on time. If you are ill or absent, or missing class for some other reason, it is your responsibility to get your assignment to me somehow on the due date, possibly through email, fax, a friend, parent, dog, cat, or carrier pigeon.
Labs
The laboratory experience is an important part of this physics course. Some labs will be of a nature that makes it impossible to make it up. For labs that can be made up, you will have the same number of days to make the lab up as you were absent. If labs are not made-up within this time frame no credit will be given. When turning in makeup work you must mark it absent and place the date of absence on it
Tests
Students should make every effort possible to be here on exam days. If you are absent only one or two periods on a test day, you must make arraignments to take the test on that day (or the day before) - before school, at lunch, or after school. If you are absent for an entire day or more you will be required to take a make-up exam on the morning of the day of your return to school (you should give yourself at least an hour). This make-up test will be much much harder so it is to your advantage to be here the day of the test.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Extra help – there are 3 Physics teachers here at DMHS one or more of these teachers are generally here before and or after school. If you know you will be coming in for help please let us know in advanced.
All labs, homework and daily schedule (syllabus) are posted on my web site so there are no excuses about leaving you materials in your locker.
Contact information
Voice mail 484-7000 ext. 6303
Email Tvining@susd.org.
School Fax # 484-7001
My web page http://members.cox.net/tomvining/site
DMHS web page http://desertmountain.susd.org/
Materials you must have with you every day
Paper
Writing instrument
Calculator
Memory stick
Conversion handout
Lab grouping assignment sheet