Course Description
Physics is an on-level course which deals with the interactions of physical objects as well as the concept of energy. The development of higher order thinking skills is encouraged in the course as it is throughout Hillgrove’s science program. It is also stressed that science is an experiential subject and must be experienced firsthand to truly be understood. With this in mind most of the class time is spent with hands on activities as well as minds on discussions based on student experiences and assigned homework. Individual exploration and organization is encouraged within the framework of small groups. Each Unit provides each student with materials and opportunities designed to help the student understand the concepts as well as appreciate the application of the content in her/his life outside of the science classroom. This classroom is intended to be a place where the student can safely think about and explore the world we live in. Every student's opinion is respected, with the understanding that science is a subject with little room for opinion that cannot be supported by observation, experimentation, and mathematical calculation. All of this requires individual student accountability and open communication in regards to his/her behavior, work, and grades.
Knowing what, how, and when to do in this course is clearly laid out in these pages. You are not expected to memorize all of this, but rather, to refer to this information when you have questions about what is expected Please read through all of this information during the first week. Later in the course, before you ask your teacher, look for the answer here first.
Let's start out with an attitude. You will get out of this course what you put into it. If you put in the kind of effort that involves just getting by or simply completing assignments, you might just get by and complete the course…it is our experience that just getting by results in just missing the mark. This attitude almost always results in a student who rarely knows what is going on, experiences very little enjoyment in the class and will probably be “stressed out” beyond reason during the last weeks of the semester. However, if you seek a better understanding of the concepts presented and seek out understanding of related concepts not specifically presented, you will gain a better, more complete, understanding of most concepts involved in each Unit. This attitude almost always results in a person with improved scientific thinking skills who explores just about everything around, analyzes claims based on evidence, and ends up with a solid "GRADE" in the course. That's right I said “GRADE”. Although the teachers of this course do not stress “grade, grade, grade,” you are ultimately being evaluated on the standard A, B, C, D, F scale and you should complete your assignments accordingly.
The next item of importance would be your daily materials you need to bring with you on a daily basis.
The following are the minimum required materials you should have in your possession each day at the start of class: a pencil with an eraser is preferred for writing (you will make mistakes), a calculator, notebook paper, a 3-ring binder, textbook**. You will be assigned a textbook and it will best serve you as a home resource. **You may not be required (each teacher's discretion) to have it in class with you each day. You should start off, and finish, the course with a notebook exclusively for your science work. It has been established over the years that a well-organized notebook is essential in this course. The following is the recommended notebook organization for this course: (1) first pages should be an assignment sheet followed by this Syllabus. (2) All materials for each Standard should be kept in its own divider. There are multiple "chunks" in each Standard and each will have its own list of objectives. Use each list of objectives to separate each "chunk" within the Standard.
What and how you will be learning
Each week you will be provided with a list of objectives, key terms, review sheet, and worksheets which are a collection of conceptual questions, math problems, charts/tables, and graphs. Each is designed to assist you in gaining a complete understanding of the content. It needs to be stressed here that any individual work you are assigned is designed to reinforce what have just learned as well as to help you be focused on for the upcoming content. The idea is that you come into class each day knowing what is expected so that you can be an intelligent participant in the day's activities and discussions. The daily correct completion of your work will contribute to your engagement and understanding of the concepts as they are further discussed in class. Please understand that the class time in this course is intended to allow you to get the clarification you need to understand each concept, not do to your homework. In order for this to work you need to be prepared each day according to your teacher's direction, whether an assignment is "graded" or not. Please remember that just memorizing the definitions and equations involved will not get it done in this course. Each class period is usually split into three 25 minute sessions. Every five days is organized as a "chunk" of content within a given Standard. Occasionally another day or two may be used as necessary, but the following is the general outline for each chunk:
Day 1 Your key terms assignment is due at the start of class. Next, you will correct the previous chunk's summative assessment. If, after this assignment, you still need assistance with the content you should make it a point to meet with your teacher outside of class. Your teacher may also provide some extra remediation if you are unable to pass the summative assessment. The remaining two sessions on Day 1 will involve an introduction to the new chunk of material to be covered. This may be teacher lecture, demonstrations, a short inquiry activity, etc. Day 1 will usually conclude with a formative summarizing activity which is to be completed prior to Day 2...your teacher will determine whether this is to be done in class or at home.
Day 2 and 3 are set aside for lab/activity based instruction. These days will allow for one big content based lab or multiple content focused activities to be performed along with instruction based on your results and observations. This instruction may range from individual to whole class depending on the activity and individual needs. Each lab will allow you to truly scientifically discover, explore, and analyze some basic and important aspects of the concepts presented on Day 1 as well as take you deeper into the content. The labs will also help you learn and apply scientific skills such as: computer assisted data collection, graphing, performing scientific measurements and calculations, as well as working in groups so that all benefit. You will have your own data /observations as well as any required analysis. Most of the labs will be graded by your teacher as you work through activities. Some analysis questions may need to be completed for homework if you get behind during class. All of your work from the labs and activities will be due at the end of Day 3.
Day 4's first two sessions will consist of the final content instruction. The details of this instruction will be focused according to the overall progress/needs of the class during the first three days of the chunk. The final session will be the 12Q formative assessment for the chunk. The 12Q will consist of 12 questions which are representative of the concepts covered and to be assessed on the summative assessment on Day 5. The 12Q will be graded in class by you the students, using the teacher’s key. The key will also be available on the course website for reference. You will keep the questions to help you prepare for 20Q summative assessment. Your teacher will use the results of the formative assessment provide topic appropriate remediation or extension in order to further your understanding of the concepts presented. You should absolutely study for the 20Q on Day 5. Homework for Day 4 is always to complete the Chunk review sheet, if you have not done so already.
Day 5 is remediation, extension, and a summative assessment. You will have a task(s) to complete, either remediation or extension, based on your performance on the 12Q. The task(s) completed on Day 5 will be recorded for a grade. You will turn in your remediation work and review sheet prior to the final session of the day. During the final session of Day 5 you will take the 20Q summative assessment which does count as a grade, it’s basically a quiz. Following the 20Q you will be provided the Objectives/Review Sheet for the next chunk so you can begin working on the next topics…mainly the Key Terms assignment.
The following are the units of study in Physics. The boldface titles represent the Standard Units
TOPIC | STANDARD | TOPIC | STANDARD |
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Analyzing Motion (27%) | SP 1 | Analyzing Electricity & Magnetism (16%) | SP 5 |
Speed & velocity | a, b, c | Electrostatics | a |
Acceleration & Gravity | a, b, c | Current & Circuits | a, b, c, |
Vectors & Projectiles | b, c, f | Magnetism & Motors | a, d |
Newton’s Laws | d, h | | |
Application of Newton’s Laws | d, e, f, g, h |
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Evaluating Energy (11%) | SP 2 | SP 3 | Exploring Waves (23%) | SP 4 |
Momentum | | c, d, e | Wave Properties | b, c, d |
Mechanical Energy | | a, b, g | Sound | b, c, d |
Thermal Energy/nuclear | a, b | a, f | Light | a, b, c |
| | Optics | b, e |
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Final Exam (10%) | ALL |
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Culminating Project (10%) | N/A | Characteristics of Science (3%) | SCh |
The Culminating Project
· This is a semester-long project designed to allow you to explore physics based more on your individual interests.
· It is part of Hillgrove's preparation for the Senior Project.
· Refer to the specific guidelines provided for the project for more details and due dates.
The Final Exam
u Multiple choice (1 pt each) + 1-5 drill/performance; usually about 80+ questions.
u Detailed cumulative of entire semester.
u You should keep all Objective/Review sheets and materials from each chunk to help you prepare for the final. You will also be provided access to an additional Final Exam Review Sheet.