Honors Physical Science (Section 3)

Welcome to your first formal class in physics.  Physics is the fundamental (basic) science of how things work in nature.  Some of the things in physics that we will deal with are:

      How a car accelerates.

      How an asteroid could fall towards Earth.

      Why the planets and the moons stay in orbit.

      How a car accident works.

      The way a fighter lands (or takes) a punch or applies a submission.

      How a catapult works.

      Basic rocket science.

      How a supernova has created everything around you, including you.

      The physics of bowling.

      Physics and math.

Hopefully by the end of the year you will:

      Have a complete understanding of what physics is.

      Know what physics could possibly have to do with you and the rest of the universe.

      Know what physics can and is used for.

      Develop organizational and problem solving skills.

      Know what your goals are.

      Understand why knowledge is the most important thing in your life.

Please take this course very seriously since I have very high expectations of you.  Since this is an honors class we will be covering material either faster and/or with more detail (which including a more mathematical intensive perspective of physics).  The flow of the class and your success depends on following the procedures, routines, and rules.

Classroom Routines

1. Come to class and start working at your assigned desk before the bell rings – warm ups will be displayed at the beginning of class.
2. Turn in your homework before the bell rings – if you do not it will be marked late (a 10% decrease in your homework grade).  If you did not turn homework in on the day it was due you may turn it in for late credit before the bell rings for the next class period (again, for a 10% decrease in your grade).
3. Assigned group/partner work – yes, I will have you pairing up with each other to complete lessons, check each other’s work, or discussion what was learned in the lesson.
4. Ask permission to use the bathroom.
5. Remain inside the class at all times.
6. Take note of the homework assignment on the overhead and write it down.
7. If you were absent it is your responsibility to see me about what assignments need to be made up (do not ask during class).  You need to have your absences excused in order to get make up work.  Understand that if you do not get excused you may receive a 0 for that assignment.

Classroom Rules/Guidelines

1. Be here – falling behind is not fun.
2. Be on time.
3. Be prepared – bring all necessary materials to class.
4. Be focused – listen and pay attention to what’s going on.
5. Be respectful of yourself and others.
6. Be honest with your work – DO NOT CHEAT!
7. Audio/video devices (mp3 players, game consoles, laptops, and cell phones) are to be put away and not to be used during class (this is a school-wide policy, you may be suspended if this becomes a problem).
8. Have an open mind.

Negative Consequences

1. Warning.
2. Detention and/or student-teacher conference.
3. Phone call home.
4. Referral to administration office.

Positive Consequences

1. Good grades.
2. Phone call home (the good kind).
3. Opportunity and success.

Grading Policy

·         Daily Work – 50 %

o   Homework

o   Practice worksheets

o   Class activities

o   Quizzes

o   Labs

·         Tests/Projects – 50 %

o   Tests

o   Projects

o    Interactive Binder

Grade Scale

100 – 97 A+

96 – 93 A

92 – 90 A-

89 – 87 B+

86 – 83 B

80 – 82 B-

79 – 77 C+

76 – 73 C

72 – 70 C-

69 – 60 I*

59 – 0 F