Course Syllabus

Office Hours: Mondays 2:30-3:05.

Honors Physics 9

“I think nature’s imagination is so much greater than man’s, she’s never going to let us relax.” -Richard Feynman

Physics at the Honors level provides students with a comprehensive overview of the major topics in classical physics, including simple harmonic motion, sound and light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, static and current electricity, electromagnetism, motion and forces, momentum and energy. Emphasis will be placed on observing these concepts in everyday life in order to collect and analyze evidence to discover and understand the patterns that emerge. Students will engage in numerous investigations and hands-on activities to construct their own understanding of the material. Refinement of problem-solving, scientific writing, and science inquiry skills will be at the heart of this course. One of the primary goals of the course is to help students apply their understanding to solve problems. This is a challenging course that is suitable for those students who are proficient in reading, writing, math, and data analysis. This course prepares students for the Introductory Physics MCAS.   

What you need to bring: 

• Your device (Macbook, Chromebook, Windows Laptop, and …). Please bring your device to school fully charged. 

• Headphones or earbuds.

• Pencils, pens, and erasers.

• Scientific Calculator (must have EE or EXP button)

• An online place for Physics work (Make a Physics 2026-27 folder in your Google Drive)

• Binder (to keep and organize handouts)

• A notebook (Taking notes in this class is an essential criterion for success)

        You will be given a copy of the textbook “Conceptual Physics” in class. You will have access to a hard copy of the book. You will be asked to complete readings, online assignments, and activities using this resource. You do not need to bring the textbook to class. The textbook must be returned before taking the final exam, as per school policy.

Absentee Policy:

• If you know you are going to be absent, let me know beforehand. This is especially important for tests and quizzes. 
• Upon returning from an absence, check Canvas for assignments. You may also check with me for what you have missed. Do not do this at the beginning or the end of the class. Email me before the class to arrange a time to talk. 
• Any missed schoolwork, including but not limited to tests, quizzes, homework, etc. is due on the day a student returns to school.
• Most importantly, be proactive in reaching out to me. 
• Please refer to the student handbook for more information on the policies.

Class breakdown:

This class will be graded on a category-based system. Homework, classwork, and class participation make up 10% of your final grade. Labs are 25% of your grade, and the remaining 65% will be tests and summative quizzes. Assignments are due before the next class period. Please have them ready on your desk; I’ll walk around and check them while you do your “Do Now”. Late assignments may be accepted in special circumstances, no later than the unit test (for everyone, including students who take the test later).

Grading policy for the year: 

22% - Q1 - Q4

12% - Final Exam and Final Project (6% each)

Do Now

 Each day, there will be a “Do Now” assignment posted on the board. Students are expected to begin this immediately upon entering the classroom. 

Homework

Homework will be assigned almost every time the class meets. Some assignments will be graded on completion and accuracy, while others will be graded only on completion. If you are struggling with a problem, you still need to try using strategies explained in class. Textbook examples are also very helpful. If you are absent (excused or otherwise), you are responsible for checking online (Canvas) and making up your work.   

Classwork/ Labs

The majority of the class will consist of in-class activities and labs. Labs and activities will be completed in groups, but every student is responsible for passing in their own work. Reports should be written in your own words. Plagiarism is taken seriously; plagiarized reports will be graded as a 0. Students are expected to actively participate in all classroom activities, contribute to group work, and follow all lab procedures and safety guidelines. Labs are the best way to learn physics. Be creative and have fun. The grades for group projects are not group grades. Labs are graded based on accuracy and may sometimes need to be completed for homework. Labs vary in their point total based on the length, content, and difficulty of the lab.

Quizzes & Tests 

Tests might be made up if you received below 73%. You can make up to 73% on the makeup test. You can make-up up to two tests for Quarter one. For the rest of the year, you can only make up one test per quarter. You cannot roll over the make-ups from one quarter to the next. You cannot pick at the end of the quarter which test to retake (if you want to retake a test you need to decide at the end of that test).

Most units will have a mid-unit quiz.  If you perform better on the test than the quiz for the same unit, your test grade will replace your quiz grade up to a 73%.

 

“District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.  While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided.” 

Participation

Participation in this class is built on two things: Presence and Respect. Being present in class means you are arriving to class on time and contributing to classroom discussions. Upon arrival, you are going to start working on your “Do Now” activity.  Being respectful to your fellow classmates and teachers is equally important. Live by the ‘Golden Rule’ and give your full attention to whoever is speaking. It is extremely important that you participate in class discussions. It helps you understand the lesson better and lets me have a better understanding of where the students are so I can adjust my lesson. Everyone is expected to participate and ask questions. 

CLASSROOM RULES:

 No student may hinder the teacher from teaching or any other student from learning: 

1. RESPECT yourself and your teacher, classmates, and classroom materials/furnishings. 
2. Work hard and try your best. 
3. Listen carefully and follow directions. 
4. Pay attention and participate. 
5. Raise your hand to speak and use positive language. 
6. Remain seated; raise your hand if you need to leave the classroom. 
7. Clean up after yourself and return all materials. 
8. Follow all laboratory safety rules and the following school rules.

Consequences

Failure to follow the classroom rules/procedures or the school rules listed above will result in one or more of the following consequences: 

• Verbal warning 
• Points deducted from the day’s participation grade or current assignment 
• Email your support team, the school counselor, and or home. 

Remember:

Don’t wait until the last minute to ask questions or to reach out for help!

I am always available and more than happy to help you. You can always reach me after school at my email address (pourmandm@wellesleyps.org). Science Resource Center in room 257 (across from our classroom) is a great place to get extra help. Make sure to check out the schedule. 

Lastly, enjoy yourselves this year and have fun!

Donation: 

I would like to ask you to please bring in a box of tissues for the classroom if possible. That would be greatly appreciated.