Course Syllabus

Honors Physics 9

Email:  Monizc@wellesleyps.org

Looking for extra help?  My schedule, availability in the Science Resource Center, and office hours are all listed here!

Office Hours:  Friday mornings from 6:55 - 7:25 in room 248.

Course Description: 

“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 in order 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.   

Expectations

1. Be on time.
2. Be ready to learn - have an engaged mind.
3. Bring all necessary materials with you to class.  See below for details.
4. Be respectful of both your teacher and your peers.
5. Be patient and kind.  
6. Be respectful of any class equipment.  Use it only as it was designated to use.  Follow lab safety guidelines at all times.
7. Work collaboratively with your peers in a respectful and constructive manner during group work.
8. Adhere to the WHS Cell Phone Policy at all times.
9. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any way. Procedures as outlined by the Student Handbook will be followed if anyone is caught copying others work or letting someone else copy their own work.  Penalties for cheating will be determined on a case by case basis.  Please be mindful of doing your own work on Google Docs.

Materials:  please bring the following with you EVERY class :

• Binder and notebook OR loose-leaf lined paper
• Writing utensils
• Scientific Calculator
• Charged Laptop (or w/ charger)
• Headphones

Yearly Grading Policy:

22% - Q1 - Q4

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

Quarter Grading Policy:

Assessments: 65%

Labs: 25%

Classwork / Homework:  10%

Students who are unhappy or concerned about their grade(s) should talk to me.  I am always willing to discuss your grade and how you are doing in class.  My job is to make sure you succeed, so if there is a problem, we should discuss it.  However, this should be done by appointment NOT during class time. You are also encouraged to see me for extra help if you need it.  You can also email me if you need help.  Don’t wait until it is too late to change your grade!

Curriculum:

1. Light
2. Waves
3. Electromagnetic Waves
4. Static Electricity
5. Circuits
6. Electromagnetism
7. Constant Velocity
8. Acceleration
9. Forces
10. Momentum / Energy

Absences:

• If you are absent from class, check Canvas for the work to complete. You can also email me to discuss what you missed and the best way to catch you up.
• If you will be out for an extended period, please let me know so we can work out a way to catch you up!
• If I am absent, I will communicate my expectations for class through a Canvas announcement. I expect work assigned on classes that I am out to be completed.
• When in doubt, stay out!  If you are not well enough to be in school, please stay home!

 

Class Policies

• No late work is accepted beyond the last day of the unit, unless extenuating circumstances exist.  If you have an extenuating circumstance please discuss it with me so we can work out the best way for you to stay up to date and successful in class!  

 

• No extra credit - be proactive, and not reactive about your grade!

 

• Follow the lab safety guidelines any time we are using lab equipment.

 

• Wash your hands!  There are hand sanitizer stations around the room.  If you walk by one, hand sanitize!

 

Grading Policies:

• Homework:  Homework will be assigned nightly.  Homework is checked for completion, not accuracy, as this is the time for you to practice the concepts we have learned without penalty.  If you are struggling with a problem, you still need to TRY, given the methods we have discussed in class.  If you get stuck, that is OK, but try not to just skip the problem.  Some homework assignments (such as a lab extension or Canvas quiz) may be graded for accuracy if you have already had practice opportunities.

 

• Labs are graded based on accuracy and may sometimes need to be completed for homework.  Labs are mostly completed in class.  Depending on the lab and available equipment it may be completed with a group, partner, or individually.  Nearly all labs are turned in and graded individually, even when working with a partner or group.  The work you turn in must be in your own words.  Labs vary in their point total based on the length, content, and difficulty of the lab.

 

• Late Work:  All late work must be turned in by the day of the unit test for that unit, after which you will receive a zero.

 

• Tests are paper / pencil in class and 40 minutes in length.  If you utilize extended time via DCAP (see below) this qualifies you for 10 additional minutes (50 minutes total).  If you receive 50% extended time for an IEP or 504 you will have the full 60 minutes for the test during the class period.  If you qualify o take your test in a learning center please be sure to arrange this with me IN ADVANCE.  If you are absent on the day of a test please email me as soon as you are able to arrange a time to make up your test.  If you know you are going to be absent before the test please see me before the day of your absence.

“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."

• If you earn below a 73% on a test you can retake the test to earn up to a 73%.  You may do this twice during quarter 1, and for only 1 test during quarters 2-4.  Makeups opportunities do NOT rollover 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%.

 

• Class Participation:  You are expected to come to class each day on time, prepared to learn, respect both your peers and myself, and be engaged in the day’s activities.  Participation is expected.  You should try to contribute to class each day.