Physics 2010 – 2011
Instructor: Miss Gray
Room: G109
Phone:  495-1149 x 2057
E-mail: jgray@d49.org 

Course Text: Physics, 6th Edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall
Course Description:  Welcome to Physics! In this semester we will discuss motion, energy, momentum, fluids, and thermodynamics. Learning physics involves both understanding concepts and using these concepts to solve real world problems with applications in medicine, science, technology, and everyday life. Knowledge of the laws of physics can provide an excellent background for your career, or an understanding of the world around you, or it can simply help make you a better-informed, well-rounded citizen.
Materials:
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•	Physics Binder with dividers and          loose-leaf paper
•	Composition Lab Notebook
•	Textbook (to leave at home)
•	Red Felt Tip Pens 
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Pen (dark ink only) and Pencil
•	4 pk Expo Markers
•	Scientific Calculator or Graphing Calculator
•	Planner

Grading Scale: Points are received for various items based on total points. Letter grades are assigned based on the following scale.
A = 100% - 89.5%
B = 89.4% - 79.5%
C = 79.4% - 69.5%
D = 69.4% - 59.5%
F = 59.4% and below

Assignments: There will be a few chapter problems assigned each night. There is always the possibility that these problems may be collected for a grade. This means that it is important to work on these problems when they are assigned.  Other assignments will include worksheets, lab reports, projects, and group work. Come to class with your assignments completed. If an assignment is not turned in at the beginning of the period when called for, it will be considered late. Learning the material is the responsibility of each individual student, therefore completing the assignments is up to YOU, the student. Not everyone will require the same amount of practice to master the content of the course, but because of the academic rigor of this class, most students have to complete every assignment to be successful  Each student must complete their own work. Students found to be copying assignments or labs will receive zero points. 
Make Up: Two opportunities for makeup labs will be offered unless you make special arrangements IN ADVANCE with me to be gone. You may be working with another teacher or lab group during the makeup lab, but you are still responsible for turning in the lab write- up within one week. Labs must be made up within one week of the absence or a zero will be given. Those who come for lab day without a prelab complete will be asked to sign up for a makeup lab because they have not sufficiently reviewed the procedure to perform the lab safely. Please DO NOT turn in any make-up work to the substitute.
Semester Project: You will complete one project each semester. In the fall you will be able to choose to work with a team on the annual Rube-Goldberg competition, or you may work individually on a science fair project. In the spring, you will build a pine-box derby car that is modified to protect a raw egg in a collision. Each project is broken down into smaller assignments to help you meet the deadlines and manage your time. 
Attendance: You are expected to attend class on each scheduled day. If you miss class and the absence is excused, then you have two days (48 hours) to turn in any assignment that was given the day you were absent. If the assignment was given prior to your absence, then it is due the day you return for class. If you are absent on the day of a quiz or test and it was announced prior to your absence, then you must complete it the day of your return or it will be considered late. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent, get assignments prior to your absence and turn them in early. Physics is a tough class to miss and make up. Each class begins with a ten minute quiz, called the Warm-Up. If you need more time to work out the problems, you should come early, but it is critical to be on time. You will receive a warning for your first tardy, but after that, a three-strike policy will be enforced. If you are late three times, you will be expected to make up the time you missed by serving after school detention as well as any other consequences outlined by the student handbook. BE ON TIME!!!
Extra Help: Extra help is often available by appointment before and after school, but you will always catch me tutoring after school on WEDNESDAYS.  If you need to get help at another time, there are resources available to you at UCCS in the Science Learning Center, peer tutors, or private tutors. If you need a referral, please let me know.
Ticket To a Retake:  Each student has the option to retake each unit test once and will receive the higher score. If you want to retake a unit test, you must meet these conditions:
1.	Have all homework from the unit complete
2.	Complete test corrections from the original test
3.	Schedule a time before or after school to retake the test. 

Class Rules:  In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning for all students, there must be discipline and structure in the classroom.  
1.	Be prepared for class and working when the bell rings.
2.	Follow classroom procedures and directions the first time.
3.	Keep words and actions respectful at all times.
4.	Refrain from distracting behaviors.
5.	Be aware of all safety rules and signs for this Physics lab. Remember that we may be working with volatile substances and that these rules are set up for your safety.
Violation of class rules may result in parental involvement, administrative action, work detention, or ultimately removal from the course. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

Physics Syllabus
Guiding Colorado State Standards
1.	Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation describe the relationships among forces acting on and between objects, their masses, and changes in their motion – but have limitations. 	
2.	Matter has definite structure that determines characteristic physical and chemical properties. 	
3.	Matter can change form through chemical or nuclear reactions abiding by the laws of conservation of mass and energy. 	
4.	Atoms bond in different ways to form molecules and compounds that have definite properties. 	
5.	Energy exists in many forms (mechanical, chemical, electrical, radiant, thermal, and nuclear) that can be quantified and experimentally determined. 	
6.	When energy changes form, it is neither created not destroyed; however, because some is necessarily lost as heat, the amount of energy available to do work decreases. 	
7.	Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation describe the relationships among forces acting on and between objects, their masses, and changes in their motion – but have limitations. 	

Outline of Topics
1.	Measurement and Problem Solving
2.	Motion – Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
3.	Force and Newton’s Laws
4.	Work, Energy, and Power
5.	Momentum and Collisions
6.	Gravity and Circular Motion 
7. 	Electricity – Forces, Fields, and Basic Circuits
8. 	Magnetism – Fields, Electromagnetism, Magnetic Materials
9. 	Optics – Reflection and Refraction of Light
10. 	Modern Physics – Relativity, QED, Nuclear Physics 

Falcon High School Physics

Please read these policies and discuss them with your child.  Your signature below indicates that you have received, read, and support the guidelines for this class.  Please complete the personal lab safety questions, then sign and return the bottom portion only.  Keep the top portion as a reference for yourself and your child.
Important Lab Safety Information about Your Child (check all that apply)
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o	wears contact lenses
o	sulfur allergies
o	latex allergies
o	heart condition
o	asthma
o	other severe allergies? (please specify below)
_________________________________

Parent Signature___________________________________________	Date_____________
In order for me to keep you informed about your child’s progress, please provide me with your most current contact information.
Telephone _________________________ Email ______________________________________

Student Signature__________________________________________	Date_____________