A.P. PHYSICS
Mrs. Stone
drhoades@alpinedistrict.org
801-376-7532
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a Calculus based Physics class designed to prepare you for the AP Physics C Mechanics test. Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in Calculus and must have previously taken Physics.
| You will need the following items: | Textbook:Physics for Scientists and Engineers A graphing calculator A lab notebook A brain |
PREREQUISITES
1: In order to take this class you MUST be in AP Calculus.
(Or have already taken it.)
2: In order to take this class you SHOULD have already taken regular physics.
(The only exception is if you have already completed AP Calculus.)
3: In order to have a decent chance of passing the end of year AP Exam, you should have a Math/Sci ACT score of 26 or higher. If you are significantly lower than this, you are probably setting yourself up to fail.
If you do not meet the base requirements, then you should seriously consider transferring out of the class.
GRADING
Grades are earned by students, not given by teachers. Grades are based on a student's performance and effort. By definition a grade of ‘C’ indicates mediocre. An ‘A; indicates exceptional concept mastery and work ethic. Getting an ‘A’ in this class is very straightforward. Learn the material and show me that you understand it! The AP Test is based on a scale from 1-5. Grades in this class are calculated in a similar fashion.
| % | Grade | % | Grade | % | Grade | % | Grade | % | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97-100 | 80-84 | 67-69 | 57-59 | Below 50 | |||||
| 93-96 | 75-79 | 63-66 | 53-56 | Really Bad | |||||
| 85-92 | 70-74 | 60-62 | 50-52 | Super Bad |
Your overall grade will be determined accordingly:
| Tests Quizzes Labs Homework |
40 % 10 % 20% 30 % |
I DO NOT GIVE EXTRA CREDIT. However, lost points can sometimes be redeemed by proving a current mastery of the topic involved. Talk to me about writing a personal contract.
HOMEWORK & LATEWORK
There will be homework every day! Most assignments are available online. If you do not have internet access, computers are available here at the school. Each assignment is worth 10 points. It is due the midnight BEFORE the next class. It will be accepted for half credit until the midnight BEFORE the unit test. It will NOT be accepted after the unit test. If you know you are going to be absent then download the lecture notes for that day and do the homework anyway. AN ABSENCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR LATE HOMEWORK!
TUTORING LABS
Students are required to sign up for (and attend) two after school tutoring labs to help regular Physics students with their assignments. These are scheduled for Tues/Wed/Thurs.
I would recommend forming large study groups and working on assignments together. It will save you time and frustration and make the work more enjoyable by being with a group. Computers are available in the Science Lab (Room 11) after school. Get your work done there, and you won't have to do it at home.
LAB WORK
This class is lab intensive. These labs are designed to force students to apply the concepts and equations in real world situations. Do NOT take them lightly. The AP Test is highly lab based. Students are expected to participate in all labs, contribute to their group, and treat the equipment with respect. Students that are endangering the safety of the lab equipment or other students will not be allowed to participate in future labs. A lab notebook is required and should be used for all class labs.
READING LOGS
Each unit comes with reading assignments from the book. These assignments are NOT suggestions. It is critical that you learn how to read and UNDERSTAND the Physics at the college level. The passages can be confusing and often need to be read more than once in order to make sense. Do not just skip over math formulas. Rather, follow through with the book as they derive equations step by step. Reading logs are due with each test. These logs consist of the following:
VOCABULARY
EQUATIONS
NOTES
ALL EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
PARTICIPATION POINTS
Students begin every term with 20 participation points. These points are lost through rude behavior or missing class time. If a student loses all 20 participation points they will receive an F in the class regardless of their current percentage! Here are a few examples:
| Tardy Cell Phone i-pod Calc Games |
-5 -5 -5 -5 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
We will often use cell phones in class to time labs. All other uses are prohibited. Do NOT send texts or play games during class.
HALL PASSES
Hall passes are for emergencies only! Use the bathroom and get a drink between classes. If you must leave the room, it will cost you 5 participation points.
CHEATING
DON’T DO IT! I will do whatever I can to help you pass this class. But if I catch you cheating, I have no choice but to give you a zero on the test/quiz/assignment. If I catch you twice, I will fail you. I've done it before.
PLAGIARISM
If I can find your source by ‘googling’ your paper, then you have plagiarized! I will not give you points for someone else's work. Just changing a few words, rearranging the sentences, or rewriting the sentences in your own words is STILL PLAGIARISM. The structure and flow of your paper, and all the sentences in it, should be your own. You only use your source to obtain facts. These facts should be referenced.
ATTENDANCE POLICY, DRESS CODE, & DISCRIMINATION
I follow all of the school policies as found in the student handbook. In addition, American Fork High School complies with the requirement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Therefore, no student shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, or disability. If you feel your rights have been violated, please contact Principal Finch at 756-8547 ext 303 or send email to jfinch@alpinedistrict.org If you have a special need, please let me know and we can work out a plan to assist you.