General Information for AP Physics:
Instructor: Bill Paine (wpaine2002@yahoo.com) (http://blmcchs.org/paine.html)
Welcome to an exciting year of physics. I'm looking forward to this year in investigating physics and preparing for the ap test, and if we have a little fun along the way, then thats just icing on the cake. I'm looking forward to getting to know each one of you. Please use the webpage frequently. There I will post calendars, announcements and homework. Here's the details about the class:
Text: College Physics
Above anything else: Please come see me any time you have a problem or question. I can be found from 7:45-8:00 in B29 (or somewhere in the vicinity), or after school 2:40-3:10. Otherwise, please arrange an appointment.
Materials Needed for Class:
=Notetaking equipment (eg pencil, notebook, paper etc)
=3 prong folder w/pockets for labs
=Scientific calculator (However, a graphing calculator will give you an advantage)
Grading: Each quarter will be worth 2/5 of your semester grade, leaving 1/5 for the final exam. Your grade will be composed of these factors:
Tests and Quizzes: ~60% The exams and quizzes will model the AP test in question style. This will hopefully relieve extraneous anxiety on AP test day.
Quizzes will not be announced. You are expected to keep pace with the material.
Labs ~10% If you had a chance to describe science as either static or dynamic what would you say? I would have to say that it is dynamic, ever changing. Science is not just memorizing and learning what other scientists have learned, but making our own discoveries before even opening the book. The labs will be a mix of the discovery "flavor" and traditional "flavor". The labs in class will help you to prepare for the lab section on the AP test (yes there is a lab section!). Further instruction will be provided on the lab handout.
Project:10%: Each quarter, each student will be responsible for teaching a lesson using powerpoint. The lesson must be at least 20 minutes long and be correct and engaging. You may pick any lesson to teach, just give me 2 days warning.
Homework/Class participation ~20%: Homework assignments provide me and you a chance to check your understanding of the material (before committing an "oops" on the exam).
All homework will receive credit in the gradebook. however, some days we may do a completion grade and some days I will collect the homework and grade it. This means that you must do a good quality assignment for each homework. Any homework that I believe is copied will not receive credit and will be returned with a detention slip stapled to the back.
Homework must:
-contain your name, date and assignment number at the top of the page
-be done in pencil (so you can erase)
-show all work and be done in an orderly fashion
-short answers/conceptual problems must be written in complete sentences
Homework that does not meet this criteria will not receive full credit.
Homework presentation: To receive all homework points for the week (5 days), each student must present one problem to the class on the board. The problem must show work or have an explanation and must be correct. That means, there will be at least 15 -25 problems each week as homework. Problems will be assigned on a first come first serve basis, starting after school of the day of assignment. This is worth two homework assignments.
I also expect everyone to be actively participating in class. That means taking notes, paying attention and asking good questions (or sharing "ah hah" moments).