INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SYLLABUS                                           2008 – 2009        

Instructor:

Mr. John-Paul Lavoie

Office:

Room 276 (next to 277!!!)

 

E-mail:

 

Phone #:

 

jlavoie@mtsd-vt.org

 

 

893-3230  ext. 276

                 v.m. 309

 

Office Hours:

 

Before school, after school, and during period 4.

 

Science Clinic:

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Physics: A First Course In this course we will ‘study’ how the earth works.  Most importantly we will explain, and communicate, why the earth works as it does.

 

This course will make good use of hands-on lab activities, explorations, and group projects.

 

Grade Level: 9

 

Textbook and Workbook:  Physics: A First Course, Tom Hsu, Ph.D. (As a reference)

 

Materials:  1 ½ inch 3-ring notebook with dividers, pencil, pen, highlighter, index cards, notebook paper, scientific calculator 

 

Goals:

  1. To ensure all students value the nature of, and strive to be, life-long learners.
  2. To provide students with opportunities to work individually and collaboratively in order  achieve goals and develop confidence in problem-solving, skills, technology, and communication (written, verbal, technological, scientific, and mathematical).
  3. To provide opportunities for students to become independent learners through the development of strong habits of mind.
  4. To have students recognize the effects that scientific knowledge has on our earth in order to become ethical and responsible stewards of our earth.

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

     1.  Forces affect the stability and equilibrium of systems within the universe, and there are    

          many forces at work in the universe which can produce patterns of change over time.

  1. Change in patterns provides scientists with the evidence in which to seek out, revise, and predict information about our universe.
  2. The universe functions as a larger system of interrelated parts and connections between   

      smaller systems.

  1. Force is an influence that can change the motion of an object.
  2. Energy is necessary for change to occur. 

 

Assessment Format: You may expect the following in terms of assessment for this course:

 

Formative Assessments – assessments used to support your learning. These assessments are designed to tell you, and me, how you are progressing and where we need to focus our attention. 

Ø      Quizzes, exit cards, homework, writing prompts, laboratory investigations, etc.

Summative Assessments – Generally, will occur at the end of a unit or grading period. These assessments are used to determine if the standards and expectations have been met:

Ø      Unit Projects

Ø      Lab reports

Ø      Writing assignments – Report, Persuasive essay, Procedure Paper

Ø      Midterm exam

Ø      Final exam

 

Grading will be completed using a point system.  The importance of an assignment will be related to the number of points it is worth. Small assignments will be worth 3-5 points while large projects may be worth up to 200 points. To calculate your grade divide the total points you have earned by the total number of points possible.

 

As a general rule, grades will break down in the following way (this is a rough guide):

            75% Summative Assessments

            15% Formative Assessments

           10 % Participation and Preparedness

 

The mid-term exam will count for 20% of your 1st semester grade, and the final exam will represent 20% of your final grade at the end of the course.

 

***** You may notice that “formative assessments” are only worth 15% of your grade.  This does not mean that homework, quizzes, etc. are not important or can be ignored.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Formative assessments are worth only 15% to ensure that you are free to make mistakes while you are learning material. Formative assessments are where much of your learning will take place. This learning will later be evaluated using the summative assessments. Focus on LEARNING and the grades will take care of themselves*****

 

 

Class Expectations:

 

  1. It is expected that you arrive on time for class prepared – science notebook, pen/pencil, calculator, assignments complete.  Failure to do so will affect your participation grade.

 

  1. I understand that sometimes you have to juggle many schedules such as school, work, family, sports, etc.  Finding a balance is extremely important.  If you find yourself struggling to meet the academic expectations, it is your responsibility to see me in order for us to address the issue.

 

  1. Completed homework is an expectation. Doing your homework may be the most important thing you can do to help yourself do well.

 

  1. Every student will be given 5 “free passes” at the beginning of the year.  These can be used to leave class to use the restroom, go to your locker, see the nurse, etc.  Each pass left at midterm and final exam time will be worth 1 extra credit point on these exams.

 

  1. Behavior:  Everybody has the right to learn. Any disruption or behavior that impairs those rights will be addressed in a manner in which appropriate consequences will result.  Student Handbook policies will be strictly adhered to.

 

  1. Cell phones, DVD players, MP3 players and other personal electronic devices not used for academic purposes need to be turned off while in class.  Failure to do so will result in notification of parents and administration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

          It is my pleasure to welcome you and your student into this school year.  It will be a challenging year but it will all be worth the effort.  I ask for your help to encourage your student to keep up with the work and discipline required for this class. Homework will be assigned after most classes. There will almost always be a project that my students can be working on. Please help them to understand the importance of keeping up with this work.

          I hope that I will have the opportunity to speak to each and every one of you in the future. If you have any questions about my class please feel free to call or e-mail me at school. The phone number is (802)893-3230 x276, and my e-mail address is jlavoie@mtsd-vt.org. I hope you and your student were able to read through the attached syllabus.  It will be an exciting year and I look forward to all it has in store.

          Please sign on the following page and provide contact information, should I need to contact you.

Thank you, Mr. Lavoie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*********************Please detach and return************************************

 

 

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