Welcome to Mr. Klansek's Physics Class

2013-2014

 

 

Syllabus - Physics

 

 

 

Physics I

 

My Philosophies (what I expect to do and to get from everyone & give to everyone, all the time)

                Respect – People are inherently valuable.  Treat them that way.

                Effort – Everyone can do something of value.  ‘Losers’ are the people who choose not to.

                     --> Thought – Think about what you’re doing.  Thinking is what makes us human.

                Truth – Being honest takes courage.  Lying doesn’t change reality, it only makes life harder.

 

The Rules:

I do not have the authority to supersede any rules in our rulebook.  In fact, I want you to feel that I am completely unfair in my compliance with certain rules, including (but not limited to):

-The dress code                                                                  

-Being on time                                                                     

-Hostile environment (cursing, sexuality, race, religion...)

-Respecting school property

 

Class order (everyday)

Get in your assigned seats.  Complete your journalling for the day.  Be sure that you have a pen/pencil, notebook, textbook and any assignments due.  Then you can speak quietly with your friends until class gets started.  

 

The grades

Our class will be graded on a weighted average system.  That is, each category of assessment will be averaged, then included as portion of the final grade.  There is no extra credit in this class.

            Tests: 50%

                     Never open notebook, there will be one test per unit (1-2 chapters).  There will generally be more than one test per MP

            Quizzes & Projects: 25%

                     Ongoing assessments to demonstrate learning

            Work: 25%

                     Including homework, classwork, HW quizzes, activities

 

I do believe in partial credit.  If you do not receive full credit on an assessment question I will review the question for aspects you may have gotten correct and I will try to reward you for what you do right. If you feel that you deserve credit for something you've done, I will entertain the argument.  The caveat is that I strongly dislike comparisons.  If you can make an argument I will hear it, if you present me with someone else's work, I will make it fair by taking away their point.

Also, it is important to note that in order to receive full credit for an answer given on an assessment (a test or quiz) you must show a minimum amount of work.  That is, you must be able to clearly see how you arrived at your answer.  This may the numbers you put into your calculator, or more likely, the equation you used.

 

TIMLINESS:
All assignments (including Lab Reports) are due at the beginning of class. 

Late homework will be accepted for full credit until reviewed, and for ½ credit once reviewed.  HW that is more than 3 days late will not be accepted.Tests/quizzes can be made up for one week.  After that the assessment will be graded as a ZERO (unless other arrangements are made).

 

               

The Notes

We will use the Cornell Note-taking method.  Every day you will assess and summarize the notes and work from the day before.  I will periodically check your notebook to ensure consistency.



The Book

For Phyics we will be using Physics Principles and Problems by Glencoe Science.   We will use this book.  Most of you plan to attend post-secondary education (like college).  These institutions actually expect you to read your textbook!  Because this is a Senior-Level class I will try to motivate to begin reading your book.  These motivators will include questions based on the reading that are not discussed in class.

For 9th grade science we will be using several texts.

The (theoretical) Contract

I, Mr. Klansek, agree to the following:

-I will teach you as well as I can

-I will always try to be reasonable

-I will be patient, and listen to you when you have something to say

-I will try to give you a grade that you deserve (including if you deserve to fail)

 

I expect you to agree to the following:

-I will cooperate with Mr. Klansek and my contemporaries in the classroom.

-I will be patient.

-I will remind Mr. Klansek of his commitments before getting upset.

-I will respect my environment.

-I will try to learn.

 

 
The Schedule:
 
This is a 'soft schedule.'  That is, it is only meant for planning purposes.  The content matters more than the timeline, so dates will vary.
 

This is the 2013-14 Schedule for Physics.  More to follow.

Unit #

Unit Topic

Approximate Months

1

 Chapter 1 - Physics Skills ( Math ,Trig  & Vector review)

.50 (September)

2

Chapter 2 & 3 - Graphical Analysis, Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration

1 (September – October)

3

Chapter 4 – Newton’s Laws

0.75 (October – November)

4

Chapter 5 – 2D Vectors, Friction

0.75 (November – December)

5

Chapter 6 – Projectile, Circular, Relative Velocity

0.75 (December – January)

6

Fundamental Forces

0.25 ( Jan. – Feb.)

7

Chapter 7 – Gravity and Kepler’s laws

0.5 (February)

8

Chapter 10 & 11 – Work / Energy

0.75 (Feb. – March)

9

Chapter 9 – Momentum

0.75 (March-April)

10

Chapter 8 – Rotational (Supplemental topic)                

0.5 (April)

11

Chapter 14 – Vibrations and Waves

0.5 (April – May)

12

Chapter 15 – Sound

0.75 (May – June)

The Resources

We will use several internet-based resources. 

websites.pdesas.org/iklansek/

quia.com (username: <firstlast193>, password: <studentnumber>)

docs.google.com (username: “mr.klansek”, password: “imastudent”)

wiggio.com This is an instant communication site for HW etc. (sign-up using my website)

 

 
;