Class Information and Policies for Physics I
Welcome to Physics I! I am available for help and look forward to a great year with you.
Teacher: Mr. Wei
Classroom Number: P – 17
Phone: 309.828.5201 ext 1017
E-mail Address: weiw@district87.org
Web Address: www.district87.org/staff/weiw
Required Materials (Stuff you need to bring everyday!!!):
- Pens, pencils, paper and erasers
- Assignment Notebook
- Scientific calculator
(It doesn’t need to be a graphing one)
- 3 – ring binder/folder to organize handouts and taking notes
(It would be best if this binder/folder was dedicated to physics only)
- Physics Lab Notebook (This may be kept in the classroom)
- Textbooks
Course Objectives: Physics includes the study of motion, forces, energy, heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Each topic is explored through laboratory exercises, teacher demonstrations and student problem-solving exercises. Physics will help explain the natural world by answering such questions as: Why are astronauts weightless?; At what angle should a cannon be aimed to achieve maximum range?; Why is the sky blue?; and many others. Physics is necessary for any student considering a career in any area of science or engineering.
Grading: I follow the grading scale below. I do not curve your grades. I will also consider lab and class participation in issuing final grades, which can especially help you if you have a borderline grade. If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment with me outside of class. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT YOUR GRADE DURING CLASS TIME.
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% and Below
I believe that each of you can succeed in this class, and I am willing to help you along the way. Likewise, I expect you to put forth your best effort, help your classmates learn, and help me teach.
Types of Assignments: I try to give a variety of assignments since I believe each of you is unique and excels in some areas, yet needs to develop in others. All class work will fall under one or more of the following two categories, which are vital to this class:
1) HOW WELL DO I UNDERSTAND SCIENCE?
v Homework/Participation/Daily Points (10%) - Not all homework will be collected and graded for correctness, but I expect you to make a reasonable attempt at all homework assignments, as they will help you learn.
v Quizzes and Tests (50%) - Tests will always be announced in advance. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. Both are excellent ways for you to show me how much you understand.
2) HOW WELL DO I DO SCIENCE?
v Laboratory Assignments (40%) – You will be evaluated on how well you can perform in lab as well as communicating your findings.
Tardiness: When the bell rings, you should be in your seat, have everything under your seat except the materials you need for class, and be ready to learn. At the beginning of class, I will often have an activity on the whiteboard or overhead that you should begin working on.
Should you be late to class, enter as quietly as possible so as not to disrupt others, and speak to me AFTER class. DO NOT INTERRUPT CLASS TO EXPLAIN YOUR TARDINESS. The following outlines the penalties for being tardy.
v First offense: Warning
v Second offense: Warning
v Third offense: Referral to the assistant principal
v Sixth offense: Second referral to the assistant principal
Hall Passes: Each student will receive two hall passes. These hall passes may be used to go to your locker, washroom, get a drink of water, etc. Once your two passes are used up you will no longer be able to leave the room. Please use these only in emergencies. Trips to the nurse’s office are free.
Attendance and Make-Up Work: Your attendance in class everyday is CRUCIAL!!! No one else can experience this class for you.
When you return to class from an absence, you should:
a. Come see me for any missing assignments.
b. Get any missed notes from someone in the class or see me during office hours.
c. Turn in any assignments that are due.
In general, you will usually have as many days to make up the work as you were absent.
If you are absent on the day of a test or announced quiz, you are responsible for taking the test or quiz on the day you return. If you are absent the day before the test, you are expected to take the test the day you come back.
If you are absent on the day of a lab, you will not perform the lab experiment. You will still be expected to come in and get data from me and complete the laboratory assessment.
If you have a school-related absence or otherwise know you will be absent in advance, make an appointment to talk to me before the absence to see what work you will be missing.
Large projects or assignments assigned well in advance (I will let you know which assignments this applies to) will be due at the beginning of the period whether you are present or not. If you cannot attend school the day it is due, you must make arrangements to get the assignment to me on time (via classmate, sibling, parent, etc) or you will get a ZERO. Plan ahead and don’t leave large assignments to the last minute!
Students who are asked to leave class for behavioral reasons will receive a zero on all assignments due/completed on that day. This includes test and quizzes.
Late Work: Homework will usually be due at the beginning of the period. Any assignment that is not turned in when I ask for it will be considered late. No credit will be given to any assignments that are turned in late unless you were absent.
Extra Help: I will generally be available before and after school for additional assistance. If you need extra help, it is your responsibility to make an appointment and keep it!
Collaboration with Classmates: ACADEMIC HONESTY is expected at all times.
You will have many opportunities to work collaboratively both in class and out of class. Be sure, however, that you really are helping each other to understand the material. It is NOT all right to copy each other's answers! Students who are found copying or students who are allowing other students to copy will receive a grade of ZERO!!! Bottom line is DON’T CHEAT!!!
Behavior:
v Be on time. (That means in your seat when the 7th bell rings!)
v Remain in your seat at all times (Including before the dismissal bell rings).
v Be quiet at all times unless I address you (No talking out of turn or while you’re working)
v Be attentive at all times (No putting your head down, distracting others, working on other class work, etc).
v No portable electronics (cell phones, mp3 players, portable cd players, etc). If I see them, they’re mine!!!
v BE RESPECTFUL of your teacher, your classmates, school property, and yourself!
v Be prepared for class each day and follow directions the FIRST time they are given.
v Keep your area clean. This includes your desk area, lab area, and MOUTH (watch your language!).
If I feel your behavior is unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive to your or your classmates’ learning, I will always try to talk to you first so we can try to solve the problem together. I will also try other strategies such as detention conferences, phone calls home, referrals to the dean, and loss of lab privileges if talking with you does not seem to solve the problem.
Remember life is about choices. You always have a choice. Just remember with every choice you make there are consequences. There are both positive consequences known as rewards and there are negative consequences known as punishments. When you make a decision or a choice, be sure you know what those consequences will be.
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