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"Information for Parents; A Memo Home"- The First Week Memo Home "How this Physics Class Works" - The integration of the Textbook, Workbook and the Internet "Using the Emergency Bathroom Pass" - Rules for using the Emergency Bathroom Pass "Physics Class 1st Day Information"- Physics Class Start-Up / Things to know "Physics Class 1st Day Information"- A Letter to the Student and Parent "Physics Class 2nd Day Information"- Using the Internet "Physics Class 3rd Day Information"- Reminders, Filling out Forms and Preparing your Physics Journal "Physics Class 4th, 5th, & 6th Day Information"- Using the Lab and doing Experiments "The Paper Tower Lab"- An
Optional "Getting to Know Your Lab Partner(s)" Activity
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Welcome to Physics. There were pre-requisite courses listed in the course curriculum guide that you were required to have taken to be eligible for this course in physics, which you are currently enrolled in. Pre-requisites are necessary, because knowledge builds on knowledge and skills build on skills. You may have to do some extra review, drill and practice, if your knowledge and skills from these previous courses is not what it should be. Make sure that you take this seriously and spend the extra time necessary to remediate your-self. Help, if you need it, will be available before and after school. There are certain things that you need to know to have a successful experience in this course. To begin with you need to read the handout titled “A Letter to the Students and Parents”. You will find the information contained in this letter essential to your success in your physics class. This letter is to be read by your parents as well as by you, so one of your tasks is take this letter home and give it to them immediately, so they may read it as well. You’ll also receive a second handout. This handout needs to be filled out by you. It consists of four pages of information that is to be filled out and returned ASAP to your instructor. If your instructor requires it, you will also receive a memo for your parents, which you are to take home to them. After they have filled it out, you are to return it to your physics instructor. We begin the course by getting any start up chores completed first and then move right into Topic 1 “Physics, A Mathematical Science”. Expect that you will have an evaluation in the form of a quiz or test on the average of once per week. During the first few weeks of school you’ll be:
It needs to be said and bears repeating that this is a serious and challenging course. You are expected to be focused and organized from day one. So in addition to what is said in the Letter to the Student and Parent here are just a few reminders. 1. Get your text, workbook, notebook (to be used as a journal), and
other supplies ASAP.
If you have any questions about rules and procedures, now is the
best time to ask.
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Each physics course is designed around a core of physics concepts called Topics. These topics are organized in a typical order followed by most instructors and authors across the U.S. and other countries to provide you an experience similar to what other college bound students will have. The textbook (TB) has been written by a group of authors who have worked along with the publisher to produce a quality product that allows you access to a reference book (your Textbook) that is written at an appropriate reading level of someone like you who is following a typical high school curriculum. The authors wrote a book that covers a broad range of topics rather than a book unique to an individual school’s science curriculum. The topics covered and the depth at which the topics are studied is a function of the course and the level at which the course is being taught. The Web Site "www.physicsphenomena.com" (WS) and the Workbook (WB) define the core material of your course. The WS, through typed notes, describes the topics to be covered, where each topic’s notes contain the basic information common to all levels of classes taught. (It also contains a number of lessons pertainng to the topics being studied. These may appear in the form of a web page containing typed notes and/or a power point presentation.) The WB also contains the basic problem solving skills used by all levels. Course levels A, B and H are distinguished by the amount and depth of the information being investigated (researched and studied) and the complexity of the problems and tasks assigned to them. The “Physics Academy” page of the physicsphenomena web site, described above, contains access (via a link) to the daily/weekly schedule for each level of class that a student is enrolled in. A student should expect to check this page each day to be sure they are up to date on all assigned work. Even, if a student has been in class, it is a good idea to check this page on the chance that they may have misunderstood verbal directions. It is always a good idea to check this page from home or through our local library when absent from school so you don't fall too far behind. The Bottom Line: When you are assigned a task it is your job to do it correctly in the allotted time. You are not going to be rewarded for turning work in late. "The responsibility is on your shoulders and no one else’s." This applies whether the task is as simple as bringing your subject matter materials and supplies with you each day or studying for a major test. Learning is personal, something you have to do yourself and not something that someone else does to / for you. Just as another person cannot exercise for you to make your body strong and healthy, so to another person cannot study for you to make you smarter. The school, the administration and your teachers are all here to facilitate your learning. This means that it is their function to provide an environment that allows you to access the necessary information you need to successfully learn the subject matter more quickly and efficiently than if you were to do independent study. Your responsibility is to make this so. |
| RULES FOR USING THE 4TH HALL CLASSROOM
EMERGENCY BATHROOM PASS: 1. ASK YOUR TEACHER’S PERMISION 2. HAND YOUR TEACHER YOUR ID TO HOLD
3. FILL OUT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION ON THE
• THE DATE
4. WHEN YOU RETURN FROM THE BATHROOM ETC. • FILL IN THE TIME YOU RETURNED
5. REMINDERS: • THIS IS A 4TH HALL PASS, SO REMAIN IN 4TH HALL
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A Letter to Students and Parents Dear Student/Parent, This letter addresses the most sought after information about this course. It is organized in the order of the most frequently asked questions. Information about the course content is not included in this letter. I. Supplies: Textbook- If you are in a Honors level, A-level or B-level class physics class you will be purchasing a Textbook called "Physics, Principles and Problems" It is available through the Marian Catholic High School on-line bookstore, beginning on the day of schedule pick up in July. You will find a link to this on-line bookstore by going to Marian’s web site and selecting “virtual bookstore” on the “Academics” drop down menu. On this virtual bookstore page you’ll find a link (mbsbooks) that will take you to the on-line bookstore. There may also be a link for the virtual bookstore under the Current News list on the right side of Marian's web site main page. Additional Things to purchase: Workbook & Notebook Honors Level- Honors level students will need to purchase a two book packet from the Marian Catholic Campus Bookstore. The first book is the physics workbook and is titled "Physicsphenomena.com - PHYSICS: Problem Solving and Activities WORKBOOK. It complements the physics concepts being presented on the Physicphenomena web site by providing problem sets which introduce the student to the mathematical side of physics inquiry. The second book is a specific notebook chosen by the instructor to be used by the honors student to create the honors student's own Physics Journal. The importance of these two books is significant and extra credit will be awarded for purchasing the packet through the bookstore. If a student chooses to purchase a different notebook for whatever reason than the one being sold as part of the packet in Marian's on campus bookstore, they will not be penalized, but they will not receive the extra credit. Workbook & Notebook A and B Level- A and B level Students will need to purchase: 1. A physics workbook from the Marian Catholic Campus Bookstore.
2. A notebook from whatever store they prefer. There is a recommended
notebook. Continue reading to find out more*.
Binder- The workbook is placed in this. (DO NOT remove the plastic from workbook until you have placed it in the binder and closed the rings.) Folder- To keep clean, loose leaf and graph paper as well as
returned papers in, unless you purchase a binder large enough to accommodate
additional materials in addition to the workbook.
Loose-leaf- For doing tests, quizzes and assignments Graph Paper- For making charts and graphs of data Writing Tools- # 2 Pencils and Either Black or Blue Ink Pens. 12 inch English-Metric Ruler- Recommend type has holes drilled in it to fit in a binder. Protractor- used for measuring and constructing angles. Recommend the clear type with the six inch ruler for the base and a small hole at the center of the ruler in which you may insert a piece of string. Algebraic Calculator- Note: only NON-GRAPHING ALGEBRAIC CALCULATORS may be used on evaluations. NO graphing calculators are permitted during Tests and Quizzes. However, they may be used for all other work. Make sure you know how to use the one you bring to class for tests and quizzes. Otherwise you will have to do the work with paper and pencil. THERE IS NO THIRD CHOICE. Recommended are the TI-30X IIS solar or the TI-30Xa solar. II. Expectations & Evaluations: 1. Tests- Semester and Quarter tests- These are used for evaluation of the learning over long periods of time. The Weekly Quiz / Test- These would usually involve lesser amounts of material, often, but not always, focusing on vocabulary, concepts, and problem solving. Expect homework based quiz questions drawn from practice problems sets, reading assignments, lab activities, and other assigned tasks. 2. Notes and Practice Problem Sets- Students are expected to develop a very thorough set of study notes in what is referred to as the "Physics Journal" (This is in reference to your spiral notebook). This journal should include information gathered from classroom presentations, on-line notes, textbook assignments, workbook problem solving activities, and laboratory activities (often overlooked ). This notebook should also include the practice problem solutions which are assigned from various sources using a problem solving format called GFESA. If these notes are developed on a daily basis, and used to study from, the student ends up with a reasonably thorough study guide for both quizzes and tests. All notes should be dated for easy reference in class and during personal review / study. Notes need to be always written or printed legibly. Both legible printing and / or cursive writing is acceptable for use in developing the notebook. 3. Problem Solving Exercises- These are problem sets found within the workbook. They reflect problem solving skills that must be mastered. Periodically, points are awarded either for exercises that are completed correctly and turned in on time or for quizzes based on these problems. 4. Activities- These are mostly lab based activities in the form of experiments. They provide some hands on experience in specific topics studied. Periodically, points are awarded for activities completed correctly and turned in on time. 5. Special Activities- These are occasionally assigned. They may be in the form of research, perhaps in the form of a research paper, or involve a computer related project. Points are assigned according to the amount of work involved in completing the project and the quality of the work done. 6. Class Participation- This area of student behavior is not necessarily assigned points. In part, the reason for this is that it may appear to be subjective rather than objective, as it is usually intended to be. It is best to evaluate objectively rather than subjectively. Also, all students are expected to be prepared to answer questions and should be prepared to do so at all times, whether they raise their hand to indicate that they wish to be called on or not. Repeated failure to answer questions correctly during class discussions will not result in the loss of points, but will be duly noted for the purpose of parent conferences and the filling out of information on high school and college evaluations. 7. Grades- Grades are determined by calculating a student's total points and dividing this total by the maximum number of points the student could have earned. This value is then expressed as a percent. A mid-quarter and quarter grade are given in this course. While students are able to find out their grades as soon as is possible, the time interval may vary, depending on what the grade is, when it was given, and how many persons missed the evaluation, because of absence due to either illness or school sanctioned activities. Note: Formative evaluations (evaluations done during a quarter) are returned to the student, because their purpose is to "...,help, shape, develop, mold,..." [Webster] a person, and it is useful to see one's mistakes and see how to avoid them in the future. Summative evaluations (quarter and semester tests), on the other hand, are not returned because their purpose is to provide a "final summing up of ..." [Webster] a person's performance at the end of a grading period and are not for the purpose of instruction. The student is informed of the grades on summative tests. Parents and students should check the student handbook for information about making up missed work due to absences. There is a time limit defined by the school for making up tests, quizzes, and assigned work. Failing to make up work definitely affects the grade. 8. Extra-credit- As the administration has pointed out over the years, extra-credit is for the student who has met the requirements of the course, done well, and needs additional challenges. It is not intended for the student who is doing poorly, who is not investing enough time in the required work, and who certainly doesn't need a teacher loading them up with additional work. This student needs to invest more of his/her time in studying and doing more practice problems. Extra-credit is not intended to be an easy assignment, worth lots of points, that a student acquires without much real effort, so they don't have to accept the low grade they have earned. There may be times when an extra-credit question or problem will appear on a test or quiz. Such a question or problem will be designed to go beyond the level of the typical problem in the unit currently under study, and will challenge the student to synthesize an answer. 9. Attendance- Absences should be avoided except for illness or a family crisis. Missing class has a negative impact on the student's learning, because it interrupts the progression of lessons and leaves the student having to learn material on their own. A student is seldom as successful learning material and testing well when absent as they are when present in class. This is true whether the student misses class because they stayed home or misses class because they volunteered for an in school activity which took them out of class. Students need to choose wisely from the smorgasbord of in school activities that cause them to miss class. III. Classroom Rules and Procedures: (These statements complement the school rules and the physics classroom / laboratory rules) #1. Students are expected through their behavior to contribute to the learning environment. Any actions which interfere with the learning of one or more students in the class, interfere with instruction, or in any way show disrespect or lack of courtesy towards another individual or group of individuals, are punishable by one of the following actions: after school detention, school detention, or a referral, which may result in suspension or even expulsion depending on circumstances. ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY in the classroom as well as in other parts of the school building and grounds.. #2. Students should be sitting in their assigned seats when the bell to begin class sounds. They are to have their materials out, open on their desk, ready for class to begin. They are to remain in their place until they are dismissed. If instruction is delayed or interrupted, students should study current physics materials until class begins or resumes respectively. #3. If students are using government textbooks they are in effect borrowing them and have an obligation to keep them in good condition. They are expected to keep Government Textbooks covered at all times. These are on loan to the student. When a cover shows wear, the student, who is assigned the book, is expected to replace it immediately to avoid damaging the book and having fines assessed. Students who do not wish to see that the book is kept covered may purchase the book at full replacement cost. Penalties for not keeping the book regularly covered include after school class detentions and fines. Students who purchase textbooks may want to cover them so they stay in good condition and do not lose their value. (Since they, or more correctly their parents own them, it is the owners choice whether to cover or not.) #4. All work turned in must have complete, correct headings consisting
of the following in the order shown and located in the upper right-hand
corner of the page. Points may be detucted from work turned in with incorrect
or incomplete headings. (See the following example)
(Student Name) Mary Smith
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Using the Internet
Students in all levels of Physics use the Internet. It is an integral part of the course just as the textbook, workbook and journal are an integral part of the course. The first Internet assignment is to go to the web site www.physicsphenomena.com and follow these directions. 1. On the Index Page which welcomes students and visitors to the site scroll down the left margin to the area titled "Link to My Student Pages" 2. Click on the link in this area titled "Student Information”. This opens the Student Information page. 3. On the right side under Student Information you are to click on the link titled "General Start Up Information" and read the information found there. 4. Click back to the student information page and click on the second link "The General Rules of Conduct in the physics lab". These are the rules that you are to write down on the first page of your journal-notebook. 5. Click back to the student information page and in the left column click on the link titled "Physics - Class Schedule Information". On this page under student information you will see a whole list of links beginning with "Welcome Back". You are to do the following: a. Click on the "Welcome Back" link and read the information.
Once you have finished this list of tasks your first Internet assignment has been completed except for filling out the information on the bottom of this page. Read the following directions and complete the form. I, (print your name) _____________________________________________Per #_____ have completed the above Internet assignment. Your (legible) signature _________________________________________Date_______
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If you have been taking your responsibility seriously and doing what any mature adult taking a course would do, you have followed the directions given over the last few days and completed the assigned tasks. 1. Reminders: By now you should have purchased all of the assigned
materials as listed in the Letter to the student and parent. This includes:
2. Today we will be:
3. Your Resources:
4. Today's Assignment: Your assignment today is two fold.
Note: Do not write anything else in your your NB until you are instructed to do so. |
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1. As you were told in a previous H-O, if you are assigned to Mr. Tillotson's class, you are meeting in room 421, and if you are assigned to Mr. Feimer's class you are meeting in room 417, which is also the physics lab. Generally, when you are scheduled to do a lab activity you will need to be in room 417. This means that Mr. Tillotson's classes and Mr. Feimer’s classes will be trading rooms periodically for the purpose of doing lab activities. Usually an announcement or reminder will be given in advance and a reminder to change rooms will be posted on the class next to each of the classroom doors. 2. Most likely you will be assigned a seat location alphabetically. This is helpful for both your teacher and any assigned substitute teacher whio takes over the class when your teacher is out of the building. In the case of Mr. Feimer’s students the position assigned in class is the same position for lab. In the case of Mr. Tillotson's students the seat position assigned in class defines the seat position assigned in the lab. This means if you are assigned a seat, which is 3 seats back and two seats over from white board wall on your right when you are facing the front board in room 421, you will be three seats back and two seats over from the wall when you are facing the front board in room 417, the physics lab. The same applies to Mr. Feimers students when they switch rooms and move to room 421. They will occupy the same seat position in 421 that they have in the room 417, the physics lab. 3. You will be assigned in the lab to work with one or two other people based on your assigned location. If you are sitting on the half of the lab bench towards the wall side of the lab (417), you will have one or two lab partners depending on whether the first three seats counting from the wall are filled or only two are occupied. If you are sitting on the half of the lab bench towards the window side of the lab (417), where the desktop computers are located, you will have only one partner, because the desktop computer is in the last seat. If you and your partner(s) sit on the wall side of the lab, you will be assigned to a laptop computer, and if you are sitting on the window side of the lab you will be assigned to a desktop computer when work involving the use of a computer is being done. Lab computers are to be used for physics activities only. Remember that unless you feel an urge to earn a detention or other disciplinary action. 4. Laboratory Rules, Procedures, and Protocols will be explained over the course of the next few weeks as several activities are done. The number one rule for classroom and lab is that you must have your ID card with you at all times when you are in physics. It is used to check out specific equipment and in physics allolws you access to the emergency bathroom pass. Since you are required to have it with you at all times when you are at school this is no hardship. Also you have had the opportunity to have your picture taken on schedule pick up day, July 21, and again during the beginning of school, so there is no excuse for not having your photo in the ID system at this point. Very soon you will be expected to produce your ID and failure to do so will result in the appropriate action as defined by your student handbook. The carrying of a correct up to date 2006-2007 ID card is not a game and your failure to have one and or carry one is no one’s fault but your own. A Driver's licence or other form of ID is not an acceptable substitute for your student ID. Not following the rules is not an amusing anecdote, but rather is a failure in both judgment and maturity on your part. 5. During this first few weeks of school you will be doing your first
lab activity which involves working with measurement using the metric system.
As you will be told many times between now and the Topic 1and 2 Tests that
you will need to know the metric system and work comfortably with it. The
metric system is the basis of all measurement in all branches of science.
It is the measurement system ued on the entire planet. In the United States,
it is use in Business, Commerce, Science and Technology. This is why it
appears in the first topic of this course. The metric system is used in
all science classes, so you have had the opportunity to have learned it
before and should only need some practice to refresh your memory at this
point. Make sure that you study it and practice using it enough to use
it correctly on the first test and every test thereafter. If you have a
problem with the metric system or any other physics material assigned to
to be learned, seek help from the physics teachers immediately. There will
be help sessions most every morning in the physics lab.
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Course: Physics Instructor: Mr. Feimer As you are a parent with a daughter / son in one of my classes, there is some information that I want to share with you. Always feel free to contact me at any time with questions of concern
on your part. As you probably already know, you may leave a message for
any teacher, myself included, by calling the office, sending an email or
sending a note with your child. If you call the office during the school
day or call after hours you may use our voice mail message system (my Extension
is 1219). On the other hand, I much prefer that you contact me by
email in order to avoid phone tag.
You may also use my business direct email link, which is wfpd@marianchs.com This may be used instead of going through the Marian's web site. Likewise, on the subject line, type "Your Name - parent of Student's Name". For students the best line of communication is face to face. There is
no substitute for that form of contact. On the other hand I have set up
a web, with the URL www.physicsphenomena.com, that contains a link titled
“Student Information”. This link takes my students to a page that among
other things contains a link titled “Physics - Class Schedule”. This page
allows students to find out what is happening when they are absent for
any length of time. Also when students are absent for a significant length
of time, they may use the student email address source@marianchs.com,
which has been created specifically for students experiencing an absence
of more than a few days. They should type on the subject line this message
Below is some information, which I need you to fill out for me. After doing so please CUT the form below off from the top so you may retain the top portion and have your daughter / son return the bottom of the form to me ASAP. Please print all the information except for your signature. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Your daughter / son ‘s Name _________________________________________Per#___ Your Name _____________________________________________________________ Has your daughter / son given you the 4 page “Letter to the Student and Parent” for you to read? ___YES ___NO Your Home Phone # (__________) __________-________________ Your email address (optional) _________________________________________ Your Signature __________________________________________Date_____________ |
| The Paper Tower Lab
Table #_____ Position _____ Per #_____ Date___________ Print names in alphabetical order: Name:___________________________________ Name:___________________________________ Name:___________________________________ Data and Observations
Analyze and Conclude
2. Analyzing the Results: What were the limiting factors in your towers construction? 3. Evaluating the Process:
b) What could you do differently to be more effective? 4. Outcome: Based on the problem, how high a tower were you able to construct? |