Class Info
Physics Fall 2015
Mr. Sabra – sabram1@dearbornschools.org
Course Description: This is a beginning course in Physics. The concepts will not be too deep, the math won’t be too intense, but you should get a good idea of what physics is, how it affects your everyday life, and why it is important.
Classroom Expectations: I expect you to be responsible and accountable. You are expected to learn how to think critically and improve your problem solving skills. You will learn to use the available tools and resources to solve your own problems and answer your own questions. First and foremost YOU are responsible for using class time wisely, being productive, asking questions, coming to see me for more help, focusing on yourself and nobody else, and following directions among other things.
Blog: I have a blog for this class. I post to it every day summarizing what we did, assignments, practice, notes, examples, homework…it’s all on the blog. I strongly recommend you visit it every day, whenever you are absent, or need any of the materials we’ve used. Also on the blog is a complete copy of the SIPI (see below). You will be asked to copy certain SIPI pages for homework and will need an up to date SIPI in class to use as a resource.
Materials: To be fully prepared for this class you should arrive daily with 1) pen/pencil, 2) 3 ring binder, 3) loose leaf paper, and 4) a spiral notebook. The spiral notebook will be your SIPI (Super Important Physics Ideas). Your notes will be constructed from reading the book and discussions in class. I will not tell you exactly what to write. You must write what you feel is important, what you feel would help you, and what examples, explanations, or details you need. The real world is about using your recourses, not memorizing. To be successful in this class you will have to use your recourses to solve problems, not sit there with blank paper or waiting for me. Please keep your SIPI up to date. Its purpose is your first source of information for help with classwork, homework, or bellwork. We will be numbering the pages of the SIPI so you know what goes on which page and where to find it. Do not rip any paper out of your SIPI. Use separate paper for anything to be turned in. I will not accept any work that has been torn out of a notebook and has the ragged tear flakes up the side. This is why I ask for you to have separate paper. I will have a separate stack of loose-leaf paper available. You will have a portfolio for this class to keep track of the different aspects of work and ideas we cover. I will tell you how to set it up and what to put in there when it is time.
SIPI: Your most important resource for this class will be your SIPI. Think of it as your hardcopy google for this class. Each page will be numbered and I will tell you what pages to copy and by when. It must be handwritten and you will need about 40 pages for the entire year of material. Please copy them exactly as they are on the blog. This means words, lines, groups, pictures, and order.
Formula Sheet: I have collected some of the important and useful details of this class onto a sheet you will be given and allowed to use for test/quizzes. I don’t want you to memorize all these things, just understand how to use them. I will pass out a set for use during test/quizzes but if you want your own to keep and use at all times I can make you one for $3.
Attendance: You are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared every day. If you are absent, it is your own responsibility to find out/complete what was done while you were gone whether it be notes, assignment, test, etc. Checking the blog would be a great idea. I will strictly hold you to the school’s attendance policy. I keep a detailed record of your attendance and you earn daily points for being present and participating. I keep a calendar on the side of the classroom with everything we have done in the past and my plans into the future as far as possible. If you have any questions about what we have done, will do, or dates, I will tell you “check the calendar”.
Classwork/Homework: When we do things in class, please use that time to be productive. Sometimes it’s due that day, sometimes we will work on it other days, and sometimes it will be homework. Pay attention to what I expect, what and when things are due. Do not waste class time or I can fill class time with other options you won’t like. You EARN POINTS for being productive, using class time wisely, using your resources, working through assignments, and practicing ideas. You LOSE POINTS for sleeping, distracting, doing nothing, copying, phone use and not following directions.
Quizzes/Tests: The material is grouped into 5 units, which will have summative assessments (SA). Each SA will be a group of ideas. During the SA, directions will be on the board. Please pay attention and turn in the SA and answer sheet to the right spot. If you do not turn your answer sheet into the right spot you will receive a zero until you see me about how to fix it. That usually involves writing me a paper on following directions. It is your responsibility to take any tests you miss in a timely manner. They will be recorded as zero until you do. I will have a deadline near the end of the semester for all summative grades. If they aren’t taken care of by then, they will remain a zero. There are no make-ups. Do not expect them. Under certain circumstances, a make-up is appropriate and I will make that determination.
Typical Day: Every day will have bellwork up when you come in. You will create a weekly bellwork paper for yourself. On Monday, start a new sheet of paper. Write “Monday” at the top and date it. Follow directions and complete the bellwork . For the next day, draw a line across under the previous bellwork and write “Tuesday” and the date, work out the bellwork, and so on for the week. If you are absent, do not copy the bellwork you missed. Just write absent. On Friday you will turn in the week of bellwork. You have access to all needed information for bellworks so use your resources. If I see people sitting around not trying the bellwork, I will collect it and grade it that day. Also, pay attention to the content and language goals on the board. They will give you an idea of what kind of things I expect to cover and how. Next maybe examples, practice, an activity, or time for questions. Your participation is necessary. I will not tell you what to write. Don’t ask me “Is this enough?” It is your responsibility to keep your materials organized and up to date so that you can use them. The last few minutes of the period, we need to get the classroom cleaned up. Before anyone can leave we need all calculators back, desks and floor neat, books put away, and everyone in their assigned seat. I have a box at the front of the room for paper, please keep it in consideration for recycling. Anything to be turned in should be slid into your designated compartment of the Turn In Box. There may also be an exit ticket so pay attention.
Lab Work: Physics is as much about experiments and activities as it is about reading, writing, and calculating. We will be putting ideas to action when the topic allows. This may involve moving around the room, being in the hallways, or outside the school. If I can’t trust you to be responsible with the equipment or during these activities, we will not do them. Do not take advantage of this freedom to fool around. Depending on the time we have available, and the responsibility you demonstrate, I would like to do a lot of demonstrations, experiments, and activities.
Electronic Devices: No cell phones, music players, game consoles, or any other electronic devices not specifically allowed for use with the lesson are allowed by me or Dearborn Public School policy. There will be a test grade for phone use. You will start the semester with 100 summative points. Every time you break the rules about cell phones, I take 10 summative points off that test grade. If the problem continues, there will be further punishment. You must show responsibility with this idea. This is the biggest thing I will be watching for. If you are showing responsibility in not using phones, and if you are showing responsibility in working, there may be earned privileges. Notice the Cell Phone Red Zone sign at the front of the room.
Food and Drink: No food allowed. Only water is allowed. Anything else, I will make you throw away. This means no coffee, pop, juice, Gatorade, candy, snacks, or other food. I don’t care if you paid for them, got them inside the school, or out.
Off-limit Areas: There are areas and items in my room that you should leave alone. Please do not go behind my desk or mess with anything on my side of the desk. Please do not mess with the vent hood, emergency watering station, any of the cupboards in the room, or any equipment you may see sitting out. Do not touch the double doors at the back of the room or my closet door at the front of the room. Don’t try to use any of the sinks.
Grading: The district uses a formative/summative grading split. Your bellwork, practice work, participation, and other assignments are formative and make up 20% of your grade. Tests and quizzes are summative and make up 80% of your grade. Quizzes will usually be given near the end of the hour to measure you on an idea and you probably won’t get a warning. Every single day there will be a 10 point participation grade made from the positive and negative things you do in class every day (see classwork/homework above). If you follow the simple guidelines for school and class, you will earn all 10 points every day. The majority of your grade will come from the EFFORT you put into this class and the growth you show as a student and young adult through demonstrating RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY. The computer will automatically round your grade to the first decimal place, don’t ask me to move your grade.
Grading Scale: 100 – 92.5 A 92.4 – 89.5 A-
89.4 – 86.5 B+ 86.4 – 82.5 B 82.4 – 79.5 B-
79.4 – 76.5 C+ 76.4 – 72.5 C 72.4 – 69.5 C-
69.4 – 66.5 D+ 66.4 – 62.5 D 62.4 – 59.5 D- 59.4 and below is failing
Simple keys to success in this classroom:
- Show up on time, prepared, and ready to be a positive addition to the classroom.
- Be responsible and accountable. Don’t be disruptive or disrespectful.
- Follow directions (written on the board, top of the assignment, or spoken) and participate.
- USE YOUR RECOURSES. Don’t sit there waiting for answers.
- Don’t plan to do the bare minimum at the last minute.
If you participate, try your best, and do everything, it’s very hard to fail.
by Sabra with 2 comments.
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