COLLEGE PREP PHYSICS AT A GLANCE



Honors Physics

Mrs. Shannon Hornibrook

Contact Information:

Phone: (856) 589-8500 x 9291

Email: shornibrook@ (best way to contact me)

Course Description:

Physics is a challenging, math-based science course that examines the physical interactions of matter. We will discuss such topics as kinematics (motion), dynamics (forces, including centripetal and gravitational forces, as well as rotation), energy, collisions, hydraulics (fluids), thermodynamics, wave mechanics, optics, and electricity and magnetism. This course includes a laboratory component and students are expected produce formal lab reports, compiled in a lab notebook. Students are expected to keep up with assigned homework problems, some of which they will prepare for inclusion in their solutions notebook periodically through each unit of study.

The Honors experience is a thorough preparation for the study of science at the college level, as well as for AP Physics 1 or AP Physic C as seniors here at WTHS.

Grading Policies:

Tests 50%

Quizzes 15%

Lab Work 15%

Solutions Notebook 10%

Independent Projects..10%

There will be a midterm and final exam, which each make up 10% of the grade for the year.

Digital Platforms Being Used:

This year, the course materials are being posted on Blackboard. Students also submit assignments, such as lab reports, via Blackboard and they take self-assessments there, as well. Should technical problems arise, students are given the benefit of the doubt and the self-assessments (which are short quizzes whose point value is small compared to the in-class quizzes) are re-set for them to take again. It is recommended that the student take a screenshot, or take a picture using their cell phone, to have a record of the problem.

In addition to the assignments, self-assessments, and “handouts”, the Blackboard course also houses tutorial videos, class warm-ups, links to simulations and online problems, etc. If your child is having difficulty, ask whether or not they have used all of the resources available to help themselves. If they have, and are still struggling with material, please encourage them to come in after school for help from me or to schedule study sessions with a “physics buddy.”

My teacher page houses general course information, such as the syllabus, the beginning of the year course documents, and links to helpful websites. There is also an assignment page on the honors physics home page, where major quiz, test, project, and lab assignments are posted.

Projects:

Each marking period, the students do a project outside of the classroom. These vary in nature, from written (the career interview project), to design and build (the gravity car, the trebuchet, the Rube Goldberg machine, the toothpick egg drop device), to oral presentations (the modern physics presentation). The project for marking period 1 is the career interview. It is due on November 4th. The description and requirements were distributed to the students early this week and are posted on Blackboard.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When can my child get extra help?

On the course wiki, there are links to several tutorial sites, college lecture videos, etc., which some students find to be very helpful.

I am available at various times during the day and after school for individual/small group help by appointment.

What kind of homework can be expected?

Each student should plan to dedicate at least one hour of time outside of class (preparing for class by working through assigned problems, reading and re-reading the chapter, working in study groups, etc.) for every class meeting. Homework is generally in the form of a list of problems and questions from the text book that must be finished by a given date. In some cases, the list is broken up into “chunks” and the student should be able to show progress through the assigned “chunk” over the course of a few days. Other homework may include reading and taking notes from the text book, viewing tutorial videos, etc. Formal lab reports are also assigned frequently.

Where can I obtain a tutor for my child?

Contact the guidance department for information. There are student tutors available via the National Honor Society. The guidance counselors may be able to contact faculty tutors, or tutors from outside of the district, if that is deemed necessary.

How much math is required in this course?

Physics is the most mathematical of all the sciences. Students are expected to have a very strong math background; they are generally enrolled in Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Calculus (honors, APAB or APBC).

How important is a physics background?

Any student majoring in any of the sciences (including biology) or mathematics will need to take Physics in college. Having a high school course adds to the potential for success in college coursework.

Course Communication

My students have been instructed to sign up for text alerts via “Remind!” for my class. They have also been told to join remind!, which you can join by texting @twphonphys to (856) 345-2849 or to 81010.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download