Redlands High School



2018-19 Physics E Curriculum Paper

Introduction: Physics E is a yearlong college preparatory science course satisfying the UC and Cal State requirements for laboratory science. The course covers the subjects of mechanics including rotational mechanics, thermodynamics, mechanical and EM waves, electricity and magnetism, and finally modern physics. This class prepares students to take the SAT 2 subject test in physics.

Educational Materials: Textbook: Holt Physics by Raymond Serway and Jerry Faughn, Holt, Rinehart and Winston 1999, Class Website: rhs. includes lecture notes, project descriptions, homework listing, and class calendar

Notebook: Students will keep completed assignments in a 3 ring binder with dividers separating sections for notes, next-time questions, practice problems and homework. Notes shall be taken using the modified Cornell note taking style described in class. The notebook will be collected on Fridays when an assessment is given. Late notebooks will be accepted only if prior notice is given to the teacher via voice mail or email.

Labs and Data book: Labs are done on Monday and sometimes other days of the week. Students need to record a lab in data book with quadrille paper in order to receive credit. Most labs are turned in at the end of the period. Labs will not be repeated for absent students, however online make-up labs can be found on the class website for most weeks. To receive credit the make-up lab needs to be turned by the end of the week the original lab was missed. In addition, the lowest two lab scores will be dropped each semester.

Homework: Students can expect 3-5 hours of homework per week for this class. A weekly homework assignment from the book will be due on Thursday or Friday of each week. In addition, students are expected to read the book and write note summaries. Homework missed due to absence will only be accepted if prior notice is given to the teacher via email or phone call.

Assessments: Quizzes are given every one or two weeks and cover the material from one chapter. Midterms cover several chapters and are given three times during a semester. Finals cover all chapters and are given at the end of the each semester. Assessments may be made up after school the Tuesday following the original assessment.

Engineering Challenges: At the end of each semester students will plan, build, perfect and demonstrate a device for an engineering challenge. The first semester challenge is to build a balsa or bass wood car powered by a single mousetrap that will be able to move 50 m. Two students will make up a team and can purchase a kit that cost approximately $20.00 from .

Semester Project: Each semester students will complete a long term project in which they use some of the knowledge and skills taught in the class. During first semester students will design, build and present an experiment which finds the mathematical relationship between two physical quantities. Students will be given the question they are to investigate on the first day of class. Further information on this project can be found on the class website. During second semester, students will have a choice of projects which vary in cost, time requirements and whether the project is done by an individual or group. Descriptions for these projects can also be found online at the class website. Students are encouraged to pick a project which fits their interest and needs during second semester. Again students may ask for help if finances are a problem.

Student Evaluation: Grades are calculated using the following percentages: Notes and Next Time Questions 5%; Homework and Worksheets 5%; Labs 20%; Quizzes 50%; Project, Midterms and Final 20%. Grades will be assigned according to the RHS science department standard grade percentages: 100-98.0 A+; 97.8-92.0 A; 91.9-90.0 A-; 89.9-88 B+; 87.9-82.0 B; 81.9-80.0 B-; 79.9-78.0 C+; 77.9-72.0 C; 71.9-70.0 C-: 69.9-68.0 D+; 67.9-62.0 D; 61.9-60.0 D-; ................
................

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

Google Online Preview   Download