(Cut
or tear on dashed line and return signatures to Mr. Hall. Counts as an
assignment grade.)
Physics
Syllabus and Course Outline
Instructor:
Steve Hall
Tellico Plains High School (1964)
Bachelor's Degree (Physics and Math) The University of Tennessee (1967)
Master's Degree (Religious Education) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,
Fort Worth, TX (1973)
45 hours Doctoral studies (Educational Administration and Supervision) The
University of Tennessee (1974-75)
Christian Ministry (1975-88) (Tennessee, Florida, Texas)
High School Physics and Math Teacher (1967-70; 1988-93; 1999-present)
(Tennessee, Texas)
Certification in High School Math and Physics (Tennessee and Texas)
NSLB designation: “Highly Qualified” in Math and Physics
Office: Room 5
Home Address:
Office Phone: (423) 253-2530 (Leave a message. I will return your call.)
Office Hours: By appointment. Available times: 7:30 to7:55 AM; 2:45 to 4:00 PM
Class Time: One Block Period (105 minutes) daily for one semester.
Place: Room 5
Credit: 1 math credit per semester
Purpose of Course
The purpose of the Physics Curriculum at
Method
This course consists of 18 weeks of study (block schedule classes) in which the
students will be exposed to the above concepts in various ways. We will discuss
the concepts in detail during class discussions. Classroom PowerPoint
presentations will be used to reinforce concepts. I will lead the students
step-by-step through various thinking and problem solving strategies required to
solve many kinds of problems. Students will be given ample opportunity to
practice solving problems through in-class assignments as well as through
homework assignments. Students will keep folders of class notes.
Evaluation Procedure
Each student will be evaluated on the basis of performance in each of the
following areas (Percentages are approximate and may vary slightly):
Tests/Exams/Quizzes (65%)
Written Assignments (35%)
(75% Problems; 25% Class notes)
Reporting of Student Progress
All students receive
report cards at the end of each six-weeks period. Students also receive progress
reports three weeks into each six-weeks period (for a total of 6 reports through
the semester). Parents wishing to receive more frequent reports may copy and
print a form for that purpose found on Mr. Hall’s personal web site at:
http://www.aboundingjoy.com/Personal/parent_letter-report.htm
If you do not have
access to the internet, please call me to obtain a form.
Class Rules
1.
Respect and be
polite to all people.
(Listen carefully. Do not interrupt the teacher or other students. Do not use
the names of "God" or "Jesus" as bywords. Rudeness and disrespect language will
not be tolerated.)
2.
Respect the property
of others.
(Put litter in trashcan. Return borrowed items. Do not write on desks, walls,
etc.)
3.
Bring all needed
materials to class every day
(pencil, paper, text, assignments).
4.
Use the restroom
before coming to class.
"Emergency" restroom passes may be given for special conditions (e.g., urinary
tract infections, pregnancy, etc.--bring a note from home).
5.
Obey all school and
district wide rules
(e.g., dress codes; absentee and tardy policy; no food, drink, or gum in the
classroom; etc.)
6.
Exercise self
control at all times.
(Crude and offensive language will not be tolerated. Keep hands and feet to
yourself. No items (e.g. pencils, paperwads, etc.) are to be thrown or tossed
inside the classroom. Tone and volume of voice will be controlled at all times.)
Procedures
Before Entering the Classroom:
· Use the restroom.
· Make sure you have text, paper, pencil, completed assignments.
When You First Enter the Classroom:
· Sharpen pencil before tardy bell.
· Be seated in your assigned seat.
· Have assignment ready to turn in (with name, date, period, page number, problem numbers, and assignment number [circled], at top of page).
· Begin "warm up" problems as part of the next assignment.
When I Raise My Hand:
· Freeze! (Stop immediately whatever you are doing or saying.)
· Look at me.
· Wait for further instructions.
Late Work:
· Late work is accepted for half (50%) credit (except for full credit after an excused absence).
When the
· Stay in your seat.
· Pick up all books, papers, folder, trash, etc.
· Leave only when I dismiss you (normally at the bell).
By the end of the year I will have:
· Presented information related to the above topics;
· Responded to your questions by answering them and/or referring to additional sources for further study;
· Given guidance in course related areas; and
· Given feedback as to your performance on graded areas.
By the end of the year you will have:
· Demonstrated increased knowledge and awareness of physics concepts;
· Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of motion and energy;
· Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of the various states of matter as well as wave properties and electricity and magnetism;
· Learned to solve real life problems involving the above topics of study;
· Learned to collect, organize, and use information to solve physics problems;
· Demonstrated readiness for successful study of more advanced science and mathematics courses;
· Demonstrated a proper class attitude;
· Completed all assigned class projects;
· Evaluated the class and what it meant to you.
Keys to Success in this Course
1.
Do all the
assignments yourself. Getting help from parents, another student, or me is fine,
but NEVER just copy someone else's work.
2.
Do NOT postpone
assignment work! It will quickly accumulate. A practical life lesson of this
course is for students to learn the importance of personal discipline and the
danger of procrastination
3.
ALWAYS copy the
problem before working it. (Exception: word problems.)
4.
ALWAYS show your
work. Turning in a list of answers is not acceptable. (Exception: problems meant
to be done mentally--I'll let you know.)
5.
WRITE DOWN
everything I do on the overhead.
6.
Make sure you
understand what I'm talking about. If you don't understand, ask me to please go
over it again.
7.
Make sure you are
able to do assignment problems WITHOUT looking at a "model" or "sample" problem.
You may need a model for the first few problems, but try to get beyond the need
for it quickly. (This is a critical step for doing well on tests.)
8.
Check all odd
numbered problems with the answers in the back of the book AFTER you have
completed the problem on your own. If you missed it, figure out WHY you missed
it.
9.
Before each test,
try to work some of each type problem that is being covered. Be able to do them
WITHOUT a model. There will be no model on the test!
10.
Take advantage of
test retakes! After each test, an opportunity to take a similar (but not
identical!) test is available. After the initial test is returned, students have
one week to take the retake test. Before semester exams students will be
provided a study guide with problems similar to semester exam problems.
11.
Keep an excellent
folder—the more notes you have, the better.
12.
Come to
after-school tutorials if you find an assignment especially difficult. If you
are having problems, TELL ME ABOUT IT!
13.
Learn to PAY VERY
CLOSE ATTENTION TO DETAILS. In mathematics you must learn to pay attention to
every letter, every minus sign, every parenthesis, etc. Many students lose lots
of points because of carelessness and inattention to detail!
14.
Do not be misled
by students around you who may be making poor choices! I have sadly watched
students fail math classes simply because they chose to follow the wrong
example. Decide your own fate!
(Cut
or tear on dashed line and return signatures to Mr. Hall. Counts as an
assignment grade.)
We have read and
understand the 5-page syllabus and course outline and will feel free to discuss
any problems or questions directly with Mr. Hall.
Print Student’s Name: _____________________________________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
(Student Signature)
(Parent Signature)
______________________ _______________ __________________
(Subject)
(Period)
(Date)