CLASS RULES, PROCEDURES AND GRADES

 

    1. Three simple rules:

  • Be respectful at all times. You will be extended my utmost respect; I expect no less from you in return. This rule includes making sure your cell phone is off and in your book bag, not on your person.

  • Safety is not an option; you will strictly follow my rules to insure your safety at all times.

  • Participate. It's a valuable part of your learning experience. Among other things, participation requires you to bring your textbook to class every day. While I do not directly teach from the book, we will use our books to work problems and reference charts/tables.

 

 

    2. Homework/Problem Sets

  • Randomly selected problem sets will be graded and are worth 10 pts. each. Your homework grade is based mainly on your attempt to work each problem: it's important to understand how to derive correct answers but you should attempt to solve every problem in the set to the best of your ability: your "thought process" as demonstrated by your written work is actually more important than the answer itself. See Rubric and How to Start a Problem.

  • All problem sets are to be done on graph style paper. Graph style paper lends itself to organized, easy-to-read work (and it's much easier for me to grade). I recommend this kind of book: Homework Book Example (the exact model is not important...any graph paper style book will work).

  • All problem sets are to be carbon duplicated. You retain the original and turn in the copy.

  • Your homework/problem sets are posted on this site for the entire year. You are responsible to check this website prior to class for changes.

  • There is a daily penalty for late homework (1 point per class day accumulating).

  • Clearly write your name and the problem set number at the top of the first page. Staple multiple sheet problem sets prior to turning in (but please do NOT staple different chapters together... keep each problem set separate).

  • HOMEWORK HELP: I am usually available in the mornings from 6:45AM up to the first class bell; I am available after school on day 2 in room 106. Bernie is available in the evenings by e-mail... Bernie.

 

 

    3. Cooperative Learning

  • I believe in cooperative learning. Your physics classroom environment is designed to maximize the potential of cooperative learning: you will work together in class on problems, labs and clicker quizzes. I also encourage you to find a partner to work on homework outside of class. However, it's critical you understand the difference between cooperative learning and cheating. Under no circumstance are you to copy homework or labs from anyone. You are responsible for your own work... collaborate, then answer in your own words. Please refer to your student handbook for more information regarding this important topic.

 

 

    4. Labs

  • Lab notebook requirements (all class levels)

MND Physics will supply one university research style notebook, Hayden-McNeil 100 Duplicate Page Chemistry Spiral Bound Lab Notebook, ISBN 978-1-930882-74-4 (Example). Labs are typically 5-10 pages long. You will do approx. 16-20 lab write-ups during the year, so please plan your supplies accordingly. We will cover 22 chapters and 4 advanced material sections in CP1 and CP2, and 29 chapters (all in depth) in AP. If you eventually find yourself needing more lab book pages (i.e. an additional book), you can purchase any similar university style lab book (similar means any lab book with the same "original on top-copy underneath" matched set pages bound in one manual where you can tear out the copy and keep the original in your manual). There are several similar lab manuals available on-line (including the exact Hayden-McNeil Notebook we use) or they are usually available at University book stores.

  • Lab safety procedures and rules can be found Here

  • Lab report format can be found Here.

  • All of your actual physics labs can be found Here.

 

   

    5. When turning in papers

  • Homework, lab reports, and Emma challenge problems are to be placed in the basket on top of the black file cabinet in the front of the room (106). LABEL ALL WORK PROPERLY. Staple multiple sheet problem sets prior to turning in (but please do NOT staple different chapters together... keep each chapter separate).

  • Exams, tests and quizzes are handed in directly to Mr. Peppercorn as soon as you have finished. Test answers are ALWAYS immediately available after you complete your test (you will always be able to compare your answers to the test master immediately upon finishing. All the problems have been worked out for you to review while the test is still fresh in your mind: use this opportunity to LEARN).

 

 

    6. If you are absent

  • Whenever you are absent for sickness or any school sponsored function (retreat, etc.), work that was due in your absence is due one day AFTER you return (with no penalty). After that, work is considered late (see section 2 above).

  • Clearly mark on the top of your work: "ABSENT-SICK", "ABSENT-RETREAT", etc. to avoid any incorrect assessment of late points.

  • All assignments (homework, labs, projects, etc.) and due dates are posted in your class calendar (for your entire school year). It is your responsibility to keep track of when work is due.

 

 

    7. Chapter tests

    CP1 and CP2

  • You are allowed to use one 3x5 index card per chapter test. Your card can include any information you choose to put on it (one side only... your cards will be checked during each test).

  • The day of the chapter test, clear off your desk except for a pen or pencil, calculator, and your index card.

  • Chapter tests are comprehensive and will draw on previous chapter material; you can best prepare for a chapter test by completing your homework (with comprehension). The on-line practice test material will also help... see your class syllabus for links to practice tests.

    AP

  • Generally, there will be two parts to every AP chapter test. The first part is the multiple choice section; calculators and formula pages 3 and 4 are NOT allowed (you are allowed to use page 2 of the formula sheets). The second section contains free response questions; calculators and all 3 formula sheets ARE allowed. The AP formula sheets can be found here FORMULA SHEETS (we use pages 87 thru.89). This format will help you later when you take your AP test (which is administered the same way, in 2 parts... only the actual year-end test is longer and comprehensive).

 

 

    8. 1st Semester exam

CP1 and CP2

  • You are allowed to use one 3x5 index card. Your card can include any information you choose to put on it (both sides allowed for semester exam... your cards will be checked).

  • Exams can be difficult and are very comprehensive and thorough; you need all the time allotted (85 minutes). You cannot "cram" for the physics semester exam; you must invest time reading the book and working practice problems if you wish to produce a respectable exam grade. Do not wait to the last minute to prepare for your exam; studying a couple of hours the weekend before your exam is not adequate preparation time.

    AP

  • There are two parts to the AP semester exam. The first part is the multiple choice section; calculators and formula pages 3 and 4 are NOT allowed (you are allowed to use page 2 of the formula sheets). The second section contains free response questions; calculators and all 3 formula sheets ARE allowed. The AP formula sheets can be found here FORMULA SHEETS (we use pages 87 thru.89).

  • Exams can be difficult and are very comprehensive and thorough; you need all the time allotted. You cannot "cram" for the AP physics semester exam; you must invest time reading the book and working problems if you wish to produce a respectable exam grade. Do not wait to the last minute to prepare for your exam; studying a couple of hours the weekend before your exam is not adequate preparation time.

 

 

    9. Final exam

    CP1 and CP2

  • The final is comprehensive. You cannot "cram" for the physics final; you must invest time reading the book and working practice problems if you wish to produce a respectable exam grade. Do not wait to the last minute to prepare for your exam; studying a couple of hours the weekend before your exam is simply not adequate preparation time.

    AP

  • The AP exam (and the AP final) is difficult and very comprehensive. You cannot "cram" for the AP physics exam; you must invest time reading the textbook, reviewing your Barons or Princeton Review Guide, and working practice problems if you wish to produce a respectable exam grade. I highly recommend a minimum of 8 weeks review preparation prior to taking your AP final. Any student who has taken this course will confirm the necessity of this much review to be able to pass the exam.

  • There are 4 supplemental Saturday review sessions for ALL students who want to take the AP exam (in no way are these reviews a substitute for your own personal review). These sessions run from 9:00AM to 12 noon and ARE REQUIRED for those signed up for the exam. The 4 weekend reviews begin approx. on the 1st Saturday of March and follow on consecutive Saturdays with the exception of Easter weekend. Exact dates will be posted in your class calendar.

  • No one is exempt from the class final exam. Everyone will take the final class exam regardless of your class  average grade or regardless of whether or not you decide to take the AP exam (I highly encourage you take the AP Exam; that's really what we are preparing for all year).

 

    10. Lab partners

  • You will get to choose a lab partner(s) to work with. Lab partners are expected to work together to complete labs. Although partners work together, each person is responsible for preparing and submitting their own lab report.

 

 

    11. Procedures for using available project supplies

  • The supplies in the physics room are for use in physics projects only. Check with Mr. Peppercorn prior to using any supplies that have not been cleared for general use.  If you are not sure, ASK.

  • If you can’t find what you need, ASK.

 

 

    12. SAFETY IS NOT AN OPTION!

  • Always be aware of what it is you are trying to accomplish. You must fully comprehend the safety procedures that correspond to the work you are performing. Mr. Peppercorn is ALWAYS AVAILABLE for questions; there is no such thing as a dumb question... when in doubt, ASK!

 

 

    13. Grading

  • Points are earned as follows:

AP PHYSICS GRADING SCHEDULE

CP1 PHYSICS GRADING SCHEDULE

CP2 PHYSICS GRADING SCHEDULE

 

   

    14. Bernie Review Challenges: Bernie Bones

  • Bernie will offer you 5 challenge problems each quarter online. A "Bernie Bone" can be earned for each correct solution submitted. Simply check Bernie's page for the most recent challenge problem or click on the "dog and bone" symbol in your class calendar.

        AP: This mandatory program is designed to help you keep sharp with prior material: it's one  
              of your primary review tools for this course. Your performance on these  challenges is
              CRITICAL for success on the AP Exam!

  • Bernie will post a new challenge problem online on the weekend prior to the Friday that they are due (which means you will always have an entire week to work on the problem). Bernie Bone Fridays (the due dates) are marked in your online calendars with this symbol:

  • Every correct challenge problem turned in earns you one "Bernie Bone"! Every Bernie Bone can be turned in for 1 free grade point. You can use your Bernie Bones to raise any graded work i.e. homework, labs, tests, semester exams. EXAMPLE: Say you correctly answered 4 challenge problems in the first quarter. You decide to use one of your bones to raise the grade on a homework from 9/10 to 10/10 and use the remaining 3 "bones" to raise a test from 46/50 to 49/50.

  • Bernie Bones can be used one at a time or all at once or in some combination.

  • Bones can be saved but must be used up each semester... no semester carry-overs (you lose what you don't use each semester). You can however, carry over you bones from quarter 1 to quarter 2 and your 2nd semester bones from Q3 to Q4.

  • You only get 2 weeks past the due date to change a grade i.e. the window to change a grade is two weeks past the due date, the test date, the lab turn-in date, etc. Once two weeks has past, you can no longer change that grade.

        AP: You will lose 1 point on your semester exam for every Bernie challenge you do not submit 
              on time (absentees on Friday may turn in the problem the day you return). Incorrect
              answers carry no penalty. Any non-valid attempt (i.e. you turn in a paper with no real
              attempt to solve the problem) will be counted as a non-submittal.

 

 

    15. What you need for AP, CP1 and CP2 Physics

  • Textbook (provided)

  • 1 roll paper towels

  • 1 box tissues

  • Pens / pencils

  • Colored pencils

  • Carbon paper

  • Scientific calculator

  • 3 X 5 index cards (one small package)

  • A high speed internet connection is strongly recommended

  • Spiral notebook OR binder for 3 hole punched loose leaf sheets for class notes whichever you prefer (Note: all Mr. Peppercorn's SmartBoard lecture notes are available on line prior to all classes; if you prefer, lecture notes can be pre-printed and used to take notes on in class. Lecture notes can be found by chapter by clicking your class homepage tab at the top of this page).

  • 2 graph style books (for homework). Simple graph tablets (with tear-off sheets) are fine... Example.

  • Hayden-McNeil scientific lab notebook (1 provided)

  • Additionally for AP: An AP Physics B Review Guide (Example) (Princeton Review recommended but any will work)

 

Copyright © Mr. Peppercorn 2011-2012