Class Expectations

1. Come to class on time and prepared. When the bell rings, you are to be in your seats. Unless otherwise instructed, you must bring to class the following: 1) science binder, 2) scientific calculator, 3) #2 pencil and pen, and 4) your MacBook Air. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to leave class to obtain any necessary items for class. Being prepared also means coming to class with your homework completed.

2. Grading System: Your grade will be calculated by using percentages. Your grade will be determined by your performance in 4 areas: 35% Tests, 25% Quizzes, 15% Homework/Classwork,

and 25% Lab Reports. Class participation can help your grade, especially if you are in between grades. What I consider to be class participation is showing up to class on time, being quiet and seated when the bell sounds so class can begin promptly, being prepared for class, completing the DO NOW, etc.

3. DO NOWS: When you arrive to class, there will be a DO NOW on the board. DO NOWS may be collected and graded, but most of the time we will go over them in class. Occasionally, there will be unannounced quizzes instead of a DO NOW to check your understanding of the material and that you are in fact doing your work.

4. Complete all assigned work. This includes homework and classwork. Homework will be checked, and for most assignments you will receive a grade. Assignments CANNOT be typed! Late homework will receive a zero grade, but depending on the nature of the assignment I may accept a homework assignment one day late for half credit. Make an effort, not an excuse. You will not be penalized for not being able to answer a homework question - as long as you show an attempt to answer the question, you will receive credit (no blank spots for questions). Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try - it just means you should try harder. 

5. Cheating is NOT tolerated! If caught cheating, you will receive a ZERO grade for that particular task, your parents will be notified, and school procedures will be followed. Remember - cheating incidents remain on your permanent record. Working with a partner does permit you to discuss answers but not to duplicate them.

6. Be respectful. Be respectful in both words and actions. You should know that the WAY YOU ACT determines the way in which you will be treated. As a member of this class, you will: 1) Show respect to yourself, others, and the classroom. 2) Be prepared and give your best effort. 3) Do nothing to keep the teacher from teaching and anyone, yourself included, from learning. 4) Respect all ideas given in class and do not criticize anybody’s ideas or thoughts. Belittling of classmates, cursing, and/or fighting is not permitted. Raise your hand - shouting out is unacceptable behavior. Also, if you need to use the pencil sharpener or throw an item away, please do so before or after class, not while class is being conducted.

7. No food, drinks, or unrelated items in class. Cell phones, mp3/cd players, and anything else unrelated to the class will be confiscated and handed in to the main office where, depending on the item, either you or your parents will have to pick up after school. All purses must remain on the floor during class - NO backpacks!

8. Bathroom/Water Breaks: Student bathrooms and water fountains should be utilized between classes, not during classes. Only in extreme emergencies will a student be permitted to leave class.

9. Lab Partners: Students may choose their lab partner. All partners are expected to participate EQUALLY. If you encounter a problem with your partner, notify your teacher immediately so that the problem may be dealt with accordingly. If a lab report is turned in late, a full letter grade will be taken off each day it is late.

10. All lab rules must be followed. A separate sheet of lab safety rules will be provided and followed in the classroom. The classroom is not the gymnasium - no running or throwing items will be permitted. Disregard for any of the safety rules will result in the student being removed from the lab and receiving a ZERO grade.

11. If you are absent: If possible, please inform me if you will not be in class (band trip, family vacation, doctor’s appointment, etc.) so that I may tell you what material will be covered and give you the proper assignments so that you will not fall behind the class. If you are absent from class, I will not come after you - it is YOUR responsibility to come to me for any missed work. The number of days you are absent are the number of days you have to complete the missed assignments. If you are absent the day of a test or quiz, and you were previously informed of the test or quiz, you are responsible for making it up the day you return. Try not to be absent on a lab day. If you are absent on a lab day, you may make it up during your study hall period or before school WITHIN THE WEEK you were absent from lab. If over a week has passed, and you have not come to me to set a time to make up the lab, you will receive a zero grade for the lab. I understand that certain circumstances do arise, but please discuss the matter with me. 

12. Class supplies required at all times: Unless informed otherwise by the teacher, the following items are required for this class:

               a) 1-inch binder with college ruled paper

            b) #2 pencils WITH erasers

            c) blue/black ink pens (no other color permitted on work being turned in)

            d) eraser (separate from your #2 pencils)

            e) Your MacBook Air

            f) hair band (only for those with shoulder length hair or longer)

            g) scientific calculator

13. Your textbook for this course is Physics: Principles and Problems. The following is a list of topics that will be covered during the course of the school year:

14. Additional Important Expectations/Policies:

            - No smart watches can be worn during tests/quizzes.

            - No Graphing Calculators can be used for tests/quizzes.    

            - Students are expected not to copy homework/classwork nor cheat on tests or quizzes.

            - There is no extra credit during or at the end of the marking period.

            - The grades earned at the end of the marking period are final. There is no "What can I do to increase my grade?" at the end of each marking period. The grade you received at the end of the 

               marking period is the grade you earned since you are already working diligently as possible during the marking period.

            - There are no test or quiz retakes. Students are expected to be ready for assessments at the time they are given.

            -  Homework is to be completed neatly and in the method in which you are told to do so. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade or possibly a zero grade.

            - Your school issued MacBook is the only internet capable device allowed out in class. No cell phones, personal laptops, iPads, smart watches, etc. allowed. You cannot use your phone

               as a calculator.

            - All homework must be written out and completed on paper. Showing work done on a laptop will not be accepted (particularly since you will solve many mathematical problems).

            - Notes must be taken by hand in class, you cannot type them up on your MacBook during class.

            - You are required to have a 1-inch, 3-ring binder with college ruled paper. Spiral bound notebooks and a folder are not acceptable. You are not to share your Physics binder with other subjects.

15. Tips for a successful school year:

☺ YOU are responsible for YOU. Be responsible for your work, your words, and your actions.

☺ No matter what you say, it’s your actions that speak for you.

☺ Be open-minded.

☺ Reading makes life (and learning) a lot easier.

☺ Pay attention in class - this includes following directions the FIRST time they are given!!!

☺ Take good notes.

☺ Keep an organized notebook.

☺ Know the purpose of each assignment.

☺ Ask questions in class.

☺ Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try – it just means you should try harder. 

☺ Make an effort, not an excuse.

☺ Review, review, review! It can help you retain 80% of the information.

☺ Don’t cram for hours the night before a test – study a little bit each day.

☺ Use your best judgment and common sense.