Advanced Placement Physics 1 Course Syllabus

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Granada Hills Charter High School will provide a positive student-centered environment in which all students will develop academic
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Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRS)
Every student who graduates from GHCHS will be:
An Effective Communicator, able to read, write, converse and listen for a variety of purposes
An Information Manager, able to locate, access, organize, evaluate and apply information in a complex and technological world
A Problem Solver, able to apply a variety of thinking, creative and computing skills to produce solutions for practical and
theoretical problems
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respectfully in a linguistically and culturally diverse community
A Lifelong Learner, able to set educational and career goals, to develop a realistic strategy to achieve those goals and to apply
content knowledge and critical thinking skills to adapt to a rapidly changing environment

Course Title: Advanced Placement PHYSICS 1

Instructor: Mr. Cook, Mr. Day, Mr. Herr, Mr. Vanderway

Textbook: Physics: Principles with Applications Giancoli 6
th
ed.

Major Emphasis of the Course: The goals and objectives of this course align with the Next Generation Science Standards for Physics
(http://www.nextgenscience.org) and to the AP Physics 1 Curriculum framework (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com). Reading and
Writing Standards are a part of every course curriculum. In addition to course work and tests, core and benchmark assignments will be
used to assess student attainment of the Standards.

Course Expectations: All GHCHS teachers expect students to conform to the GHCHS Attendance Policy, Standards of Student
Behavior, Standards of Conduct, Dress Code and Academic Integrity Policy. These policies can be found on the GHCHS website on
the Internet at http://www.ghchs.com and in the Parent-Student Handbook.

In addition, this Course has the following expectations:

Classroom Supplies


Notebooks:
A three-ring binder with graph paper. A separate binder with dividers is recommended, but a shared
binder from another class is acceptable as long as there is a section is dedicated to physics work.

A sewn-bound or spiral bound notebook with graph-paper pages. The black or green comp
books are fine and available at the Student Store.
Calculator:
A scientific calculator (which can handle basic trig functions and scientific notation) is
recommended for this course.
Pens, Pencils, Rulers and Such:
Blue or black pen is required for the basic writing in your lab notebook. Other color is suggested
for diagrams and adding emphasis - colored pencils are fine, as long as they can be easily read. A
straight-edge, triangle-square and protractor will also be very useful. You will also need to acquire at
least two white-board dry-erase broad-tipped marker for preparing whiteboard presentations. These
items are important!

Course of Study and
Targeted Standards

COURSE PHILOSOPHY
Physics is considered to be the "foundational science" that forms the basis for all further study in the
physical sciences as well as the life sciences. Physics is the study of interactions & change. The field is
vast, ranging from the entirety of the universe to the smallest single particle from the mundane block
sliding on a table to the mysteries of quantum gravity. The amazing thing is that scientists understand
something about this stuff and you can to. In this course, we will develop and deploy models that
describe and explain some of the physics around us.


If you are still reading at this point, you might be saying to yourself, What the heck is that all
about? Dont worry. The physics thing is a front. This class is really about thinking and figuring
things out and having fun while doing it its about explaining what you know and how you
know it and being able to defend it under fire. Dont panic everything will be fine.
COURSE OUTLINE
AP Physics 1 is a year long course, covering the major topics the major topics a student might
encounter in a first year college physics course kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation,
gravitation, waves & oscillations and electric circuits. Other topics will be studied if time permits.

Grading Policy
Grades reflect your overall performance in the class and are divided into two major categories:
Supportive and Evaluative. Supportive grades are from homework, lab preparation, and other tasks
that support achievement, while Evaluative grades include tests, quizzes, exams, lab reports, etc.
Supportive 30% Homework (15%), Lab notebook (10%), classwork (5%)
Evaluative 70% Lab/Project Reports (20%), Tests/Exams/Quizzes (40%), Final Exam (10%)
**Note that the percentages within each category are approximate. Please be aware
that a missed assignment, lab or test results in zero points for that assignment, while at
least some points will be given for working on an assignment, even if it is not
completed when turned in.
Grading Scale
A = 85 100 %
B = 75 84 %
C = 60 74 %
D = 50 59 %
F = 0 49 %

Homework
Homework must be out and visible on your desk at the beginning of the period to receive credit. It is
assigned frequently, collected often and is important to student success in Physics. Late homework may
be accepted at the discretion of the teacher.

Class Rules

Standards of Conduct - It is expected that all students respect the rights of each other as well as all
aspects of the learning process. Improper behavior will not be tolerated. Violations will result in parent
contact and disciplinary action taken by the Deans Office.
Support Schedule
Class information, including assignments, due dates, handouts and schedule is available on the class
webpage: www.mrherr.com
Communication with
Parents
Parents can use Home Access Center (available at www.ghchs.com) to track student progress. Mr.
Herr can be contacted via email at sherr@ghchs.com.
Lab Safety
Special laboratory safety requirements will be discussed prior to each lab activity. If any student fails to
observe the safety guidelines, they will be removed from the lab, losing all points for that lab activity.
CLOSED-TOE SHOES are required in the lab. WHEN IN DOUBT, STOP AND ASK THE
TEACHER FOR ASSISTANCE. REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IMMEDIATELY!







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RETURN WITH SIGNATURES TO INSTRUCTOR BY: Tuesday, August 26
st
, 2014

I acknowledge receiving a copy of the Course Syllabus for Physics.

Class Period __________

Students First Name _______________________ Students Last Name _________________________________

Students Signature _________________________________________________

Parent/Guardians Name: __________________________________________________

Parent/Guardians Signature ________________________________________________ Date___________________