www.phystastical.com - AP Syllabus

Your Instructor:

· John Taylor, MEd.

· Email: John.Taylor@ucps.k12.nc.us

· Canvas: https://ucps.instructure.com

· Website: www.phystastical.com

· Twitter: @phystastical

· Office hours (formal): Wednesday and Friday after school, and by arrangement

Go to https://apstudents.collegeboard.org for information about the Advance placement program.

Things you will need.

· Textbook. College Physics, Knight (green book)

Also, consider using other physics textbooks, such as the openstax College Physics or University Physics. https://openstax.org/details/books/physics

Practice is key for physics, as is fundamental understanding. Mr. Taylor will have a collection of textbooks in his room at your disposal.

· A simple composition book and 3 ring binder. The 50¢ Walmart comp book variety works well. Although, compbooks with grids are nice, they are not required. You will use this as your lab notebook.

· You need a separate binder or notebook for class notes.

· A simple scientific calculator. What is required for you math classes will work fine.

· During the semester, you will need to download certain app’s / programs onto your Chromebook, or bookmark certain browser sites.

o Albert. Go to https://www.albert.io/

o AP Classroom. Go to https://myap.collegeboard.org/login

o Khan Academy. Go to www.khanacademy.org/join and enter your class code given in class.

o PhET (free): Bookmark: https://phet.colorado.edu/

o Vernier Video Analysis: https://videoanalysis.app/auth/

o Vernier Graphical Analysis: https://www.vernier.com/downloads/graphical-analysis/?srsltid=AfmBOor8JXBtLgMGbWgwvbhxoHE27znpQ0izVn2agk_SCLBv59S2Lltr

How you get your grade

Students will receive a course grade during the semesters in class, but AP credit depends on a placement exam for this course. A passing grade in the course is not a guarantee of a specific score on the exam. You WILL NEED to engage in an additional study to achieve a high score on the exam. Consider starting or joining a study group.

Term grading policy:

Formative: assignments, homework, quizzes 30%

Labs and alternative assessments 30%

Summative Tests* 40%

* Note: Students will be allowed a retake on an assessment, with the following constraints:

· The assessment they wish to retake must be corrected on a separate page, explaining the correct and incorrect answers in writing.

· All class and online homework must be up-to-date. An assignment zero will nullify any retakes.

· Retake must be within 2 weeks or within a grading period, whichever occurs first.

My likes:

1. My family.

2. Students who have developed a passion for learning and are self actualized.

3. Students who can respectfully encourage others, and patiently help them learn something – whether it is amazing, or just tricky (like how to divide fractions, or understand special relativity).

4. When students are successful – and the light goes on.

5. Something science related that is just “mind blowing.”

6. Experimental science – especially when students are engaged in it. Although, I really do like doing STEM!

7. Learning where students go next in life - their adventures in the world around them.

8. Star Wars, Tolkien Data (image) processing, 3D printing, and personal research - especially astronomy related.

General Rules

1. You are responsible for procedures regarding discipline taught on a progressive scale in all classes prior to entering Mr. Taylor’s class. From raising your hand, taking turns to speak,..

2. Be responsible, be respectful, and be resilient.

3. Demonstrating good leadership skills will impress anyone, including Mr. Taylor.

4. When Absent: Please, check online first - Absent homework must be dated and labeled "ABSENT". Class periods to make-up work = Class periods missed, up to the end of a grading period. Note: Finishing homework alone does not catch you up to the class!

5. Late homework may or may not earn credit, but does provide necessary practice. See #4, otherwise the default rule is homework drops value by 25% per calendar day (11pm). Not completing homework will likely lead to progressive confusion. Students should submit late assignments through Canvas, as soon as possible, and by email only if a Canvas link does not exist.

6. Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings and should not line up at the door at the end of class. This is respectful behavior and demonstrates upper-class maturity.

7. Be considerate and respectful, as student activity is to add to a positive classroom environment.

8. SAFETY FIRST. Horseplay will result in immediate loss of hands-on lab privilege, until re-instated by Mr. Taylor. Touch not – ask often.

9. Use Smart lunch when needed - don't wait.

10. Cell phones are to be parked at the beginning of class. * Occasionally, cell phones and electronic devices are allowed for educational purposes. Texting is not educational. Mr. Taylor will let you know when it is appropriate.

11. Students are not allowed out of the class without a pass. If you do not know what a natural break is, ask. Students are responsible for any content delivered when absent during class. Be courteous with time as you will share a single pass.

12. Classes will be turning in lab notebooks periodically to Mr. Taylor.

13. AI used in a way that violates academic honesty or honest effort will be reported to administration. Allowing the copying of work off of another student is NOT collaboration but will treated according to school policy as cheating. This also applies to the contributor.

14. All individuals have a right to an educational environment free from bias, prejudice and bigotry. Students are expected to refrain from participating in acts of harassment that are designed to demean another student’s race, gender, ethnicity, religious preference, disability or sexual orientation.

15. And, lastly, make sure homework has a name, date, and indicates your class block.

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