Daily Homework: will be assigned on a daily basis, and usually gone over briefly in class that day. If the assignment is not ready at the beginning of the class, it will be marked down as late. If you are late to class without an excuse, your homework will also be marked as late. Homework assignments more than three days late go down as a zero in the grade book. You may collaborate and work in groups on your homework. You should show all of your work. Merely copying the answer out of the back of the text or from your friend will not gain you full credit for doing your homework. Assignments will be given 1-2 weeks at a time over Blackboard. Homework assignments will consist of several parts. All daily homework assignments are evaluated on a 4.0 scale.
Note-taking: When doing readings to prepare for the homework you should take notes. You should upload your notes (either types or an image) to the shared Google Drive so they can be evaluated. They should be BRIEF. Through a grant we have been supplied with Rocketbooks, which you may use to take notes.
Workbook Problems
Emphasize interpretation of problems and algebraic manipulation of variables. Numerical problems from the Problems Solving Exercises workbook should be done in the workbook and you must show all of your work to get credit.
Evaluated on: Timeliness of assignments; Completion of work; Following proper methods. Workbook problems are not evaluated on arriving at the exact correct answer.
Visual Classrooms
There will be several Visual Classrooms based questions for homework. Sometimes you can view your peers’ answers immediately. Sometime you cannot view others’ answers until you have posted yourself. You will also be evaluated on your in-Class Visual Classrooms postings. Most importantly, Visual Classrooms will be used as a digital lab notebook.
LabReports
Lab Reports are pieces of formal writing, with an emphasis on writing skills. As in all courses at the Academy, you are expected to use Primary Sources. Reading about the experiments in their larger context and the history of the physics you are reporting on are also key elements of the reports.
Tests
Tests will be at the end of every unit (typically every 4 weeks). You will be given the equations for tests and I will supply a scientific calculator. Tests will be announced at the beginning of the semester. Detailed feedback will be provided on tests. Low tests grades (below a B-) are allowed corrections for half the credit. Test corrections are due within one week of receiving your test, otherwise they will NOT be accepted. For test corrections, you must
- Include the original test
- Solve the problem correctly
- Explain in writing what errors you made on the original test
Overall 1st quarter grading:
1/3 Test (s)
1/3 Rough draft of the lab report on free fall
1/3 Homework (includes notebook checks, workbook problems, Visual Classroom homework and labwork)
Overall 1st semester grading:
20% Final exam
10% Each test (three tests total)
10% Each lab report (two lab reports)
30% Homework (includes notebook checks, workbook problems, Visual Classroom homework and labwork).
For information on extra credit, click on the next link.
Extra Credit on the bottom of this page.