Physics

Buchanan High School

Instructor: Paul Lake

Phone number: 327-3000  E-mail: [email protected]  URL: www.geocities.com/mrlakebhscience

 

Welcome to Physics!  Albert Einstein once said, "The most incomprehensible thing about the Universe is that it is comprehensible."  Over the next nine months you will explore our wonderful universe and discover many of its secrets.  I think you will find this journey to be exciting and satisfying. 

 

Prerequisites:  Make sure you've completed Algebra 1 and Geometry with a grade of B or better.  You should either be finished with Algebra 2 or be taking it concurrently.  Advanced Math and Physics are great classes to take at the same time as they compliment each other wonderfully.  You should have already successfully completed a chemistry class.

 

Grade Policy: A student's grade is calculated based on the percentage of possible points earned.  Notebooks and projects will earn approximately 40% of possible points, while exams, quizzes, and take home tests will be the remainder.  Students who miss quizzes or exams because of excused absences have as many days as were missed to make them up.  At the end of the semester a student’s one lowest grade will be dropped at the teacher’s discretion.

 

Most student work will be done in a spiral bound notebook.  Individual assignments will be checked on the day they are due.  Late assignments will receive half credit if completed before the notebook is due.  No late work will be accepted for credit after a notebook is graded.  The grade scale is below:

 

98-100% .......       A+           88-89%..........        B+           78-79%..........        C+           68-69%..........        D+           0-59%..........          F

93-97%..........        A             83-87%..........        B             73-77%..........        C             63-67%..........        D

90-92%..........        A-            80-82%..........        B-            70-72%..........        C-            60-62%..........        D-

 

I want you all to earn the highest grade you deserve.  If at any time you think a mistake has been made in calculating your grade please meet with me and we will fix the mistake.  However, extra credit assignments will not be given at the end of a grading period to boost a student's grade.  Extra credit will be available from time to time, but extra credit is limited to 3% of a student’s overall percentage.  The grade scale will be strictly adhered to.

 

Come to class prepared:  You will need the following materials in class everyday: 1) A spiral bound notebook preferably filled with graph paper.  2) A box of whiteboard dry-erase pens.  3) A scientific calculator.   4) Protractor and straight edge. 5) And of course your textbook.

 

Parents  To keep track of your student's progress ask to see their notebook.  At the beginning of each unit students will keep a calendar and assignment list that you can use to assess their progress.  Feel free to e-mail ([email protected]) or call me for grade updates, and check my website (www.geocities.com/mrlakebhscience) for an up-to-date calendar of what's happening in physics.  Your students grades will be available on the ParentConnect web site.  Physics can be a challenging course for many students.  You can help your young scholar be more successful by helping them manage their time and giving them a quiet place to study.  I encourage students to work together on homework and take home tests, so you could host study groups at your home.  Most of all let them know throughout the year how proud of them you are for taking on such a challenging course.  All their hard work will pay off!! 

 

Students   Congratulations to you for taking on physics!  A serious student like you must NEVER HESITATE to request help from me or other physics students if you are experiencing difficulty.  This class is a team!  If we all work together and help each other we will all succeed.  Do not procrastinate!  I hope you will enjoy learning in this course as much as I will enjoy teaching it.  GOOD LUCK!!

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul A. Lake

 

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I have read and understand the course description and policies for Physics:

 

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