Algebra-Based Introduction to Physics

Fall 2018/Spring 2019

Mrs. Daly, room E3
karen.daly@fwusd.org
(520) 696-8109
Website: www.dalyphysics.weebly.com

Course Description
This is an algebra-based physics class aimed at strengthening overall math and algebra skills
through the use of physics concepts. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to
explain the physics of everyday phenomena and understand how to use different equations to
solve problems involving these phenomena.

Required Materials Due on: Thursday, August 16, 2018

 College Ruled Lined Notebook – 150 pages minimum

Parent
 Folder/Binder 2-80 pages notebooks Initials
 Pencils (many!) is acceptable
 Colored ball point pens/pencils
 EXPO Marker, High-lighters
**These materials are required for class every day** Always be prepared!
 You may want your own Scientific calculator (NO CELL PHONES)

Office Hours – Study Table (may be subject to change)

After School: M, W, Th; 3:30p-4:30p Parent
Before School: T, F; 7:30a-8:30a Initials
Lunch: M-F; 12:00p-12:30p

Grades (Each Quarter is 40% towards Semester Grade)

Labs/In-Class Work: 20%
Tests: 40%
Quizzes: 15%
Homework: 10%
Participation/Weekly Logs: 15%
100%
Labs/In-Class Work (20%)
Students will carry out activities in the lab to help them gain a better understanding of the
content being covered. The completion and thoroughness of these labs is an expectation. If a
student has an excused absence, completing the lab during my office hours is required and not
to exceed 1 week from the day of the lab. Unexcused/truancy will grant you a ‘zero’ for all
missed assignments.
Tests (40%)
Tests will be administered at the end of each major Unit. If a student is absent on the day of a
unit test, s/he will have same number of days absent plus 1 after returning to school to
complete the test during study table hours. Students have the opportunity to complete test
corrections for half credit during study table hours within the grading period.

Quizzes (15%)
Quizzes will be given frequently to allow students to gauge how well they understand the
material in class. The quizzes can be re-taken up to two times during the unit. If you are absent
or late to class for a quiz, you forfeit your first attempt and receive a ‘zero’. You must come
into study table to take the second/third version before the end of the unit. It is important for
students to be in class daily, on-time and ready to participate regularly.

Homework (10%)
Homework is aimed at helping students practice the material before they are tested on it. For
each day late, the homework will be reduced by 10%. Therefore, students must have due
diligence in getting this work done by the day of the exam. Grades are given for accuracy not
effort. If a student is not sure if his/her homework is correct, it is expected that s/he attend
Study Table for support.

Participation/Weekly Logs (15%)

Students will be graded on their Weekly Bellwork Logs at the end of each week. All excused
absent students are responsible for all missing bellworks. These can be found in the calendar
labeled Absent Work in our class website: www.dalyphysics.weebly.com. For an excused
absence on the day BW’s are graded, students will receive the same number of days absent
plus 1 after returning to school to present the BW Log to the teacher.
Tardy policy: As per school policy, after the first tardy, students will not receive points on
Bellwork for the day. Twelve tardies within this class will result in being dropped from the class
with an ‘F’.
Participation points are typically honored as extra credit for excellence in attitude, work ethics
and compassion.

Finals (20% towards Semester Grade)

The final will be the last assessment of each semester and will cover all of the material learned
during the semester. This exam CAN NOT be re-taken.
To determine your Final Exam grade needed for desired Semester Grade:
[(Q1 + Q2)/2] X 0.8 = *Ans.
Subtract *Ans from your desired Semester Grade = **Ans
Take **Ans / 0.2 = Needed Final Exam Grade
(Grade cannot be obtained if above 100)
Excused Absences
Students are responsible in completing ALL absent work within the same number of days
absent plus 1 after returning to school. Please attend Study Table and visit our website online.
Labs, Tests and quizzes need to be completed during Study Table or the student will receive a
grade of ‘zero’ for missed assignments.
If a student is suspended, all missing work must be turned in on the day of their return or they
will receive ‘zero’ for all assignments missed. Bellwork entries cannot be completed for a
grade.

Dishonesty Policy
There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for cheating. Assessments in class are meant to gauge an
individual student’s ability to carry out the objectives that were learned during class. Any
student caught in the act of cheating will receive a ‘zero’ on that assessment (without the
opportunity to make it up). I anticipate that this will not be an issue during the school year
since tests can be corrected and quizzes can be made up within the unit.

Classroom Conduct & Rules

1. Show respect for your peers, myself and any other adults. Remember, this is where you
have the opportunity to really shine and show exactly how you would like to be treated.
Please always clean up after yourself. Do NOT damage, break, or deface any classroom
or laboratory equipment.
2. Be responsible – you are in charge of your grade.
3. Be safe – follow ALL lab procedures and take labs seriously so nobody gets hurt.
4. Cellphones are not to be used for personal use during class time. Permission for use
must be granted. If photos/videos are taken in class without permission, an immediate
referral with extreme consequences will be taken. This includes posting on any social
media apps.

Class Website (for students & parents – connect with me!)

The class website will be an invaluable source for students during the school year. On the
website students can find a calendar updated with class content, test dates, and other
important upcoming class/school dates. The website also contains all of the homework/in-
class worksheets and lab sheets that students will need as well as supplementary documents
(e-textbook chapters, class notes) and lesson videos to deepen students learning of the topics
covered in class.

Parent
Initials Website: www.dalyphysics.weebly.com
Download: PowerSchool APP for quick grade lookup
Cornell Notes – Never turn the page to continue your notes for the day. If
more room is needed. Continue notes on the left side of your notebook.
QUESTIONS: NOTES: Right 2/3 of page
Left 1/3 of page • Be prepared to actively listen & take notes.
• Create study • Take notes in your own words as listening to the teacher, reading a textbook,
questions that watching a video, solving a math problem, or participating in a science lab.
are answered by • Record facts, explanations, definitions, graphs, etc.
each main idea. • Use abbreviations and visuals that work for you.
• Write higher- • Write in phrases (not complete sentences).
level questions • Use memory cues: underline, highlight, draw diagrams, etc.
• Use the • Use different colors to indicate changes in topics or to mark important
questions to vocabulary words or phrases.
study for quizzes • Review notes with a partner whenever possible.
and exams. • Review notes 10-24-7 (after 10 minutes, 24 hours, and 7 days).
Note any points that need to be clarified with the instructor.

Cornell Note-Taking Summary Template

Steps for Writing a Complete Unit Summary
Step 1: Read the essential question/objective at the top of the Cornell notes.

Step 2: Respond to the essential question/objective in one sentence—this is the introduction to

the summary. Use your own words in writing your summary.

Step 3: Review the first chunk of notes on the right side and your corresponding generated
questions on the left side.

Step 4: Write a one/two-sentence(s) response to the left side generated question, using content-
based vocabulary and information from the right side of notes. DO NOT rewrite the whole right
side of your notes; the goal is to paraphrase your notes into one sentence.

Step 5: Repeat this process until all your generated questions are incorporated into the
summary—accounting for all the main ideas in your notes.

Step 6: Reread your summary for clarity and accuracy, rewriting as needed and adding
transitions, when possible.

Step 7: Review your summary to study for tests/quizzes, write essays, etc.

GIST Summary
Gist is a word that means “the essence.” A GIST summary conveys the meaning of the scientific
concept, event, experiment, or theory without including all of the details. When you can
summarize the main points in your own words, you are one step closer to mastery of the concept.
Include the following in a GIST summary:
• Explain what you are summarizing.
• Describe the concept that you are learning about.
• Highlight or write five key phrases/words that encompass what the notes are about.
• Use your five key phrases/words to write three to five complete sentences that summarize your
notes.
• Check your summary to be sure that the details support the topic from your notes.