• Course Description: A non-calculus approach to the principles of general physics which includes electricity, magnetism, light and optics, fluids, thermodynamics, and topic in modern physics. Recommended for pre-professional and suggested for certain other majors. This is a college-level physics course, and will provide an excellent opportunity for students to become acquainted with techniques for reading and study that will be necessary in the university environment. As such, reading assignments are absolutely essential to success and comprehension of lecture and laboratory activities. This course utilizes guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical thinking skills. Laboratory activities will cover most major topics and focus decisions regarding procedures and conclusions on student-centered discussions. Reading assignments will be assessed through homework and group problem-solving.

    Course Objectives:
    By the time the student completes this course of study, the student will know or be able to

    1. Be prepared for a successful AP Physics testing experience.
    2. Have enhanced study and test-taking skills.
    3. Have an increased appreciation of the world around us
    4. .Have developed critical thinking skills.
    5. Be prepared for college-level courses in science.

     

    In addition to the course objectives listed above, the following “Arizona College and Career Ready” Anchor Standards for Writing are also embedded;
        •Standard 1- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. 
        •Standard 2- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. 
        •Standard 9- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

    Class Expectations:

    1. Treat everyone in the class with respect at all times.
    2. Entry into the classroom - You must be in the class and moving toward your seat when the bell rings or you will be marked absent.
    3. Attention - While a teacher or student is addressing the class, remain quiet and pay attention.
    4. Any student caught with their head down will stand the remainder of the hour.
    5. Exit - All students must be in their seats before the class may leave.

    Consequences:
    Steps:

    1. Verbal warning
    2. Isolation in the room, and a parent phone call
    3. Removal from class, parent phone call, and detention
    4. Referral

    Grades:

    1. 好色导航work: Expect homework 2 to 4 nights a week.
    2. Labs: When we have a lab you will be assessed on your completion of the lab and your comprehension of the lab concepts. Labs are usually worth more points in class compared to daily work AND they are graded on accuracy and format.
    3. Assignments: Worksheets, questions, test reviews, etc. All assignments should be 100% complete in order to receive full credit!
    4. Quizzes: You can expect anywhere from 1 to 2 quizzes per unit depending on the length of the unit.
    5. Tests and Projects: At the end of each unit there will be a final assessment. The final assessment could be in the form of a test, project or paper.
    • There is no extra credit at MRHS

    A = 100 - 90        Assessments: 80%
    B = 89 - 80          Coursework: 20%
    C = 79 - 70          Practice: 0%
    D = 69 - 60
    F = 59 – 0           


    Report Cards:

    In an effort to conserve resources and harness the capacity of our electronic grade reporting program (PowerSchool) district schools will no longer print hard copies of report cards unless requested by individual parents. To request a hard copy of your student’s report card, please contact the front office at 623-376-3000.  To receive your PowerSchool login, please stop into the office with a valid photo ID.

    Power School Online Access & Grades:

    Grades and attendance may be accessed 24 hours a day online with your Power School access code.  Access codes are available in the Counseling Office or Front Desk Monday – Friday 7:00 AM– 3:30 PM. You may check student progress regularly on the PowerSchool site using the same login for one or more students.  For Mountain Ridge parents/guardians without home computer access, a computer with guest log-in capability is available in the Counseling Conference Room.

    Academic Assistance/Office Hours:
    In addition to the Academic Prep times built into our schedule each week, additional assistance/tutoring is provided on a weekly basis both by MRHS and individually by instructors. These office hours will be posted in my classroom, website, and/or Canvas at the start of each week. I will demonstrate to the students how to find my availability each week.


    Daily Device Use (iPads): 
    Students should come to school with their iPads charged and ready to use in each class every day. Devices may not be used to record or take photos of other people without their consent.  Consequences for classroom disruptions and misuse of devices will follow a progressive discipline model, beginning with a phone call home and progressing to office referrals for repeated or more serious offenses. See the Student Rights and Responsibilities consequence chart in the handbook for more specific descriptions of infractions and consequences.


    Laboratory:

    • Correct lab procedures will be explained before each lab and students must follow the lab safety rules reviewed at the start of the semester.
    • Horseplay will not be tolerated. Students will leave the lab and will not receive credit.


    Makeup Policy & Retest Policy: (absent work can be daily assignments, quizzes, labs, or tests.)

    • After an absence, a student has one school day for each day missed to make up work/tests, regardless of the number of days absent. If many days are missed, please schedule an appointment with me to formulate a plan for the completion of make-up work. In Canvas, you will be given 3 days before the assignment locks.  Make-up work for extended absences (over 3 days) may be requested through the Counseling Office and picked up there. 
    • Mountain Ridge students have within the current unit of study to turn in assigned work for full credit, as determined by the teacher, level, and department on campus. The length of the unit of study and due dates will be clearly communicated to students by the teacher. Any missing work must be turned in by the end of the unit.
      • Any work that is past the due date and due time will be required to be written out by hand, NOT printed out from notability, and turned in on paper.  You do NOT need to print out the worksheet/lab, you can just write out the work and answers on a notebook piece of paper.
      • You MUST include your first AND last name, your class period, AND the title of the assignment.   
      • It is your responsibility to ensure the correct file is submitted and the file is uploaded before the due date and time shown in Canvas
    • However, the point of assignments/homework/labs and projects are to expose students to content and help them obtain mastery of that content through timely practice so that they are successful on all forms of assessments. By not completing assignments by the due date and instead, submitting the work late, the students' ability to achieve mastery as they may go into assessments without feedback and practice.  Having late work also causes students to have to play "catch up" which for some will cause additional stress.  It is highly suggested that students complete work by the due date and only on rare special occasions do they turn the work in late.
    • Students will be allowed a maximum of 2 attempts on assessments.
      • The student must initiate contact with the teacher within 5 school days of the assessment score being posted.  
      • In order to earn a retake opportunity, the student must turn in all work (homework, classwork, projects, labs, etc) covered in the assessment.  Any missing work after the assessment date must be turned in even though no credit will be given before the retake is completed.
      • The student will also need to complete a second review and earn a score of 85% or higher to retake the assessment.  This review will need to be done during Aca Prep in my classroom.
      • The teacher will share a specific date for the reassessment which must be completed in that time frame.  Most retake times will be at the end of the month only.  After this date, the student will no longer have the opportunity for a second attempt.  In most cases, a different assessment that covers the same standards will be provided for the retake in lieu of the initial assessment.

    Science Calculator Policy: 
    Students may use their calculators for classwork and homework. Students will be required to use a calculator from a class set for all exams and quizzes. A student may also use one of these calculators if the student hasn’t brought a calculator to class.

    Classwork:
    We will spend time on a daily basis working in small groups or individually on assignments. THIS IS NOT FREE TIME.  In-class assignments may be due by the end of the class period and no late work will be accepted.  If you need extra time, please speak to me before you leave.  Students who are off task during class will not be given an extension.

     

    AI Statement:

    In Deer Valley Unified School District, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education while ensuring their safety, privacy, and well-being. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance learning experiences, we may incorporate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom for students. However, it is important to approach this technology with caution and adhere to responsible data privacy practices.

     

    好色导航has determined that the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, is prohibited unless clearly specified by your teacher. Specific guidelines will be provided in the assignment details. If you are unsure if the tool or website you are using is an LLM or if it is permitted on a specific assignment, please contact your teacher before submitting your work.