AP PHYSICS
Course Description

This course is designed to provide you with the skills necessary to pass the AP Physics Test next spring. The topics presented will require some knowledge of Calculus (I will show you how to do what you do not know how to do, so don't worry!).

Grades will be weighted in the following manner:

Homework 10%
Quizzes 10%
Labs 20%
AP Practice Problems 10%
Tests 35%
Projects 15%

A project may be assigned each six weeks grading period.

The standard school tardy policy will be followed. If you are not in
the room when the bell rings, you are tardy. The first tardy will result in a warning. The 2nd and 3rd tardies will result in a one-hour detention and a call to a parent/guardian. After the 4th tardy, you will be turned in on a write-up form for excessive tardies.

Tutorials are available before school starting at 7:00 A.M., except for Wednesdays. Depending on my after school meeting schedule, I am usually in my room until 5:30 or later, so you may come in after school for help as well.

Late Work Policy:
1 Day Late: -- 20 Pts
2 Days Late: -- 40 Pts
3 Days Late: -- 60 Pts
4 Days Late: -- 80 Pts

I am dedicated to helping you succeed in this course. It is up to you to let me know when you do not understand something. I can not help you if I do not know where you need help, so please communicate your needs!

I am looking forward to working with you this year!!

ACADEMIC DECATHLON
Course Description

This course is designed to prepare you for Academic Decathlon competition in January. The contest will consist of ten events, broken into the following categories:

Multiple-choice exams (each exam lasting 30 minutes):
1. Art -- 50 Questions
2. Economics -- 50 Questions
3. Language and Literature (Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad) –
50 Questions
4. Mathematics -- 35 Questions
5. Music -- 50 Questions
6. Science (an introduction to physical science) -- 50 Questions
7. Super Quiz (The Age of the Empire) -- both a 40 question written and an oral 5 question multiple choice exam
Other Evaluations:
8. An Essay Exam -- 50 minutes to write on a given topic
9. Speech Event -- Prepared (3.5 to 4 minutes in length) and
Impromptu (1.5 to 2 minutes in length)
10. Interview Event

The theme for this year's competition is The Age of the Empire. The topic of the Super Quiz will be The Age of Imperialism: The Making of a European Global Order.

There is a great variety of material to learn, so this should be a very interesting, fun, and rewarding class. At times it will be challenging as well. Please keep in mind we are building a team, so each person will need to participate and do his/her part.

The weighting of Nine-Weeks grades is as follows:
Benchmark 10%
In-Class Work 10%
Homework 25%
Outside of Class Meetings 5%
*Attending Practice Meet 15%
Tests 35%

*Date is still to be determined (TBD), but usually the practice meet is held in November or December.

The standard school tardy policy will be followed. If you are not in
the room when the bell rings, you are tardy. If you are tardy, you will be sent to the nearest Assistant Principal’s Office (Mr. Rodriguez).

Tutorials are available before school starting at 7:00 A.M., except for Wednesdays. Depending on his after school meeting schedule, Mr. Glebe is usually in this room until 5:30 or later, so you may come in after school for help as well.

There will be some study sessions that will take place outside of the usual class time. Attendance at these sessions is expected, and will count toward five percent of your nine-weeks grade for this class.

We are looking forward to working

PHYSICS I B
Course Description

This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of physics
concepts that will enable you to better understand the physical world we live in. The heart of physics is the application of mathematics to solve problems involving the physical world. After mastering the concepts presented in this course, the student will be prepared to enter a college level physics course. A list of the topics that will be covered in the first semester of this two semester course include the following:

Thermodynamics
Heat
Specific Heat
Heat Engines
Entropy

Vibrations and Waves
Simple Harmonic Motion
Sound
Intensity
Resonance
Harmonics
Light, Reflection, and Refraction
Mirrors
Lenses

Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Fields and Forces
Resistance
Capacitance
Ohm’s Law
Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Force

Grades will be weighted in the following manner:

Homework 15%
Labs 25%
Quizzes 15%
Tests 40%
Article Summaries 5%

The standard school tardy policy will be followed. If you are not in
the room when the bell rings, you are tardy. The first tardy will result in a warning. The 2nd and 3rd tardies will result in a two-hour detention. After the 4th tardy, you will be turned in on a write-up form for excessive tardies.
Tutorials are available before school starting at 7:00 A.M. I am
usually in my room until 5:30 or later after school, so you may come in
after school for help as well.

Retests will be given to anyone who scored below an 85 on a test and wishes to improve the grade. The highest grade possible on a retest is an 85. To be eligible for the retest, you must come to tutorials to go over the old test with me. Then you must correct each problem on a separate sheet of paper and turn in the corrections. Once I am convinced you understand the problems you missed, you may schedule a time to come in and take a different exam covering the same material. The retest grade will REPLACE your previous exam grade.

I am dedicated to helping you succeed in this course. It is up to you to let me know when you do not understand something. I cannot help you if I do not know when and where you need help, so please communicate your needs!

I am looking forward to working with you this year!!