Class notes, lab activities and other relevant information will be posted on the class Team on Microsoft Teams.
Additional class information will be posted to the class website at:
BarlowAcademy.com
AP Physics 1 is
the equivalent to a first-semester introductory college course in algebra-based
physics. The course curriculum is dramatically different from previous years as
less material is covered though the students are expected to know the material
in more depth. Students will spend less of their time on formula-based learning
and more of their effort on critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students no
longer need to memorize equations and will be able to use a calculator on all
portions of the test. Instead, the focus is understanding relationships between
critical variables depending on the situation at hand.
Click here to access a copy of the course syllabus.
Textbook
OpenStax College Physics for AP Courses. This can also be accessed on-line or downloaded as a PDF onto a computer, tablet or smartphone. We will also be using Young and Freedman’s University Physics textbook as a physical supplement to the OpenStax
Extra Help
Every day after school until 2:30. If extra time is needed, please make an appointment with me.
Homework and Class
Participation
Homework will be assigned every day. Homework assignments may consist of
reading and outlining the text, problems from the textbook, worksheets or
practice FRQ problems. There will also be several online homework assignments
such as Physics Aviary tasks, Physlets or videos to watch. Many of the problems
chosen will require you to use algebra for the solution. Clear and concise
reasoning is essential as well as the inclusion of appropriate units. Each
student will be periodically expected to present on a whiteboard a solution to
a homework problem.
Tests and Quizzes
Tests will always be
announced several days in advance. Quizzes may or may not be announced so you
should always be prepared for them.
Please come to extra help as soon as you need help in this subject.
Quiz Corrections: Available for any
quiz grade. Corrections are due one week from the time the quiz is returned to
you. You must complete a Quiz Correction Form for each question to receive
credit. Staple the correction form to your quiz and turn in your completed
corrections to the Corrections Box.
Citizen Science
Project
There will be
a major project for the class involving citizen science . This will be due
second quarter and more information will be provided sometime in September.
Grading
Grades are
broken down into two categories: formative and summative assessments. The value
or weight of any assignment is determined by the point value given to that
assignment. Your grade is calculated by totaling the points earned for the
quarter, and dividing by the total possible points. Summative assessments,
consisting of both multiple choice and long answer questions, are graded
numerically and will count toward the average in the course. Formative
assessments will be either be scored or simply checked for completion. These
formative assessments are used to prepare you for your summative assessments
and your scores will be considered when completing the THS Behavioral Expectations
Matrix.
Laboratory Investigations:
Students spend at least 25% of the
instructional time engaged in laboratory work. Experiments designed by the
instructor are used to demonstrate procedural guidelines and to learn how to
use specific laboratory equipment. The majority of labs are inquiry-based where
students are given an objective and a set of materials. You will be tasked with
designing a procedure and collecting data to determine specific quantities,
determine the relationship between variables, and/or to derive fundamental
physics equations. Laboratory design, experimentation, data gathering, data
presentation, analysis, drawing conclusions, and experimental error analysis
are elements in these lab activities. Laboratory work is recorded in a
laboratory notebook/binder, and students will have opportunities to present
their laboratory work to their peers. Lab reports will consist of the following
components:
-Title
-Overview/Purpose
-Experimental
Design/Procedure (for guided inquiry & open inquiry, the design must be
created by the students and approved by the teacher before experimentation may
begin)
-Data
-Calculations and/or graphs
-Conclusion
(including data and error analysis, summary of results)
Course Syllabus