AP Physics 1 Course Description
Teacher Contact Info:
Name: Bryce Brunner
Email – ​bbrunner@csisd.org
Course description​:
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, college-level introductory
physics course. Over the course of the year, students will
explore the science that deals with the fundamental
principles that govern the behavior of the Universe.
Students will be focused on the six “big ideas” of physics
that encompass the scientific principles, theories, and
processes of the discipline. Problem solving and critical
thinking skills are developed and emphasized throughout
the course. Students will be expected to connect and apply
physics principles from different units in order to solve
complex problems. Ideas will be explored through
laboratory investigations, class discussions, and group
work. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate
with their peers, have “hands on” experience with lab
equipment, and present their ideas through scientific
writing. Mathematics will be used to model physical
phenomena and is heavily used throughout the course.
Students must be enrolled in Pre-AP Calculus or higher in
order to be successful in this class.
This course can serve several purposes. (1) It prepares
students to go on to AP Physics 2 next year. (2) This course
also prepares students for the second year calculus-based
physics, AP Physics C. (3) It can count as college credit with
a successful AP Physics 1 Exam in May. I strongly encourage
ALL students to take the AP Physics 1 Exam in May.
Class Rules of Conduct​: Students will be treated as ​a
college bound​ student in this classroom. Behavior that
undermines the learning of another student will NOT be
tolerated. This means adult behavior and manners are
expected from students in both conduct in this classroom
and study habits. Failure to behave in a courteous manner
will result in retention during free time for special,
notifications to parents, and intense work on correcting
this problem.
Teacher/Student Communication Policy:​ You are welcome
to email me with questions about grades, assignments,
tutoring requests, etc.
Please copy one or both of your parents on any email you
send me or I am not allowed to respond per district policy.
Cell Phone Policy:
CSHS Policy states:
“​Bring Your Own Device & Cell Phone Use At CSHS
College Station ISD believes that technology should be used
to enhance instruction and learning in the school setting. It
is an expectation that all technology be used in a manner
that supports learning and good citizenship. The use of
electronic devices such as Kindles, Nooks, iPads,
laptops/notebooks, cell phones, cameras, and similar items
may be allowed by an individual teacher for student use
during instruction; however, that use will only be for an
approved educational purposes and only with the
permission of a teacher at appropriate times in the lesson.
Electronic ​devices shall not be visible or activated on
campus by students except by permission from the school
administrator or classroom teacher. Students may access
their devices during passing periods and lunches.” 
In AP Physics 1, cell phones and other devices are not
allowed to be visible in class unless specifically directed by
the teacher to be used. During tests cell phones will be
placed in bags and bags will be placed under the student
desks. If students choose to use cellphones in class, the
first incident will be a warning, the second will be a teacher
detention and parent notification, and the third incident
will result in an office referral. Any cell phones that are
used during any testing period will result in automatic
failure and parent notification.
Grading​:
80% Academic Achievement
Tests/Projects x3
Formal Labs x2
Daily Labs x1
20% Academic Practice
Quizzes x3
Simple/Short Labs/Graded Discussions x2
FastChecks x1
Materials​:
● dedicated space for class information and notes
● loose leaf paper
● writing utensils (pencil and pen)
● calculator (scientific or graphing)
● lab notebook ($2) –by Tuesday
● Kleenex
Assignments​:​ At the beginning of each six weeks, students
will be given a calendar outlining assignments for the six
weeks including homework, labs, tests and projects. Each
student should use this as a reference. In addition, a
schedule will be posted in the classroom. This six weeks
calendar is ​tentative​ and some of the dates may change.
Please check the board in the classroom for the most
up-to-date schedule information.
 AP Physics 1 Course Description
Tutorials​: If a student does not understand a concept, it is
their responsibility to come in for additional tutoring. Each
student is responsible for his or her own learning!
Mornings: beginning at 7:50
Afternoons: until 4:30
Extra Resources​: In addition to the textbooks issued, there
are several online resources that students will be asked to
visit throughout the year. This includes
PhysicsClassroom.com, Hyperphysics, APlusPhysics, and
more. BEFORE we start each unit, you will be given a
reading assignment to learn basic vocabulary and concepts.
On the first day of a new unit, you will be expected to have
completed​ the reading and are responsible for the
information.
Absences​:​ Please see the school policy regarding absences.
That is what I will follow. It is each student’s responsibility
to get missing assignments, complete, and turn in all work.
If/when you are absent, please make sure you are
communicating with me to keep up with your work.
Late Work Policy​:​ Projects and Lab Assignments turned in
one school day late will receive a maximum of 70. Projects
turned in two school days late will be graded for a
maximum of 50. After this time assignments will receive a
zero.
Gradebook:​ A couple of notes about postings in my
gradebook. Anytime you do not turn in an assignment
when it is due, I automatically enter a “Z” (which averages
as a zero) into the gradebook. If absent, students will be
allowed to make up the assignment, but the Z will remain
until it is turned in and graded. Also, I try diligently to not
make mistakes, but I am human. If a mistake is made in the
gradebook, please bring me the graded paper and I will fix
the mistake.
Homework​:​ Homework assignments will be given daily
along with the correct answers. The goal is for students to
work assignments until they figure out how to get the
correct answer (this may not always be the case and
students are not expected to spend hours on a single
problem). Unannounced homework quizzes (FastChecks)
will be based on the assigned problems. Class discussions
may occur based on the previous day’s assignment.
Students will always be given the opportunity to ask
questions about homework. It is up to students to do the
problems, identify weak areas and seek help. We will not
have time to review every problem in class, and will focus
on the problems that the majority of the class had difficulty
with. Do not expect to do a minimal job on homework –
inadequate effort on homework will result in a lowering of
quiz grades and low test grades. Completing homework is
one of the most important tasks in physics. ​There is a
direct relationship between success in physics and
completion of homework assignments.
Tests​:​ Each six weeks there will be two or more tests that
are composed mostly of multiple choice questions, fill in
the blank, etc. Starting the second six weeks, students will
also have one AP Free Response Test the first week of each
six weeks covering topics learned in the previous six weeks.
These will be graded using the AP rubric and returned for
viewing. Once the Free Response Tests are been returned,
students will have time to correct the test (in my
classroom) and the final grade on the exam will include
corrections. Students will be allowed time in class to do
corrections but may need additional time outside of class
as well.
Quizzes​:​ These will generally be announced, but can be
unannounced. Quizzes serve to help students practice their
skills and for me to check your understanding before test
time. Announced quizzes will count in the grade book as
three​ Academic Practice grades.
FastChecks:​ Often, FastChecks will be given at the
beginning of class. These are very short quizzes, often 2-4
questions in length and will be unannounced. FastChecks
count as 1 Academic Practice grade and are closely based
on the homework/reading from the previous night(s).
Labs​:​ Laboratory activities offer students the opportunity
to observe many of the concepts covered in this course.
There is always a post lab assignment to be completed.
Labs will count as Academic Achievement or Academic
Practice grades depending on the time and effort required
for the lab. Each six weeks, students will have one or more
formal labs that can be assessed in a variety of ways.
Sometimes, the teachers will grade each student’s entire
lab, sometimes we will grade one lab per group, or parts of
each group members’ lab. Other options for assessing
formal labs are a combination of a quiz and a peer grade or
just a quiz.
Projects​:​ We will target doing one project per each six
week grading period. Projects are used for extended
learning, and to reinforce concepts taught in class.
Generally projects will be completed outside of class.
Projects count as a test grade.