Physics Syllabus

Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Instructor: William Evan Conners, E310, evan.conners@gcpsk12.org

Resource: Physicsclassroom.com, google classroom, eclass

What to expect in Physics

Physics is a required course for graduation. It is a full year, math-based science class. Students will have
many opportunities to learn with hands on labs and peer collaboration. All physics classes have a unified
course policy as outlined in the syllabus below.

Materials
pen/pencil graphing/scientific calculator notebook paper
3 ring binder Dividers

1st Semester Topics Approx. Time Approx.Test Date

1-D Kinematics 3.5 weeks Test 8/31
2-D Kinematics 3 weeks Test 9/21
Newton’s Laws and Forces 4 weeks Test 10/26
Impulse, Conservation of Momentum 2 weeks Test 11/16
Work, Energy, and Power 2 weeks Test 12/7
Finals 12/14 – 12/16

2nd Semester Topics Approx. Time

Electrostatics 1.5 weeks Course Grading System
Electrical Potential and Current 3.5 weeks Classwork/Quizzes 20 %
Magnetism & Electromagnetism 2.5 weeks Labs 15%
Waves & Sound 3 weeks Tests 40%
Light & Optics 4 weeks CFA (common formative assessments) 5%
Nuclear 1 week Performance Final 5%
Finals 5/20-5/22 District Final 15%

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones are silent and placed in cellphone holder during all during daily classes and assessments. No
cell phone use is allowed in any science classroom.

HAVING A CELLULAR DEVICE OF ANY SORT ON YOUR PERSON DURING A TEST OR QUIZ
WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CONSIDERED AN ATTEMPT AT CHEATING.

The use of cell phones, copying answers from someone else, using notes on a test or quiz is considered
cheating. Zeros will be given and disciplinary referrals will be written when a student is caught cheating.

Classwork
Classwork will include quizzes that may be both announced and unannounced and are graded for
correctness. Labs quizzes/reports will also be included in the classwork category and will be graded for
correctness.

Late Work
Assignments may be turned in late, however, a 10% deduction will be assessed for each day that it is late.
Late work will be accepted for up to 3 days late with a 30% penalty. No late work will be accepted more
than 3 days late or after an assignment has been graded and handed back to the class.
Absences
All students are responsible for completing assignments when due as published on e-class calendar or
google classroom. Students should communicate any issue with this to teacher via email or other method.
If the assignment has already been graded when absent student returns to school, an alternate assignment
will be given. Students are allowed a maximum of 5 days to make up all work once they return.

A one-day absence before a test or announced quiz does not excuse you from that assignment, if no new
material was covered during your one day absence. Example: A test is scheduled for Wednesday and you
are absent on Tuesday. In class on Tuesday, questions were answered from a review sheet that had been
handed out on Monday. When you come back to school on the test day you will take the test because you
did not miss any new material.

Extra Help
Extra help is usually available before school and after school with appointment. Please reach out to
teacher via email or other method to secure a time. Additionally, a tutoring schedule will be posted on e-
class of all physics teachers tutoring after the first week of school.

Tests
All tests dates are announced as each unit is begun. Tests are graded for correctness. Tests will be a
combination of multiple-choice, math problems, and short answer item analysis. Formula worksheets will
be provided for each test. Alternate tests are given to those who miss a test day. There are no test retakes
of any kind.

Remediation:
Remediation procedures will be ongoing throughout the semester. Many opportunities will be offered
weekly in the form of small group instruction. To participate in test remediation, reach out to your teacher
to ask about the test correction process. Test remediation will only be offered within 2 weeks of the last
completed exam.

Labs
Labs require students to collaborate with peers, use problem solving skills, and manage classroom
equipment. Students are expected to show respect to their peers and school equipment. Students that copy
another lab, even if they are in the same lab group, are cheating and will be given a zero for the
assignment. Labs should be written by each student in their own words. Data can be shared.

Digital Work
There are 4 scheduled digital days this school year. Students will be assigned classwork on these days.
This work will be required, graded, and will need to be turned in by the end of the digital day. If there are
any issues with this requirement, please talk with your teacher before your first digital day September 16.

Tardies
The door is closed as the tardy bell rings. If the door is closed when you arrive, then you are tardy so you
need to go to the attendance office and get a tardy pass. Consistent tardiness will result in a referral.

AN ONLINE SIGNATURE WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGE BELOW:

*I have read and understand the information contained within this syllabus.
* I have read and understand the cell phone policy as it applies to this class.
*I understand that failure to abide by any of these rules will result in consequences ranging from
verbal warnings, changed seats, detentions, parent phone call, or a discipline referral.
 Physics Syllabus
Academic Year 2023 - 2024