Course Syllabus for Physics 2021 - 2022

Course Title: Freshman Physics

Instructor: Nick Tarpinian

[email protected]
314-776-6040 ext. 46114

Course Description and Prerequisites: Students will be introduced to physics, the study of the
properties of matter and energy. This course covers kinetics, energy, waves, and Earth’s elements.
Students will be coached into developing critical thinking skills and an inquiring mind through the use of
storyline learning, laboratory experiments, and collaborative activities. This course is an End of Course
(EOC) subject; in April, students will take a comprehensive test administered by the State of Missouri.
This is an important test of the students’ proficiency in the subject content.

Instructional Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course you will:

1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s 2nd law of motion describes the mathematical
relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
2. Create a computational model to calculate the change in energy of one component in a system
when the change(s) in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the
system are known.
3. Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of
energy into another form of energy.
4. Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the
frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.
5. Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the
patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
6. Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to
illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the
interaction.

Every day in class, we work hard together so that students are able to:

1) Engage in productive academic discussion.

2) Become better thinkers.
3) Prepare for life after high school.

Goals: Our class goal is for ALL students to average 80% mastery or higher of all learning targets introduced in the
class. Mastery of learning targets will be measured by performance on classwork, quizzes, labs, unit tests, semester
exams, and college preparation activities. This is a challenging goal based on difficult material, but we can reach it if
everyone works hard every day.

Required Materials:
● Technology (district provided laptop)
● Username and password to access school email and Microsoft Teams
● Note Paper/Notebook
● Writing tool (pen or pencil)
Your grade will be based on the following categories:

Category Portion of Grade

Classwork / Discussion 20%

Homework 10%

Labs 20%

Quizzes 20%

Tests 30%

Semester Exam 20% (of semester grade)

● Unit Tests: Most Units will take place over the course of 4 weeks (give or take 1 week). Unit Tests will be
given at the end of a unit.
● Classwork/Homework: Students should expect to have classwork and/or homework most days.
Homework is the time for practice and is graded for completion. Therefore, THERE IS NO REASON TO
COPY. Mr. Tarpinian reserves the right to refuse late homework and/or to ask a student to complete an
alternate assignment if copying is suspected.
● Attendance and Participation: Participation grades will not be awarded or factored into a student’s overall
grade in this class. However, it is expected that students will arrive on time and remain on task throughout
the entire class period. It will be very difficult to achieve mastery of the content if you choose to miss
class or if you are not an active participant!
● Labs: We will do labs as often as possible. Students must complete lab safety training and return their
safety contract signed by a parent or guardian to be able to participate in lab activities. Failure to
follow safety procedures (i.e. wearing safety goggles at all times) will result in a student losing their lab
privileges.
● Notebook: We will utilize a digital notebook within Microsoft Teams. Mr. Tarpinian will check the notebook
regularly to ensure students are understanding and on track.
● Extra practice, redos and retakes: Mr. Tarpinian will offer opportunities for practice, retakes and retests
often. Please see the subsection titled Retakes and Retests below for more information.

The School-Wide Grading Scale is as follows:

Letter Grade Percentage Grade

A 90% and above

B 80% and above

C 70% and above

D 60% and above

F Below 60%

**An “F” for the semester means that no credit will be awarded.
Retakes and Retests:

In order to ensure mastery of the standards, retakes and retest opportunities will be offered often throughout the
grading period.

● No retakes the last week of grading periods.

● Retakes may be in a different form from the original test (teacher choice)
● Must submit a completed “retake ticket” BEFORE taking a retest.
● I may require specific learning activities and/or parent signature to be completed BEFORE a retake.
● Must develop a “retake plan” with me BEFORE taking a retake.
● Must retake assessment within 2 weeks of the original test.
● If you do not pass the retake, you must make a conference appointment with me to develop
another remediation plan.
● I reserve the right to limit the number of retakes per assessment and/or grading period.
● Sample retake ticket is attached to this syllabus.

Rules & Expectations:

We are scientists.

● Be curious. Think critically about the material and try to relate it to the world around you.
● If you don’t understand, ASK QUESTIONS! You are probably not the only one who has questions.
● Other students can sometimes be the best teachers. Ask a friend for help if you don’t understand, and
(humbly) offer your help to others. Teaching is learning.
● Clear up misunderstandings IMMEDIATELY. I am available during advisory, lunch and after school (by
appointment). Topics build on one another, so it is important that you understand the first topic in order to
understand the next.

We are professionals.

● Come to class prepared and on time, every day. NO EXCUSES.

● Keep up with any missed work. Also, if you scramble at the last minute, much of your work won’t be done
correctly (you won’t get credit for sloppy work).
● Do your own work. Copying others’ class work or homework will only hurt you on tests & exams.
● Cursing is NOT professional language. Disrespect to the teacher or fellow students is also NOT
professional.

.
We ask questions and WORK HARD EVERY DAY.

● Be an active participant! We will engage in discussion and discourse during this class. The best learning
takes place when you are actively engaged in the lesson.
● Take excellent notes, especially examples. These will be your best resources for studying for the tests &
exams.
● Do your best on all homework and classwork. Practice is like a mental workout. The best workouts are the
ones that require the most mental energy, so DON’T GIVE UP, even if it is tough.
Important Policies:

● I will strictly enforce all policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
● Students do not talk while the teacher is talking or demonstrating a topic in front of the class.
● Absences & Late Work: In the case of an absence, the student is expected to come into lunch or advisory
to obtain any missed notes and to make up any missed class work. I WILL NOT give missing work if you
choose to interrupt an active class and ask for missing work. Please be respectful of other student’s
learning! Students may make an after school appointment, if necessary. It is the student’s responsibility
to schedule this appointment.. Late work will lose 10% for each day (down to 50%). Late work will be
accepted until the next grades are due.
● **SLEEPING OR PUTTING YOUR HEAD DOWN IS NOT TOLERATED**
● Cell phones/ electronic devices/earbuds: These electronic devices are not to be seen or heard in the
classroom. Any of these devices seen or heard in the classroom will be collected and turned into the office
where a parent or guardian will need to retrieve them.
● Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK will be permitted in class!
● Trash: Hold on to trash until the end of class or a break in the lesson. NEVER THROW TRASH.
● Restroom: Our school has adopted a general NO HALL PASS policy. Students are expected to go to the
restroom in the 5 minutes between classes.

Consequences: The teacher reserves the right to choose appropriate consequences on a case-by-case basis.

● Verbal Warning
● Loss of Participation Points
● Discipline Sheet (Behavior Reflection)
● Change Seats
● Phone Call Home
● Individual Teacher Conference
● Referral to Administration

As students in High School, I expect you to behave as young adults and professional scientists. The consequences
above result from your CHOICE not to follow the rules. You are in control of your behavior & education.

Syllabus/Course Outline for Physics **This is a guide only and subject to change.**

1st Semester:

● Unit 0: Science and Engineering Practices/Crosscutting Concepts

● Quarter 1: How do we protect ourselves from collisions?

○ Newton’s Second Law of Motion
■ F = ma
○ Momentum
■ p = mv
○ Engineer a device that minimizes impact during a collision
○ Qualitative and quantitative solutions to global challenges
○ Solve a real world challenge while considering constraints
● Quarter 2: Will we run out of energy?
○ Energy flow
○ Energy transition
○ Second Law of Thermodynamics (entropy always increases)
○ Earth’s internal and surface processes
○ Geoscience data analysis
○ Thermal convection
○ Climate change (energy flow into and out of Earth’s systems)
○ Problem solving using engineering practices

● Quarter 3: How do we use energy to communicate with each other?

○ Waves through various media
■ Frequency, wavelength, velocity
○ Electromagnetic radiation
■ Particle and wave properties AKA wave-particle duality
■ Interactions with matter
■ Absorption by matter

● Quarter 4: Why don’t we fall though the floor?

○ Periodic table trends
○ Intermolecular forces
○ Newton’s Law of Gravitation & Coulomb’s Law
○ Current and magnetic fields
○ Intramolecular forces
○ Properties of water and its effects on Earth
Dear Parent or Guardian,

My name is Mr. Tarpinian and I will be your child’s Biology teacher for this academic year. I am excited to
have a successful, productive year with your student and look forward to the progress they are going to make!
Science is a fascinating subject and can open an incredible number of doors in your student’s future. However, it is
often challenging for many students. I hope we can work together to ensure your student’s success in this course.

This is a copy of your student’s syllabus. Providing you this information lets your student know that you are
involved in their success in Biology. We would like you to join in our enthusiasm for this year’s BIG GOAL of ALL
students to average achievement of 80% mastery or higher of all learning targets introduced in the class. I truly
believe in your student’s ability to achieve and to learn in our classroom. Should you ever want to ask questions or
get information regarding your student’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact me via email
([email protected]). Also, I would love to see you at parent teacher conferences.

Parents and students, please sign below to indicate that you have read and understand the information laid out in the
attached course syllabus for the 2021-2022 school year.

Parent Name:_________________________ Parent Signature:_______________________

Relationship to Student: __________________ Contact Phone:_________________________

Best Time to Call:________________________ Email: ________________________________

Student Name: __________________________ Student Signature: _____________________________

Any medical conditions, allergies, or special considerations (like poor eyesight)?

What is one thing you wish teachers knew about your student that they might not know?

☺ I am excited to work with you this year. There is so much to be accomplished. ~Mr. Tarpinian