Letter to Parents Physics 2016-2017 Warren High School September 19, 2016 Dear Parents and Guardians, Now that the year is in full swing, I wanted to provide you with some information, and ask for some information from you in return Welcome to the exciting world of Physics! I look forward to a great year. Please read this letter to familiarize yourself with our Physics class. Also, please complete and return the second page: (1) Acknowledgement and Contact sheet (2) Physics Laboratory Safety Contract Physics is a Science, and it is very math-intensive. Physics is a tough class many students struggle with it. That being said, it is also a very intriguing and useful subject to know. A good understanding of physics is invaluable in many aspects of life and in many different career paths. Physics is the study of matter, energy, and all of the physical forces within and between. We will be demonstrating, learning about, and exploring topics including motion, inertia, force, power, gravity, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, waves, sound, light, and modern physics. We will also be building cool things and working as hard as we can to have fun while learning about physics. Every student can do well in our class, but not without working. At this point, every student should be mature enough to handle our demands: being prepared for class, paying attention, taking notes, staying organized, completing homework, and communicating with you and me about their progress in the class. THERE IS ONLINE HOMEWORK DUE EVERY WEEK. If the student has limited computer access, they will need to use a computer at school. If your child struggles with homework, they should talk to me about it. I hope you are familiar with the Parent Connection system. If not, you can find it online at www.nisd.net/parent-connection. It is an online system where you can track your students grades and attendance. I highly recommend using it. Attached to this letter is a syllabus which your child is expected to keep in the front of his/her Physics binder. Please encourage your child to keep up with their Physics binder and stay organized! Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. An open line of communication between us is very important in assuring that your child's learning needs are being met. Thank you! Brad Hamilton bradley.hamilton@nisd.net (210) 397-4200 ext 3322
PHYSICS SUPPLIES 4x AA Batteries 1 Ream Printer Paper 1 3-ring binder Composition Book Notecards Filler paper 5 dividers Mechanical Pencils CHOOSE ONE: 1 box of tissues Hand Sanitizer Tape (masking or scotch) CALCULATOR (OPTIONAL): TI-30X IIS PHYSICS LINKS Mr. Hamilton Room A322 E-mail: bradley.hamilton@nisd.net Website: hamphysics.weebly.com Remind: Text @hamphysics to 81010 APPS TO DOWNLOAD: Socrative Google Calendar Google Classroom CALC
Acknowledgement and Contact Sheet Physics 2016-2017 Warren High School Student Name: Parent Name: Parent E-mail: Parent Phone 1: Phone 2: Does the student have home computer access? [ ] Yes [ ] No PARENT: I have read the letter, the syllabus, and understand the expectations of my child. Parent Signature Date STUDENT: I have read the policies and procedures and I agree to adhere to them as discussed in class and on this syllabus. Student Signature Date
I AGREE TO PHYSICS LABORATORY SAFETY CONTRACT Northside ISD Act in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. Follow all written and oral instructions given by the teacher. Use good housekeeping practices in the lab. Wear safety goggles and aprons at all times. Know the location and proper use of all safety equipment. Never taste laboratory materials. GUM, FOOD, OR DRINKS SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE LABORATORY. Consider all chemicals toxic. Immediately report any accident or injury, no matter how minor, to your teacher. Tie back long hair, remove dangling jewelry, wear shoes with closed toes, and do not wear long, loose sleeves in the laboratory. No horseplay. In case of a chemical spill on the skin or clothing, rinse the affected area with copious amounts of water. If the eyes are affected, water-washing must begin immediately and continue for 10 to 15 minutes or until professional assistance is obtained. Never remove ANY chemicals from the laboratory. Cosmetics should not be applied in the laboratory. Contact lenses please be aware that there is added risk with the wearing of contact lenses. The lenses can trap foreign materials against the cornea or may absorb and retain chemical vapors. In addition to wearing safety goggles, be sure to rinse and clean contact lenses appropriately. If in doubt, ask! PHYSICS LABORATORY SAFETY CONTRACT Northside ISD I,, have read and understand my teacher s safety rules and I agree to abide by the safety regulations and any additional instructions, written or verbal, provided by the district and/or my teacher. 1. Do you wear contact lenses? 2. Do you have any serious allergies or other medical condition? (If so, name them.) 3. Have you been prescribed any emergency medicine, such as an asthma inhaler, insulin, or EpiPen? (If so, name them.) Student signature Parent signature Date Date Parent Daytime Phone Number Parent Email
Physics Course Syllabus 2016-2017 Warren High School Teacher Information Textbook Course Description Mr. Hamilton Room A322 School Phone: 210-397-4200 ext 3322 E-mail: bradley.hamilton@nisd.net Website: hamphysics.weebly.com Remind: Text @hamphysics to 81010 TEKS Physics: Principals and Problems, Glencoe, McGraw Hill Edu. Physics is the science of EVERYTHING! We use physics to understand and describe the laws which govern the universe -- from the incredibly small scales of quantum particles and femtoseconds, to the grand scales of aeons and the cosmos. In this class, we will learn to think of matter, motion, and interactions using scientific inquiry. We will also look at Physics as a whole (we can call this The Big Picture), and learn how natural laws work together in order to describe and validate our models and investigations. We spend A LOT OF TIME using mathematical formulas which describe natural physical processes. Requirements for Success 1. Attention- You must pay attention and engage yourself in physics. All of the concepts in this class build upon themselves, so falling behind can become un-managable. Take good notes and study them. 2. Connect- Your success will be greatly improved by keeping connected to Mr. Hamilton, and by networking with classmates. Sign up for remind, subscribe to our google calendar, attend tutoring, and when you are absent, get ahold of a classmate to see what you missed. Bookmark the website so you have access to the tutoring schedule, and lab-makeups. 3. Communicate- When you are having trouble, talk to me. When you need help, ask for help. When a classmate could use your help, please help them! RULES Be on-time and prepared. No cell phone abuse. No food in the classroom. Be honest. NO TOLERANCE for cheating. Be respectful. CONSEQUENCES Student-teacher conference in hallway. Parent contact Cell-phone or behavior contract Suspension of re-testing rights Referral to VPO Supplies 4x AA Batteries 1 Ream Printer Paper 1 3-ring binder Composition Book Notecards Filler paper 5 dividers Mechanical Pencils CHOOSE ONE 1 box of tissues Hand Sanitizer Tape (masking or scotch)
Procedures Entering Class Enter class, pick up materials, sit in assigned seat, begin warm-up. Turning in Homework Homework must be completed on Quest by the due date. End of Class Restroom Use Do not line up. We learn and work bell-to-bell. Please remain seated and working. Signal for permission, sign out and take the pass. Special Procedures Leaving Class Return from Absence Turning in Late Work Ask for permission and I will write you a pass. Pick up missed hand-outs from me before school, or at the beginning/end of class. I have an inbox for late work on my desk. Policies Grade Break-Down Late Work Make Up Work Make Up Labs Re-Testing Physics Binder Restroom Use Tardies Tutoring 20% Daily Grades (Participation, Class work, Homework) 40% Labs (Includes participation and lab assessments/quizzes) 40% Tests (Quizzes count as 1/3 of a test) -10 points per day, no late work after 3 class days, no late quest assignments I will have all of your missed work. You must ask me, and you have 3 days to complete. Make up labs will be scheduled on specific times. Please show up on time. You need to meet all of the following qualifications in order to re-test: Good conduct (this means no cell phones or misbehavior; I do keep track) Original test grade below a 70 (re-test max score is 70) Attendance of at least 1 re-teach session or general tutoring You will keep an organized physics binder. This will contain all of your notes, assignments, labs, etc. You must have it with you every class. -No restroom use during first and last 10 min of class, or during lessons. -Get permission to leave to the restroom. One student at a time. *If restroom use is excessive, you get 2 single-use restroom tickets per unit. If you show up late, I will send you to the tardy station. See Warren HS tardy policy. Schedule is posted on our class website. Safety and Classroom Management All students in a science classroom must agree to follow the N.I.S.D. safety guidelines, and sign a district safety contract. Students are responsible for their own safety and must conduct themselves in a responsible manner. Failure to comply with safety guidelines will result in removal from the classroom.