Syllabus PWT

Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement

Course Title: Physics with Technology (9-12) – 38.01.00.00.211, 1.0 Credit

Credit Type and Amount: Science & CTE Credit – 1.0 Credit upon successful completion of course

Grade level: 9-12

General Description: A STEM course that emphasizes a hands-on learning approach to studying the principles of force, work, rate, resistance, and energy as they relate to four energy systems (mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal). A significant portion of time in this course is spent in lab activities that are structured to provide essential skills for students interested in technical and engineering professions. Participation in the Technology Student Association (TSA) is encouraged. Previous completion of Secondary Math 1 is suggested. The course fills either a core science or a CTE elective credit requirement. This is a Regents’ Scholarship accepted course.

Course Highlights: This course will focus on student growth by applying 21st Century Skills to real-world problems that are embedded into the course curriculum.  Students will work within collaborative teams to focus on developing critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, effective communication strategies, and civic awareness as they learn to fundamentals of applied physics.

Contact Information: annabe@provo.edu

Learning Expectations

Learning Targets: Learning targets will be provided at the start of the term and each class will have specific targets. They are also available on Canvas.

Grading Rubric:

A 93 – 100

A- 90- 92

B+ 87- 89

B 83 – 86

B- 80 – 82           

C+ 77- 79   

C 73- 76   

C- 70- 72       

D  69 – 60

F   < 60

Performance Expectations: Performance expectations are provided by the Utah State Board of Education Career and Technical Education Office.  These will be provided to the student with their course materials and are also available on the Canvas page and teacher website for the course

Differentiation: Instructional methods will be varied throughout the course.  Students who require learning accommodations should communicate these with the instructor prior to the start Students will be encouraged to explore each of the topics introduced in class. For specific help, students should contact their teacher. Teachers may also contact students requiring additional assistance or accommodation.

Assessment of Progress

Formative Assessments: Various methods of assessment will be used along the way in this course. They include: class discussions in both large and small groups, labs, problem based projects, and written responses to prompts.

Summative Assessments: Tests will be given at the end of each unit. In addition, labs and projects will be given throughout the course.

Success Criteria: Success is demonstrated by professional behavior in the classroom, by completion of labs and classwork, and by tests.

Calendar and/schedule of all interim and summative assessments: As this course is in the process of being redesigned, assignments will be announced at least a week in advance and can be found on PowerSchool and Canvas.

Student Role in Assessments: Students will take care of their own folders and materials. At the end of each unit, students will assess their completion of all assignments. In addition, students will choose when to redo assignments, when to do test corrections, and when to retake tests.

Course Materials

Texts: There is no definitive text for this course. That being said, the internet really does offer great explanations for basic physics concepts.

Supplemental Materials: We will use many online materials in this course which will be accessed through Canvas.

Supplies Needed: Students are required to have a notebook just for this class.

Classroom Procedures

Attendance: 100% attendance is expected. Most of the work we do will not be lecture-based but lab-based. These labs cannot be made up. In addition, most if not all assignments will be completed in class and would need to be made up outside of class, so missing class is more work than going. Basically, it is easiest for students if they simply come to class.

Absences: Students are expected to make up all work they miss. Labs cannot be made up, but students are expected to know the material from the lab which they can personally get from classmates.

Tardiness: The in-class work portion of the grade is dependent on being in class. Being late hurts both the student and their group since it interrupts the flow of discussion in the classroom as the discussion is led by individual groups.

Hall Passes: Students will be permitted to use the restroom as needed as long as they sign in and out (you don’t need to ask). Only two students are allowed out at a time. Students who are caught doing anything but using the restroom during this time will no longer have the privilege of using hall passes. Students who abuse this privilege in any other ways will lose that privilege. Please note that school policy does not allow students out of class during the first or last 20 minutes of class.

Make-up Work: Students will have 1 week from the date missed to complete all labs. Homework and other assignments must be turned in on time, or as agreed upon by the teacher and student.

Late Work: Work that is late by one day will receive 50% credit. As an exception to this rule, a student receiving a perfect score on the assignment will still get full points as long as answers have not already been given in class. No work will be accepted after that date.

Classroom Rules and Expectations: My expectations of the students are that they act with respect. We will start out the year with trust, meaning I will trust the students and I hope they will trust me. This trust will afford them various privileges such as the ability to use the restroom as needed and to leave the classroom for various labs. As long as students do not violate that trust, they will keep those privileges. If they break my trust, they will lose those privileges. Students are also expected to ask questions and lead the classroom discussions to benefit them in the best way possible.

Behavioral Expectations: I expect students to arrive on time to class and to be active participants in class up to the very end of class. Students will be respectful to me and to their classmates, refraining from rudeness, bullying, and disruptive behavior. I ask the same decency from them that they would expect from me.

Formatting of Assignments: Students should put their name and class period along with the date on every assignment. That includes assignments in their notebooks. Writing should be legible. Problems should be in order.

Homework: I recognize the many responsibilities and concerns students have and wish to respect their time. Unless absolutely necessary, assignments will not need to be completed at home. This will depend on student behavior in class and the speed at which the assignments are completed.

Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments

All assignments will be located on both Canvas and PowerSchool at least a week in advance of due dates. Major assignments will be announced in class.

Progress Reports and Report Cards

How to find out the teacher’s perspective on how you are doing: Come and ask or send an email! In addition, PowerSchool grades will be kept up to date on a weekly basis so parents and students can see their progress.

What formal progress reports are for and what they communicate: Progress reports indicate a student’s standing in the class in between report cards. No hard copy will be sent home without a special arrangement with the teacher. Parents and students can keep track of student progress on PowerSchool.

How report card grades are determined: Student grades from assignments will be compiled in the following way to make up the student’s total grade:

• Tests (15%)
• Labs (30%)
• Projects (30%)
• Class Work (25%)

Connecting Home to School

Please feel free to email me at annabe@provo.edu with any concerns. I will get back to you as soon as possible and within 48 hours (excluding the weekend).

Personal Statement and other items (optional)

To succeed in this class, all you need to do is show up and engage in the work around you. The best thing you can do to help yourself is to help others. Please contact me early on to get the help and support that you may need.