Course Syllabus

Honors Physics

Weddington High School

Mrs. Calandro, Room E101

miranda.calandro@ucps.k12.nc.us 

Course Information:

This class is an honors level course.   Students earning credit for an Honors level course receive an elevated number of Quality Points for their Grade Point Average.  Students choosing the Honors level course should be aware that this honors level course will include:

  • Required extension opportunities that are directly related to the Standard Course of Study. This includes additional content beyond that covered in the College Preparatory level.
  • More challenging coursework and assessments.  Students will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of understanding for grades.
  • Projects and presentations will be more in depth.  
  • Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content. 

Because this is an honors course, please expect that it will be more challenging and rigorous than a college preparatory physics course.  In addition to modifying objectives and assignments to aim towards higher level cognition, we will include extension topics and projects that will prepare students for advanced placement science courses.

This course is designed to provide an introduction into the major topics of physics, including (but not limited to) kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, waves, gravitation and electricity and magnetism. 

For the complete North Carolina essential standards for physics, please visit:  NCDPI Essential Standards for Physics 

The course prerequisite is honors NC Math 3. 

Physics is available also at the Advanced Placement level.  See your counselor if interested!

Please note that this class fulfills the physical science graduation requirement.  In order to graduate, you must have physical science (offered only as college prep), chemistry (offered as college prep, honors or AP levels) or physics (offered at WHS as honors or AP) to meet this requirement. 

Rules and Expectations:

    • Be RESPECTFUL.
    • Be PREPARED.
    • Be PRESENT and PUNCTUAL.
    • Be POSITIVE.
    • ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST and take responsibility for your learning! 
    • Our time in class is valuable!  Cell phones use is not permitted at any point during our class time unless needed for lab.  
    • Phones are always collected during quizzes and tests.  Phone cubbies are also available for students to use (otherwise, they must be kept out of sight).  
    • Chromebooks are to be used only for instructional purposes.
    • We will always adhere to the WHS honor code in this class.  While you are able to work in groups on some assignments, it is an expectation that you work TOGETHER and that your work is ultimately your own. 

Grading percentages and overview

Tests/Projects:                                50%

Quizzes/Lab Reports:                     25%

Classwork/Homework:                   25%

The 10 point grading scale is used (the same as all other classes).  It is expected that an A would represent excellent academic achievement; B is above average academic achievement; C: average academic achievement; D: below average achievement; F: failing.  

Additional Course Information

  • Homework is given daily and classwork will be assigned as needed daily.
  • Our assignments will primarily be submitted through Canvas; students are expected to keep up with all assignments, notes and handouts in a binder or notebook for easy access.
  • Tests will be given at the end of every unit.
  • Quizzes will be given often – at the end of a chapter, after labs, and as needed to address content needs.
  • We will be using the OpenStax Physics [for High School] textbook. 
  • We do many laboratory experiments in this course, and lab reports will be written for every lab.  Lab reports have a specific format and will always be written in your laboratory notebook and submitted on Canvas.  
  • Projects for honors physics include the projectile launch project, phamous physicist research project, global science research project (however these may shift due to any changes made to our schedule and time availability.)  
  • Everything in this course is intended to prepare you for college level classes.

Required Materials

  1. Chromebook and charger
  2. Binder or notebook with folders and notebook paper
  3. Calculator 
  4. Lab notebook (composition)

Late work/Absence Policies - please READ carefully!

Late assignments will NOT be accepted! From homework to projects, if it’s late, it will not be accepted.

  •   A zero (0) grade represents work the student may NOT makeup.
  •   A one (1) grade represents work the student MAY makeup (late points may be taken).
  • Our class absent work policy:  work must be completed and turned in (using the absent form on Canvas) within 2 days.

Tutoring:

I am available for tutoring on Tuesday afternoons for your class (and other times by appointment).  Come see me any Tuesday for extra help or supplemental material!

Laboratory Expectations

Labs are an integral part of any science class.  They are meant to be interesting and fun, but they must be handled seriously. While conducting laboratory experiments and all other class activities, I expect nothing but your best effort and behavior at ALL times. Horseplay, not complying with directions, mishandling or misuse of equipment and/or facilities and other unbecoming and irresponsible behavior will result in an automatic zero for the laboratory grade, office referral and parent contact.

Flinn's student laboratory safety sheet provides the specific guidelines we use. Please read and sign off that you have read and understand lab safety rules and the details of the course as listed in this syllabus.