John Allison
All materials including notes, handouts and homework calendars are all available on Renweb.
Courses
PHYSICS HONORS
CREDIT: 1 ( 5.A grading)
GRADE 12
PREREQUISITES: Algebra II; Pre-Calculus I & Chemistry (or concurrently)
A lab course covering the major topics of classical and modern physics, mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, atomic structure, and nuclear physics. Recommended for students who plan to enter college studies in physics, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine, and related fields. Strong mathematical ability is needed.
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY HONORS
CREDIT: 1 ( 5.A grading)
GRADE 9 (ONLY)
PREREQUISITES: Placement Test Math & Composite: 90 percentile
This course is for students who have strong mathematical ability and who intend to take honors biology, chemistry, and physics in high school. There is approximately one semester each of fundamental chemistry and physics. The chemistry section deals with the structure of matter, the relationships between structures and properties, and the ways matter interacts. The physics section deals with motion, heat, waves, electricity and magnetism, and nuclear science. Strong emphasis is placed on laboratory work and on mathematical and graphical analysis.
Introduction
This handout is a guide for you to follow for the remainder of the year. This manual contains the rules and procedures for Honors Physics. Make sure that you read carefully because I am sure that some of my rules are different from your other teachers. If you feel that there is a problem with my rules feel free to discuss them with me. However, unless I see a reason to change them, it will be the way that class is run.
I can say that the work in this class is challenging. You will have to work hard, probably every night, to get anything out of it. However, I can also say that if you do work hard you will find that the effort is well worth it.
Quizzes, Tests, and Homework
Quizzes
Several quizzes will be given throughout the semester.
They are to be done on loose-leaf paper only (no frayed edges), or on paper supplied by your teacher.
- Name and date in upper right hand corner.
- You must show all of your work.
- Quizzes will be timed and turned in immediately when time is called.
- Quizzes cannot be made up. If one is missed it will not count for or against you. If you miss a quiz with an unexcused absence you will be given a grade of zero. So be sure that when you miss it is counted as an excused absence.
Tests
- Should be done on loose-leaf paper or on paper supplied by me.
- Name and date in upper right hand corner.
- You must show all of your work.
- Tests are timed and should be turned in when time is called.
- Tests can be made up in certain circumstances. You can expect a makeup test to be more difficult than the one given in class.
Tests and Quizzes
- If a student misses a test, they must contact me the day they return to find a makeup time.
- Any cheating on tests or quizzes will result in a grade of zero for that test or quiz. No make-up will be given.
- If you are present on the day that a test or quiz is given you must take the test or quiz. Even if you missed class in the days prior to that day. It is your responsibility to cover the material that you missed.
Homework
- To be done on a full sheet of loose-leaf paper.
- Name and date in upper right hand corner.
- Homework must be done in full, incomplete homework is not accepted. If you are having trouble, seek help from myself or other students.
- Neatness is expected on homework; therefore it is a good idea to work in pencil.
- If a student is absent the day homework is turned in, it is to be turned in before class on the day the student returns.
- If homework is not turned in the student will report to my room before school the next day. I reserve the right to not allow you to take a test if the homework for that unit has not been turned in.
- You cannot give up easily on the homework. A great deal of the learning in this class is trial and error. You get a very good grasp on the material simply by working a problem several times until you come up with the answer. After several attempts seek help from another student, many times you will be very close and a new perspective is all you need.
Grading
- Grades are determined by averaging test grades, quiz grades, and lab grades. 50% of your grade will come from tests, 30% will come from lab reports, and 20% will come from your quiz grades.
- Homework is not counted into this grading system, but it is a requirement for all students. Doing a good job on homework will make the tests and quizzes that much easier. There may be times during the semester that I will collect homework and award a quiz grade for that assignment.
- All grades will be recorded and calculated as percentages. (0-100%) Not by letter grades.
Absence
- Student absence due to sickness should follow the directions to be found in the student handbook. They will be able to makeup all material except for quizzes.
- School related activities are also allowed for missing class.
- Any other absence will result in not being able to make up missed work unless approved by myself.
- Most of the material in class will not be learned if you are not present, it is important that you be here everyday when possible.
General Information
- The dress code will be enforced without warning, so read the rules in your student handbook.
- If the teacher is not in the classroom after 5 minutes from when the bell has rung, a student will report to Mrs. McHenry’s room so that she can contact the office.
- You will receive a tardy if you are not in your seat when the bell rings.
- Students will receive 2 bathroom/locker passes per nine weeks, no more, so use them wisely. No passes without your passbook.
- All homework assignments are on Renweb so there is no reason for not getting your assignments.
- I will be available everyday for help from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and after school from 3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. You may also contact me by email at allison@shg.org
