Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Ms. Anderson and your son/daughter is enrolled in my introductory physics class
this semester. I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of your childs learning
experience and it is my goal to ensure that they have a positive and successful one in my class!
We will cover a lot of interesting material in this class including Kinematics and Newtons three
laws of motion (both help to explain how things move). Some of this work will be challenging
but I am here to help. To ensure that your son/daughter is successful in this class I will require
them to have a college ruled bound composition notebook. Please send this to school with
your child by Tuesday August 12th, and let me know if obtaining this is going to be a problem
for you so that I can help.
I have high expectations for all of my students and that is because I know they are all capable of
reaching them. Your student will complete a lot of practice examples in class but there will also
be homework assignments assigned regularly aimed at giving them additional practice on their
own. Attached to this letter is the syllabus which I hope you will read over with your child so
that you are both knowledgeable of the policies and structure of the class.
Lines of communication are always open in my room. If you have academic concerns pertaining
to your childs achievement in my class feel free to email me and I will get back to you as
quickly as my schedule allows. Please, also encourage your child to talk with me about their
concerns and I will do the same; I will never turn a student down who is taking initiative to
improve their academic experience.
Please remove and sign the bottom portion of this letter after reading through the syllabus with
your son/daughter and have them return it by Friday August 14th.
Looking forward to watching your child succeed!

Ms. Anderson
Flowing Wells High School
[email protected]
(520) 696-8109
Kandersonscience.weebly.com

Introduction to Physics
Fall 2015/Spring 2016
Ms. Anderson
[email protected]
(520) 696-8019

Course Description
This is an introduction to physics class aimed at strengthening algebra skills through the
use of physics concepts. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to explain the
physics of everyday phenomena and understand how to use the equations to solve problems
involving these phenomena.

Required Materials (**These materials are required for class every day**)
College ruled composition notebook (no spiral notebooks)
Scientific calculator
Pencil (for notebook) and pen (black or blue ink only)

Office Hours
After School: M-Th; 3:30pm-4:30pm
Before School: M-F; by appointment
Lunch: M-F; by appointment

Class Website
The class website will be an invaluable source for students during the school year. On
the website students can find a calendar updated with homework assignments, test dates, and
other important upcoming events. The website also contains all of the worksheets and lab
sheet that students will need as well as supplementary documents and videos to deepen
student learning of the topics covered in class.
Website: www.kandersonscience.weebly.com

Grade Breakdown
Labs/Activities:
Tests:
Quizzes:
Bellwork:
Midterm(s):

15%
30%
25%
10%
20%
100%

The following scale is used to calculate your grades.

A= 90 100%
B= 80 89.99%
C= 70 79.99%

D= 60 69.99%
F= 0.0 59.99%

Tests (30%)
Tests will be administered at the end of each major unit. Students have the opportunity
to re-take tests as many times as they need in order to receive a passing grade, however, this
option is only available to students who have completed all of their homework assignments for
that unit (see homework).

Labs/Activities (15%)
Students will carry out activities in the lab to help them gain a better understanding of
the content being covered in class through hands on experience. These labs and activities are
just as, if not more, important than the homework and in class practice problems.

Quizzes (25%)
Quizzes will be given frequently to allow students to gauge how well they are
understanding the material in class. Students have the opportunity to re-take tests as many
times as they need in order to receive a passing grade, however, this option is only available to
students who have completed all of their homework assignments for that lesson segment (see
homework).

Homework (0%)
Homework and in class assignments are aimed at helping students practice the material
before they are tested on it. These assignments will not be put in as a weighted part of the
overall grade but are required to be completed if a test re-take is going to be administered.
Homework assignments are aligned with the questions that will be on the quizzes and tests and
it is suggested that students complete all assigned homework problems.

Bellwork (10%)
Bellwork is a short individual assignment that is completed at the very beginning of class
before the new lesson has begun. Bellwork is aimed at reviewing previously introduced
material and/or help to introduce new material. Students are expected to be in their seats
quietly working on bellwork by the time the bell rings.

Midterm (Final) (20%)

The midterm will be the last assessment of each semester and will cover all of the
material learned up until that point. This is the only test/quiz that cannot be re-taken.

Late Work
Since homework is not put in for a graded assignment students can complete their old
homework at any time during the semester. Students are still required to come in and get late
work assignments if they want the opportunity to re-take the quiz or test at the end of the
lesson segment or unit (homework assignments are also posted on the class website daily).

Absences
Students are responsible for coming in to office hours to figure out what they missed
while they were absent within the first two days after returning to school. Labs need to be
made up within one week of missing class, after this point the student will receive a grade of
zero for this assignment. Tests and quizzes will only be administered to students who have
excused absences. These need to be made up within three days of returning to school.

Dishonesty Policy
There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on cheating. Assessments in class are meant to gauge
an individual students ability to carry out the objectives that were learned during class. Any
student caught in the act of cheating will receive a zero on that assessment (without the
opportunity to make it up) and will receive an automatic referral. I hope that this will not be an
issue during the school year since tests and quizzes can be made up as many times as
necessary.

Classroom Conduct and Rules

1. Show respect for your peers, myself, and any other adults. You will keep the classroom
noise level at a minimum, clean up after yourself, and not damage/ break/ deface any
classroom or laboratory equipment.
2. Be responsibleyou are in control of your grade.
3. Be safefollow all lab procedures and take labs seriously so you dont get hurt.

Steps for Successful Problem Solving

1. Read the problem carefully, then, read it again.
2. Draw a diagram.
3. List the given information and identify the unknown.
4. Choose a formula (or formulas to combine).
5. Cancel any variables in the equation that are equal to zero.
6. Rearrange the equations to isolate the unknown variable.
7. Substitute the values and solve, include units.
8. Check your work.

Physics contact information for Ms. Anderson

**Sign and return by Friday August 14th**
Students name (First and Last )_______________________________________
Period______
Your name(s) and relationship to student

__________________________
__________________________

If I need to contact you concerning your child, what is the best way and best time? (Please give
your phone number or email address.)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Please list any special needs, accommodations, or family situations that I may need to be aware
of (this will be kept confidential.)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR MS. ANDERSONS PHYSICS
CLASS. (PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS):

____________________________________
Student signature

____________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature

___________________
Date

___________________
Date