IB Physics 2A

First Semester 2007-2008

Instructor
Dr. Halperin       B226
Work Email       Home Email
http://drhalperin.50megs.com

Course Description

Physics is the most basic of the sciences. Physics studies the behavior and structure of matter. The areas of physics include motion, fluids, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism and modern physics (relativity and atomic structures). BCC is an International Baccalaureate School; and IB Physics 2 is structured to meet the goals of the IB diploma program.

County Objectives

*  The principal goal of all the sciences, including physics, is to bring order to the complexities
     of the worldand universe we live in.
*  Science is a process.
*  Science makes use of models, theories, and laws.
*  Science is descriptive. Theories and laws describe how nature behaves.
*  Science findings are testable and experiments are repeatable.

Major Areas of Study

IB Physics 2 covers the following areas of the IB curriculum:
*  Topic 4:   Waves
*  Topic 5:   Electricity and magnetism
*  Topic 6:   Atomic and nuclear physics
*  Topic 10: Wave phenomena
*  Topic 11: Electromagnetism (extended)
*  Topic 12: Quantum physics and nuclear physics
*  Optional Topic H: Optics
*  Optional Topic E: Astrophysics

Assistance

Any student needing assistance may see me in my office off the side of B226. I am available during lunches and my free periods, and after school by appointment.

Other important information

There is a lab fee of $10 per semester; the entire year’s fee is payable at the start of the year.

The IB exam is in early May.

The Group 4 Project is an inter-disciplinary project that will be time-consuming.

Grades will be determined as follows:

The grading is on a total points basis. All assignments are added together. The student's percentage of the possible points determines the grade. Homework will count less than 10% of the total.

Graded assignments include tests, quizzes, homework, classwork, projects, lab reports, and possibly other things.

Semester exam      25% of the semester grade.

Grades

A   90-100
B   80-89.9
C   70-79.9
D   60-69.9
E   <60

Grading Procedures

Grading procedures will be applied consistently within and among schools.
1. Teachers will assess student learning in a variety of ways and grades will reflect what a student knows
          and is able to do within the curriculum.
2. When using percentages, teachers will assign a grade no lower than 50% to a task/assessment
          that meets minimum standards. No attempt earns a zero.
3. The report card grade will be a letter grade.
4. Teachers will establish due dates and deadlines.
     a. Work turned in after the due date and prior to the deadline may be dropped
          no more than one letter grade or 10% of the grade.
     b. Work not attempted (not submitted by the deadline) will be recorded as a zero.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of a rigorous instructional cycle that promotes student learning and prepares students for instruction, previews or practices skills and concepts, extends learning and provides students the opportunity to demonstrate skill and knowledge.
There are two categories of homework:
1. Homework checked only for completion may account for a maximum of 10% of the marking period grade.
2. Homework evaluated for learning counts toward the marking period grade.
     a. Homework checked for completion is usually given for practice or to prepare for instruction
          and is assigned to build skill and understanding.
     b. Homework evaluated for learning is evaluated to establish learning outcomes.

Reteaching and Reassessment

Reteaching and reassessment are an integral part of the instructional cycle and offer additional opportunities for students to learn and demonstrate learning.

1. Assessment or tasks that provide measures of student progress within an instructional unit may be reassessed.
          Reassessment opportunities will be offered in every course as identified by the teacher. When these
          opportunities occur, the teacher will provide one reassessment opportunity per task/assessment.

2. When tasks/assessments are reassessed, they may be reassessed partially, entirely,
          or in a different format, as determined by the teacher.

3. Assessments/tasks that indicate a final measurement of learning may not be reassessed:
     a. End of semester or semester exams.
     b. Assessments that end an instructional unit or period of study.
     c. Final research papers, reports or essays.
     d. Culminating projects or performances.

4. All students may be reassessed, regardless of grade on original task/assessment,
          if they meet the following requirements:
     a. Complete the original task or assessment.
     b. Complete required assignments.
     c. Complete reteaching/relearning activities, as determined by the teacher.

5. The reassessment grade replaces the original grade.