Conceptual Physics Course Syllabus

Teacher Mr. Stauffer

Email stauffer@owosso.k12.mi.us
Website - http://lincolnstauffer.weebly.com/

Conceptual physics is an approach to building a strong foundation in the concepts

found in the physics classroom. With a strong background in the ideas behind how
physics work, students will be better prepared to make connections between
physics and their everyday life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Teacher Rules for the Class:
I have two rules that everyone in the classroom should follow at all times. Be
respectful, and be responsible. If you are respectful to yourself and everyone
around you, and you take responsibility for yourself and your learning everything
should move along smoothly!
Student rules for Class:

Student rules for the Teacher:

Leave drama at the door!

At least one field trip

No talking while the teacher is talking

Plenty of opportunities for Hands on

Activities

Make sure everyone is included

Also make sure everyone is included

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Late work: Classwork can be turned in for full credit up to 1 week after the
assignment is due. After this 1 week, work will be considered late and collected at a
lowered percentage. Even if you are absent, you are responsible for getting it
turned in within this 1 week. Exceptions may apply on a case by case basis.
Absences: You and you alone are responsible for any work you missed due to
absences. You may grab old assignments from the bin or online at my website. It is
your responsibility to have it turned in at the proper time and to get help if you need
it. If you ask for help, ask at the appropriate time (the middle of class is generally
not an okay time to ask for old assignments).
Bathroom Pass: There is one and only one bathroom pass. You must sign it out
and back in each time you use it. Try not to use it the first 10 minutes and last 10
minutes of each period. Also do not use it more than 2 times in a given week. If
you are seen abusing the pass you will lose bathroom privileges.
Grades: Most of your grade in this course will rely on quizzes, tests, and projects.
Tests and quizzes may be retaken within 1 week of the time you have taken the 1st
one, but prior to the retake you MUST come see me and prove to me why you
deserve to take a retake (show me youve looked over notes, show me where you
previously did something wrong and have learned something new). If I feel you have
not studied valiantly enough, I will deny your retake until you put in the time.
Other: All other rules will refer to the ruling of the LHS Handbook.
IBO mission statement:
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more
peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO
works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop
challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These
programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate
and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can
also be right.

Nature of the subject; IBO on Physics.

Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to
explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particlesquarks (perhaps 10 17
m in size), which may be truly fundamentalto the vast distances between galaxies
(1024 m).

Tentative Classroom Timeline

Mechanics (6 weeks)
Introduction and
Measurements

1 Week

Kinematics
2 Weeks
Forces and
Dynamics
Weeks

Work and
power. 1
Week

Energy (4 weeks)
Types of
Energy.. 1
Week
Thermal properties of matter
.

1 Week

Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

1 Week
Kinetic vs Potential
Energy.

1 Week

Electricity and Magnetism (2 Weeks)

Electric Current and
Circuits 1 Week
Magnetism
..
1 Week