old Syllabus

Instructor Information

    • Name: Mr. Andrew Bennett

    • E-mail address: abennett1@waukee.k12.ia.us

    • School phone number: 515-987-5163 ext. 2087

    • Best times to be reached: after school, A lunch

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students interested in going into science-related occupations. Topics covered are Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, light and optics, magnetism, and electricity. Laboratory experiments will apply the various concepts studied.

Prerequisite: Algebra II

Course Outline/Calendar

  • Term 1:

      • Scientific Method/Inquiry

      • Motion in one dimension

      • Motion in two dimensions

      • Forces

      • Work and Energy

  • Term 2:

      • Momentum and collisions

      • Wave Theory

      • Sound

      • Light and optics

      • Electricity

      • Magnetism

Text/Other Required Materials/Resources

Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to bring the following materials to class each day:

    • Textbook: Holt Physics by Raymond A. Serway and Jerrsy S. Faughn

    • Pencils

    • Loose leaf paper

    • Calculator (a graphing calculator will make your life easier, a scientific calculator with sine, cosine, tangent, and square root is the minimum required)

    • Protractor (needed only periodically, may be borrowed from a friend)

    • Notebook or binder to organize notes

    • Planner

Instructional Procedures & Support

Success in This Class

Successful students in this class will:

    • Work hard the entire class period each day.

    • Attend class regularly.

    • Spend time reading and doing assignments outside of class regularly (not just the day before a test or due date).

    • Take complete notes during class.

    • Turn in all assignments on time.

Homework

As with any skill, solving physics problems requires practice. Much of this practice will come in the form of problems from the textbook. Students will often be given freedom to decide how much practice they require. Students often choose to work in groups on homework problems, and as such it is difficult to decide how to award points for such assignments. Due to this, homework assignments will not always be collected for points, but should be completed regularly to improve and maintain problem-solving skills. Questions about difficult problems should be asked frequently, as research indicates this is the best way to learn new content.

Tests

My goal for students is that they learn the material. I view tests as a way to prove one’s knowledge and as a learning opportunity, as research shows that we learn better after we’ve had our mistakes pointed out to us. As a result, I allow students to retake tests for 5 school days after they are handed back. The newest score will replace the grade in PowerSchool. Notes will be allowed on tests the first time, but not on retakes.

Classroom Management Procedures

School policies as outlined in the student manual will be adhered to in this class. Additionally, the following policies will be in place.

Working Bell-to-bell:

Because our time together is so limited, it is important that we utilize every moment of it. Research indicates that students are often engaged in instruction only 40-60% of the time! Research also indicates that how much a student learns is directly related to how much time they spend engaged in the material, so in my class engaged time will exceed 95%. It is expected that you will be in your seats and ready to work when the starting bell rings, and that you will not pack up to leave until I have dismissed you.

Absences:

Students are responsible for finding out what they missed during absences. Notes for that day should be copied from a classmate or obtained through the class web site. Computer materials that I use in class, as well as an outline of our activities will be posted on the class web site. For unexcused absences, students are expected to turn in their assignments when they return, but will receive a maximum grade of 50%.

Late Assignments:

I understand that you will sometimes have things going on in your life that will have a higher priority for you than science homework. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time, please talk with me in person or via e-mail to explain the situation and your plan to correct it. You will find, however, that my tolerance for late assignments will diminish if it becomes a pattern for any student. Please plan on completing assignment on time as often as possible. When it is not, it is expected that you turn in your work within a few days. It is an extra strain on me to grade late assignments, particularly if they are very old. For that reason, no assignment (homework, project, lab, etc.) may be turned in after the test for that unit.

Assessment Plan

The students are assessed by their percentage earned of total possible points, with grades distributed roughly as follows:

    • Daily work and class participation: 30%

    • Labs: 30%

    • Tests and projects: 30%

    • Final Exam: 10%

Grading Scale:

    • 93% ≤ A

    • 90% ≤ A- < 93%

    • 87% ≤ B+ < 90%

    • 83% ≤ B < 87%

    • 80% ≤ B- < 83%

    • etc.

    • F < 60%

The grading scale is rigid, and not subject to rounding of grades (e.g. and 89.9999% is a B+, not an A-). Extra credit opportunities will be given very infrequently. Any extra time you wish to devote to this class should be spent mastering the material. I do not give my students grades; my students EARN their grades.

Labs

Science IS doing experiments and analyzing the results. For that reason, we will be completing experiments as frequently as possible. My chief concern in a lab setting is student safety.

At the beginning of the year, students and their guardians will sign a lab safety contract agreeing to certain safety rules during labs. No student will be permitted to participate in or receive a grade for any lab until that safety contract is returned to the teacher.

Before each lab, we will discuss the procedure and any necessary safety precautions. Any student not adhering to these rules will be removed from the classroom and will receive a zero for that lab.

About me

I began teaching at Davenport North High School in 2008, after graduating from Iowa State University. I worked there for three years, then in Dubuque at an alternative high school program for a year. I have a degree in physics, and endorsements to teach physics, physical science, chemistry, and general science. I am married to a woman named Amber whom I love very much. We’ve been married since September of 2008, and met during our sophomore year of college. She works for the Des Moines Register. In October of 2012, we welcomed our first child, Gwenivere Aria.

I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. I attended Fort Collins High School where the mascot is the Lambkin. A lambkin is a small lamb. That’s a small baby sheep. Watch out, cross-town rivals, the Lobos! Grrrr! I went to Iowa State to be near family, and because of a scholarship offer. I began in engineering, but changed to physics and education after my first year.

In my free time (if I have any after completing my obligations as a teacher and father), I enjoy woodworking, bike riding, cooking and playing games with my wife, and watching movies. We purchased a house in Ankeny in 2012, and are continuing settle into the new rhythm of our lives.