Dakota High School Science Department

Chippewa Valley Schools

Physics I Guidelines and Syllabus 2018 – 2019

Ms. Emily Fox Email Address: efox@cvs.k12.mi.us

Room #233 Main Building Phone Number: (586) 723-2985

Class Website: www.efoxscience.weebly.com

Remind Messages: Text @foxphysics to 81010

Dear Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

The State of Michigan adopted the Michigan Science Standards (MSS), based on the
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), in 2015. NGSS emphasizes three
distinct, yet equally important, dimensions that help students learn science. Each
dimension is integrated in the NGSS and – when combined – the three dimensions
build a powerful foundation to help students achieve a cohesive understanding of
science over time.

WHY NEW STANDARDS?

The MSS/NGSS reflect the latest research and advances in modern science. These standards equip students with a deeper
understanding of core ideas and concepts, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and investigation
skills. The standards also reinforce practices of other core subjects.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Classrooms will look like:
• Lessons will often begin with a real-world phenomenon for students to investigate. Students will ”figure out” the science
by questioning, exploring, and participating in peer discussions. Successive activities encourage deeper engagement in
the learning process as students add to their thinking and understanding of applicable phenomena. Real scientists
engage in these same practices.
• Students will have opportunities to work independently and in small groups before sharing and comparing explanations
with the whole group. The teacher will monitor and facilitate discussions to push student thinking and to nurture
sense-making of science concepts.
• Traditional test review guides will be replaced by summary tables that organize what students have figured out about
lesson phenomena.
• Please understand that while most content will be similar to science classes in the past, the way the students interact
with the content will be quite different.
Classrooms will NOT look like:
• You should not hear your child talking about daily lectures, solely focusing on memorizing information, or completing
worksheet-driven lessons that ask simply for recall of facts.

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?

There will be a very intentional shift in science classrooms from students “learning about” to students “figuring out” the science.
Initially, students may feel that, “my teacher is not giving me the answers”. There is no need to worry. Your child will gain
confidence that it is okay to not know the answer right away. There will be opportunities to revise thinking throughout the
learning process. Students will adapt to this style of instruction.

• Encourage your child to actively participate in the problem-solving process with peers in class.
• When helping your child with homework or school assignments, ask them to explain how they acquired an answer
and to relate it to an activity conducted in class.
• Reinforce critical thinking skills at home when everyday challenges arise. This is a process, so patience and
persistence is required.
Attendance
The new standards rely heavily on investigations and discussions conducted during class time. To maximize understanding,
attendance is crucial. When students are absent from school, they miss opportunities to learn. Teachers can make students and
parents aware of the learning targets missed, but they cannot recreate the lesson and the sense-making that took place during
class. Please support your child by encouraging regular attendance.

Teachers are facilitators of learning, not givers of information.

Trust in this research-based process. Know that we are focused on your child’s success!

Materials
The following items are required and must be brought to class everyday:
1) 3-ring binder (1" or 1.5" suggested) with 5 dividers
2) Highlighter, Blue or Black Pen, & Pencil
3) Loose leaf paper

The following items are required, but may be kept in your locker and brought as needed:
1) Blue or Black Dry-Erase Marker
2) Index Cards (3" x 5")
3) Scientific Calculator

Classroom Conduct
1) Follow the Dakota Code of Conduct. 4) Be prepared with material and assignments after bell rings.
2) Respect all individuals in your school. 5) Work hard from bell to bell.
3) Be present and on time (no tardiness). 6) Keep the classroom clean.

Grading Policy

Semester 1 Quarter grades are Based on the Following Weighted Categories

Quarter 1 40% Summative Assessments (Test & Quizzes) 60%
Quarter 2 40% Formative Assessments (Discussions, Labs, & Projects) 30%
Exam 20% Classwork and/or Homework 10%
To pass Physics I, you must pass 2 out of the 3 semester grades. In addition, your final grade in the course (with
weighted calculations) must be above a 60%. If these requirements are not met, you do not pass the class.

Grade Scale for Physics Teachers: 2018 - 2019

Letter Grade Grade Scale Percentages

A 4.0-3.5 100%-87.5%
A- 3.49-3.4 87.25%-85.0%
B+ 3.39-3.3 84.75%-82.5%
B 3.29-3.1 82.25%-77.5%
B- 3.09-3.0 77.25%-75.0%
C+ 2.99-2.9 74.75%-72.5%
C 2.89-2.7 72.25%-67.5%
C- 2.69-2.6 67.25%-65.0%
D+ 2.59-2.5 64.75%-62.5%
D 2.49-2.3 62.25%-57.5%
D- 2.29-2.2 57.25%-55.0%
F 2.19-0.0 54.75%-0.0%
Late Work/Assignment Due Dates
It is your responsibility for you to earn the best grade possible in this course. The first step in making sure this happens is to have
your assignments finished on the assigned due date. You are in training to become responsible adult citizens and the real world
has due dates. Therefore, NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE. All work should be turned in, unless otherwise specified,
at the beginning of the hour. Assignments should be properly labeled (name and hour); they should be written in pencil or
blue/black ink.

Work Make-up Policy

• Excused Absences and/or Field Trips
o See the DHS Student Code of Conduct

• Unexcused Absences/Unverified Absences/Skipping

o See DHS Student Code of Conduct

• Missed Homework / Tests / Quizzes / Labs

o It is your responsibility to obtain all work, lecture notes, and handouts upon returning from any absence from class.
Always check the class website and calendar first then, if you have any questions, check-in with the teacher. It is
your responsibility to use this system to check for all work missed during an absence.
§ You will be given one make-up day, per each missed day of school, to turn-in assignments.
§ Missed quizzes and tests will be scored a zero and must be made-up upon returning to class. If you
were told of an upcoming test or quiz before your absence, you will take it the day you return (For
example, you are told on Monday that there will be a quiz on Wednesday. You are absent on Tuesday.
You will still take the quiz on Wednesday with the rest of the class).

Reassessment Policy
The science department adheres to the following policy of no reassessments (test or quiz retakes) being offered.

Academic Integrity Policy

See the Dakota High School Academic Integrity Policy; If anyone is caught cheating, copying, and/or committing plagiarism, they
will automatically receive a zero for the assignment! In addition, the student’s parents or guardian will be contacted and informed
of the violation.
 PHYSICS I GUIDELINES & SYLLABUS
DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th

FOR THE STUDENT:

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PHYSICS I GUIDELINES AND SYLLABUS. ANY QUESTIONS I HAVE WERE CLEARLY
COMMUNICATED TO THE TEACHER AND ADDRESSED.

PRINTED STUDENT NAME______________________________________________________ Hour __________

STUDENT SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________

FOR THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN:

PLEASE REVIEW AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILD THE PHYSICS I GUIDELINES AND SYLLABUS. ONCE THIS HAS BEEN DONE,
PLEASE SIGN BELOW.

PRINTED PARENT NAME _______________________________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE __________________________________________________________

• PLEASE NOTE: A SIGNED COPY OF THE PHYSICS I GUIDELINES AND SYLLABUS IS TO REMAIN WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES AT THE FRONT
OF YOUR BINDER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!