Why take Physics?

Why take Physics?

Last week I asked the students what they wanted to learn in my class.  The overwhelming response was "I want to learn what is needed to pass the class".  This tells me I have some coaching to do.  I was hoping to find responses like "how a diesel engine works" or "what is dark matter" or "how does my smart phone know where I am".  I want them to look beyond the grade in Infinite Campus.  I seek to rekindle that curiosity they had as children when the took apart things to look in side; to find joy in discovery that you can predict how an object will behave and then run the test and find that you were correct.

What I want our students to learn is the Science and Engineering practices:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
   
2. Developing and using models
   
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
   
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
   
5. Using mathematics, information and computer technology, and computational thinking
   
6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
   
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
   
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information 
   
   Through practices the students will come to understand the nature of science and the science of nature.
   

Genius Hour

Genius Hour

 I'm going to offer my Conceptual Physics class 20% of their time to learn about anything they want.  This is going to be educational for me and I hope inspirational for the students.  Here are a few sites that have information on the concept.

Kate Perry's Site

Genius Hour Resource Page

Introducing 20% Time to Your Class

My primary source is A.J. Juliani's book "Inquiry and Innovation in the Classroom".   Here is his site.

As I see how this implements in one class, I will bring it into the AP Physic classes.

What can they study?
1. Anything that is not for a grade in any other class.
2.  Must be approved by the parent/guardian.
3.  Must be approved by the teacher.
4.  Must have a tangible product. 

Letter to Parents

From:  Mr. Scrivener

To:  Parent or Guardian of Collins HS Student

Subject:  2013-2014 School Year

I am your student’s teacher for Physics.  My goal is to deepen your child’s thinking ability.  The goals of my class your are getting the students to buy into the following:

Keep Working when Problems get Hard

Visualizing the Situation

Win Arguments with Facts

Describe What's Goin' On?

How to use High Tech Gear

Find and Fix your own Mistakes

See the Patterns in Life and Break It Down

Does the Answer make Sense?

I am available for tutoring any time that does not conflict with a scheduled meeting.  I arrive before 7:30 am and will stay until 5:00 pm if your student needs some extra clarification or to make up missed work.

Missed tests and quizzes are expected to be made up outside of the regular class.  If a week goes by and the student has not made up the assignment a Missing is entered into the Infinite Campus grade book and a zero is scored.  This serves as a reminder to both the student and me that the assessment needs to be made up.

I will use Infinite Campus Messenger to update you on what is happening with our class.  Please ensure that the school has an accurate e-mail address in Infinite Campus.  I will use Remind.com to text your student assignments and readings.  I am experimenting with a blog this year for my classes.  More information to come on that.

Your student will require the following supplies for the class:

·    Something to keep handouts in.  A binder or set of folders is acceptable.  This binder may be used to keep papers for other classes.   A ½-inch binder is all I require for my class. 

·    Two Composition Books.   One is for taking notes and working problems in.  The other is for lab notes and data collection.  Both may be used on tests and quizzes.

·    Pencils with erasers.  If your student prefers mechanical pencils please ensure they have a separate eraser.  I will not grade a test done in ink.

·    Graph Paper.

·    A 6 inch or 12 inch ruler for drawing straight lines.

·    Calculator with Trigonometry functions.  I recommend the Ti-30XS or Ti-36X Pro. Both are available at Wal-Mart for under $20.  (I do not recommend the Ti-30II XS.)  Smart phone/tablets are not allowed on tests so they do need the separate calculator. Your student needs their own calculator just as carpenters need a hammer.  It is a tool to get the work done

A $15 science lab fee is charged to each student taking a science class at Collins this year.  If you have not paid this through the main office, I will be collecting the fee in class during the first week.

I look forward to coaching your child in Physics and helping them achieve the high goals that you set for them.

Sincerely,

Art Scrivener