FAQ

What do I need for this class?

1. Pencil with a good eraser.

2. Ruler, metric 30 cm

3. Composition notebook

4. Graphing Calculator -- you must have a graphing calculator with you at every class session. This will be used for taking and analyzing laboratory data as well as for homework and tests.

OPTIONAL 3 Ring Binder filled with tabs for notes, reference materials, classwork, labs and tests. This will help you organize all the paperwork we will have throughout the year, and will be a great resource when testing time comes around.

Who is my teacher?

My name is Mrs. Zamzow and I love being a teacher! I enjoyed and excelled at science in high school while competing on our state winning UIL science team, which lead me to obtain my degree in genetics at Texas A&M University in College Station. Go Aggies! After becoming a physics teacher I earned my masters in physics from Texas A&M Commerce in August 2022. I have two wonderful kids that make me smile every day and a husband who is my partner in life.

Will this class be hard?

Absolutely. This class is challenging because it forces you to see the world around you in a different way. Also, we will continually build on the content framework that we lay at the beginning of the year. Therefore, it is imperative that you master each unit before moving on to the next. I cannot stress the previous statement enough. If you are mentally checked out the first semester, it will be VERY difficult to make up that ground the second semester and be successful on the AP test. Training for the AP test starts the very first day of school!!

How can I succeed in this class?

  • DO THE HOMEWORK!!!!!!! DO THE HOMEWORK!!!!!!! DO THE HOMEWORK!!!!!!! (HW is optional and not graded, but you won't be successful without out it, promise!)

  • Participate in class discussion.

  • Do not be afraid to ask questions. Nine times out of ten, a majority of the classroom has the same question!

  • Fully participate in labs. Ask, why are we doing this lab, what are we learning?

  • Look over your notes in the evening. Make note of questions to ask next time you are in class.

  • Try to explain what you are learning in class to your parents/siblings! If you can teach it, you truly understand it.

  • STUDY prior to tests AND quizzes. I know you are brilliant and bright and haven't had to study a lick of science your whole life......that needs to change NOW :-) A majority of the content you will learn this year, you have never seen before. At this level, you cannot rely only on what you hear in class. You must practice and study. Remember that AP classes are COLLEGE level courses. The expectations are even higher this year. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

  • Take advantage of tutoring!!! One of the best ways to fill in gaps in your learning.