In hopes of getting answers to students and parents quickly I have answered many of the FAQs below. Please take a look here before you e-mail or call.
- View this document for the additional information that is covered in AP1 Physics. If you are taking AP1 you should also plan on taking AP2 as AP1 alone does not cover all physic related concepts. AP1 alone will not prepare you for college, only for taking the AP1 exam.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B82qz4cF0iNXYkp4MTB5T2VHbXM/view
These different pathways are designed to help all students be better prepared for College and University Study. AP 1 and AP2 Physics is an in depth class that requires high level thinking and processing of multiple data figures and statistics.
- If you took AP Chem and earned an A, AP1 & then AP2 is a good choice.
- If you only took Regular Chem, CP Physics is a good choice.
- If you only took Honors Chem and earned an A, AP1 & then AP2 is a good choice.
- If you only want to take one semester of Physics, take CP Physics.
- If you enjoy science/ physics and want to take a full year of Physics, AP1 and then AP2 is a good choice.
- If you are a Freshmen, neither course is recommended for you as you should take Biology and Chemistry First. CP Physics teaches NGSS Standards that assume you have progressed through the NGSS standards taught in Biology and Chemistry.
- If you are in doubt, go talk to your last science teacher to explore the best pathway to support your goals.
If you only took regular Chem, and you wish to pursue an engineering, science, technology career path, taking CP Physics, then AP 1 and then AP 2 is a GREAT class pathway. You will have a VERY strong conceptual knowledge of the content and be able to apply multiple concepts to any situation. This will put you ahead of your freshmen peers at college.
AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 are designed as a first year physics course. They are designed for a deeper based knowledge of the concepts and ideas taught through high school, common core, and NGSS standards, but they should be taken together! It is a class that touches on introductory issues and concepts and begin to apply multiple concepts to solving new and complex problems. They cover materials that work together to best prepare students for college level physics, and thus should be taken following each other in the same year. It is a college level course and material, content, and grading is held to that standard.
- You need a free adobe reader, if you are having issues be sure to download the current version: http://get.adobe.com/reader/other versions/
- If you are still having issues opening files use a different internet browser (Safari browser often has issues) like Mozilla Firefox, free download: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ or Google Chome
- Restart your computer after completing updates/downloads.
- Download the pdf file to your desktop, then open the file on the desktop to print.
- Click the refresh button a few times, click and wait for it to load, then click again...sometimes up to 10 times (this works if you click and get nothing, or type the password and get nothing)
- Many animations/simulations require Java, free download: http://www.java.com/en/download/
If you miss a day of class you should first make an effort to check the web site for the information covered in class. You should also make sure to check for any homework or quizzes that might be coming up. Ask a friend in class for the homework or e-mail the instructor to help with what may be due next class (When you e-mail the instructor, be specific...ie ask for the title of the notes you need). If you miss a lab, you might be expected to make up the lab.
Turn the assignment in to the instructor directly, it is always good to follow-up with the instructor when you return from an excused absence. You have the same number of days absent to make up the work.
In order to have the opportunity to make up the missed work, you must notify Mr. Corman. Not all of the assignments can be made up due to an unexcused absence (Please see syllabus for absence policy).
It is the student's responsibility to schedule lab make-up with the instructor within the make-up timeline. Laboratory make-up is at the discretion of the instructor.
It is the student's responsibility to schedule quiz make-up with the instructor within the make-up timeline. Quiz make-up is at the discretion of the instructor and must be taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. A missed Mastery Quiz may result in the student doing the Mastery Assignment.
Schedule to make-up the exam before school or during class time based upon the instructors preference. Most likely, the exam will be made up in the next class period the student is attending.
While there is no extra credit assignments planned, there will be bonus points on assignments occasionally throughout the term. The point totals for these areas are not significant.
Please turn in assignments on time, but sometimes this is not always possible. Late work may sometimes be accepted. Please review syllabus regarding point deductions for late Laboratory Reports, homework assignments, and Projects.
1. Make sure you are attending class regularly
2. Complete every homework assignment to the best of your own ability
3. Ask questions in class
4. Be an active group member during labs
5. Make flashcards and bring them to your instructor to review
6. Re-do worksheets for extra practice, you have the answers since they were reviewed in class
7. Watch recommended videos from Website
8. Use the agendas posted online to get ahead...ie. complete reading, start HW
9. Use the mastery resources (Mastery Link) - extra notes, resources, video links, websites, extra practice
Yes! Start with your packet, read, review and highlight. Make a list of key vocabulary. Re-do worksheets, you have the answers from class...print off new ones and try them again in a test setting. Write and solve your own questions with a peer or by yourself. Also, consider making flash cards and bring them to me to review (often I can look over a student's flash cards in class or if more time is needed come to tutorial time). This allows me to see what the student is studying and to help focus their efforts (ie. toss cards out or help them see what they are missing). Watch posted video links. Use the mastery resources! (Mastery Link)
The science department is developing Mastery Quizzes and Assignments for the core classes - Earth and Space, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Check out the Mastery Link on the CCA Science homepage, additional information is also in the course syllabus. The goal is to support struggling students. These are only given to CP Physics level students in Mr. Corman's class. Material to review these content areas are available and open for all students.
Please check the instructor's website for tutorial hours. CCA teachers can not recommend outside tutoring services. Frequently, a student group on campus will organize tutoring hours for strugllling students in physics classes. Please have your student look at morning announcements for more information.
Yes! Below is a list of released questions:
Also check out: http://starsamplequestions.org/starRTQ/search.jsp
College prep Physics does not cover the depth and breadth required to score well on the SAT II Exam, those students that want to take the exam will need to complete additional studying. In the past students have purchased an SAT II study book (free resources at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/lc_two.html) and they bring it in for me to make notes on the table of contents about areas that were not covered in college prep physics. Check out: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/physics for more details about the exam.
On a side note, most colleges/universities require that a student complete the Writing, Math (it is suggested that you take the highest math level) and one subject exam - check with the schools that you are interested in before making this decision. Even if you are a super all-star science student, you can still take the exam in history...the schools are using the exam to look for well rounded students that can perform in a subject area outside of math and English. So, if you plan to AP History as a sophomore or junior you may want to opt to take that subject exam because you'll have covered more material at an advanced level and will most likely score higher than the average high school student. Or if you really want to take a science test and are a super all-star science student, take Chemistry and AP Chemistry your sophomore year and take the test in chemistry...and then take AP1 and AP2 Physics your junior year. As mentioned above, if you want to take the SAT II Exam after completing college prep physics please follow the recommendations above and I would be glad to guide your preparation.
If you are taking both AP1 and AP2, sign up to take the exam after the AP exams as we will cover all material for the SAT II subject exam in those two classes.
CCA subscribes to test prep materials for SAT, SAT II, ACT, AP exam. Follow the directions to access free resources and sample tests. From the media center website (http://teachers.sduhsd.net), click on the "Gale" button, it will prompt you with the password, click ok, make sure pop-up blockers are off, after typing in the password, a new page will open, scroll to the bottom, click "Testing and Education Reference Center", then click on the test of interest.
In my opinion, all college prep students should complete at least Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I always suggest taking 4 years of science total (ie. Earth/Space, QUEST, AP science course...check out the course profiles for options). Please do not email asking about the prerequisites (I will most likely be pasting this into my response). The prerequisites are in place to support and set all students up for success, they apply to all students. Per Ed Code a student can enroll in any course via open access, but please carefully consider our recommendations before selecting courses. Most students that ignore the prerequisites regret the decision.
Make a 4 year plan, map out the courses you want to take in High School. If you are a sophomore who loves science/math and is planning a career in science you should be taking Honors Chem and AP Chem. If you want to take another science course as a sophomore, consider Anatomy/Physiology, QUEST or Robotics.
If you plan to take AP Physics 1 & 2, be sure to take the recommended sequence of Physics in the fall and in the spring of the same year. This is typically done in the Junior year of a student (but not always).
I often get emails about taking physics before chemistry. We have carefully discussed the recommended prerequisites as a department. Chemistry has students use math and science skills to draw conclusions, physics has students apply those skills to discover in an inquiry setting. Students that complete chemistry first are more successful in physics then those that do not follow the recommended sequence.
It is about preparing each student for success after high school, it is better not to rush through everything and establish good study habits and solid self confidence.
I receive on average about 50+ e-mails a day and have to respond to most of them. Please allow me 24 to 48 hours to respond to an e-mail. If I do not get back to you within the time frame please feel free to e-mail me again. I typically return phone calls before school. Email is the most efficient form on contact, if you would like me to call you please email a number where you can be reached and the topic of concern. Email will usually generate the fastest response. All email communication will include all parties involved (such as parents and student).
In order to view your grade you must have an Aeries account through the SDUHSD school district. The purpose of this system is to allow you to see grades in real time as they are recorded in the teachers grade book. If you need help getting an account or password please contact the front desk at CCA. Grades are typically updated after each unit. Weekly quizzes and homework grades are returned quickly for immediate feedback. Students are expected to keep track of these grades to understand where they are grade wise.