TC AP Physics 1
AP Physics 1 Course Description and Expectations 2026-27
Instructor Information
Mr. Manero
Room C115
Email: cmanero@bhprsd.org
★All student emails must be through the school gmail account★
Phone: (856) 939-4500 ext 7613
Charlger Time Availability: B & C Days
Course Description
This course is equivalent to a first semester college course for science (non-engineering) students. It is very intense and will likely be the most challenging (and hopefully rewarding) course that you will take in high school. This class is not for the average student. Please keep in mind that if you do not plan on working hard, you have signed up for the wrong course.
Topics Covered and Approximate Assessment Schedule
Marking Period 1
Kinematics: Introduces the study of motion and serves as a foundation for all of AP Physics 1. Target Assessment Date: Late September
Force and Translational Dynamics: Introduces the concept of force, which is an interaction between two objects or systems of objects..Target Assessment Date: Late October
Marking Period 2
Work, Energy, and Power: Introduces the idea of conservation as a foundational principle of physics, along with the concept of work as the primary agent of change for energy. Target Assessment Date: Mid December
Linear Momentum Introduces the relationships between force, time, impulse, and linear momentum via calculations, data analysis, designing experiments, and making predictions. Target Assessment Date: Mid January
Marking Period 3
Torque and Rotational Dynamics: Reinforces the Unit 2 ideas of force and linear motion by introducing students to their rotational analogs—torque and rotational motion Target Assessment Date: Late February
Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems: Applies their knowledge of energy and momentum to rotating systems Target Assessment Date: Mid March
Oscillations: Applies previously-encountered models and methods of analysis to simple harmonic motion. Target Assessment Date: Early April
Marking Period 4
Fluids: Applies the concepts of forces and conservation laws studied in units 1-4 to the study of ideal fluids. Target Assessment Date: Late April
Course Review & Test Prep: Review and Prepare for AP Test Test Date: May 6, 2026, 12 pm
Expectations of an AP Physics Student
Self-discipline and self-motivation
Time and time-management skills (up to an hour per night)
Moderately strong background in Algebra I and II, Geometry, Chemistry, and Basic Trigonometry
Basic understanding of graphical analysis and spreadsheets
Ability to solve word problems
Ability to convert units of measure
Ability to read and write english fluently
Ability to read and understand a scientific textbook
Required Materials
The following items must be brought with you to class every single day (starting on the first day of school) with no exceptions. Failure to do so will result in a zero for participation for the day.
Scientific or Graphing Calculator (Desmos is preferred)
Colored AP Physics Equation Sheet
Notebook
Your FULLY CHARGED Chromebook and in its case
Required Subscriptions/Software
In order to make the most effective use of the time in this class, you will need to be subscribed to the services listed below.
Physics Classroom
Pivot Interactives
Textbook
College Physics, AP Edition
By: Eugenia Etkina, Michael Gentile, and Alan Van Heuvelen
This is the textbook that has been selected by our district. It is a good book, but we have decided that you only need to take it if you like.
Classroom Procedures
Start of Class
Upon entering the room, place your cell phones in the holder. It is district policy that all phones will be placed in the appropriate holder at the start of the class. Go to the Google Classroom and follow the onscreen instructions. You should immediately begin this activity. The bell indicates that you should be in your seat and working on the task.
Notebook
You will be required to keep an up-to-date notebook in the form of a binder. Each class period you will be required to take notes on the lesson in your binder.. Your notebook will include all notes, class handouts, and reference materials. Notebooks are your study tools and completion of notes will be incorporated into the rubric that is used for grading homework assignments,
Lab Work
Labs will be conducted on a regular basis and will be collected in Google Classroom. Lab work must be made up within the week that it was missed (usually during Enrichment periods). If labs are late, a 20 percent penalty per day will be assessed until the grade is zero. Labs will not be accepted after 5 days.
Practice/Homework
All homework will be due by the start of the school day. Late homework will not be accepted for credit. Homework will be completed for mastery and will be submitted digitally in the Google Classroom.
Equation Sheets
At the beginning of the year, you will receive a colored AP Equation sheet. This may be used at all times in this class, including tests and quizzes. I will not give you new copies. If you lose them, you must reprint them from the website for yourself. I have a few backups that I will keep in the room, but I will not replenish them once they are gone.
Make-Up Work
All work for my class can be found in my Google Classroom. You must either obtain a copy of the day’s worksheet when you return or you can print one for yourself. You do not need to see me for it if you can manage with the materials that I have provided. If you still need help, you must plan to meet with me within two days of the absence to get caught up.
AI Policy
In this science class, students may use AI tools as a supplement to their learning, but not as a replacement for their own thinking and effort. AI can be used to research concepts, check understanding, or generate practice questions, but all assignments, lab reports, and assessments must reflect the student’s own original work. Students are expected to use AI responsibly, avoiding plagiarism, misinformation, or over-reliance on generated answers. Proper use of AI should enhance curiosity, support problem-solving, and strengthen critical thinking, while misuse will result in loss of privileges and possible disciplinary action.
Test Corrections
Test corrections will be offered to earn half of lost points back on assessments. Test corrections must be completed during a 1 week time period assigned by the instructor. Corrections must be completed during charger time or after school in the classroom with the instructor present.
Grading Policy
Major Assessments (40%): This will include all tests and large projects. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments. Test corrections will be offered, as per above policy.
Minor Assessments (15%): Quizzes will generally be given at the conclusion of every topic. If five quizzes are completed, you will be allowed to drop one. Any missed quiz will be recorded as a zero and will need to be used as a dropped quiz. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments
Labs (30%): You will work on labs together, but must be submitted separately as per district policy. See late lab policy above.
Daily Work (15%): Daily work will consist of two components: in-class practice and homework. Homework tasks will be scored based on mastery. Most tasks will produce certificates of completion. If you are unsuccessful at earning a certificate, you will be required to provide a copy of the work completed.
Honors Physics
Course Information
Mr. Manero
Room: C115
Email: cmanero@bhprsd.org (district policy states that all email must be sent using your school email account)
Phone: (856) 232-9703 ext 6249
Charger Time Availability: B & C days (C115)
Course Summary
Honors physics is an introductory physics course for high school freshmen that introduces students to the fundamental principles that explain how the physical world works. Topics include motion, forces, energy, waves, and basic electricity, with an emphasis on connecting these ideas to everyday experiences. Students will learn how to describe and predict natural phenomena using simple mathematical relationships, problem-solving strategies, and hands-on experiments. The course builds critical thinking and analytical skills while encouraging curiosity about the laws that govern the universe, providing a foundation for more advanced science courses.
Topics Covered and Approximate Assessment Schedule
Marking Period 1
Introductory Skills: Experimental procedures, data collection and analysis. Target Assessment Date: Mid September
Motion (Part 1): Terminology, motion diagrams, and motion graphs. Target Assessment Date: Early October
Motion (Part 2): Mathematical analysis of motion and free fall acceleration. Target Assessment Date: Early November
Marking Period 2
Forces: Definition of force, identifying types, and representing forces. Target Assessment Date: Late November
Newton’s Laws: Newton’s 3 Laws of motion and problem solving using the laws. Target Assessment Date: Late December
Uniform Circular Motion: Characteristics of objects moving at constant speeds, but with changing directions. Target Assessment Date: Late January
Marking Period 3
Work and Energy: Defining work and energy and explaining their relationship in regards to the motion of objects.Target Assessment Date: Late February
Momentum: Defining impulse and momentum and explaining their relationship in regards to the motion of a system of objects. Target Assessment Date: Late March
Marking Period 4
Simple Harmonic Motion: Motion of vibrating systems. Analysis of masses on springs and pendulums will be included. Target Assessment Date: Mid April
Waves: Characteristics of wave motion. Analysis of the properties of waves and the behavior of waves when encountering openings, obstacles, and other waves. Target Assessment Date: Mid May
Electricity: An introduction to the property of electric charge, current electricity, and the behavior of basic electrical circuits. Target Assessment Date: Early June
Expectations of an Honors Physics Student
Self-discipline and self-motivation
Time and time-management skills (up to an hour per night)
Ability to solve word problems using basic algebra principles
Ability to convert units of measure
Ability to read and write english fluently
Ability to read and understand a scientific textbook
Required Materials
The following items must be brought with you to class every single day (starting on the first day of school) with no exceptions. Repeated failure to do so will result in possible disciplinary actions.
Fully Charged Chromebook
Equation Sheets
Three Ring Notebook with Paper (preferably graph paper)
Pen and Pencil
Required Subscriptions/Software/Apps
In order to make the most effective use of the time in this class, you will need to be subscribed to the services listed below.
Physics Classroom
Pivot Interactives
Textbook
The Physics Classroom
The materials for this course is based off of materials and readings from The Physics Classroom website
Classroom Procedures
Start of Class
Upon entering the room, place your cell phones in the holder. It is district policy that all phones will be placed in the appropriate holder at the start of the class. Go to the Google Classroom and follow the onscreen instructions. You should immediately begin this activity. The bell indicates that you should be in your seat and working on the task.
Notebook
You will be required to keep an up-to-date notebook in the form of a binder. Each class period you will be required to take notes on the lesson in your binder.. Your notebook will include all notes, class handouts, and reference materials. Notebooks are your study tools and completion of notes will be incorporated into the rubric that is used for grading homework assignments,
Lab Work
Labs will be conducted on a regular basis and will be collected in Google Classroom. Lab work must be made up within the week that it was missed (usually during Enrichment periods). If labs are late, a 20 percent penalty per day will be assessed until the grade is zero. Labs will not be accepted after 5 days
Practice/Homework
All homework will be due by the start of the school day. Late homework will not be accepted for credit. Homework will be completed for mastery and will be submitted digitally in the Google Classroom.
Late Work
Work can be handed in up to 3 days late for 85% of earned grade. It is zero after the 3rd day.
Please note that Google Classroom will let me know the date that it is turned in.
Reference Sheets
At the beginning of each unit, you will receive a colored reference sheet. These pages may be used at all times in this class, including tests and quizzes and must be kept in your binder. I will not give you new copies. If you lose them, you must reprint them from Google Classroom for yourself. I will have a few backups that I will keep in the room, but I will not replenish them once they are gone.
Make-Up Work
All work for my class can be found in my Google Classroom. You must either obtain a copy of the day’s worksheet when you return or you can print one for yourself. You do not need to see me for it if you can manage with the materials that I have provided. If you still need help, you must plan to meet with me within two days of the absence to get caught up.
AI Policy
In this science class, students may use AI tools as a supplement to their learning, but not as a replacement for their own thinking and effort. AI can be used to research concepts, check understanding, or generate practice questions, but all assignments, lab reports, and assessments must reflect the student’s own original work. Students are expected to use AI responsibly, avoiding plagiarism, misinformation, or over-reliance on generated answers. Proper use of AI should enhance curiosity, support problem-solving, and strengthen critical thinking, while misuse will result in loss of privileges and possible disciplinary action.
Retesting Policy
As part of department policy, we now offer retesting, as long as certain conditions have been met. The conditions of the policy are listed at the end of this document.
Grading Policy
Major Assessments (40%): This will include all tests and large projects. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments. As per a new departmental initiative, retests will be allowed for all tests if, and only if, all homework is completed for a given unit prior to the administration of the test.
Minor Assessments (15%): Quizzes will generally be given at the conclusion of every topic. If five quizzes are completed, you will be allowed to drop one. Any missed quiz will be recorded as a zero and will need to be used as a dropped quiz. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments
Labs (30%): You will work on labs together, but must be submitted separately as per district policy. Labs that are more than one day late cannot be accepted as per district policy.
Daily Work (15%): Daily work will consist of two components: in-class practice and homework. Homework tasks will be scored based on mastery. Most tasks will produce certificates of completion. If you are unsuccessful at earning a certificate, you will be required to provide a copy of the work completed.
Science Department Retest Policy
In order for students to work towards mastery of each learning standard in science and improve student performance and retention, the BHP Science Department has adopted the following reassessment policy:
Students will take each individual test once. If all criteria have been met, a student may complete ONE reassessment per marking period
Once the original test is handed back, the student has 2 weeks from that date to complete the reassessment
Students must submit the reassessment action plan within a week of the original test being handed back
The reassessment score will replace the original score. Completing a reassessment does not guarantee an automatic increase in your score
All homework and classwork must be completed prior to the examination in order for a student to reassess
Reassessment is not an option for any student that violated the academic dishonesty policy on the original assessment
The reassessment will cover the same standards as the original assessment but not the same as the original test
Reassessments are done by appointment and must be completed during common time unless another time is acceptable to the teacher.
If you miss your appointment to reassess, you forfeit your opportunity for reassessment for that test
No reassessments are allowed during the final week of a marking period
If the action plan is not completed by the reassessment date, the student does not get to reassess
TC Astronomy
Course Information and Expectations 2026-27
Mr. Manero
Room: C-115
Email: cmanero@bhprsd.org (district policy states that all email must be sent using your school student email account)
Phone: (856) 232-9703 ext. 6249
Charger Time Availability: B&D days (after school hours available by appointment)
Expectations of an Astronomy Student
Self-discipline and self-motivation
Curiosity and a desire to learn about the universe.
Required Materials
The following items must be brought with you to class every single day (starting on the first day of school) with no exceptions. Repeated failure to do so will result in possible disciplinary actions.
Fully Charged Chromebook
Spiral Notebook or Three Ring Notebook with Paper or graph paper.
Pen and Pencil
Required Subscriptions/Software/Apps
In order to make the most effective use of the time in this class, you will need to be subscribed to the services listed below.
Explore Learning (You will be instructed how to get an account in class
Classroom Procedures
Start of Class
Upon entering the room, turn your Chromebooks on and refer to Google Classroom for the day's assignment. If there is a warm-up you should begin immediately. You should be in your seat and working on the task.
Google Classroom
You will be required to keep monitor Google Classroom for all assignments. Many assignments will consist of taking notes on In-class videos or performing basic measurements.
Lab Work
Occasionally Labs will be conducted and will be collected in Google Classroom. Most of these labs will consist of work done on the Exploreleaning site. Lab work must be made up within the week that it was missed (usually during Enrichment periods). If labs are late, a 20 percent will be assessed. Labs are due one week from the date that the data is collected in class. Labs will not be accepted after 1 day beyond the due date.
Homework
There will be occasional homework that will be due by one week from the date of posting the assignment. Homework assignments will be worth 10 points.
Late Work
Work can be handed in up to 3 days late for 85% of earned grade. It is zero after the 3rd day.
Please note that Google Classroom will let me know the date that it is turned in.
Tests/Projects
Tests will consist of assignments that will be clearly indicated as being a test. I usually don’t give conventional tests in this class but do have you perform some assignment that tells me that you understood the material for the unit. There will be 2 to 3 tests per marking period.
Make-Up Work
All work for my class can be found in my Google Classroom. You must either obtain a copy of the day’s worksheet when you return or you can print one for yourself. You do not need to see me for it if you can manage with the materials that I have provided. If you miss one of the video assignments, I usually include a link to a site that contains the video but there are some assignments that have no link available so for these you must stay after class and I will reshow the video.
Grading Policy
Major Assessments (40%): This will include all tests and large projects. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments. As per a new departmental initiative, retests will be allowed for all tests if, and only if, all homework is completed for a given unit prior to the administration of the test.
Minor Assessments (15%): Quizzes will generally be given at the conclusion of every topic. Any missed quiz will be recorded as a zero and will need to be made up. You may use a calculator and your own reference sheets on these assessments
Labs (30%): You will work on labs together, but must be submitted separately as per district policy. Labs that are more than one day late cannot be accepted as per district policy.
Daily Work (15%): Daily work will consist of two components: in-class practice and homework. Homework tasks will be scored based on mastery. Most tasks will produce certificates of completion. If you are unsuccessful at earning a certificate, you will be required to provide a copy of the work completed.