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Welcome to Honors Physics
Welcome to Honors Physics
About Honors Physics:
About Honors Physics:
Physics is a branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics, distinguished from that of chemistry and biology, includes mechanics, energy, waves, sound, light, reflection and mirrors, refraction and lenses, and static electricity.
Students who are enrolled in Algebra 2 or higher and have a C+ or above in all of their Math classes should take Honors Physics. Students should have also taken Honors Chemistry with a C or better or Chemistry with a B+ or better. Honors Physics does have math involved in it and you are expected to be able to manipulate equations to solve for an unknown.
In Honors Physics, we connect everyday occurrences to what we are learning. I love teaching physics because there are so many hands-on opportunities to practice what we are learning!
Students working on the marshmallow challenge in class.
About Your Teacher:
About Your Teacher:
Ms. Platzke
Jinx 9 (top), Rhea 1 (left), Felix 3 (right)
I am glad that you are here! My name is Ms. Platzke. This will be my second full year, but I have already walked these halls as a student teacher who worked carefully under Mr & Mrs. Ray. Before that I have worked with children from the ages of 3-12 in many different areas.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with my bachelors in Comprehensive Integrated Science. That means that I can teach any science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Astronomy).
I was born in Yuma, AZ but raised in Michigan where my heart with forever stay. I don't plan on having any children so that all of my efforts go to my students. They are the reason why I love what I do, and why I get up every morning.
When I am not live, laugh, and loving science. You can catch me with my 3 fur children probably watching Tiktok. I love to be out on the water every chance I get especially paddle boarding in the summer and I pretend that winter does not exist.
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites:
Students enrolled in Honors Physics must have completed Biology and Chemistry with a B or better. Enrollment in Honors Chemistry is preferred, but not required.
Students taking honors physics must have a strong math background. Students need to be currently enrolled or have taken Algebra 2. Previous math grades need to be 78% or higher to be successful in Honors Physics.
Materials Needed for Class:
Materials Needed for Class:
You will need to bring the following to class every day:
Chromebook! Most of the assignments that you will turn in are digital.
Calculator that has trig functions.
Spiral Notebook, for taking notes and doing physics math problems.
Folder to keep physics handouts organized.
Pencil
Ways that I will communicate with you this year:
Ways that I will communicate with you this year:
Remind for Honors Physics
Remind for Honors Physics
Remind is a one-way text messaging and email system. With Remind, all personal information remains completely confidential. I will never see your phone number. I will be using remind to send you reminders throughout the week about class or school information.
Students should be automatically added to Remind this year with your schedule. If your schedule changes, give it 24 hours to reset and if you are not added into the correct class, let me know and I can give you the code to join.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom
All of the assignments are posted on Google Classroom. This is where I will send out your weekly assignment schedule, assignments, and schedule google meets.
If you have not already gotten an invitation to join google classroom, please let me know. You should be automatically enrolled in your google classrooms this year.
PARENTS: Please see the parent information page on how to sign up for a google classroom parent summary. All important announcements and weekly schedules will be posted there and on the home page of this website.
Google Mail
Google Mail
Be sure to check your email at the beginning of the school day and at the end of the school day. You will receive google notifications through email and I may send you a personal note this way.
I understand that your email can get clogged up with everyone trying to send messages. Try to flag important emails, delete anything that you do not need, and respond to questions as soon as you read the email. This can prevent important notifications from getting lost.
Video on how to set your google classroom notifications
Video on how to set your google classroom notifications
This is helpful information so you don't miss anything important in google classroom!
Applications that we will use in class:
Applications that we will use in class:
Flipgrid
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a website that allows teachers to create "grids" to facilitate video discussions. Each grid is like a message board where teachers can pose questions, called "topics," and their students can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display. We will use Flipgrid to post video responses to some assignments.
You will need to sign up for your flip grid physics class hour. You can use your school google account to sign in.
When you need to use Flipgrid for an assignment, there will be a link in the assignment in google classroom.
Click on the image above to take you to the Flipgrid website.
Google Jamboard
Google Jamboard
Jamboard makes learning visible and accessible to all collaborators on the jam session. Plus, It’s easy to present your jams in real time through Meet, allowing for easy sharing or making real-world connections.
Teachers can engage all students in the learning process, whether working together in a traditional classroom, or through distance learning. The Jamboard app for Android and iOS makes it easy for students and educators to join in on the creativity from their phone, tablet, or Chromebook.
You do not have to do anything to join jamboard. It is already part of our school google applications. I will share a jam link with you when we use it in class.
Hello Smart
Hello Smart
Hello Smart is the online software that connects to our smart boards and allows students to use the features that we have used in the classroom with the smart boards.
When we use hello smart, you will be typing hellosmart.com into the web address bar and NOT a search engine. You should be directed to the page that you see above. You can also click on the picture above to take you to the website. Sign in with your csdm google account and be sure to type your whole first and last name when registering. Mrs. Ray's code is 241 427.
Arduino Science Journal
Arduino Science Journal
The Arduino Science Journal (formerly Science Journal, an initiative by Google) is free and open-source, and allows you to gather data about the world around you by harnessing the sensors in your smartphone. The Science Journal transforms smartphones and tablets into science notebooks that encourage students to explore their world.
Click on the image above to take you to the Arduino Science Journal to install it on your device.
What a typical week will look like:
What a typical week will look like:
A weekly schedule will be sent out to students through google classroom each weekend. This schedule will appear on the google classroom stream. You can always look there or on the home page on this website to see what you need to accomplish each week.
We will be using a variety of activities to learn and assess material this year. They include, but are not limited to:
Reading through the chapter lessons that are posted on this website. These lessons include explanations, self checks, and videos to help you learn the material.
Participating in class discussions.
Posting videos and responding to other student videos on flipgrid.
Completing assignments on google classroom.
Participating in group meetings through google meet each week.
Using google forms to assess how well you have learned the material.
Completing projects/laboratory investigations to show your mastery of the material.
Participating in classwork, both individually, in pairs, in small groups, and in a large group setting.
Be sure to watch google classroom for the due dates and complete the lessons and exit tickets before your the next class time so you are ready to practice what you have learned!
Honors Physics Tentative Timeline:
Honors Physics Tentative Timeline:
Study Tips for Honors Physics:
Study Tips for Honors Physics:
Listen to your intuition
Have you ever thrown a ball or played a sport? If you have, then congratulations: you’re an expert in basic physics and calculus. Anytime we engage in activities like this, our minds are calculating vectors, force, gravity, and the area under curves. When you’re getting started in physics, trusting your intuition by applying basic common sense can help.
Just remember that more advanced physics moves beyond the realm of our everyday experience. Common sense doesn’t apply when it comes to astrophysics or elementary particles.
Think conceptually
More so than most subjects, physics goes beyond simple memorization and review. Of course, studying helps, but physics requires big-picture conceptual thinking.
Knowledge in physics is built on a series of conceptual stepping stones—the fundamental principles and laws of the universe—that allow exploration of a huge range of topics. Success in physics depends on a firm knowledge of these basics, and a flexible mind that can assess these rules and determine when and how to apply them to a given problem.
Whether you’re searching for a unified field theory or studying the basic dynamics of force and motion, taking a conceptual approach helps you break down your problem into a series of basic steps. Focus on the fundamentals, but keep the big picture in the back of your mind. Bringing together concepts into a unified understanding of the problem at hand makes finding a solution much easier. Stop beating your head against the wall, and instead use conceptual building blocks to break through.
Keep up with reading and studying
Physics is one of those subjects where falling behind gets you in trouble. This is because it’s generally a series of linked principles that build upon each other. As a subject, physics is more interlinked than most disciplines. In history, if you miss a few lessons, you might not learn about a certain war. In physics, you’re lost for the rest of the course.
Take the time to keep up with assigned readings, practice problems, and homework as the content builds on itself. If you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for trouble!
Drill the core concepts
After you've done your reading, make sure you retain the concepts you learned by drilling the ideas. There are multiple resources on this website for you to use! Physics requires practice. Some times you may only have to practice once or twice to understand a concept, other times, you will need to practice more. You can only find out where you make your mistakes in order to improve if you practice.
Catch up on math
Good math skills are a prerequisite for success in physics. If your math skills aren’t up to scratch, you should definitely spend some time building up your understanding. At the very least, you should have a good grasp of algebra and trigonometry.
Get in the zone
Like many subjects, physics requires uninterrupted studying. To be successful, it’s important that you work out a routine for staying in the zone. Whatever that means, make it happen. Consider turning off your phone and disconnecting from the internet.
For some people, finding a quiet room and working in absolute silence is the way to go. Others may find music or background noise helps them study. Whatever helps you focus, make it happen – or check out our guide to improving your focus for studying.
Either way, you’ll need a clear, open mind to succeed in physics, but if you implement these strategies, you should be in a good position to get the most out of your studies.
Standards Based Grading:
Standards Based Grading:
Standards based grading (SBG) will be used to figure out your final grade in Honors Physics. All of the standards for each chapter are listed under the main page for each chapter.
The Basics of Standards Based Grading:
The Basics of Standards Based Grading:
Traditionally teachers focus on teaching, the attempt to deliver knowledge. In SBG they also measure student learning, to understand the effectiveness of instruction. Instead of a single overall grade, SBG breaks down the subject matter into smaller “learning targets.” Each target is a teachable concept that students should master by the end of the course. Throughout the term, student learning on each target is recorded. Teachers track student progress, give appropriate feedback, and adapt instruction to meet student needs.
Click on the video to hear more about standards based grading or read below to learn more about standards based grading and how it will be used in Honors Physics.
Traditional grading and SBG also use different grading scales. In traditional grading, students are primarily measured by the percentage of work successfully completed. The assumption is that higher completion rates reflect greater mastery, and earn higher grades. Often 90% achieves an A, 80% a B, etc.
In SBG, grading is based on demonstration of mastery. Students attempt standards-aligned activities (projects, worksheets, quizzes, essays, presentations, etc.). Teachers assess the student output and choose the appropriate mastery level that was demonstrated.
Typical scales are 1-4 and reflect students’ increasing skill. 1's indicate that students have little understanding of a concept, and consequently cannot demonstrate any mastery. When starting a new target, many students have no prior knowledge, and begin at 1. As students learn, they can demonstrate partial mastery, and score 2. Once they meet a target, they score 3. Typically, 4's are used for students who exceed targets.
A sample report card for standards based grading. I will be entering the standards in MiStar so you can keep track of what you need to learn. I will enter in the mastery level at the end of the unit.
In standards-based education, teaching is responsive to learning. When starting a new target, teachers present introductory lessons. As students progress, they are offered more complex material. They continue working and learning until they reach the target. Think of SBG as a ladder, where students climb up, “a rung at a time,” eventually reaching the top.
After receiving instruction, some students progress immediately, but most do not. Teachers regularly provide feedback, reteach, and offer additional opportunities to reach “the next rung.” This process requires patience and practice, and is repeated until students reach the target. This will be accomplished during the weekly small group meetings.
SBG is powerful because it provides a framework to regularly measure student progress. When teachers have continuous understanding of students’ mastery, they can adapt instruction to better meet students’ needs. This causes education to be more effective and engaging.
Some students may be extrinsically motivated by metrics, and strive to improve in measured areas. In traditional classrooms, this often encourages students to “chase points.” Many will perform tasks that award points and raise their averages (for example - extra credit).
Conversely, it’s common to hear students ask, “Will this be graded?” They often will skip any activity not entered into the grade book, regardless of merit. This creates unhealthy incentives which skew student behavior and attitudes.
In SBG, the focus is on learning and mastery. Striving for mastery is an intrinsic motivator and transforms student attitudes. They learn for their own enjoyment and sustain high levels of effort and achievement.
At the beginning of each traditional marking period, students start with 100%. Student averages fall as they make mistakes. Students with the fewest mistakes earn the highest grades. Depending on the size of the mistake (e.g. - a zero), it may be impossible to recover and earn a “good grade.” This high-stakes environment can create test-taking fear and cause anxiety, which interferes with learning.
In SBG, scores go up as students learn. Final grades are reflective of mastery at the end of the course, so there’s little penalty for early mistakes. No event can “ruin” their grade. This creates an emotionally safe environment where students are encouraged to stretch themselves, make mistakes, and learn.
For each unit, you will have standards that you will have to meet. You will be learning the material through videos, practice problems, practice quizzes, laboratory experiments, and discussions.
You will be demonstrating to me that you have learned the material through small group discussions, group collaborations, laboratory investigations, verbal interaction with the teacher, and other ways.
Your final report card grade will be determined by the following scale. Your final grade will be converted into a letter grade at the end of the trimester.
In standards based grading, there is more than one way to get to the final result... learning physics!
Explanation of how standards based grading will look in MiStar:
Explanation of how standards based grading will look in MiStar:
Click the video for an explanation of how standards based grading will work in Honors Physics and how it will look in MiStar.
Remember, no grade is set in stone until the end of the semester! You are always welcome to set up a meeting time with me to prove that you have learned something. The ultimate goal is learning physics and that will happen throughout the entire semester!
JUST in case we have to go back to virtual meetings...
JUST in case we have to go back to virtual meetings...
Expectations for Virtual Meetings:
Expectations for Virtual Meetings:
Attendance will be taken at the weekly virtual face to face meetings via Google Meet.
During these virtual meetings, it is expected that you...
Log in 5 minutes early to make sure that you are ready to go when the meeting starts.
Be in a quiet room, do not sit on your bed. Be away from distractions such as siblings, TV, pets, etc.
Be dressed appropriately for school and have your video turned on. A virtual background is fine to have turned on.
Mute your microphone if you are not speaking. Wait for me to call on you to unmute your microphone.
Come prepared to the meeting. Make sure to have your materials ready and a pen/paper to take notes if needed.
If you have a question, put it in the chat and remember to keep the sidebar chat on topic.
If you are responding to another student in the chat, write their name before your response.
Be sure to complete the lessons before the meeting so you can be an active participant in the meeting. Remember, this is one of the ways that you will be assessed if you have learned the standards.
What happens if I am sick and cannot attend class?
What happens if I am sick and cannot attend class?
If you are sick or can't attend class, take care of you first! Physics will always be here when you are feeling better! It is nice to email me to let me know that you will be out, but you don't have to ask for the assignments. All of the assignments that we complete in class are on google classroom and the agendas of what we completed in class are on the website. Scroll to the bottom of the website for previous weeks. If you are absent on a lab day, you are still responsible for the lab material! The virtual version of the lab will be unlocked the day after we complete the lab in class, so you can find it under the chapter we are working on in the website, it is labeled labs. If you missed an assessment when you were out, we can find a time for you to take it when you return. As always, you can email me to ask me any questions you have. I am happy to help!
Need Extra Help?
Need Extra Help?
I am always willing to help, you just have to ask! I am available during school hours to help with anything that you may need and after school hours by appointment.
You can email me at cplatzke@csdm.k12.mi.us if you would like to set up a time to meet or if you have a question that can easily be answered through email.
Physics concepts build upon each other and if you do not understand one concept, it DOES NOT GO AWAY! Please ask before the confusion builds up! Often, a quick explanation is all you need to fully understand the concept.
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