All homework assignments should be completed on the composition notebook.
I will not accept loose paper.
KEEP UP WITH THE ASSIGNMENTS!
Over the years, I have found that the best indicator of a student's success
is whether they keep up with their assignments.
Students who keep up, do well - students who don't, don't.
MAKE-UP WORK
If you are absent to class but arrive to school later, you should stop to see me to get the handouts or arrange for missed work. You will be responsible for any homework due.
If you are absent for the day, please e-mail me so that I can send you the notes.
UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL
You understand the material when you can answer the questions or do the problems,
and get them correct by YOURSELF.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions or seeking help from
me or your fellow students. Everyone will need help sooner or later in this course.
However, you must have the responsibility to realize that the goal of the assignment
is NOT just to get the homework done but to understand what you are doing.
There will be times when you will need more practice than this, and you must have
the courage and responsibility to realize it.
TIPS FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING SUCCESS
LEARN THE VOCABULARY AND SYMBOLS
It is vitally important that we can communicate in the
language of Physics.
As you read or participate in class, pay particular attention
to the meaning of each new term, symbol and units.
SOLVING PROBLEMS
Read the problem carefully to make sure you understand what is being asked.
Do not rush into solving a problem. Instead, first find a strategy for solving it.
FOUR-STEP RULE
Remember to include Four Steps in every problem:
1. Data and unknown: write down what is given and what you need to solve for.
Check for the units. Do you need to make any unit conversion?
This is the place to do it.
If the problem is unclear, try drawing a simple sketch of the situation.
2. Equation: Write down the equation and solve it for the unknown if needed.
Do not just plug in numbers and solve, this method will earn ZERO credit for
your solution.
3. Substitute the values into the equations.
4. Check if your answer is reasonable and then write it down with the units.
BECOME PROFICIENT AT USING A GRAPHING CALCULATOR
Your calculator is a valuable tool for solving problems of all sorts.
Become familiar with it and learn to use it well.
TIPS FOR GRAPHING
Good graphing is a very important technique in Physics since graphs contain
valuable information.
Select an appropriate scale and be sure that the spacing between numbers is equal.
Plot the dots.
Draw your graph carefully: if it is a straight line, use a ruler.
If it is not a straight line, draw a smooth curve.
LABELS
- Give a title to your graph.
- Label each axis with a variable and its units.
GENERAL TIPS FOR PHYSICS SUCCESS
ORGANIZATION
Your success depends on your ability to recall, find, and remember concepts
and techniques covered in class.
Keep your class notes and handouts in your Physics binder and bring them
to class every day.
BE READY FOR CONSTANT ASSESSMENT
You will be constantly asked questions during class.
Be attentive and prepared to respond at all times.
BECOME AS SELF-SUFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE.
There are many students, and just one teacher, and time is too valuable for you
to just wait - stuck in neutral - for help.
Look in your text and your notes for sample problems that might shed some light
on your difficulty.
Learn tenacity - don't just "fold" at the first sign of difficulty! You can do it!
SEEK HELP
Everyone, no matter how smart or proficient in science they are, will get "stuck"
sometime this year. Tenacity and self-sufficiency are great attributes, but there is
going to be a quiz or a test on this stuff soon!
Attend the extra help sessions.
Ask questions in class. Get the help you need to succeed.
COMMUNICATE
If you have a worry, complaint, suggestion, or concern of any kind let me know.
I can't fix it if I don't know about it.
Remember that just because a problem - or a solution - seems obvious to you, it
