2016 – 2017 Syllabus
Kurt Schwartz
Physics / Math 1
A Study of the Natural Philosophy and Discovery
Course Guidelines & Information
“I think nature's imagination is so much greater than man's, she's never going to let us relax”
― Richard P. Feynman
"It would be better if you begin to teach others only after you yourself have learned something."
--quote from Einstein Archive 25-044, 1928.
Who am I?
I am Kurt Schwartz and have been teaching for over six years at High Tech High. I have three grown children and a passion for science and math, specifically physics. In fact, I have read about and studied physics for most of my adult life. I strongly believe that everyone can learn and love math. Galileo stated that “mathematics is the language of the universe” and we will use it to explain our observations of our surroundings.
What I am teaching?
Physics was call Natural Philosophy in the days of Sir Isaac Newton. It was the study of nature and it still is. Physicists attempt to explain and understand how our universe works. We will study and explore the natural world around us and explain it through the lens of mathematics.
When can you find me?
I will hold office hours on Friday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 and Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If these are inconvenient, please call or send an email to make another appointment. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help--it is a sign of strength, not weakness!
How can you contact me?
Via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 760-759-2734
The nuts and bolts: Suggested Materials: **bring to class each day**
The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a
public education to you free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions,
your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you
or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms
for any school activity.
Many families have been asking what supplies their child may need
during this school year. Below, I have a recommended list of supplies
that your child may bring to school. Please note that if your child
does not bring the recommended supplies, the school will provide the
supplies for him/her. If you have any questions/comments about this,
please contact me, or Isaac Jones, the school director. Thanks.
* A smile and a positive, inquisitive attitude, along with...
* 2 three-ring binder 1 1/2”;
* Loose-leaf AND graph paper;
* A journal (can just be a notebook) for recording data, deep thoughts, and your
scientific/mathematical journey;
* MANY pencils, pens (blue or black) and colored pens (not blue or black) for
emphasizing and correcting “things,”
* Your daily planner for recording assignments and due dates
* A 2 GB flash drive (can be shared with other classes)
* Mechanical drawing set ( Ruler w/cm, protractor, compass,30°-60°-90° and 45° triangles)
Classroom Expectations:
Abiding by ALL the policies delineated in the High Tech High Student & Parent Handbook is essential for the creation of a safe space and an effective learning environment. To this end, expect extreme vigilance. Accordingly, we, as a team, will work together to create a set of classroom norms and expectations.
What about gum, food or drinks in class? I am the opposite of Nike—just DON’T do it! Only water is permitted. Please bring a reusable bottle. If/when the need arises, either I will provide the sustenance and libations or we will discuss sharing the responsibilities amongst the class.
Tardiness:
Try every effort to be on time. You will miss lots of amazing information by being late.
If you are late, please stop by the front desk for a tardy slip.
Grading:
I use a point system. Each assignment, project benchmark, test or homework will have an assigned value. Throughout the year, I will be grading for content knowledge, collaboration, oral communication, written communication and work ethic.
Grading Scale:
90% to 100% = A-/A/A+
80% to 89% = B-/B/B+
70% to 79% = C-/C/C+
Below 70% is NOT considered passing at HTHNC. Students who receive a grade below a 70% at the end of a semester will be required to make up the course work in Summer School. Only TWO semester courses may be made up during this time; neglecting to pass THREE semester courses will result in the student having to repeat the grade.
Accessing Grades: All assignment grades will be updated on (generally) a weekly basis in a digital grade book. The web address for this grade book is: http://powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public/. If a student/parent has misplaced their login and password information, please email Joanna Clark at [email protected]. For questions about interpreting the grades, please contact the core teacher. It is recommended that the student checks his/her grade at least once a month and especially towards the end of the quarter and semester.
Study Buddies: Make a friend (or two). Write their contact information on the lines below (e-mail/phone number). Contact them if/when you miss class for notes, assignments, updated due dates and project deadlines, etc. Check the Class Binder and my DP.
Absences: So, you missed class?
The BEST thing to do when this happens is to communicate with your study buddies and/or your teacher (via contact methods listed above) to ascertain what was missed and what needs to be made-up. The WORST thing to do is to bury your head in the sand and pretend it will all work itself out. There is NO reason in this day and age of instant communication for you to NOT know what is going on. If you missed a quiz or test on the day the you were absent, you are responsible for being prepared to take the exam on the day you return to class unless you have discussed an alternate arrangement with your teacher.
Late Work:
Though late work should be avoided, I will graciously accept late work for only
two weeks past the due date. The Work Ethic portion of the grade will be a maximum score of 50%. “But that's an 'F,' Mr. Schwartz,” you say. Think of it this way: if you had your choice, would you prefer $100.00 or $0.00? If the $100.00 was taken off the table, would you prefer $50.00 or $0.00? Get the picture…
Content grades can be reworked to improve the grade at any time. The goal of this class is for you to learn and we all learn at different rates. Please note if you do not turn in the assignment timely, or within the allowed two weeks, all grades will be final.
Late Work Continued:
However, I understand that “things” happen. If you cannot make a homework or project deadline, it is YOUR responsibility to fill me in at least 2 days prior to the due date of the assignment. Extensions will be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Plagiarism/ Any form of cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students
Academic Dishonesty will result in immediate action. Penalties entail receiving an automatic zero on the assignment and you will be required to write a reflective piece about the incident, which must be signed by your parents and will be placed in your permanent student file. Incidents such as these are reportable to colleges and universities (even if it occurs in the 9th grade). If there is a second incident, a committee will be called to assess the student’s place at HTHNC. It is against High Tech High policy (and the law) to use another person’s work as your own. Using another person’s ideas or summaries is also a form of plagiarism. This is serious stuff...
Challenge Options: Every project and most assignments will include what is called a Challenge Option. The Challenge Option is usually an extension of an assignment, the practice of more challenging concepts, or in the case of reading materials, supplemental reading or a text that is more challenging. All students are highly encouraged to tackle the Challenge Options, especially if they plan on taking either the SAT or one of the SAT Subject Tests.
**Challenge Options are NOT extra credit unless specifically stated by the instructor.*
Potentially Helpful:
Below is a list of resources (print and online) that may
Resources help you begin your journey...please feel free to help me add to this list as our year progresses!
The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick and Art Huffman
(essentially a comic book explaining various physical phenomena)
The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield, The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios and Heisenberg Probably Slept Here by Richard P. Brennan (good challenge option reads)
http://number2.com (free SAT/ACT preparation)
www.math.exeter.com (challenging math problems)
www.khanacademy.com (YouTube video library covering many, MANY math/science topics)
www.howstuffworks.com (pretty self-explanatory)
Kurt Schwartz
Physics / Math 1
A Study of the Natural Philosophy and Discovery
Course Guidelines & Information
“I think nature's imagination is so much greater than man's, she's never going to let us relax”
― Richard P. Feynman
"It would be better if you begin to teach others only after you yourself have learned something."
--quote from Einstein Archive 25-044, 1928.
Who am I?
I am Kurt Schwartz and have been teaching for over six years at High Tech High. I have three grown children and a passion for science and math, specifically physics. In fact, I have read about and studied physics for most of my adult life. I strongly believe that everyone can learn and love math. Galileo stated that “mathematics is the language of the universe” and we will use it to explain our observations of our surroundings.
What I am teaching?
Physics was call Natural Philosophy in the days of Sir Isaac Newton. It was the study of nature and it still is. Physicists attempt to explain and understand how our universe works. We will study and explore the natural world around us and explain it through the lens of mathematics.
When can you find me?
I will hold office hours on Friday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 and Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If these are inconvenient, please call or send an email to make another appointment. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help--it is a sign of strength, not weakness!
How can you contact me?
Via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 760-759-2734
The nuts and bolts: Suggested Materials: **bring to class each day**
The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a
public education to you free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions,
your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you
or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms
for any school activity.
Many families have been asking what supplies their child may need
during this school year. Below, I have a recommended list of supplies
that your child may bring to school. Please note that if your child
does not bring the recommended supplies, the school will provide the
supplies for him/her. If you have any questions/comments about this,
please contact me, or Isaac Jones, the school director. Thanks.
* A smile and a positive, inquisitive attitude, along with...
* 2 three-ring binder 1 1/2”;
* Loose-leaf AND graph paper;
* A journal (can just be a notebook) for recording data, deep thoughts, and your
scientific/mathematical journey;
* MANY pencils, pens (blue or black) and colored pens (not blue or black) for
emphasizing and correcting “things,”
* Your daily planner for recording assignments and due dates
* A 2 GB flash drive (can be shared with other classes)
* Mechanical drawing set ( Ruler w/cm, protractor, compass,30°-60°-90° and 45° triangles)
Classroom Expectations:
Abiding by ALL the policies delineated in the High Tech High Student & Parent Handbook is essential for the creation of a safe space and an effective learning environment. To this end, expect extreme vigilance. Accordingly, we, as a team, will work together to create a set of classroom norms and expectations.
What about gum, food or drinks in class? I am the opposite of Nike—just DON’T do it! Only water is permitted. Please bring a reusable bottle. If/when the need arises, either I will provide the sustenance and libations or we will discuss sharing the responsibilities amongst the class.
Tardiness:
Try every effort to be on time. You will miss lots of amazing information by being late.
If you are late, please stop by the front desk for a tardy slip.
Grading:
I use a point system. Each assignment, project benchmark, test or homework will have an assigned value. Throughout the year, I will be grading for content knowledge, collaboration, oral communication, written communication and work ethic.
Grading Scale:
90% to 100% = A-/A/A+
80% to 89% = B-/B/B+
70% to 79% = C-/C/C+
Below 70% is NOT considered passing at HTHNC. Students who receive a grade below a 70% at the end of a semester will be required to make up the course work in Summer School. Only TWO semester courses may be made up during this time; neglecting to pass THREE semester courses will result in the student having to repeat the grade.
Accessing Grades: All assignment grades will be updated on (generally) a weekly basis in a digital grade book. The web address for this grade book is: http://powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public/. If a student/parent has misplaced their login and password information, please email Joanna Clark at [email protected]. For questions about interpreting the grades, please contact the core teacher. It is recommended that the student checks his/her grade at least once a month and especially towards the end of the quarter and semester.
Study Buddies: Make a friend (or two). Write their contact information on the lines below (e-mail/phone number). Contact them if/when you miss class for notes, assignments, updated due dates and project deadlines, etc. Check the Class Binder and my DP.
Absences: So, you missed class?
The BEST thing to do when this happens is to communicate with your study buddies and/or your teacher (via contact methods listed above) to ascertain what was missed and what needs to be made-up. The WORST thing to do is to bury your head in the sand and pretend it will all work itself out. There is NO reason in this day and age of instant communication for you to NOT know what is going on. If you missed a quiz or test on the day the you were absent, you are responsible for being prepared to take the exam on the day you return to class unless you have discussed an alternate arrangement with your teacher.
Late Work:
Though late work should be avoided, I will graciously accept late work for only
two weeks past the due date. The Work Ethic portion of the grade will be a maximum score of 50%. “But that's an 'F,' Mr. Schwartz,” you say. Think of it this way: if you had your choice, would you prefer $100.00 or $0.00? If the $100.00 was taken off the table, would you prefer $50.00 or $0.00? Get the picture…
Content grades can be reworked to improve the grade at any time. The goal of this class is for you to learn and we all learn at different rates. Please note if you do not turn in the assignment timely, or within the allowed two weeks, all grades will be final.
Late Work Continued:
However, I understand that “things” happen. If you cannot make a homework or project deadline, it is YOUR responsibility to fill me in at least 2 days prior to the due date of the assignment. Extensions will be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Plagiarism/ Any form of cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students
Academic Dishonesty will result in immediate action. Penalties entail receiving an automatic zero on the assignment and you will be required to write a reflective piece about the incident, which must be signed by your parents and will be placed in your permanent student file. Incidents such as these are reportable to colleges and universities (even if it occurs in the 9th grade). If there is a second incident, a committee will be called to assess the student’s place at HTHNC. It is against High Tech High policy (and the law) to use another person’s work as your own. Using another person’s ideas or summaries is also a form of plagiarism. This is serious stuff...
Challenge Options: Every project and most assignments will include what is called a Challenge Option. The Challenge Option is usually an extension of an assignment, the practice of more challenging concepts, or in the case of reading materials, supplemental reading or a text that is more challenging. All students are highly encouraged to tackle the Challenge Options, especially if they plan on taking either the SAT or one of the SAT Subject Tests.
**Challenge Options are NOT extra credit unless specifically stated by the instructor.*
Potentially Helpful:
Below is a list of resources (print and online) that may
Resources help you begin your journey...please feel free to help me add to this list as our year progresses!
The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick and Art Huffman
(essentially a comic book explaining various physical phenomena)
The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield, The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios and Heisenberg Probably Slept Here by Richard P. Brennan (good challenge option reads)
http://number2.com (free SAT/ACT preparation)
www.math.exeter.com (challenging math problems)
www.khanacademy.com (YouTube video library covering many, MANY math/science topics)
www.howstuffworks.com (pretty self-explanatory)