Everything is in CANVAS, progress reports are updated every few weeks in STUDENTVIEW
Now, what does it mean to learn something, and what does that have to do with a grade?
This class is run on the crazy idea that there are important things to learn while in a PHYSICS class, and in order to really learn physics you'll need to demonstrate that you've mastered certain concepts/skills/etc. Mr. Chapman isn't so much a teacher as a facilitator/guide on your physics learning journey, so don't get upset when he pulls that Socratic method stuff that's designed to help you learn to think critically and figure things out for yourself. Telling isn't teaching, and that's why we spend so much time in class giving you the chance to make observations and figure out how things work for yourself, in your own way, at your own pace. Since learning is intensely personal, and occurs at different rates for different people at different times in their lives, the class assignments (details in CANVAS) are structured to reflect this ongoing process towards mastery. That means that you have the option at any time to improve your previous submissions, hopefully showing how you've progressed in your mastery of physics.
As far as that whole A, B, C, etc. grading goes, effort and attention to detail are of paramount importance. There are clear expectations (again, in CANVAS for each assignment, which you can fix/improve at any time during the semester - the last weeks are reserved for special activities, so get those assignments fixed pronto!) Each unit has one or more "assignments", which are based on demonstrations of mastery - through projects, demonstrations, videos, or finding solutions to challenges. To earn the "A", all components of assignments must be completed at the "A" level, for a "B", everything must be a "B" or above, and for a "C", everything must be a "C" or above. This means that every assignment is important - you're only as good as your worst submission. Now, since life does happen, Mr. Chapman has been known to drop your lowest score...
Questions, comments? Send me an email, give me a call, stop by the class, but make sure to always read (and think!) carefully, that's the best way to learn (and get smarter too!)
REMEMBER:
All assignments, submissions, scores, etc. are run through CANVAS
https://phoenixunion.instructure.com
Every few weeks progress reports are reported in STUDENTVIEW/PARENTVIEW
https://parentvue.phoenixunion.org
And finally, if you want to read the plan for success, click on the PFS tab at the top of this page.
Some interesting links about the purpose of education:
Ted Dintersmith - A Capitalist Searches for the Purpose of School.
Sir Ken Robinson - Changing Education Paradigms
Now, what does it mean to learn something, and what does that have to do with a grade?
Questions, comments? Send me an email, give me a call, stop by the class, but make sure to always read (and think!) carefully, that's the best way to learn (and get smarter too!)
REMEMBER:
All assignments, submissions, scores, etc. are run through CANVAS
https://phoenixunion.instructure.com
Every few weeks progress reports are reported in STUDENTVIEW/PARENTVIEW
https://parentvue.phoenixunion.org
And finally, if you want to read the plan for success, click on the PFS tab at the top of this page.
Some interesting links about the purpose of education:
Ted Dintersmith - A Capitalist Searches for the Purpose of School.
Sir Ken Robinson - Changing Education Paradigms
