This document provides information about an 8th grade physics course including the course description, location, contact information, syllabus, and policies. The course will focus on classical mechanics concepts like motion, forces, energy, and momentum. It will require students to apply algebra skills to physics problems. Concepts will be taught through projects, design challenges, and an egg drop contest. The course meets 3 times a week and is located in room 308. Students will learn expectations, grading policies, and can get extra help from the teacher.

1. Course Description
Class VIII Physics is a term long course, in which most of the
course concentrates on classical mechanics, including motion,
Newton's laws, energy, and momentum.
This is the first time you will be asked to apply your algebra skills to science
problems. While challenging, it is important for you to see the disciplines
merge. Concepts are illuminated through various projects and design
challenges. The term concludes with the ever-popular Egg Drop Contest.
Location
300 Building
Room #308
Meeting Times
Monday 10:20AM
Tuesday 9:00AM
Wednesday 1:20PM
Friday 1:20PM
Contact Info
justinjoslin@
waterfordschool.org
(603)290-2511
MOTION
We will learn how to
describe and measure
the motion of an
object.
1
NEWTON'S LAWS
We will learn how
forces change an
object's motion and the
laws that govern this.
2
MOMENTUM
We will learn how the
motion of an object is
affected by that of
another object.
3
MR JOSLIN FALL TERM 2017
Course Syllabus
Information and expectations for Class VIII Physics

2. CLASS VIII PHYSICS LOGIN TO CANVAS FOR MORE INFORMATION
My Learning Philosophy
The world is a fascinating place full of
curiosities, both natural and engineered.
If we take time to appreciate these curiosities,
then we will naturally begin to ask questions.
Learning happens when we seek answers, both by finding and
evaluating new sources of information and by synthesizing this
information through a broad range of experiences.
We will all get out of this class what we put into it.
A great recipe for success is to make sure we meet the
following expectations and standards each and every day. We
can all hold each accountable, including you and me.
In an effort to help you have the best experience in this class, you can expect that I
will do the following:
2
COMMITMENT
Demonstrated by arriving
on time and prepared, by
participating fully in class,
& by posting/completing
all assignments.
FAIL OFTEN
Demonstrated by taking
academic risks, by trying
new approaches and
techniques, and by
participating in discussions.
EFFORT
Demonstrated by being an
active group partner, by
asking questions in class,
and by seeking help when
needed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
My role as a teacher is to help
you “gain a self-competence
that will sustain a lifetime of
learning.” In other words, I’m
here to help you learn how to
learn on your own. Therefore, I
would much rather have you try
and fail on your own rather
than rely on someone else’s
work. Please refer to the
Academic Honesty section of the
Student & Parent Handbook for
more details.
We can all ask
questions every
day, regardless
of our ability or
past
experiences.
I WILL SHARE MY PASSION
FOR UNDERSTANDING
NATURAL AND ENGINEERED
PHENOMENA
3
I WILL ENCOURAGE ALL
STUDENTS TO CONFIDENTLY
ASK QUESTIONS AND TO TAKE
ACADEMIC RISKS
1
I WILL SHARE A VARIETY OF
RESOURCES FROM WHICH
STUDENTS CAN SEEK
ANSWERS
2
INTEGRITY
Demonstrated by
completing our own work,
by always being respectful
and kind, and by following
instructions.

3. CLASS VIII PHYSICS LOGIN TO CANVAS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Policies
The following polices will be enforced.
Grading
Your overall grade will be weighted
using the following categories.
Homework: Assignments may include concept,
calculation, or discussion questions. (3 pts)
Assessments: This category includes quizzes,
tests, and projects. (25 or 50 pts)
Discovery Activities: Inquiry based activities to
practice observations, data collection, and the
scientific method. (25 pts)
Final Exam: The final is comprehensive and will
include material from the entire term. (100 pts)
3
Homework
30%
Final Exam
15%
Labs
20%
Assessments
35%
SKILLS WE WILL PRACTICE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
CREATIVITY
SCIENTIFIC
INQUIRY
TECHNOLOGY
ORGANIZATION
CALCULATION
There will be nightly
HW assignments. If I
don’t post the HW by
4pm in Canvas, you
are not responsible for
completing it.
HOMEWORK
There will be reading
assignments from the
textbook, but we will
not need the book in
class. The textbook
may be left at home.
TEXTBOOK
Late work will receive
a 25% penalty per
calendar day. If your
HW is 2 days late, the
max score you can
earn is 50%.
LATE WORK
You are expected to
take notes in class. I
will provide digital
recaps of most classes
on Canvas to help you
review.
NOTE TAKING
Please refer to my
schedule to set up
extra help. You can
also see me in Rm 312
during lunch on Mon
and Wed.
EXTRA HELP
Technology, such as
laptops and cell
phones, may only be
used in class when
you are instructed to
do so.
TECHNOLOGY