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Hello, my name is Michael Caplinger. I graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Education and Physics. Teaching is a second career for me. Previously I retired from the U.S. Navy after 21 years on nuclear submarines. I’ve been at Lewis Mills high school since 1996. Currently I teach AP physics, honors physics, level 2 physics, and one section of physical science. Courses are listed below:
COURSE: Advanced Placement (AP)Physics
TEXT: CollegePhysics (Fifth Edition); Serway and Faughn
DESCRIPTION: The AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to able and academically advanced secondary school students. This course follows the outline in the Advanced Placement Course Description in Physics (published by the College Board) and prepares the student to take the AP Physics examination in May.
HOMEWORK:, Written homework is assigned regularly throughout each unit. Due to the challenging nature of some of the assignments, completion is not checked until the day of the unit test. At that time each student is expected to present the completed and corrected assignments for that unit. Homework includes not only problem solving but also review questions from the reading material. Problems are selected to enhance the student's abilities with AP level test questions. The student's success in this course is directly related to his or her individual efforts toward regular and successful completion of the assignments. Homework grade is based on satisfactory completion of the work. In addition, each student is graded on laboratory exercises and associated write-ups. Lab grades are based not only on the exercise, but also on the ability of the student to clearly interpret and explain the results.
QUIZ and TEST POLICY:
Tests 80%
Quizzes (half a test when given)
Lab work 10% (labs are scheduled to support the
AP course outline and to emphasize data
recording, analysis, and interpretation.) Homework and class 10%
participation
AP TEST: The AP test is given in May. I anticipate that much of the time in the weeks immediately preceding the test will be devoted to solving practice problems from previous AP tests. If my scheduling permits, perhaps some additional evening or weekend review sessions can be arranged. The class days remaining after the test will be devoted to exploratory lab exercises and study of material not emphasized for the AP program.
OTHER: I expect that students will make me aware immediately if they are having difficulty with the material as presented. My schedule of "planning" periods has been provided. All students are welcome to schedule time for extra help. Students should remember that their success is my goal. If they are willing to seek help and work with me, they should do well in this course.
COURSE: Honors (level 1)Physics
TEXT: College Physics (Fifth Edition); Serway and Faughn
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give the student the concepts of physics and an appreciation of science and critical thinking. Special emphasis is placed on developing problem solving abilities. The book is a college level text which complements the course objectives while providing a readable book suitable for a student with advanced algebra skills. Math topics are reviewed as necessary at the beginning of applicable units.
HOMEWORK: Written homework is assigned regularly throughout each unit. (about 2-4 times per week.) Due to the challenging nature of some of the assignments, completion is not checked until the day of the unit test. At that time each student is expected to present complete and corrected assignments for that unit. Homework includes not only problem solving but also review questions from the reading material. Homework grade is based on satisfactory completion of the work. In addition, each student is graded on laboratory exercises and associated write-ups. Lab grades are based not only on the exercise, but also on the ability of the student to clearly explain the results.
QUIZ and TEST POLICY:
Tests 75%
Quizzes (half a test when given)
Lab work 15% (20 to 30 exercises are scheduled
although not all will require formal
reports.)
Homework and class 10%
participation
-
OTHER: I expect that students will make me aware immediately if they are having difficulty with the material as presented. My schedule of "planning" periods has been provided. All students are welcome to schedule time for extra help. Students should remember that their success is my goal. If they are willing to seek help and work with me, they should do well in this course.
COURSE: College Prep (level 2) Physics
TEXT: Conceptual Physics; Paul Hewitt
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give the student the concepts of physics and an appreciation of science and critical thinking. Special emphasis is placed on developing problem solving abilities. Previous math skills are de-emphasized in this course. Necessary math concepts are provided as necessary during each unit. Students are expected to see me if difficulties exist with assignments because of mathematical background.
HOMEWORK: Written homework is assigned regularly throughout each unit. (about 2-4 times per week.) Due to the challenging nature of some of the assignments, completion is not checked until the day of the unit test. At that time each student is expected to present complete and corrected assignments for that unit. Homework includes not only problem solving but also review questions based on reading assignments. Homework grade is based on satisfactory completion of the work. In addition, each student is graded on laboratory exercises and associated write-ups. Lab grades are based not only on the exercise, but also on the ability of the student to clearly explain the results.
QUIZ and TEST POLICY:
Tests 75%
Quizzes (half a test when given)
Lab work 15% (20 to25 exercises are scheduled
Although not all will require formal
reports.)
Homework and class 10%
participation
OTHER: I expect that students will make me aware immediately if they are having difficulty with the material as presented. My schedule of “planning” periods has been provided. All students are welcome to schedule time for extra help. Students should remember that their success is my goal. If they are willing to seek help and work with me, they should do well in this course.
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