CONTENTS:

1. Physics

2. Earth Science

Back to School Night 2025

Mr. Porter

Physics 2025-26

About Me..

  • 14th Year at Schodack
  • Married and we have an 2.5 year old son
  • Avid Cyclist
    • CBRC Board Member
  • Like to vacation 🏕️ in Maine 🦞

Questions for you

On an index card:

  1. Your Name & Your Child's Name & Class
  2. What is your proudest moment as parent/guardian in regards to the child I am teaching?
  3. What motivates your child?
  4. What are your expectations for your child this year?
  5. Is there anything else you want me to know about your child?

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Ben Franklin

Teaching Physics

Modeling Instruction

Paradigm Lab - Model Development ⬇️

Model Deployment & Problem Solving ⬇️

Breaking the Model 🔁








Model Development

Model Deployment

Breaking the Model 🔨

Standards Based Grading

  • Students graded by learning target
    • “I can solve projectile motion problems.”
  • Scored 1-5, Weighted Average (75% Most recent, 25% everything else)
  • Can initial reassessments on any standard
  • Overall score is based on how many standards are mastered out of how many are assessed
Descriptor Score
Distinguished 5
Proficient 4
Developing 3
Emerging 2
Beginning 1

Quiz Grade

center

Gradebook

center

Grades Overall AP/Regents

  • 5%/10% Homework
  • 15%/20% Tests
  • 20% Lab Completion (Lab work in Lab Notebook and Pivot Interactives)
    • Labs must be completed thoughtfully and thoroughly.
  • 60%/50% Cumulative Standards Score
    • Based on # of standards Mastered out of # assessed

AP Physics vs. Regents Physics

AP Physics

  • Deeper conceptual understanding and a greater use of algebraic representation
  • Tests how multiple concepts are related and the effect they have on each other
  • Adds in Rotational Mechanics and Dynamics

Regents Physics

  • More calculation based
  • Tests one concept at a time and questions are scaffolded more

AP Physics

  1. Kinematics
  2. Translational Dynamics
  3. Work, Energy and Power
  4. Conservation of Linear Momentum
  5. Torque and Rotational Dynamics
  6. Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
  7. Oscillations
  8. Fluids

Regents

  1. Kinematics
  2. Translational Dynamics
  3. Work, Energy and Power
  4. Conservation of Linear Momentum
  5. Electrostatics
  6. DC Circuits
  7. Mechanical Waves
  8. Electromagnetic Waves
  9. Modern Physics

💯 How do I help my child succeed? 💯

  • Complete the homework & practice
    • Encourage them to stay after school to do this!
  • Encourage them to sign up for reassessments

What questions do you have?

Contacts:

💻 Encouraged to start with ParentSquare
✉️ Email: nporter@schodack.k12.ny.us
🔗 Presentation:

center

Back to School Night 2025

Mr. Porter

Earth Science 🌎 2025-26

About Me..

  • 14th Year at Schodack
  • Married and we have an 2.5 old son
  • Avid Cyclist
    • CBRC Board Member
  • Like to vacation 🏕️ in Maine 🦞

Questions for you

On an index card:

  1. Your Name & Your Child's Name & Class
  2. What is your proudest moment as parent/guardian in regards to the child I am teaching?
  3. What motivates your child?
  4. What are your expectations for your child this year?
  5. Is there anything else you want me to know about your child?

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Ben Franklin

What is Earth Science?

  1. Space Systems
  2. Earth's History
  3. Earth's Systems
  4. Weather & Climate
  5. Human Sustainability

Transition to NYSSLS

Earth Science Test has changed to match the New York State Science Learning Standards

New ESS

  • Phenomena and systems driven, clusters around real-world contexts
  • Shift towards scientific literacy and application

Old

  • traditional test, MC & FRQ
  • Classic skills such as profiles, plotting, quantitative and recall items

Grading Policy

  • Tests: 100 points (One test & One Performance Task per unit)
  • Quizzes: 25-50 points (1-2 quizzes per unit)
  • Labs: 25-50 points
  • Homework and Classwork: 5-20 points (depending on length)

Cumulative points will determine the final grade for the course.

💯 How do I help my child succeed? 💯

  • Complete the homework & practice
  • Encourage them to stay after school to do this!
  • Encourage your student to ask for extra practice if they are struggling with a concept

What questions do you have?

Contacts:

💻 Encouraged to start with ParentSquare
✉️ Email: nporter@schodack.k12.ny.us
🔗 Presentation:

center