Course Code: SPH4U
Course Description
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces that affect motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example, how to analyse, qualitatively and quantitatively, data related to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.
Department: Science
Course Type: University
Credit Value: 1.0
Prerequisite: SPH3U, Physics, Grade 11, University
Curriculum Policy Document: Science, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12, 2008
Course Developer: Canadian Global School
Teacher: To be determined at time of student registration
Development Date: 2021
Course Outline
Physics SPH4U- Total Hours (110 Hours)
Unit One: Dynamics (21 Hours)
Students will review concepts essential to their success in the course: scientific notation, significant digits, vector operations, and fundamental mathematical tools. Principles of kinematics and free body diagrams will also be reviewed and extended. By the end of the unit, students will demonstrate an understanding of the forces involved in uniform circular motion and motion in a plane. They will have investigated forces involved in these modes of motion and have solved related problems. They will analyse technological devices that apply the principles of dynamics of motion, with particular respect to the effect of g-forces on the human body.
Unit Two: Energy and Momentum (20 Hours)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of work, energy, and momentum. Drawing from Grade 10 concepts of the laws of conservation of energy, they will extend these ideas to conservation of momentum in one and two dimensions. Through computer simulation and other modes of inquiry they will investigate these phenomena and solve related problems. They will conduct analyses and propose improvements to technologies and procedures that apply principles related to energy and momentum, and assess the social and environmental impact of these.
Unit Three: Gravitational, Electric and Magnetic Fields (22 Hours)
By the end of this unit, students will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties, principles and laws related to gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, particularly with respect to their interactions with matter. They will investigate these phenomena graphically and through use of other electronic models. They will analyse the operation of technologies that use these fields, and discuss the social and environmental impact of these technologies.
Unit Four: Natural of Light (22 Hours)
Building upon concepts developed during Grade 10, students will study light with particular respect to its wave nature. Properties of waves will be discussed in a general sense, and the principles of diffraction, refraction, interference and polarization will be investigated theoretically and through simulation. Technologies that make use of the knowledge of the wave nature of light, and their social and environmental impacts, will be discussed.
Unit Five: Revolutions in Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity (22 Hours)
In this unit, some of the most exciting and counterintuitive concepts in physics, including Einstein’s ideas about relativity, photoelectric effect, and particle physics, will be examined. Quantum mechanics and special relativity will be investigated mathematically and related problems will be solved. In light of the revolutionary ideas studied in this unit, students will discuss how the introduction of new conceptual models can influence and change scientific thought, and lead to the development of new technologies.
Final Exam 30%
This is a proctored exam worth 30% of your final grade.
Resources required by the student:
- Laptop and/or personal computer (preferably with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as a web browser)
- Access to video recording and handwritten work scanning (mobile phone, tablet, iPad, webcams)
- Stable internet connection
- A non-programmable, non-graphing, scientific calculator
- Physics Mobile Application gives the students information related to physics formulas with description and images. (for android PhysicsOne apps and for IOS Pocket Physics)
Resources provided by Canadian Global School
- Access to Google Suites or Microsoft Education for word processing software and presentation software. (The school will distribute accounts to students).
- Supplemental Ebook materials for physics.
- Access to Canva for Education if needed.
- Access to Gizmos and Labster for their virtual laboratory simulations.
- Online calculator.
Note: This course is entirely online and does not require or rely on any textbook.
SPH4U-Physics Grade 12, University Preparation
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating);
- Identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Analyse technological devices that apply the principle s of the dynamics of motion, and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
- Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, forces involved in uniform circular motion and motion in a plane. and solve related problems:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the forces involved in uniform circular motion and. motion in a plane.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Analyse. and propose ways to improve. technologies or procedures that apply principles related to energy and momentum and assess the social and environmental impact of these technologies or procedures
- Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, the relationship between the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum, and solve related problems:
- Demonstrate an understanding of work. energy. momentum, and the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum. in one and two dimensions.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Analyse the operation of technologies that use gravitational, electric, or magnetic fields. and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact:
- Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms. gravitational, electric, and magnetic Fields and solve related problems:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties. Principles. and laws related to gravitational,electric, and magnetic fields their interactions with matter.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Analyse technologies that use the wave nature of light. and assess their impact and society and the environment;
- investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the properties of waves and light, and solve related problems;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of waves and light in realtion diffraction,refraction,interference and Polarization
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- Analyse, with reference to quantum mechanics and relativity. how the introduction of new conceptual models and theories can influence and/or change scientific thought and lead to the development of new technologies
- Investigate special relativity and quantum mechanics, and solve related problems;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the evidence that supports the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
Strategies for Assessment and Evaluation of Student Performance
In all units, students will follow a similar sequence of instructions. To begin, students will participate in a concept study and exploration. Then they’ll put what they’ve learned into practice in a variety of real-world scenarios or applications of the concept. After attempting to tackle applications on their own, students will be shown solutions. The students will then complete assignments for which there are no solutions and submit them for evaluation. Finally, the unit concludes with a test or other appropriate kind of learning assessment, such as projects. To meet a diversity of learning styles, interests, and skill levels, a number of instructional tactics are employed to give learning opportunities. Other strategies implemented includes the following;
- Well-presented, clear writing and helpful graphics and diagrams
- Hands-on laboratory activities
- Research project assignments, with direct instruction and coaching
In addition, teachers and students have at their disposal a number of tools that are unique to electronic learning environments:
- Discussion boards and email
- Assessment with immediate feedback
- Interactive activities that engage both the student and teacher in subject
- Integration of virtual laboratory activities and simulations
There are three forms of assessment that will be used throughout this course:
Assessment for learning will directly influence student learning by reinforcing the connections between assessment and instruction, and provide ongoing feedback to the student. Assessment for learning occurs as part of the daily teaching process and helps teachers form a clear picture of the needs of the students because students are encouraged to be more active in their learning and associated assessment. Teachers gather this information to shape their teaching environment.
Assessment for learning is:
- Ongoing
- Is tied to learning outcomes
- Provides information that structures the teachers’ planning and instruction
- Allows teachers to provide immediate and descriptive feedback that will guide student learning
The purpose of assessment for learning is to create self-regulated and lifelong learners.
Assessment as learning is the use of a task or an activity to allow students the opportunity to use assessment to further their own learning. Self and peer assessments allow students to reflect on their own learning and identify areas of strength and need. These tasks offer students the chance to set their own personal goals and advocate for their own learning.
The purpose of assessment as learning is to enable students to monitor their own progress towards achieving their learning goals.
Assessment of learning will occur at or near the end of a period of learning; this summary is used to make judgements about the quality of student learning using established criteria, to assign a value to represent that quality and to communicate information about achievement to students and parents.
Evidence of student achievement for evaluation is collected over time from three different sources – observations, conversations, and student products. Using multiple sources of evidence will increase the reliability and validity of the evaluation of student learning.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
- This course's main goal is to assist students in learning science and applying their knowledge and skills. Language is used effectively, confidently, and flexibly by course writers.
- Effective instructional strategies and learning activities build on students' prior knowledge, stimulate their attention, and provide opportunities for meaningful practice. Students will be more interested if they can understand the link between the scientific concepts they are studying and how they are used in the world around them and in real-life situations.
- Teachers will design activities and challenges that actively involve students in investigations that respect the ideas and talents they bring to the table while also improving their conceptual understandings and vital abilities. Students will be able to employ scientific reasoning throughout their life if they understand huge ideas.
- Contextualized teaching and learning also gives teachers valuable insights into their students' thinking, conceptual grasp, and ability to reflect on their work. This knowledge enables teachers to provide assistance to students in order to improve their learning. To meet a diversity of learning styles, interests, and skill levels, a number of instructional tactics are employed to give learning opportunities.
- The learning goals and objectives in teaching physics are to develop students problem solving, reasoning, and meta-cognitive skills and become independent learners and excellent problem solvers in line with that teachers needs to know the student well by building rapport in order to gauge the capability of the student in order to plan an effective teaching method on how to make the students more engaged in different activities provided based on student needs.
- Incorporating interactive tools and recorded video discussion that help students stay focused and engaged in the class. Additionally, it aids students in mastering the physics concept.
- Virtual laboratories, simulations, and journal papers have all been used. Virtual laboratories, such as gizmos and labster, are one of the most effective ways to connect students to the actual world. Because of the dangers and limited face-to-face connection, students are able to undertake numerous experiments that are difficult to perform in traditional laboratories.
- Virtual clues can easily supplement auditory information, allowing students to better engage with ideas.
- The multi-sensory experiences improve their understanding and memorization skills. Drawings, diagrams, and image analysis are used to aid theory, as well as laying up instances to demonstrate its application side.
- The sequence of lab procedures can be better taught using pictures with words.
- Scaffolding on their laboratory activities and unit projects provide the students support level along the process of learning given by the teacher. Teacher feedback at each level enables students to improve both style and content in their written pieces.
- In physics, students must be familiar with the formulas for many types of physics problems, as one of the time-tested strategies of deepening neural pathways is to provide mnemonic devices. Linguistic hacks and rhymes are entertaining and active strategies to keep students engaged in the course.
- Students who are not challenged are both recipes for a lack of learning, so the quality and quantity of homework should be evaluated. Giving immediate feedback is the greatest way to keep track of students’' progress.
ENROLL A CHILD
The Final Grade
| Percentage of Final Mark | Categories of Mark Breakdown |
| 70% | Assessments of Learning Tasks Throughout the Term |
| 30% | Final Written Examination And/Or RST |
A student’s final grade is reflective of their most recent and most consistent level of achievement.
The balance of the weighting of the categories of the achievement chart throughout the course is:
| Physics | Knowledge | Inquiry/Thinking | Communication | Application |
| 100% | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
The Report Card
Student achievement will be communicated formally to students via an official report card. Report cards are issued at the midterm point in the course, as well as upon completion of the course. Each report card will focus on two distinct, but related aspects of student achievement.
First, the achievement of curriculum expectations is reported as a percentage grade. Additionally, the course median is reported as a percentage. The teacher will also provide written comments concerning the student’s strengths, areas for improvement, and next steps. Second, the learning skills are reported as a Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Excellent. The report card also indicates whether an OSSD credit has been earned.
Upon completion of a course, Canadian Global School will send a copy of the report card back to the student’s home school (if in Ontario) where the course will be added to the ongoing list of courses on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript. The report card will also be sent to the student’s home address
Program Planning Considerations
Cheating and Plagiarism
Canadian Global School commits to having policies for assessments that minimize the risk of cheating. We also commit to begin each course with refresher learning on academic integrity.
In the event of incidents of academic dishonesty, the student, Academic Director (and, in the case of students under 18, their parents) will be notified of the occurrence, of the consequence, and of the potential consequences of subsequent incidents.
Improper Citation
Grade 11 and 12
First Instance: A warning and an opportunity to redo the piece.
Subsequent Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 75%.
Unaccredited Paraphrasing
Grade 11 and 12
First Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 75%.
Subsequent Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 50%.
Unaccredited Verbatim
Grade 11 and 12
First Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 50%.
Subsequent Instance: A grade of zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
Full Plagiarism
Grade 11 and 12
First Instance: A grade of zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
Subsequent Instance: A grade zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
Instructional Approaches
Teachers will use a variety of instructional strategies to help students become independent, strategic and successful learners. The key to student success is effective, accessible instruction. When planning this course of instruction, the teacher will identify the main concept and skills of the course, consider the context in which students will apply their learning and determine the students’ learning goals. The instructional program for this course will be well planned and will support students in reaching their optimal level of challenge for learning, while directly teaching the skills that are required for success.
Understanding student strengths and needs will enable the teacher to plan effective instruction and meaningful assessments. Throughout this course the teacher will continually observe and assess the students’ readiness to learn, their interests, and their preferred learning styles and individual learning needs.
Teachers will use differentiated instructional approaches such as:
- Adjusting the method or pace of instruction.
- Using a variety of resources
- Allowing a wide choice of topics
- Adjusting the learning environment
- Scaffolding instruction
During this course, the teacher will provide multiple opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills and consolidate and reflect upon their learning.
Planning the Program for Students with Special Educational Needs
Canadian Global School is dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly those with special needs, have access to the learning opportunities and support they need to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in today’s fast changing society. The setting of special education in Ontario, as well as the provision of special education programs and services for exceptional students, is always changing. Some of these modifications have been prompted by provisions in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code
The teacher in this course is the key educator of students with special education needs. The teacher has a responsibility to help all students learn, and will work collaboratively with the guidance counselor, where appropriate, to achieve this goal. In planning this course, the teacher will pay particular attention to the following guidelines:
- All students have the ability to succeed.
- Each student has his or her own unique patterns of learning.
- Successful instructional practices are founded on evidence-based research, tempered by experience.
- Universal design and differentiated instruction are effective and interconnected means of meeting the learning or productivity needs of any group of students.
- Online teachers are the key educators for a student’s literacy and numeracy development.
- Online teachers need the support of the larger school community to create a learning environment that supports students with special education needs.
- Fairness is not sameness.
The teacher will use the following strategies:
| Students with Special Educational Needs | |
|
|
Planning the Program for Students with English as a Second Language
In planning this course for students with linguistic backgrounds other than English, the teacher will create a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment that nurtures the students’ self-confidence while they are receiving course instruction. Most English language learners who have developed oral proficiency in everyday English will nevertheless require instructional scaffolding to meet curriculum expectations. The teacher will adapt the instructional program in order to facilitate the success of these students in their classes. Appropriate adaptations and strategies for this course will include:
| Students with Special Educational Needs | |
|
|
Supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students
Canadian Global School will promote active and engaged citizenship, which includes greater awareness of the distinct place and role of Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) peoples in our shared heritage and in the future in Ontario.
Canadian Global School will:
- increase the focus in school strategic planning to promote the voluntary, confidential self-identification of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students as a means to enhance the success and well-being of Aboriginal students and to help close the achievement gap.
- continue to identify and share practices and resources to help improve First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement and close the achievement gap.
- increase the training in our schools to respond to the learning and cultural needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.
- provide quality programs, services, and resources at our schools to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student.
- provide quality programs, services, and resources at our schools who support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students to help create learning opportunities that support improved academic achievement and identify building.
- provide curriculum links that facilitates learning about contemporary and traditional First National, Métis, and Inuit cultures, histories, and perspectives among all students.
- develop awareness among teachers of the learning styles of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students and employ instructional methods designed to enhance the learning of all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.
- implement strategies for developing critical and creative thinking.
- implement strategies for developing critical and creative thinking
- provide access to a variety of accurate and reliable Aboriginal resources such as periodicals, books, software, and resources in other media, including materials in the main Aboriginal languages in schools with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.
- provide a supportive and safe environment for all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.
The Role of Information and Communication Technology
The ability to access, select, gather, critically assess, and produce information is known as information literacy. The ability to transmit information and use that information to solve problems and make decisions is referred to as communication literacy. When it is suitable within their online course, all Canadian Global School students use information and communication technologies. ICT tools will be integrated into this course for whole-class instruction and for the design of curriculum units that contain varied approaches to learning in order to meet diverse needs and interests of the students in this class. At the beginning of this class, all students will be made aware of issues related to Internet privacy, safety, and responsible use, as well as of the potential for abuse of this technology, particularly when it is used to promote hatred. ICT used in this course will include:
| Information and Communication Technology | |
|
|
Despite the fact that the Internet is a tremendous learning tool, there are risks associated with its use. All students should be educated about problems such as Internet privacy, security, and responsible use, as well as the potential for abuse of modern technology, particularly when it is used to spread hatred.
Literacy, Mathematical Literacy, and Inquiry Skills
At Canadian Global School it is the responsibility of all of our teachers to explicitly teach literacy and inquiry skills. The following skills will be developed in each course delivered at Canadian Global
School :
Equity & Inclusive Education in the Learning Environment
At Canadian Global School we embrace multiculturalism, human rights and diversity as fundamental values. Bullying, hate propaganda and cyber bullying, racism, religious intolerance, homophobia and gender-based violence are still evident in
Healthy Relationships in the learning Environment
At Canadian Global School , every student is entitled to learn in a safe, respectful and caring environment, free from violence and harassment. The teacher will create a safe and supportive environment in the class by cultivating
Financial Literacy Connections
There is a growing recognition that the education system has a vital role to play in preparing young people to take their place as informed, engaged, and knowledgeable citizens in the global economy.
Environmental Education Connections
Although there are no specific environmental connections in this course, teachers will develop an environmental understanding fostered through
Ethics in the Learning Environment
At Canadian Global School teachers provide varied opportunities for students to learn about ethical issues and to explore the role of ethics in decision making.
Students will be able to easily connect their classroom learning to real-life activities in the world they live in by applying the abilities they have gained. Cooperative education and other work experiences will increase their understanding of career options in a variety of disciplines. Students will also have a better grasp of workplace procedures as well as the nature of the employer-employee relationship. Virtual High School will make every effort to connect students to Ministry programs in order to ensure that they are informed about programs and possibilities.
Central to the philosophy at Canadian Global School is the focus on experiential learning. Planned learning experiences in the community, including job shadowing, field trips, and hands-on experiences will provide our students with opportunities to see the relevance of their classroom learning in a work setting, make connections between school and work, and explore a career of interest as they plan their pathways through secondary school and make postsecondary plans.
It is critical that classroom practice and the learning environment comply with relevant federal, provincial, and municipal health and safety legislation and by-laws in order to provide a suitable learning environment for the Kanata Academy International teachers and students, including, but not limited to, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), and other relevant federal, provincial, and municipal health and safety legislation and by-laws (OHSA). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that all schools maintain a safe and effective learning and working environment for both students and staff.
Although Canadian Global School does not have an official school library, students are encouraged to use e-books, local libraries, GALE resource archives and Curriculum Video Digital resources to develop important research and inquiry skills.
Promotion of Careers
The knowledge and skills students acquire in this course will be useful in helping students recognize the value of their education and applications to the world outside of school and identify possible careers, essential skills and work habits required to succeed. Students will learn how to connect their learning in asking questions and finding answers to employable skills.
During this course the teacher will:
- ensure that all students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed education and career/life choices;
- Provide learning environment and online school-wide opportunities for this learning; and;
- Engage parents and the broader community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program, to support students in their learning
- Use the four-step inquiry process linked to the four areas of learning
- Knowing yourself – Who am I ?
- Exploring opportunities – What are my opportunities?
- Making decisions and setting goals – Who do I want to become?
- Achieving goals and making transitions – What is my plan for achieving my goals?
The teacher will support students in this course in education and career/life planning by providing them with learning opportunities, filtered through the lens of the four inquiry questions, that allow them to apply subject-specific knowledge and skills to work-related situations; explore subject-related education and career/life options; and become competent, self-directed planners.