Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Kristen Lauria
This is an asynchronous course and as such will not meet weekly. Instead, towards the end of each unit Mrs. Lauria will hold a live meeting with students to discuss questions and briefly look ahead to the next unit. The dates of these meetings will be determined at the start of class to cater to the schedule of the majority of students. Mrs. Lauria is also available through email if questions arise during the unit.
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, and torque and rotational motion.
This class is an advanced high school level class and will provide in-depth instruction in the topics covered by the AP Physics 1 exam. Students will explore the topics in physics through reading, videos, exercises, and labs and will receive live support during weekly class discussions. I will also provide students with access to simulations that allow them to see the concepts of physics in action and how they apply to various situations.
Course Structure
This course covers 10 chapters over 7 units and prepares students for the AP Physics 1 exam. Students will use the textbook, videos, and web links to learn about the topics in this class and will be assessed using questions from the readings, labs, lab activities, and quizzes/exams. Each week students will cover 3-5 sections from a chapter, with most units lasting 2-5 weeks. The unit tests are written in the style of the AP exam to prepare students and curved accordingly.
Starting in the spring, there will be a focused AP review and preparation in addition to the weekly class to get ready for the exam in May, with dedicated class time to review and learn strategies for the exam. Most students spend 5-8 hours per week working on class material. This class is approved by College Board and can be listed on the student’s transcript as an official AP course.
Who should enroll?
This class is for students in grades 10-12 with application approval. See application below.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
I believe homework and projects are the best tools for students to practice the skills they are learning and I grade homework/provide feedback so they learn as they continue working toward mastery. Assignments are generally graded within 5 days of submission. Grades are based on a combination of homework, quizzes, labs, and exams/projects. Students are also given a participation grade to account for timeliness of completing assignments, class participation, and effort. Communication will take place as needed through email and announcements; responses to student messages are generally within a few hours.
Communication
Once registered, you will receive a welcome email within 24 hours. Throughout the course, parents will only be contacted if issues arise, as I try to encourage students to take ownership of the class and contact me directly if they have any concerns. At midterm and close of the course, progress reports are sent to parents. Parents are always welcome to contact me with any issues or concerns, as they are partners in this endeavor.
Nan Kim-Paik –
My son took AP Physics last year with Mrs. Lauria, who is a fantastic teacher. Her course is very well-organized, and she combines a range of activities and resources, including hands-on lab projects that helped our son better understand the concepts through experiential learning. We greatly appreciated how Mrs. Lauria provided opportunities to interact in real time beyond the one-hour live session, such as a weekly “Physics Meeting” and office hours. AP Physics is widely known to be a difficult subject, but Mrs. Lauria made it accessible and engaging. Whenever our son got stuck, she was helpful and supportive. During a difficult year for all of us, we were really thankful for Mrs. Lauria’s resourcefulness and compassion as a teacher.