Instructor:  Mrs. Messenger 354-2730, X399 cmessenger@lgsuhsd.org

 

THE RULES:

1.        Show Respect

2.       Be on Time

3.       Be Prepared

4.       Do your Best

5.       Clean Up

 

At all times, students are expected to follow the rules listed above.  In particular, this means that in word and in deed, students must be respectful of all people and materials.  Any words or behaviors that demonstrate disrespect will not be tolerated.

 

Welcome to Chemistry (made relevant)!  You are about to participate in an exciting chemistry curriculum sponsored by the American Chemical Society for college bound students who are not presently planning on majoring in science or engineering.  In this course we will focus our attention on seven areas where chemistry impacts our society and learn the chemistry needed to understand the issues involved.  The seven areas are:        

 

As your chemistry teacher, it is my hope that the things you learn in this class will come to mind in the future no matter your career choice. You will find that no matter what career you choose, you will be asked to make decisions in your daily life that involve chemistry.

 

Required Materials:

1. A three-ring binder (with sleeve on cover to display assignment sheet) with notebook paper, graph paper and dividers for:

Homework, Labs, Notes, Warm Up Questions, Worksheets and References

2. A scientific calculator (cell phones are not to be used as calculators or timers!)
3. Metric ruler at least 15 cm in length (the very flat ones with three holes are great)
4. Two #2 pencils and two blue or black pens.  (No red/pink/purple/green please)

      Optional but helpful: colored pencils

5. $5 lab fee

 

Grading Policy  Your grade in this course is a weighted average based on 4 categories of evaluation:

            Attendance/Participation/Preparedness for class                     10%

            Homework Completion and Quality                                            20%

            Projects/Cooperative Work/Experiments                                   30%

            Tests/Quizzes                                                                          40%

 

Your overall grade is continually updated on Aeries and posted on the apron cabinet occasionally.            

90-100% = A        80-  89%  =  B                 70 – 79%  =  C                60 – 69%  =  D

 

To calculate your grade:   % = .4 (test/quiz%) + .3 (lab %) + .2 (homework %) + .1 (participation %)

 

Attendance/Participation/Preparedness for class:   This includes coming to class prepared and on time, staying in class for the entire period (having taken care of bathroom needs during break, lunch and passing) and participating to the best of your ability in all class activities.  You should be in your seat when the bell rings to start class and when the bell rings at the end of the class period. You will receive 5 participation points per day and 6 chemistry coupons per semester.  The coupons can be used to buy a trip to the bathroom, or run to your locker for a missing assignment.  Coupons may also be used to defer one cell phone/electronic device violation during the first semester. Unspent coupons are worth 5 participation points each at the end of the semester or 2 points each into either your lab or homework grade.

 

Tardies: Per semester, the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th tardies will earn an Extended Day (1 hour after school detention). Your parent will be contacted after the second Extended Day assignment. If you continue to have problems with tardiness, it will be treated as a behavior issue: the 7^th and 8^th tardies will result in a behavior referral with administrative consequences that could include Saturday school. Finally, the 9^th tardy will result in a 3^rd referral and removal from the class.

 

Absences: If you are absent you are expected to check your assignment sheet and the “What Did I Miss?” binder in the back of the classroom, then come to me (if needed) for clarification.

Unexcused absence (cut): no make-up for credit—Receive zero for any assignments due

Excused absence: It is also your responsibility to turn in all missed assignments – no reminders will be given. Turn in labs due when you were absent to me personally.  If you are absent more than one day, you generally have as many days as you were absent to make up the work.  If this poses a hardship for you, see me immediately upon your return to make special arrangements.   Some activities cannot be made up-- research papers will be assigned in such cases.  Research papers must include a bibliography listing at least 3 references. Unit Tests must be taken in sequential order.

 

Homework Completion and Quality:  Homework must be completed every night; it will be checked for completeness while I take roll. Homework assignments will be turned in as a portfolio on the day of each major quiz and test.  For questions that are numerical/mathematical you must show HOW you got your answer and include units.   All homework should be expressed as a complete sentence or you may write the question and the answer. Remember, what you put into the homework will come back to you in quiz and test grades!

 

Lab Reports/Projects/Cooperative Work:  Late lab reports are marked down 10% if one day late and receive half credit after that.  No work will be accepted after that assignment has been graded and returned.  There will be cooperative group assignments in this course – contrary to stereotype – scientists seldom work alone! Please make certain that your work in groups is obvious to me – if I do not see you contributing adequately it will reduce your grade on the group project.

 

LGHS Academic Integrity and Discipline Policies:  Working with others on the homework and labs is encouraged, but I value honesty and integrity above all virtues.  The Los Gatos High School academic integrity policy will be enforced in all cases of cheating, plagiarism and deliberate deception.  The school discipline policy will be enforced.  Any behavior that is deemed to be disrespectful, disruptive or dangerous will result in a disciplinary referral.  Two referrals will result in your removal from the class with no credit.  Some behavior, particularly behavior that jeopardizes the safety of you or other students, will result in removal from the class on the first offense resulting in no credit. For complete information on our policies please refer to the student handbook.

 

Safety in the Laboratory

1. Perform laboratory work only when your teacher is present.   If you would like to try something “creative” ask your teacher if it is safe and do it under her supervision.
2. Know the location and use of the safety shower, eye wash, first-aid kit , fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.
3. Wear a laboratory apron and protective glasses for laboratory work. Wear shoes (rather than sandals) and tie back loose hair.
4. Keep textbooks, extra clothing, food and beverages off the lab tables.
5. Check chemical labels twice to make sure you have the correct substance. Some chemical formulas and names may differ by only a letter or number.
6. You may be asked to transfer some laboratory chemicals from a common bottle or jar to your own test tube or beaker. Do not return any excess material to its original container unless authorized by your teacher.
7. Avoid unnecessary movement and talk in the laboratory.
8. Never taste laboratory materials. Gum, food, or drink may not be brought into the laboratory.
9. If you are instructed to smell something, do so by fanning some of the vapor toward your nose. Do not place your nose near the opening of the container. Your teacher will show you the correct technique.
10. Never look directly down into a test tube; view the contents from the side. Never point the open end of the test tube toward yourself or your neighbor.
11. Any laboratory accident, however small, should be reported immediately to your teacher.
12. In case of a chemical spill on your skin or clothing rinse the affected area with plenty of water. If the eyes are affected, water-washing must begin immediately and continued for 10-15 minutes or until professional assistance is obtained.
13. Minor skin burns should be placed under cold, running water.
14. When discarding or disposing of used materials, carefully follow the instructions provided.
15. Return equipment, chemicals aprons and protective goggles to their designated locations.
16. Before leaving the laboratory, make sure that gas outlets and water faucets are shut off.
17. Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
18. If you are unclear or confused about the proper safety procedures, ask your teacher for clarification.  If in doubt, ask!
19. Please sign the bottom of this contract and turn it in tomorrow with the $5 breakage fee

 

 

Please PRINT:   Last name __________________________  First Name ____________________  Period ___

 

I have read the syllabus and safety rules. I agree to show respect and comply with all safety rules.  I understand that if my behavior in the chemistry lab is considered unsafe by my teacher, I will be asked to sit down and earn a grade of zero on that lab.  Repeated infractions will result in my removal from the class.

 

 

Student Signature_____________________________________Date ____________

 

 

I have read the syllabus and safety rules and will do everything in my power to encourage this student to follow them.  I understand that he/she may be removed from the class after two referrals for safety infractions or disrespectful conduct.       

 

Parent/Guardian Signature_______________________________Date _____________