Chemistry Guidelines
…S
H O W R E S P E C T …B E O N
T I M E …B E P
R E P A R E D … D O Y O U R B E S T…CLEAN UP
So
that we have a safe and comfortable learning environment at all times, we will
all follow the rules listed above. In particular, this means that in word and
in behavior, students must be respectful
of all people and materials. Bullying and teasing (even in fun) are not
tolerated. Keep this syllabus and the
Safety Rules handout in the front of your chemistry binder all year.
Course
Description: This is an introductory course covering the basics of chemistry,
presented at a level appropriate for the advanced student who has successfully
completed biology. Topics covered will
include the components and phases of matter, chemical equations and reactions,
acids and bases, organic chemistry and electrochemistry. A solid background in mathematics (especially
algebra) is essential, and familiarity with the metric system and the
scientific method is expected for all students.
General
Course Requirements: You will need 1-2” clear cover binder for
this class. Dividers for homework, labs,
notes, quizzes, and reference materials are very helpful. NO
SPRIAL NOTEBOOKS OR SPRIAL PAPER PLEASE.
On a daily basis, you will also need two black or blue pens, pencils,
metric ruler, binder paper, graph paper, highlighter and scientific calculator (cell phones do not count as a calculator). The lab fee for this course is $5.
You
will complete and turn in all assignments on time; late work will be accepted
for full credit only for excused absences; if you know in advance that you will
be absent on a specific day, it is your responsibility to arrange with me IN
ADVANCE to make up work you will be missing on that day. Homework will be checked daily and turned in
collectively as a single packet on the day of the unit test.
Late
lab reports and homework packets will lose 10% credit if turned in late on the
due date and 50% credit for up to a week late.
The current assignment sheet and
packet cover sheets are available on my website in case you misplace your class
copy.
Course
Objectives/Activities: Through this course you will develop an understanding of the basic
principles of chemistry. Since chemistry
is a lab science, you will spend a great deal of time developing and applying
good lab skills, including formulating hypotheses, gathering data, and
analyzing your results. We will provide
demonstrations, discussions and other group assignments to help you develop
logical and analytical thinking skills, and to give you visual experience with
what we are studying. Lectures, textbook
reading and other assignments will be included on a regular basis. WHAT YOU GET OUT OF SCHOOL DEPENDS ON WHAT
YOU PUT IN.
Expectations: I expect you to be ready
EVERY DAY to discuss whatever topic we are studying: this means you will be to
do some studying/reviewing EACH NIGHT. I
expect you to ask questions if you do not understand and to answer questions if
you think you do understand. I am here
to help you however I can and I expect that you will come see me outside of
class if your questions are not sufficiently answered during class time. Most importantly, I expect you to think, take
this class seriously, to do your best work on every assignment, and to make a
commitment to your success in this class.
I
expect you to pay attention and listen well; listening not only to what I say
but also to what your classmates say and ask.
I expect that any and all written assignments be well written and
include complete sentences.
THINK!
REASON! QUESTION!
Behavior: I expect
you to behave like the mature, intelligent young adult that you are (or should
be by now). I expect you to be in
your seat and ready for class when the bell begins to ring. I expect you to pay attention and participate
appropriately. You will not work on
assignments for other classes or non-academic material in class. I will confiscate any such material, and you
will not get it back. We expect you to
be courteous to and respectful of all persons and property: eating, drinking,
chewing gum; disrupting the learning of other students or dangerous lab
behavior is not tolerated. The school-wide
Academic Integrity Policy will be adhered to.
Violation of rules may result in detention, a phone call home, and/or
office referral. WOULD YOU DO THAT WITH
YOUR MOM SITTING NEXT TO YOU?
Lab
Requirements: Chemistry is a lab science;
therefore, lab work is emphasized in this class. You must pass the lab portion of the class in
order to earn a passing grade overall.
You are responsible for knowing proper safety precautions and emergency
procedures, and the proper use of all lab equipment. Any student who fails to work safely or
follow safety requirements, or who deviates from approved lab procedure, will
be removed from the lab and given a grade of zero for that assignment. You are responsible for coming to lab
prepared to work. This means you will
have read the procedure in detail, perhaps more than once, highlighted the
purpose, and answered any pre-lab questions.
GENIUS IS 1% INSPIRATION, AND 99% PERSPIRATION! (Edison)
Grading: You will earn points for each assignment
collected; your grade will be a weighted average of Tests and Quizzes (50% of
your grade) Labs (40%) and Homework/Classwork assignments (10%). Throughout the semester grades will be given
based on your overall percentage with the following cut-offs: A=90.0 % ; B=80.0
%; C=70.0 %; D=60.0 %. You are required
to pass the lab portion of the class in order to earn a passing grade
overall. Homework assignments will be
distributed at the beginning of each unit, checked daily, and will be turned in
at test time. However, keeping up on
your homework on a daily basis will likely result in higher quiz and test
scores. Tests will always be announced in advance and must be taken
sequentially; quizzes may occur anytime. Group work is acceptable and encouraged for
homework and lab work, but not copying; cheating on any work will earn you a
grade of zero. Current grades are updated on Aeries and are
occasionally posted on the apron cabinet.
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK AND DO YOUR BEST!
Attendance:
Take care of drinks, bathroom needs, and locker business during passing
periods. Your daily attendance is
essential to your success in class. If
you are absent, you must schedule make up lab days with me immediately upon
your return and make up the lab
within one week. Tests must be
made up within the number of days you
were absent. Any work not made up will be counted as a zero.
Text: Zumdahl, et al., Introductory Chemistry, McDougall Littell, 2002--Bring to class daily
(covered) unless notified.
To
Parents: In order to help your
son/daughter succeed in chemistry, you can do the following:
1.)
Ask your student what he/she has been doing/learning in chemistry class lately.
2.)
Check to see if homework is being completed on a regular basis (daily);
students rarely have time to complete their assignments during class time. If written homework is not assigned, make
sure student is putting in study time, reviewing notes, or reading on a daily
basis.
3.)
Confirm that he/she knows about upcoming tests/lab days. This is on the assignment sheet.
3)
Encourage students to communicate with their homework/lab partner on a regular
basis.
4.)
Be sure he/she is taking advantage of the free tutoring (from me) available
during tutorial.
5)
Contact me if you feel your student is not keeping up, is having difficulties I
should know about, or if you just want to check in with me about your student's
progress. Assignment sheets are posted
on my website and grades are posted on Aeries.
cmessenger@lgsuhsd.org