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Academic Chemistry Course Requirements (2013-2014)
Mrs. B. Griffith
Text: Chemistry: Connections to our changing world (Prentice Hall)
(Class Web Page: https://www.methacton.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1180)
Course description
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. This course is an advanced introduction to chemistry and is designed for students who are planning on attending college. Studying chemistry will help you to sharpen your problem solving and thinking skills whether you are planning to major in Science, History, Drama, Art, or English. Prerequisite course requirements are according to the course selection manual. Selection for Chemistry by your Biology teacher is strongly recommended as Chemistry is a challenging curriculum.
Classroom Procedures
We will have many unique experiences in Chemistry class this year. We will use a variety of class activities and I will expect you to follow some general classroom procedures to create the best learning environment. These include:
1. There will be many different challenges and I will expect you to give each activity your best effort. Remember ... “In the end, the only people who fail are those who do not try”... David Viscott. Please be willing to ask for clarification. If you become lost or confused, chances are good that others are too. Asking for help will benefit you and your classmates.
2. Come to class on time and prepared. This means in the door when the bell rings and includes having ALL of the following:
· a notebook
· a pen/pencil
· a scientific calculator (NON GRAPHING ONLY FOR TESTS AND QUIZZES)
3. Food and drinks are not permitted in the lab area.
4. Signing out will be limited to the first and last five minutes of class only, provided we are not involved in an activity.
5. Courteous behavior is expected at all times toward your fellow classmates and your teacher. Cell phone usage during class and bad language are not courteous behavior and are not permitted.
Grades
1. Each student is encouraged to check their grades online at the parent portal frequently. Parents will be provided with an individual code by the district that will allow them to set up access to this site and their student’s grades. Students can use their parent’s code to monitor their progress. Please report discrepencies to me if you find them.
2. Grades will be determined by test/quiz scores, homework, lab reports, and any special assignments/projects given throughout each quarter.
3. The above are all considered required activities and must be successfully completed to pass the course.
4. There may be opportunities for extra credit during the year not to exceed 2% of the points per marking quarter (ex. If the total points for a quarter is 500 then you can earn up to 10 extra credit points). You may not turn in extra credit if you have failed to turn in any lab assignment during that marking quarter. Extra credit will be accepted until one week before the end of the marking period.
5. Marking quarter grades are on a percentage basis. There will be NO rounding up of close grades (so plan on doing extra credit assignments to avoid disappointment)
Attendance
1. Be on time for class - which means in the room before the bell rings.
2. Repeated unexcused lateness to class may result in detention or may accumulate to equal an unexcused absence. An unexcused absence will be treated as outlined in your student handbook. Work missed due to an unexcused lateness or absence may not be made up under any circumstances.
3. To be excused from class for privileges, such as, music lessons, field trips, on the road training, etc., you must see me BEFORE the class you will miss. If you fail to do this, I will consider these absences to be unexcused and they will be treated as outlined in your student handbook.
4. When you are absent from class you are responsible to find out what you missed and to schedule the make up necessary. Daily class activities will be posted on the class web page. Any missed work that has already been graded and returned must be made up after school in my room. The time allowed for make up work is according to school policy outlined in your student handbook. I WILL NOT REMIND YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ON TIME!!
Homework
Homework is an important part of this course as it will give you an opportunity to practice what you learn in class on your own. Remember ..."Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out..." Robert Collier. Homework will be assigned and graded as follows:
1. LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!
2. Homework will always be checked or collected and must be your work.
3. Copying or allowing your homework to be copied is considered cheating and may result in failure for the quarter.
4. You may miss two homework assignments each marking quarter with no penalty. These “freebies” may be used at any time during the quarter but they may not be carried to the next quarter and have no value if they are not used.
5. Homework will be 10% of your grade each quarter (approximately 50-60 points).
6. If you are absent when an assignment is given it is your responsibility to check the daily assignments online and make up the work. You are permitted one day for each day you were absent to make up missed homework assignments.
7. If you are absent when an assignment is checked you must remember to show it to me the day you return. If you do not show the completed assignment to me on the day you return it will automatically be considered a missed homework.
Tests and quizzes
These activities will be your opportunity to show-off what you have learned. The following guidelines will apply to tests and quizzes:
1. Tests will usually be given at the end of a chapter or unit and will be announced in advance. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.
2. Non graphing calculators only may be used on tests and quizzes and cell phones will be collected and returned when all students have completed the test.
3. If you are absent the day of a test you may be expected to take the test in the curriculum support room (CSR) when you return or to schedule a make up according to your handbook.
4. Tests and quizzes will generally be about 50-60% of your grade.
5. Cheating will not be tolerated. You will receive a “0” for the test or quiz and possibly an “F” for the marking quarter if you are caught cheating.
Lab activities
The number one concern in all laboratory activities is SAFETY! To assure that all labs are conducted safely there are guidelines we will all follow:
1. All chemistry students and their parents must read and sign a lab safety information sheet.
2. All students must complete a lab safety quiz and score 100% to participate in lab.
3. Failure to follow all safety guidelines may involve disciplinary action, as well as, a zero for the lab activity.
4. All students will maintain a separate lab notebook, for recording prelab assignments, lab data, and lab analysis. Further detailed instructions will be provided.
5. Prelab assignments that are given prior to lab must be completed prior to beginning lab. If this assignment is not completed you may not be permitted to participate in the lab activity (my choice). If this is the case you will have one lab cycle (6 days) to make up the lab after school according to my schedule.
6. If you are absent on a lab day you will have one lab cycle (6 days) to make up the activity and then two days to complete and turn in your report. The make up lab can be completed after school or during a free mod, if my room is available and I am free.
7. If you leave a lab early you must schedule a time to make-up or complete the lab within one lab cycle. You will not be permitted to share lab data with your lab partner.
8. Failure to attend a lab mod due to forgetting will be handled in the following way: first offense -- detention assigned and lab make up; second offense -- detention and zero on the lab; third offense -- class cut policy will be enforced. Arriving in the middle due to forgetting will be treated as an unexcused lateness.
9. Most lab activities will include a lab report of some kind. This assignment must be completed in the lab notebook and turned in on time, usually two - four days after the lab day. I will deduct 10% per school day for late lab assignments. Failure to complete lab assignments will exclude you from any and all extra credit possibilities for that quarter.
10. Lab work is an integral part of this class. Generally it will be 25 -35% of your class grade.
11. Failure to complete each of the 3-4 required lab reports assigned may result in failure for the year regardless of the grade earned.
STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO MEET COURSE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF FAILING THE COURSE FOR THE YEAR.
I have read the above course requirements for Chemistry and I am aware of what is expected of me/my child in this course.
Student Name (printed):
Student signature: Date:
Parent Name (printed):
Parent signature: Date:
