Honors Chemistry

JeffersonTownshipHigh School

Mrs. Kula

2014-2015

INTRODUCTION

This course is an advanced study of the structure and properties of matter and of the changes that matter undergoes. Our goal is to develop a better understanding of the physical world. The central theme of the course is that the properties of matter are a consequence of the structure of matter.

Major topics covered include matter and energy, phases of matter, formulas and equations, atomic structure and bonding, solutions, kinetics and equilibrium, acids, bases and salts, and organic chemistry. Chemical theories and concepts will be combined with quantitative applications and problem solving. Laboratory activities will play a key role in the development of a systematic approach to inquiry and problem solving. The relationship between science, society and technology will be made evident throughout the course.

You will need to apply knowledge that you have gained in other courses as you are learning new material. Class discussion and laboratory work will comprise the majority of class activities. It is important that you take an active role in these activities if you are to gain a real understanding of chemistry. You will be required to follow written instructions during the laboratories, and for your assignments outside of class.

These pages outline the requirements of the course and help you in planning your work. Please keep it in your binder, so you may refer to it throughout the year.

TEXT

Modern Chemistry(Holt)

Please keep your text book in a safe place for use at home. We have extra textbooks that can be referred to during class as needed. You also have access to the on-line version of the textbook.

CLASS PROCEDURES

  1. When the bell rings, you should be in your seat, working on the day’s warm-up activity. These assignments will be collected or discussed each day.
  2. Tardiness will be addressed according to the school’s policy.
  3. Come to class prepared to work. See the list of supplies below.
  4. You are responsible for keeping all class notes, homework assignments, and lab reports, in an organized fashion. It is recommended that you use a three ring binder as described below, or you may use a spiral bound notebook and a portfolio of some sort.
  5. Save all papers for review material (homework, quizzes, class notes, etc.).
  6. Be prepared to intelligently discuss any work previously assigned.
  7. Punctuation, grammar, and spelling will be checked on all work.
  8. Respect personal and school property. You are responsible for textbooks, desks, school materials, lab equipment, and supplies.

GRADING

Your final grade for the course will be based on:

Final Exam/Project (TBD)...... 20%

Marking period work...... 80%

Marking period work is graded using a weighted point system, and assignments are worth the following values:

Type of assignment / Value
Tests / 50%
Quizzes / 20%
Labs / 20%
Homework / 10%

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. All work assigned must be completed by the beginning of the class period on the date due. It will either be collected or checked at this time.
  2. Work to be handed in should be neat, written in blue or black ink (or word-processed), and on standard 8.5 x 11” paper unless otherwise specified.
  3. A heading should be placed in the upper right hand corner of the paper and include name, Class, Period, Date Due, and Assignment.
  4. All answers should be in complete, meaningful, and grammatically correct sentences.
  5. Expect homework about three to four times per week.
  6. Be sure that you understand the assignment before leaving class. Homework should not be completed during the class period unless otherwise instructed.

LABORATORY WORK

Safety is the most important aspect of lab work. Listen to the instructions carefully, and read all instructions carefully.

  1. Lab groups will be assigned by the instructor. Groups may be changed throughout the year at the instructor’s discretion.
  2. Equipment is to be shared by the group. Each student assumes responsibility for the equipment used by the group. All non-consumable materials must be returned in the same condition in which they were received.
  3. Each student is to individually prepare a lab report.
  4. Each lab group is responsible for clean up of individual lab stations during the lab period. It is important to clean all glassware. The sink must be free of debris and the wastebasket used for appropriate waste. No unauthorized materials may be flushed down the sink or discarded in the wastebasket. The lab bench must be wiped down.
  1. The laboratory report, unless on a standardized form, should contain the following sections:
  2. Title
  3. Introduction/Purpose
  4. Materials/Equipment
  5. Procedure
  6. Data Tables
  7. Qualitative Results
  8. Quantitative Results
  9. Analysis (answers to questions)
  10. Calculations
  11. Conclusion
  12. Data sheets should be well planned to handle the information you expect to collect. It may be in the form of a chart, table, graph, or drawing. A form may be given, or you may need to devise your own. The data sheet, including the original notes and observations, must be handed in with the lab report.
  13. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the period; one week after the lab was completed.
  14. The laboratory area is off limits unless a lab is being conducted. The drawers containing laboratory equipment should not be opened unless you are instructed to do so.

MAKE-UP WORK

It is your responsibility to speak with the teacher upon returning to school. Except for extended absences, make-up work must be completed within two days. If you need to make up a lab, please see the teacher individually to determine when that can be done. Lab work should be made up within one week of your return to school, and the report is due a week after you make-up the experiment. Missed quizzes and tests will be given on the day the student returns to school.

If you know that you will be absent for a few days, and are well enough to do work at home, contact the school and arrange to get your assignments.

THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM

At times, we will utilize the “Flipped Classroom” model of instruction. If this is the case, your homework will be to view a recorded lesson that will be posted on the Moodle. During class time, we will discuss any questions on the material presented and work through problems from the text. You should be prepared for a short quiz on the material presented in the videos on any given day. Other homework may be assigned as needed.

You are strongly encouraged to take notes during the video presentations and record any questions that you have so that you may ask them in class. It is your responsibility to come to class prepared with questions to clarify topics that you did not understand. If there are no questions, then the instructor will move forward.

LATE WORK POLICY

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Work handed in one day late will receive a maximum of 50% credit. Homework that is handed in two or more days late will receive a zero.

Laboratory reports are due at the beginning of class one week after the lab was completed. For example, if we do a lab in class on September 7, it is due on September 14 (unless class does not meet that day, and then a due date will be established by the instructor). You will lose ten points (out of fifty) for each day that a lab report is late. After a week, if no lab report has been handed in, a grade of zero will be recorded.

Major projects must be handed in on the date due and will not be accepted late, unless there are extenuating circumstances which are brought to the instructor’s attention in advance (if possible).

The instructor will be strictly adhering to this late work policy.

SUPPLIES

Each day, you should have the following in class with you:

Three ring binder or notebook

Blue or black ink pens

#2 pencil

Scientific calculator

A smile

There is an expectation that you will take notes during class.

Note: There will be many handouts in this class, and it is highly recommended that you keep them with your notes in a three ring binder. However, if you prefer a spiral bound notebook, you may use that instead, as long as you can keep your papers well organized in some sort of filing system

GENERAL CLASSROOM RULES

  1. Be on time for class. You should be in your seat and working when the bell rings.
  2. Be prepared. Bring the required materials to class every day.
  3. Do not interrupt others. Refrain From speaking when another student or the teacher is speaking. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged.
  4. No profanity will be tolerated.
  5. Be respectful to people and property.
  6. Follow all laboratory safety rules.
  7. Know and follow all school rules.
  8. The teacher will dismiss the class; not the bell.
  9. The computers at the side of the room may only be used for work related to the course. Surfing the web, playing games, and completing work for other courses are not allowed.

I have high expectations for all of you. I know that you will take this opportunity to learn as much as you can this year. The only way you will fail this course is if you fail yourself. One of the best ways to keep up with the course is to bring your notes home and review them each night.

If you require additional help outside of class, I will be happy to meet with you. I will be available most days after school and other times by special arrangement. If you ask me ahead of time, and I am available, I will gladly meet with you for extra help. Please contact me in advance if you would like to arrange for additional assistance with the course material. You can also contact me by e-mail ().

There is a class Moodle where upcoming due dates and assignments will be listed along with helpful links. You can also initiate on-line discussions with the other members of the class. Every student will be required to join the Moodle during the first week of class. The enrollment key for the Moodle is “honorschem.”

My website is:

I, ______have read and

understand theprocedures and policies for Mrs. Kula’s class.

______Student Signature

______Parent Signature

Please print this page ONLY and return it to class with appropriate signatures by 9/12/14.

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