Grant County Schools
Grant County High School
Chemistry Course Syllabus
Teacher Name / Room / School Year
Mr. Anderson / 118 / 2010-2011

e-mail:

phone (work) 824-9739

Course Description and Objectives

This course is designed to be an introduction to general chemistry and to the type of material you might expect to find in a college level course. This is a rigorous course where you can expect to be challenged. This course requires the successful completion of freshman and sophomore science and Algebra. This class teaches Chemistry, but it also teaches skills needed to succeed in any career. These skills include:

·  Collaboration and teamwork

·  Problem solving skills

·  Analytical thinking skills

·  Note taking

Finally, this course is designed to introduce students to the chemical and physical world around them and the changes that are always occurring.

Textbook

Text: Fisher, Douglas. Chemistry: Matter and Change. NY: Glencoe. 2008. 3rd ed.

Daily Materials

Students should bring the following materials to class daily:

·  Calculator: scientific or graphing. Calculators on cell phones, PDAs and other electronic devices are not acceptable. Students must have calculators with them on a near daily basis.

·  Composition Notebook: lined or quadrille acceptable. Loose leaf not acceptable for laboratory use. Required daily.

·  3 Ring Binder.

·  Writing Utensils: pen (black or blue only please) or pencil acceptable.

·  Highlighters: highly recommended.

Course Outline:

This is only a rough outline of course content and is subject to change.

Chapter Covered from Chemistry: Matter and Change (Fischer, 3rd Ed., 2008) / Sections Covered / Approx. Duration
1. Chemical Foundations and Analyzing Data / 1.1-2.4 / 1 week
3. Matter: Properties and Changes / 3.1-3.4 / 2 weeks
4. Structure of the Atom / 4.1-4.4 / 2 weeks
5. Electrons in Atoms / 5.1-5.3 / 1 week
6. The Periodic Table and Periodic Law / 6.1-6.3 / 1 week
7. Ionic Compounds and Metals / 7.1-7.4 / 1-2 weeks
8. Covalent Bonding / 8.1-8.5 / 1-2 weeks
9. Chemical Reactions, Acids and Bases / 9.1-9.3 / 2 weeks
10. The Mole, Gas Laws and Stoichiometry / Ch 10, 11, 13 / 3 weeks
Grading Policy
40% / Tests, Quizzes & other Performance Based Assessments, Finals
25% / Labs, Hands-On Activities, Group & Individual Projects, Classroom Demos
10%
10% / Mini Quizzes
Written Assignments, Notes, and other In-Class Work (Opening Activities/Exit Slips)
15% / Homework
100% / Total

· Students with unexcused absences can not make up any graded assignment or participation that took place during the period of unexcused absence.

Grade Distribution

92.5 –100.0 % / A / A grade of “I” will not be issued to students who simply have missing assignments.
84.5 – 92.4 % / B / A grade of “I” will only be issued under the following
74.5 - 84.4 % / C / circumstances:
67.5 – 74.4 % / D / ·  A major medical condition arises which prohibits the student
< 67.4 % / U/F / from completing significant work during the grading period
·  A student has an unanticipated, yet excused, absence from the
semester final exam
·  Special situations as approved by the principal

Class Assessments

Students will receive assessments in the form of quizzes, tests, projects, lab write-ups, etc.

·  Unit tests are usually given after the completion of a chapter in the textbook, but the tests may include information from more than one chapter.

·  Quizzes are administered on a weekly basis to ensure students are on pace.

·  Mini-quizes are administered often (almost daily). These usually consist of one or two questions.

In addition to the above described assessments, a comprehensive final exam will be administered at the close of each semester.

Labs

·  Labs provide students with hands-on learning that promote scientific inquiry and can be very enjoyable. The scientific community is dependent on collaboration between peers. To this end, you will be working with a lab partner as you gather data in the laboratory. You will also find it very useful to work together after the lab has been completed.

·  I will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior in the lab.

·  Behavior that endangers the safety of others will not be tolerated.

·  Intentional damage to equipment will require replacement at your own cost.

·  Lab safety will be reviewed at the beginning of the year. Students will be required to sign a safety contract that must also be endorsed by their guardians.

·  Serious violations or repeat offenses in the lab may result in a zero for all labs for the remainder of the quarter or semester as I deem appropriate.

·  Most labs can be made up upon return. Some labs, however, cannot be made up if you are absent. If this is the case, you will receive an alternate assignment that you must do in order to receive an excused grade for a lab.

Homework

There is only one way to learn Chemistry: PRACTICE! To this end, I assign homework regularly.

·  Purposeful assignments not only enhance student achievement but also develop self-discipline and associated good working habits.

·  I don’t assign busy work. All homework I assign has a purpose and will be evaluated and returned to students in a timely manner.

·  Successful homework completion and study will enable students to master chemical principles and to develop powerful problem-solving skills.

If you do your homework on time, you should do well in this class. This will prepare you for mini-quizzes and will ensure you do not fall behind

You should keep a folder/binder of all returned assignments until after the semester grade is issued. This is your evidence to refute any errors that may arise in evaluating your grade for the class. Please contact me as soon as possible if you suspect errors in your grade.

Late Work Policy

·  Assignments must be turned in during the first 60 seconds of class following completion of Bellwork. After 61 seconds pass, the assignment is LATE.

·  All late work will receive a 50% reduction

·  I will not accept any late work unless you write LATE on the top and include the date you handed the assignment in.

·  Late work will not be accepted after the completion of a unit. This means no late work accepted after the administration of a unit test.

Make Up Policy

·  If your absence is excused, you will receive one day to make up missing assignments (homework, quizzes, tests, labs) for each day you have missed. (i.e. if you are sick for two days, you have two school days to make up missing assignments until you are caught up.)

·  Any additional days past those given to make up assignments will be treated the same as late work (see Late Work Policy above).

·  If you are sick for more than one day, you should call the school and get a homework request from all of your teachers.

·  You must talk with me the day of your return in order to receive your missing assignments.

·  If you miss an assignment that is based upon classroom participation, you may not be able to make this up. If this is the case, please talk to me about it.

Retake Policy:

·  Students may retake tests or quizzes once. You will receive an alternate assessment that tests the same concepts. Questions may or may not be used from the original test.

·  Retakes must be completed before or after school.

·  Retakes are subject to a 10% deduction off the corrected score. It is therefore assumed that the maximum score on a retake is 90%. It is usually not beneficial to retake quizzes or tests that you have received a score of 80% or better on. (i.e. You get an 80% score on your original test. You decide to retake the test and receive a score of 90% on the retake. After a 10% deduction, your score will be 81%. Your overall grade on the test improves by 1%. This is usually not enough to make any difference on your grade.)

Content Writing Piece

All students will be required to write one formal lab report as part of their science content writing piece. Students will be given designated time to use the computers to complete the task, but outside computer use may be required.

Extra Credit

Extra Credit may be assigned to raise your grade. You will not be able to take advantage of these opportunities if you are missing any assignments.

CLASS RULES:

·  Be on time

·  Be respectful

·  Be honest

·  No food, drink, or personal electronics devices are permitted in my classroom (except calculators)

Tardies

·  Tardiness is an undesirable behavior in all academic settings. Students are expected to be in their seats before the bell rings and ready to learn.

·  Consequences of being tardy may be the forfeiture of taking a quiz or receiving other assignments given at the beginning of class.

Technology

·  Apart from your calculator, no use of any other electronic devices in class will be permitted. Items that students need in accordance to individual education plans may be permitted.

·  Cell phones, MP-3 players, or any other personal electronics may not be used in any way during the class period. If it is out or rings during my class, I will give your cell phone, MP-3 player, etc. to the main office for safe keeping until your parents/guardians talk to the main office or me about getting it back.

·  Use of school computers and laptops is subject to school policy.

·  Calculators are scientific/mathematics tools that can be very useful in the school setting. Games on calculators are, however, unacceptable. Repeat offenders will have their parents contacted.

Food/Drink

These rules are determined by state laws and OSHA regulations.

·  No food or drink is allowed by students in class, except during class sponsored activities (food labs, parties, etc.)

·  Water bottles are acceptable in class, provided they have lids and are kept out of the way.

·  Absolutely no food or drink is allowed in the lab. This includes water bottles and gum as well.

Rewards and Consequences

Rewards include, specific praise, homework passes, extra credit, good kid rewards, calls home, etc.

Consequences will consists of the following:

·  1st offense: Verbal Warning.

·  2nd offense: Parent call home, time with teacher after class.

·  3rd offense: Possible detention and/or referral to administration.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:

The Beginning of Class:

·  Class begins when the bell rings.

·  Students must be in their seats when the bell rings. Students who are not in their seats will be marked tardy.

·  Bellwork will be posted on the board. Students will begin working on bellwork at the beginning of class.

·  Homework will be collected 60 seconds after completion of bellwork. Completed homework for each work group should be placed in a stack on your work tables. Any

Hall Passes

·  Hall Passes may be used to get a drink of water or to go use the restroom. It is recommended that you only use them in dire emergencies. There will be a check in and check out procedure each and every time you need to leave class

·  You are permitted 2 passes per 6 weeks. Once your two passes are used, any additional hall passes require a deduction in your participation grade.

Pencils:

·  Try to bring more than one writing instrument to class.

·  If you break a pencil, raise your hand and I will give you another.

·  All borrowed pencils must be returned at the end of class.

Dismissal:

·  The bell does not dismiss the class. I do.

·  All students will remain in their seats until class is dismissed.

Infinite Campus

Infinite Campus is used to track student progress and is updated regularly.. Students and parents can see what assignments are due and coming up.

Benefits:

·  Free, easy to use and available 24/7

·  District-wide use, to see assignments and grades in all classes

·  Regular feedback on performance

·  Password-protected access to your class scores

Getting Help

· I’m usually available a half-hour before and a half-hour after school every day.

· I’m available often during 2nd period

· I will conduct after school tutoring and help at least once a week (as needed by students).

· If you cannot find me during these times, drop a note or write a message on the white board.

Teacher Contact Information

Please try to contact me by any of the following means if you have any questions or unresolved issues. The best way to contact me is via email:

e-mail:

phone (work) 824-9739