COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS 2017-2018

Teacher: Chesley Sullivan,

Websites: Grissom web page, Edmodo and Mastering Chemistry

Available: Tiger Time- 1st Lunch 11:35-12:05 and afterschool Tuesday/Thursday by appointment

Course Title: Honors Chemistry and General Chemistry

Prerequisites:

Completion of Algebra I with a “B” average or of a higher level math course with a “C” average.

In order to participate in the laboratory portion of this course, the student and parents must sign a copy of the laboratory safety rules. The student must also pass a test on these safety rules with a grade of 85% or better.

Course Objectives and Expectations:

This course, an introduction to inorganic chemistry, is intended to prepare students for college chemistry and other scientific disciplines. There will be a focus on laboratory procedures and safe handling of chemicals and lab instruments. Applying math to chemistry will also be emphasized.

Chemistry builds upon previously mastered concepts. Success in Chemistry will require attendance in class each day, completion of homework assignments, and participation in the form of asking questions and taking notes. You should expect to spend about 30 minutes per day on average working on homework for either class or laboratory assignments.

Supply List:

  • #2 pencils,
  • Blackpens for lab reports,
  • Binder or notebook for notes and handouts
  • A scientific calculator with exponents, logs, and square roots is available for your use on tests. You will need a calculator with similar capabilities to use during class and at home. The use of graphing and other programmable calculators is not permitted during tests.
  • Headphones or earbuds (for use with laptop computer, not personal devices such as cell phones and Ipods or mp3 players unless directed by teacher)
  • eTextbook: Basic Chemistry, Fourth Edition – Timberlake and Timberlake

Internet Resources:

Edmodo.com

MasteringChemistry.com

Course Outline:

  • Laboratory Safety
  • Unit 1 – The Nature of Chemistry
  • Unit 2 – Structure of Matter
  • Unit 3 – Bonding and Nomenclature
  • Unit 4 – Composition Stoichiometry
  • Unit 5 – Chemical Reactions
  • Unit 6 – Reaction Stoichiometry
  • Unit 7 – States of Matter
  • Unit 8 – Solutions
  • Unit 9 – Acids and Bases
  • Unit 10 – Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Equilibrium

Essential Skills:

Students must...

Possess focused attention and organizational skills which are required to complete lab activities and tests in the allotted time.

Be able to make accurate measurements of mass, length, and volume using the correct metric units, and perform simple metric conversions.

Solve simple problems algebraically and label all units.

Be able to understand and follow written and oral instructions exactly.

Have developed mathematical skills in working with integers, percent, and ratios.

Use exponential notation in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems.

Use a non-graphing calculator for simple functions, roots, and powers.

Have the ability to interpret and report data and solve problems in an organized fashion, including graphing.

Be able to organize and express thoughts, ideas, observations, conclusions, and answers to questions clearly and concisely in complete, grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs.

Grading Policy for Huntsville City Schools

60% - Summative and Performance Based Assessments

40% - Formative Assessments – homework, class-work, quizzes and labs

Each assignment or test will be assigned a point value. Some examples are as follows:

Tests (classroom or laboratory) 50-100 points

Quizzes10-40 points

Homework, notes, etc.10-30 points

Labs50-175 points

Some grading periods will have a higher percentage of points coming from lab work or tests than will other periods. This should reflect the relative amounts of time spent on these activities.

Lab grades will be adversely affected by the following:

 Food or gum in lab, not wearing safety goggles properly, long hair not tied back.

 Wearing inappropriate clothing or shoes on lab days or for other repeat offenses. If you are inappropriately dressed you willnot be allowed to fully participate in the lab.

 Coming to class to perform a lab without the completed pre-lab assignment or for a pre-lab assignment written in colored ink (anything other than black). No student will be allowed to perform a lab until they present a complete pre-lab report.

Lab write-ups are to be done independently and answers to questions should not be identical, even for lab partners. I would expect table set-ups and observations to vary at least slightly as well. Students are typically allowed to select their own lab partners; however, if for any reason (usually reports are too nearly identical, work is not being shared equally, or social interactions hinder efficient work) these arrangements are not satisfactory, the teacher reserves the right to make changes.

If you arrive unprepared for lab you will not be allowed to begin the lab until that work has been finished. In some cases, the time lost may necessitate the student not being able to work with his usual lab partner. Failing to get a “pre- lab” initialed before starting lab work will result in a 10% penalty. A student who misses pre-lab instruction willbe held accountable through Edmodo. It is unsafe, inefficient, and unfair to other students to allow students in the lab who are unprepared.

Missed labs, regardless of reason, will result in a zero grade. Each nine week grading period one lab grade may be dropped due to absences.

Extra Credit Work

No “extra credit” work will be assigned. Any student who is struggling with basic material should not be spending time doing optional, supplementary work. Their time should be spent working to learn the basic material already required by either seeking extra help from me before or after school or by getting special tutoring from another source.

Late Work

Do to the alternating block schedule, late work will NOT be accepted.

Make-Up Work

For an excused absence, school policy allows two days for each day absent to make up class assignments and two weeks to make up tests. Makeup day for missed tests will be Tuesday and Thursday after school unless other arrangements are made with the teacher. It is in the student’s best interest to get missed work completed, as quickly as possible, so that he/she does not get further behind.

For a test the student already knew about and should have been prepared for, it is not unreasonable to expect a make-up on the day of his return. If a student has had an extended absence, he should verify dates for any make-up work on the day of his first return to school. Field trips, including participation in sports and other extracurricular activities, are not regarded as absences; therefore assignments will be due as scheduled for the rest of the class in most instances. Quizzes and Tests are to be completed before the event.

There are no make-up labs. One lab grade each nine week grading period may be dropped due to absence.

Personal Conduct

The academic misconduct policy of the school will be followed in this course. The attendance policy of Huntsville City Schools will also be followed in this course. Any student who receives failing grades during this course is urged to discuss this with the teacher.

Show respect for teachers and other students, just as you want their respect in return. Do not touch property that does not belong to you.

Be prepared for class and lab. Bring your textbook (charged laptop), binder, pen and pencil to class every day. You are expected to take notes in class.

If you are dismissed from the lab due to misconduct you will receive a zero for that lab assignment.

You may bring water to my class.

Arranging make-up work is your responsibility. Please take this seriously.

Cheating will not be tolerated, whether on tests or other assignments. Any form of cheating may result in a zero. Any talking during a test will be viewed as cheating and an automatic zero will be given to all parties involved.

Cell phones – zero tolerance. Turn it off. Cell phones use some of the band width required by the laptops and may contribute to slowing down the network. During a test or quiz if your cell phone is seen or heard that will be considered cheating and an automatic zero will be given.Individual teachers reserve the right to secure cell phones during testing.

Laptop computers – Students should not have their laptops on their desks or turned on unless directed to do so by the teacher. If the teacher directs the students to use their laptops students should navigate only to the designated program or site as directed by the teacher.

Use of headphones or ear buds will be allowed when the teacher deems it necessary or appropriate for academic pursuits. During a test or quiz use of these devices will be considered cheating unless allowed by the teacher.

PLEASE PRINT, SIGN, ANDRETURN TO TEACHER THE FOLLOWING PAGE.

The signatures below indicate that all persons signing have received, read, and understand the attached syllabus for Honors/General Chemistry 2017-2018.

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Student Name (PRINT)

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Student SignatureDate

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Parent or Guardian SignatureDate

***Please sign and return to teacher by August 10 (A-day), 11 (B-day) 2017.