Chemistry Syllabus 2015-2016

Mrs. Leslie HeplerOnline Textbook:

Email: Username: chepler22

Website: Password: u3r7j

Student Name______Period _____

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Chemistry is an academic laboratory course that meets five (5)periods per week. Three (3)of these periods are dedicated to classroom discussion while two (2) periods per week may be dedicated to laboratory work. Topics include the discussion of matter and energy, chemical reactions and chemical nomenclature, the periodic table and the elements, moles and stoichiometry, the behavior of gases, acids and bases.PREREQUISITE—You MUST be taking or have taken Algebra II for chemistry! If Algebra II is not on your schedule, you need to see the guidance counselor before or after school to make changes.Chemistry will require weekly lab reports and daily readings and problem solving outside of the classroom. A midterm and final exam will be given for this course. NOTE: A student who averages a 95% or above for the first two marking periods may opt out of the midterm exam with parental permission (see Student Handbook); however, the final exam must be taken by all students regardless of his/her average grade.

COURSE TEXTBOOK

Holt’s Modern Chemistry ©2012 and Modern Chemistry laboratory manual as well as various other laboratory sources

  • Holt’s Online Modern Chemistry@2012 Link:
  • Go to //my.hrw.com; username is chepler22password is u3r7j

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

Mrs. Leslie HeplerOnline Textbook:

Email: ername: chepler22

Website: u3r7j

School phone: (717) 692-2108 ext 1

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Students are to bring to class daily: a notebook or three-ring binder for storing classroom notes, handouts, and lab reports; a scientific calculator; and a pen or pencil. Textbooks are kept in the room but may be signed out for outside classroom use.
  • Students are to follow all lab safety rules and classroom rules at all times. In addition, all students are required to clean up after themselves and to return all equipment to its proper place after class and lab activities.
  • Students are to hand in all required assignments on time to successfully complete this course. This includes study guides, any chapter homework, monthly technology critiques, weekly laboratory reports, daily classroom assignments, nonfiction book reports, and projects.
  • Students are responsible to find out what was missed when absent. Please see me for missed class work and handouts. My homepage (found under ) is updated weekly, and the board lists upcoming tests and major assignments. Be prepared to make up tests upon your return from a brief absence (i.e., day of the test)! Labs must be made up within five (5) days of your absence unless arrangedotherwise. Please see my posted schedule for the periods when labs and tests can be made up.
  • Students must complete their own study guides, lab reports, chapter assignments, critiques, book reviews and reports, and projects. Any copied work or plagiarism

will result in a zero for the entire assignment. In addition, all completed projects, assigned or as extra credit, must contain cited references for any credit.

  • All students are required to keep track of his or her grades throughout the year. Power School is updated each week. In addition, I will post grades by student ID number each week (or so) on the front bulletin board for student review. However, it is the responsibility of the student to check the posted grades periodically for any mistakes. I will be able to discuss your grade before or after class.

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Marking period points total between 250 to 350 points. Required assignments and their estimated points are listed below.

  • Study Guides: Study guides are handed out about a week before the end of each unit or chapter. Study guides are due the day of the test for an “in-class check”. Late study guides will not be accepted. Points: 5 per study guide.
  • Chapter Assignments: May include day to day work in class or take home work. Points: vary.
  • Prelabs: A prelab is the start of your lab report that you do before coming to class. Prelabs are required for each lab report unless otherwise noted by your teacher. You must present your prelab at the start of the lab period to receive points. Late prelabs will not be accepted. Points: 3 points per prelab.
  • Lab Reports: Lab reports will be completed after each experiment. Lab reports are usually due the day after the lab is completed unless specified by the teacher. Lab reports will not be accepted after 5 days. Points: 15 per report.
  • Monthly Technology Critiques: Students are required to complete a monthly technology critique on any article or video dealing with chemistry or a chemistry related technology (see my webpage for a list of links). A critique contains a paragraph summary and a paragraph opinion. Critiques may be turned in at any time during the month and can be turned in months in advance. Each critique is due on the last class day of the month—no excuses! Extra credit will be assessed to each student who turns in all nine critiques (September through May). Points: 4 per critique.
  • Non-Fiction Science Book Report:Students will be required to read a non-fiction science book, write a book report, and complete a book review blog entry on this page. Books can be chosen by the student, but a list of books can be found in the next blog post to get you started. The purpose of this assignment is to get students reading non-fiction texts that can expand upon what we are teaching in the science curriculum and to support our literacy initiative here in the high school. The written book report will be dueat the end of each semester as well as a completed blog comment/review. Details about due dates and what is required are forthcoming and will be discussed in class and will be posted on my webpage.Students who wish to earn extra credit on their marking period grades can complete more than one book report (the first one will count for the semester; any others thereafter would go toward the current marking period). Points: at least 50 points per book review/report.
  • Projects: Students will be required to participate in and complete a few projects throughout the year. Points: 20-40 points per project.
  • Tests/Quizzes: A test or other assessment will be given after each chapter that is covered. Quizzes may be given on assigned reading passages or mid-way through a longer chapter. Points: 30-60 points per test and no more than 20 points per quiz.

RUBRICS

The following assignments will be graded using a rubric. Each rubric will be reviewed prior to turning in the assignment. All rubrics can be found on my homepage or in the rubric organizer in my room. Rubrics can be attached to the front or back of your assignment. The assignment is then placed in the “turn in tray” in my room. Graded assignments can be found in the homework return box on the bookshelf under your class period.

  • Lab Reports—a standard rubric is used to grade all lab reports. Please remember to fill out the top of each rubric before turning in your assignment.
  • Critiques—a simple rubric will be used to grade your monthly technology critique.
  • Projects—depending on the project, a rubric will be used to explain what details are needed to successfully complete it.

*Detach this page and turn in*

STUDENT/PARENT REPLY AND CONTACT INFORMATION

☺By signing below, I am confirming I have read and understand this syllabus.☺

Student Name ______

Student Signature ______

Student Email: ______

Parent(s) Name ______

Parent(s) Signature ______

Daytime Phone #s ______

Parent(s) Email(s) ______

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