EASTLAKEHIGH SCHOOL

CHEMISTRY

COURSE SYLLABUS

Wikrent, Bjorge, Hollingworth, Tripp, Clauson, Borden

Email:

WHY AM I TAKING CHEMISTRY?

All of the world around you is composed of chemicals. Everything that you use, eat, buy, or touch is a chemical. This course will help you understand common day-to-day phenomena. Most environmental, technological, medical and biological phenomena are chemical in nature. Products that you use and the waste that you generate affect the world around you. It is important to your future that you make informed decisions and not have to rely solely on the opinions of “experts.”

Many of you will change careers several times during your lifetime. It is very likely that some of these careers will involve science and technology and will require that you be chemically literate. This course is designed to prepare you to directly enter college chemistry. It will also give you the background for technical programs at the vocational level. In addition, it will be a preparation for the higher level thinking that is required in college and the jobs of the future.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE EASTLAKE SCIENCE STAFF?

Science never exists in a vacuum. Scientific discoveries impact human beings and the culture and environment in which we live. Whenever possible, chemistry will integrate with other disciplines. There are, however, sequential concepts and skills that must be mastered before chemistry can be meaningfully and not superficially applied. We are committed to making chemistry relevant.

HOW WILL I BE SUCCESSFUL?

  • BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL SUCCEED. In a study of science students, grades in school and success in jobs correlated with effort, not IQ.
  • Be actively involved in all class activities. Make sure that you contribute, question.
  • If you become confused, GET HELP FROM YOUR TEACHER BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL!!!
  • Take complete notes during lectures, reading, and discussions. Review them each night.
  • Follow time-lines for projects and avoid procrastination.
  • Complete all assigned work on time, as chemistry is sequential, and later learning depends upon previous skills. Do not let confusion build!!!! Seek help.
  • Review your notes and problems every night. In science, a little each night is much better than last minute cramming.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?

  • PUNCTUALITY. It is important that class starts on time and that you return on time from breaks. You will be given 50 points per quarter for participation. You will lose 5 points for each tardy after two, including tardiness from break. You may also lose the privilege of breaks when tardiness becomes a problem.
  • LATE WORK will not be accepted. Please talk to your teacher if you feel there are valid reasons for your emergency situation. You will receive a grade of “0” on a major project if you skip the day it is due.
  • WORK AND LABS FOLLOWING ABSENCES. These may be completed up to one day late for each excused absence up to 5 days (lab make-up will be individually determined—usually one or two specific days during the week). If you only miss the day of the test, you MUST make it up by next class period during the period or before/after school (teacher decision). Tests can only be made up if you have an excused absence. You will need to have parents call the attendance office and excuse your absence to be able to make up a test that you missed because you were absent. For pre-arranged absences, take the test prior to leaving.
  • ATTENDANCE. The school policy will be followed. You will lose 10 points per unexcusedabsence from your participation grade. Per school policy, you may lose credit in the class after 7 absences.
  • STAMPED HOMEWORK is due when you take the test.
  • MATERIALS: Bring the following to class every day.
  • Graphing calculator, or scientific calculator.
  • Data book for data collection. These will be available for sale in the student store.
  • Textbook, lab book and lab report sheets, spiral notebook for notes and use as a READING NOTEBOOK FOR ALL READING HOMEWORK, and three ring notebook for loose papers.
  • ENTHUSIASM AND AN OPEN MIND. Higher level science begins to explain the world around you. Sometimes the concepts will be difficult, but “the view from a difficult climb is better than that from an easy ascent!” You will be asked to really challenge your thinking skills in a supportive environment.
  • GOOD ATTITUDE. Bring one to class every day. Once lost they are so hard to find.
  • LAB FEE: There will be a lab fee of $15 to cover replacement of the cool, unique labs we do at EHS. This fee will be paid to the bookkeeper with the receipt being turned in to your teacher.

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

Your grade will be determined by a combination of projects, lab write-ups, tests, quizzes, problems, daily homework and occasional reports. The weight on each assignment will be determined by the number of points assigned. The following grading scale will be used:

90.0-100%A65.0-69.9%C-

87.0-89.9%B+63.0-64.9%D+

83.0-86.9%B55.0-62.9%D

80.0-82.9%B-below 55%No credit

75.0-79.9%C+It is our hope that all will strive for the grades in the first

70.0-74.9%Ccolumn and that those needing help will use tutorial time

to improve. We are here to help.

Points on assignments will be distributed approximately as follows:

  • Homework - 10%
  • Participation 10%
  • Labs - 30%
  • Assesments-50%

Cheating (which includes plagiarism) will result in a grade of “0” on any assignment or test. The school’s Academic Honesty Policy will be followed.

TEXT: World of Chemistry, McDougal Little, 2002

TOPICS COVERED:

This course introduces students to traditional chemical topics. Typically, the following subjects are covered during the year:

  • Naming compounds
  • Taking measurements with the tools of chemistry.
  • Study of typical reactions in the environment and industry and the mathematics of reactions.
  • Behavior of solids, liquids and gases.
  • Atomic structure, electron energies, light and reactivity of elements.
  • Nuclear chemistry, the energy of nuclear reactions
  • Bonding, shapes of molecules and attractive forces between molecules.
  • Energy involved in reactions
  • Applications of equilibrium, reactions rates, electrochemistry, acids and bases, and an introduction to organic chemistry.

THE LAB FINAL: The culminating project at the end of the year is a small-group project involving designing procedures for several open-ended laboratory investigations and solving practical and relevant problems which attempt to pull all of the knowledge and skills mastered during the year together in their solution. It is also designed to help students review all of the material presented during the year to ensure their success on the final comprehensive test given at the end of the year.

There is a $15 lab fee for Chemistry.

HOW TO CONTACT ME: If you have concerns or questions about our class, don’t hesitate to contact me. Email is preferred (). I am also available by phone afterschool (425- 836- 6600, x326). Please access the class website ( ) for information on assignments and grades.

Here’s to a fantastic school year!

Lara Hollingworth

PLEASE RETURN THIS SHEET OF THE SYLLABUS!

I have read and understand the policies and procedures outlined in this syllabus.

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

I have visited Miss Hollingworth’s website and know how to access material covered in class.

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

The graphic on the Chemistry calendar is a ______.