Honors Chemistry Syllabus / 2016-2017

1. About this course - Honors Chemistry requires…

1. One half hour study per night, whether on assigned material or the current chapter

2. Good math skills

3. Good organizational skills

4. Willingness to participate in class and often before/after school

2. Supplies Required

  • Notebook
  • Folder
  • A scientific calculator
  • Pencils and paper
  • Your CRMand Lab Manual

3. Grading Policy

  • The points breakdown is as follows:
  • Labs/Assessments83%
  • Homework/Classwork7%
  • Final Exam (cumulative)10%

The grading scale is 10 point: 90 = A, 80 = B, etc.

4. Homework Assignments

There are three reasons why I give you practice work: (1) to prepare you for a new topic; (2) to elaborate (or expand) on a concept we have learned in class;(3) because practice makes perfect!

  • There is no excuse for not knowing when an assignment is due other than prolonged absence.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASKING ABOUT AND MAKING UP WORK!

  • Late work for other than an excused absence will not be accepted.

5. Makeup Work/Makeup Tests and Quizzes

  • All makeup work is due the day after you return from an excused absence.
  • No work will be accepted for an unexcused absence.
  • Quizzes and tests cannot be made up during class time. You must make arrangements with me to come in before/after school.
  • If you receive below a 70% on any quiz you must retake the quiz until you receive 70% or above.

Before School / E380 or G344
Period 1 / G344, Chem/Phys
Period 2 / G344, Chem/Phys
Period 3 / E380, Plan Period
Period 4 / G325, Chem. Honors
Period 5 / G325, Chem. Honors
Period 6 / G325, Chem. Honors
Period 7 / E380 Lunch
Period 8
After School / E380

6. Where in the World is Ms. Cermak?!?!

I am available before school every day of the week. I typically arrive to school around 6:50 a.m. I am willing to come in earlier but you will need to set up a time with me. I am available to meet after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you are unavailable before or after school I am available to meet with you during the school day. However, I am only available during periods 3, 7, and 8. To the right is my schedule for the day and the locations in which I will be.

7. Expectations

1) Arrive to class on time, with required materials, and a ready-to-work attitude.

2) Students will listen and refrain from talking while the teacher or student is speaking.

3) Show respect for the personal space and property of others.

4) Follow the directions given the first time.

5) Eating and drinking is not allowed in the lab area at any time

8. Our Daily Routine

  • Bring all required materials and supplies to class each day.
  • Once the bell rings, you must be in your seat and beginning to work on the daily activity.
  • You will only collect your belongings and prepare to move to the next class when I have dismissed you to do so. No one is to leave their seat before the bell rings!

10. Labs and the Lab Portfolio

  • A big part of learning science is doing science! Nearly every week you will have the opportunity to work in the lab. A Laboratory Safety Contract will be handed out prior to the first lab. It outlines the rules that must be followed in the lab, along with consequences for breaking those rules. It must be read and signed by you and by a parent. By signing, you promise to adhere to the rules within the contract.

**You will not be allowed to work in the lab without a signed form**

  • In this class, we work with a lot of chemicals and heating sources, including open flames. You must follow my directions carefully and closely. Any student conducting unauthorized experiments (aka: just to "see" what will happen) or tasting any of the materials without my permission will receive a Dean's referral and will receive a zero for the lab. This behavior may prevent you from being allowed in the lab for the rest of the semester, which will cause your grade, and your understanding of chemistry, to suffer. Additionally you and your partner or group mates are all equally responsible for the equipment and chemicals used in each lab. Misuse of chemicals and equipment by any group member may result in your being dismissed from lab without an opportunity to make it up.

**Lab groups will be held responsible for any broken equipment**

  • Portfolios are a requirement for this class. This is a lab based course and we will do a lot of labs. The majority of your “classwork” grade points come from portfolios, therefore,

**failing to complete portfolios for each unit will result in failing this course**

11. Missed Labs/Experiments

You are responsible for material covered by experiments.

At the teacher’s discretion, you will make up this material by

1)performing the lab within a week OR

2)if not repeatable, you may use sample data given to you by the instructor

12. If you choose to break a classroom or school rule:

Typical disciplinary actions:

  • 1st offense: warning and information recorded.
  • 2nd offense: warning and parent call
  • 3rd offense: parent call and referral to the Dean’s office. Should your behavior cause safety issues in the lab, you will be removed from the course.

Further offenses: See school handbook

Honors Chemistry Scope and Sequence

  1. Matter
  2. Scientific Measurement
  3. Atomic Structure and Theory
  4. The Periodic Table
  5. Electron Configuration
  6. Bonding
  7. Chemical Names and Formulas
  8. The Mole
  9. Chemical Reactions
  10. Stoichiometry
  11. The States of Matter
  12. Thermochemistry
  13. The Behavior of Gases
  14. Solutions and Solubility
  15. Reaction Rates/Equilibrium
  16. Acids and Bases
  17. Oxidation/Reduction Reactions
  18. Nuclear Chemistry
  19. Organic Chemistry

Sincerely,

Ms. Cermak

Honors Chemistry Syllabus / 2016-2017

Please return below portion no later than August 24th, 2016

By signing below you understand the terms of chemistry honors with Ms. Cermak

Student’s name (please print)

Student’s signature:

Parent’s signature: