Mrs. Julie Benson

Students:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Chemistry. I am excited to be teaching you this year and look forward to meeting all of you. As your teacher, I am committed to doing my very best to help you learn. My philosophy is to make science accessible to students in an interesting, authentic, and relevant manner. In order to accomplish this you will need to play an active role in learning. It is going to be a very busy, educational and fun year, so let’s get started!

Major Goals:

  1. To become more knowledgeable in the areas of Chemistry
  2. To introduce students to the mathematical aspects used in Chemistry
  3. To introduce students to lab equipment and procedures used in science.
  4. To relate the concepts of Chemistry to today’s world.

Topics Covered:

  1. Measurements
  2. Matter & Energy
  3. Atomic Structure
  4. Periodicity
  5. Ionic Compounds
  6. Covalent Compounds
  7. Chemical Equations
  8. Stoichiometry
  9. Gases
  10. Solutions
  11. Acids & Bases

Materials Needed:

Textbook, notebook, folder, pencils, & scientific calculator

Grading: Weighted System:

Semester Grades

  • Grades will consist of 18% daily work, 27% labs, 45% Quizzes & Test and 10% Semester Final

Grading Scale:

A93-100%

B85-92%

C77-84%

D69-76%

F68 and below

Attendance:

If you know you will be absent on the day that an assignment is due, you are expected to complete all work prior to the absence. Work due during an absence is due upon your return. You have two days for every day absent to complete and turn in any makeup work assigned while you were gone. If you know about a test being given on a specific date and are absent the day before (review day) or day of the test, you will make up the test immediately upon return! This is YOUR responsibility to get done.

Homework:

All assignments must be handed in on time. There will be a 25% deduction for every day late and a 15% deduction if turned in late on the same day its due.

Academic Honesty:

Cheating will not be tolerated in this classroom. Cheating includes copying/sharing assignments, plagiarism, cheating on tests, quizzes or projects, stealing work from others, having formulas or answers on calculators, etc. If caught cheating you will receive “0” points on the assignment cheated on or share total credit with the person or persons you cheated with. There will be absolutely NO exceptions. I also reserve the right to reset the memory on graphing calculators if deemed necessary.

Extra Help:

I am always happy to help students improve their science skills. I am available for extra help before or after school and will be available throughout the day by appointment.

Contact Information:

I believe that communication is the key in education. Your education involves many people, including yourself, your peers, your teachers, and your family. We should discuss not only the problems with one another, but the successes as well. I welcome questions and comments from both students and parents. I can be reached at O’Gorman High School at (605) 336-3644 or by e-mail. I look forward to working with you this year.

Welcome to Chemistry!