I would like to welcome you to my class and let you know that your success in science is important to me. Abiding by the rules and knowing what to expect will help you achieve this success.
Chemistry is an important topic and has wide applications in the world around us. Just take a look at the air you breathe, the food and water you consume, and the environment we live in. They are all driven by chemical reactions. Furthermore, through this course, you will gain and build on fundamental skills needed to excel in future analytic and laboratory classes. You will also be preparing to take the mandatory AP Chemistry Exam in May. Please be advised that this is a difficult course and will require you to work every day in order to master the material. If you are diligent in your studies and commit to spending a little bit of time each day to understand concepts and practice problems, then your journey this year will be fulfilling and rewarding.
Overview of the Course
The textbook we will use is Chemistry: The Central Science (AP Edition). We will cover basically the entire book in order to build a strong foundation in chemistry that you can take to college and beyond. The focus will be on strengthening problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of college-level chemistry to earn credit. This is more or less the equivalent of two full semesters of chemistry at the university level. Each chapter will take 1-2 weeks to cover, depending on the length. Homework will be assigned in order to practice the concepts of each day in class. The structure of a typical class will be to quickly answer any questions on the previous night’s homework, learn the next lesson, and then do some sample problems on the new material. Due to the fast pace of the curriculum, it is important that you pay close attention in class and carefully complete each night’s assigned problems. Mastering Chemistry and AP Classroom will also be used as an online program supplement to your class. It will provide a multitude of practice problems and lessons to better grasp and reinforce concepts shown on the board. The course will also include lab-based assignments where you will be grouped into teams to conduct an experiment and report its results. Each student will be accountable for neatly recording all data, calculations, and conclusions in a lab notebook.
Classroom Procedures: 1. Be prompt and sit in your assigned seat. If remote, please log in on time and ready for the beginning of class. 2. Open your textbook and begin looking over the day’s lesson. 3. Submit homework assignments on time through Google Classroom. (Otherwise, it will be recorded as a missing or late assignment) 4. Ask questions when you do not understand. 5. When giving answers or asking questions, speak up and talk to the entire class, not just me. 6. Listen to each other’s questions and responses. 7. Refrain from talking to your classmates or doing anything that would be considered disruptive to our learning environment. 8. Electronic devices may be used only when the teacher allows it and can be taken away at any time if the privilege is abused. 9. Decide today you will do everything required and you will be successful.
Materials required in class:
Spiral notebook with folders (for notes and homework) Graph paper notebook (for use strictly as a lab notebook) Covered textbook (as needed) Pen and pencils Scientific or Graphing calculator (If purchasing a graphing calculator, TI-84 plus is recommended OR TI-83 plus)
Absence: It is important to be in class each day. The presentations and discussions that take place during the period are difficult to repeat on an individual basis. An absence, whether due to illness or a school related activity, does not excuse you from the homework assigned or the concepts taught during the absence. You are responsible for all notes and assignments missed during an absence. You should read the next section in your textbook and complete the assignment posted on Google Classroom. Always check emails and Classroom!
GRADING: Each quarter grade is determined by the following:
Tests 60% Labs/Quizzes 30% Homework & Participation 10% Tests: Most chapters will end with a test. If you are in class the day a test is given, you must take the test unless you have a note from home explaining why you should be excused. If you are absent for a test, it is your responsibility to see me the day you return to arrange a makeup. All work must be shown on test problems to receive full credit. The sharing of calculators is not permitted.
Homework: Everyone starts out with 100% for homework. Homework is the learning experience that allows you to practice the concepts learned in class. It must be done on a daily basis. Homework is assigned every day and is to be completed in your Notebook, labeled with page and problem numbers from the text. You must show all work, answers only are not acceptable and will count as a missing assignment. Any attempt to complete the homework assignment as class begins will be counted as a missing homework. A missing homework assignment deducts 5 points from your homework grade and cannot be made up for credit.
Questions or problems: I strongly encourage any student who has any type of question or problem, or who needs extra help with the material to meet with me. My room is 203 and you can make arrangements to meet me either in the morning, during Unstructured Period, or after school.
After School Sessions:
At least once a week, students will be required to stay after school for an additional period in order to do practice problems or finish longer laboratory experiments. For laboratory experiments, students will be given advance notice to allow for scheduling changes and rides, as it is required to finish them.
As the AP exam date gets closer, additional sessions will be scheduled for practice either on the weekend or after school. These will not be mandatory to attend; but are highly recommended for those looking to score well on the test.
Other important information:
1. There is no sharing of calculators during tests. 2. Materials from other classes will be taken if being worked on during class. 3. Extra credit problems are given throughout the marking period. Take advantage of them when given. No extra credit will be given at end of marking periods. 4. Use pocket folders to hold all worksheets and returned papers. If there is any discrepancy in grades, you will have all papers necessary to show me. 5. Assignments that are collected are to be handed in at the beginning of class. Any handed in at the end of class will be considered one day late. 6. Books are to be covered at all times. 7. Students should be in uniform upon entering the classroom. This includes shirts being tucked in before entering. Dress code will be checked and enforced every day! 8. Any student caught cheating in any manner will be given an automatic zero for that particular test/assignment and sent to the Dean’s Office for a disciplinary hearing. 9. Any disruptive behavior, being late to class, or not paying attention will result in service hours. Failure to complete them will result in another one on top of the current total. Repeated disruptions or egregious infractions will result in being sent to the Dean of Students. 10. All students are expected to follow the rules outlined here, as well as everything stated in the SJHS Student Handbook.
