Honors Chemistry Course Syllabus

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Honors Chemistry Course Syllabus"

August Sharp
5 years ago
Views:

1 Teacher : Ms. Thomson kthomson@keeneisd.org Honors Chemistry Course Syllabus Course Description Chemistry is a year long course usually taken as a sophomore or junior. It is an in depth study of the properties of matter. In chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Topics of discussion include structure, changes, and properties of matter, periodic table of elements, gases, chemical bonding and reactions, solutions, and acids and bases. This course is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Instructional Philosophy Students will be actively engaged in a variety of methods and activities throughout this course. 40% of the class will be based on laboratory experiences and hands on activities. Students will be expected to uphold the highest standards of safety when undergoing these labs. Labs are an excellent opportunity for students to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom. They provide the student with the chance to use inquiry based learning to develop hypotheses, collect data, experiment, and draw a conclusion. Classes will also consist of small group activities, whole class discussions, individual learning experiences, open ended problem solving, and problem based learning. Technology will be integrated in the class via scientific calculators, scientific equipment, and computer software applications among many others. Code of Conduct, dress code, letter grades, etc. : See Student Handbook Course Format This course will be presented in a flipped classroom format. Students will be responsible for watching the assigned videos and creating their own lesson notes before they arrive to class. Students will then use the class time for lesson discussion, to ask for clarity, to improve their notes, to work on assignments, and to carry out labs. The teacher will work with every student to make sure he/she has the ability to participate in the flipped class model, regardless of technology availability at home. It is the responsibility of each student to alert the teacher ahead of time if the standard youtube video format is not a good option for the student to watch the videos outside of class. At the beginning of the 2nd 6 week grading period, the class will become self paced and will remain so for the rest of the year. This means that students will be given a list of the lessons and assignments for the 6 weeks at the beginning of the grading period. It will be the responsibility of each student to turn in all assignments on time. A student may only progress to the next lesson once the 1st lesson has been viewed, the notes have been checked, all assignments have been completed, all quizzes have been completed, and the test has been passed. Students will be allowed to redo assignments, tests and 1

2 quizzes at any time during the 6 weeks in order to raise their grades. Please see the Daily Work section of this syllabus for the specific requirements to raise grades. *please note that this is the first time this class has been flipped and will be self paced. There will likely be changes to our system as the teacher and class work together through the year to find the best way for the class to proceed. Students may request changes made to this syllabus in writing, but will not be provided a hard copy of the changes unless they are requested after the change has been announced. Textbook This class uses StemScopes. It is an online program with optional hard copy texts. Each student will be issued a username and password for the online content. This information must be kept confidential and not shared with anyone. Each student will also be issued a set of 3 soft cover texts, the Explore Journal, the Science Literacy book, and the Stemscopedia. All of the content in the 3 texts is also available in their online account and the student may use either at any time. The set of texts belongs to the student who will write in them and use them for the entire year. These texts will not be returned to the school at the end of the school year. Each student is responsible for the 3 texts. There are only enough for each student to have 1 set. If a student loses any of the textbooks, they will have no option but to use the online materials for the rest of the year. The course materials are also available in Spanish. Please notify the teacher any time the Spanish material is needed. Supplies Needed One 3 ring binder (1 inch or 1.5 inch) or a section of a larger school binder 5 section dividers Pens and Pencils Loose leaf paper Scientific Calculator (the school has a class set available for those who do not have one, but students who have access to their own should bring it to class.) What to Bring to Class Each Day Binder Textbook (students will be told in advance which they will need) Paper Pencil Pen 2

3 Binder Each student will maintain an organized binder of all the material for this class Each binder should include the following material: o Assigned Work o Notes o Daily Work o Tests & Quizzes o Syllabus Daily Work Will be due on the date specified by the teacher Once the class becomes self paced, all assignments will be due on the last school day of the 2nd to last week of the grading period (this will usually be the Friday of the 5th week of the 6 weeks) Late work will immediately be counted as a 0 in the grade book until it is turned in. Homework turned in late will receive a 15 point penalty for each day it is late. In the case of an excused absence, the student will not receive a penalty. o If a student is absent 1 day, the student has one extra day to turn in homework o If a student is absent 2 days, the student has 2 extra days to turn in homework o Etc. Assignments announced before a student s absence are due on the original due date, or on the first day the student returns to school. A student may raise any failing grade up to a 70 if the re submitted assignment would otherwise have received a 100 grade. A formula will be used to determine the new grade if the re submitted assignment does not deserve a 100. Re submitted and late assignments will be accepted through, but not after, the last day of the grading period. Tests and Quizzes 1 Quiz every week At least 2 tests every 6 weeks Any test or quiz may be re taken to receive up to a 75. o Tests and quizzes must be corrected (procedure to be explained in class) before they may be retaken. o Once a corrected quiz is turned in to the teacher, the student must wait at least 24 hours before retaking the quiz. The new quiz may or may not be the same as the original quiz. o Once a corrected test is turned in to the teacher, the student must wait at least 48 hours before retaking the quiz. The new quiz may or may not be the same as the original quiz. o There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake a quiz or test. o Retakes may occur through, but not after, the last day of the grading period. 3

4 EOC There is currently no End of Course Exam for this class. Grading Distribution (not including final exams) Tests/Projects 50% Labs/Quizzes 25% Daily Work 25% Classroom Rules & Procedures 1. Always be respectful towards everyone, including no cursing, teasing, hitting, kicking, screaming, biting, etc. 2. Be prepared for class, including bringing materials, completed assignments and a positive attitude. 3. Follow directions the first time given. 4. Always do your best Cell Phones Cell phones and ipods/ipads are allowed in class and we may use them during the year at the teacher s discretion. However, a student will never be required to have an electronic device for class or classwork. There will be numbered pockets hanging on the wall inside the classroom. As the student arrives for class, all devices should be placed in the pocket that corresponds to the student s seat number. When using the cell phone or ipod, it must always remain on the top of the desk and some part of it must always be touching the desk s number. Devices should be kept silent with the vibration turned off or in airplane mode. Unauthorized use of any electronic device is prohibited by school policy. Taking a phone or other device that is not yours is a crime and will be reported to the police. Please be very careful not to mistakenly pick up someone else s phone. Bags & Personal Supplies The floors are to be kept clear of personal items. Backpacks are not allowed at the student s desk and should be stored either in the student s locker or in a teacher designated area near the classroom (that area may be outside the classroom depending on available space). Class materials will be stored under the student s desk while not in use. 4

5 Food and Drink Food and drink are never allowed inside the labs. Closed drink containers may be used during class. Eating of snacks and meals should occur outside the class. Any medical condition requiring an excuse should be reported to the office by a parent before the student comes to class that day. Bathroom Needs & Hall Passes Students should use the bathroom and take care of all of their needs before or after class. Exceptions to the prohibition of bathroom passes will be made at the teacher s discretion. Any student who misses any portion of class to use the restroom or get a drink will be required to stay after class the exact amount of time missed. No notes excusing students from being tardy for their next class will be given in this case. Any medical condition requiring an excuse should be reported to the office by a parent before the student comes to class that day. If a student has an office reported medical condition, the time missed from class will not need to be made up. Students should make sure they have everything they may need before the bell rings. No one will be allowed to go back to their lockers during class. In the case that a student is called out of class, he/she should go directly to the destination on the hall pass, take care of their needs and come directly back to class in a timely manner and without any extra stops along the way. Personal grooming and teeth brushing will be taken care of outside of the class. Do not apply your deodorant, perfume/cologne or makeup during class. Do not ever spray anything with a scent inside the classroom. If there is an odor problem, please notify the teacher who will try to fix the problem. 5

6 If You Choose To Break a Rule There will be some behavior specific consequences posted in the classroom, most of which include contacting the parent after a 2 nd offense. For all other discipline infractions, the following consequences apply: First Time Verbal warning Second Time Stay 1 minute after class Third Time Office referral & student is sent to the office The teacher reserves the right to refer a student to the office without warning in the case of a serious offense. Nearly all of the information in this syllabus can be summed up in one small phrase: Do the right thing! Have a great School Year! 6

7 I HAVE READ THE HONORS CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS AND CLASS RULES AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME IN THIS CLASS. (Student name) (Student signature) (Date) (Parent signature) 7

CLASS EXPECTATIONS Respect yourself, the teacher & others 2. Put forth your best effort at all times Be prepared for class each day

CLASS EXPECTATIONS Respect yourself, the teacher & others 2. Put forth your best effort at all times Be prepared for class each day CLASS EXPECTATIONS 1. Respect yourself, the teacher & others Show respect for the teacher, yourself and others at all times. Respect others property. Avoid touching or writing on anything that does not