CHEMISTRY EXPECTATIONS STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES In this science course students are expected to regularly: Perform experiments and interpret the results while applying the scientific method. Apply reasoning and appropriate mathematical skills (arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric) in a physical situation or problem. Read, understand, and interpret scientific information- written, verbal, mathematical and graphical. Effectively organize and communicate knowledge by way of projects and presentations, discussions, and especially through formal written assignments (lab reports, essays, posters, quizzes, and tests). On average, spend a minimum of a ½ hour per day outside of class on chemistry homework. Use technology (computers, calculators, and other appropriate tools) to enhance learning. Visit the class daily log on the Atkins Chemistry site every evening to make certain you are prepared for class. Read assigned reading from the textbook or on-line resource the day it is assigned. TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES In this course the students can expect that the teacher will: Grade and return tests, quizzes, and homework assignments in a timely fashion. Provide work that is relevant to the course and appropriate in its degree of difficulty. Provide useful feedback on a regular basis. Clearly define all classroom procedures. Be responsive and helpful in responding to appropriate student questions. Provide a climate conducive to learning. COURSE MATERIAL All chemistry students should possess a calculator capable of handling operations with exponents, logs and roots. A TI-83 Plus calculator is recommended but not necessary. A 3-ring binder is strongly encouraged for storage of all class notes, handouts, tests, and quizzes. All lab supplies and equipment
will be provided. Students are responsible for using the equipment safely and returning it cleaned to its proper place when finished. THE NUTS AND BOLTS COURSE STRUCTURE... This course demands cooperation and a high level of student responsibility. Students helping other students can be a great learning process for all involved. Parental support is also a valuable asset; work together and make use of their support. Unfortunately, there is a fine line sometimes between students helping other students and students copying other students. Writing down someone else's work word for word is copying. Learning cooperatively requires that all individuals engage in questioning, analysis, and communication of the concepts studied. The final answer you present should represent your own synthesis of the problem. Copying, on the other hand requires no thought, therefore this is a serious offense that is counter-productive and limits your ability to master new information. Consequences of grade reductions may be applied to both individuals if cheating and/or copying are evident. Documentation of the incident will go into your class file. Other consequences will include referral to the Administration. 2
QUARTER GRADES...THE NITTY GRITTY There are five contributors to your grade in Chemistry: Tests 55% In-Class Activities 5% Labs 20% Quizzes 10% Homework 10% Based on the percent values indicated above, a final weighted average will be calculated from test, quiz, homework, lab, and in-class activity grades for each quarter. Arriving at a final grade in chemistry: There are three contributors to a final grade. Each quarter contributes 43% and the final exam is 14% of the overall grade 3
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT TOOLS Progress reports will be sent home to all parents/guardians at the half-way point of each marking period. Reports will contain the grades received on all items completed up to that point in time. Tasks that have not been completed, and should have been, will have a grade of zero. Parents and students can see up to date grades by using the Parent Portal. I will make an effort to update the Parent Portal as soon as work is assessed. Students will create portfolios of their chemistry work. It is expected that all corrected tests, labs, and quizzes remain in the classroom in these portfolios. Each corrected test will have an individual reflection and corrections attached. Portfolios are assessed before parent/teacher conferences and at the end of the course. Tests will be given at the conclusion of most units of study, covering one or two chapters in the textbook. Tests will include essay questions, multiple choice questions, and an assortment of problem solving questions. All pertinent formulas, constants, and conversions will be provided. You will be given sufficient time to finish the test if you have used the allocated time wisely. Random checks of calculators may be performed during tests. Students must stow away their binders, books, and backpacks during the test. Labs will usually be extremely structured and guided due to safety concerns. Labs will be conducted on a regular basis and most will be completed by each student. Labs are graded on content, and analysis, as well as neatness, spelling, and grammar usage/mechanics. Completed labs represent a final piece of writing. Students should always refer to their Lab Expectations handout when processing labs. Note: Students will have points deducted from their lab for safety violations that occurred during the lab. Un-excused late lab write-ups will be penalized up to 10 points a day until a minimum score of 30 is reached. All missing labs will also receive a score of 30. 4
Quizzes will be given at random intervals as a means to check completion and comprehension of labs, lectures, assigned reading, and problem solving. To encourage the development of good study skills your notes and/or in-class activities may be used on most quizzes. Some quizzes will be similar to tests and no resources will be allowed while taking the quiz. Homework will be assigned and collected on a daily basis. You will usually have two days to complete an assignment. Class time will be given to allow students an opportunity to ask questions the day after a task is assigned. The following day it is due. Homework will always be collected at the beginning of class. Points will be deducted for late homework. After five days late students will not be able to improve upon the recorded grade of a fifty (50). In-Class Activities are opportunities for students to apply their knowledge by working in small groups on a variety of tasks. This work will occasionally be collected and graded on the basis of completeness, quality, and correctness. Grade Adjustments 1. There are NO opportunities for extra credit in Chemistry. (You have plenty of opportunities to prove your understanding of the material.) 2. Labs and homework will be given bonus points if they are turned in early. 3. Students may lose points on their lab write-ups due to safety violations while performing the lab or poor lab execution. Safety precautions are always discussed before the lab is performed. 4. Once a unit test has been taken and returned (corrected) to the class the unit is officially completed. Students can not turn in late work of any type after a unit is completed. All work, including test corrections for the previous unit must be turned in before a unit is completed. Students should now focus their efforts on the new unit and meeting all deadlines set throughout the unit. 5
MAKE-UP WORK AND LATE WORK Please be advised that excused absences from class do not excuse you from your school work! If you have a band lesson, senate meeting, or any other partial day excused event, you are still expected to hand in the work due that day. You should always communicate with your lab partner and/or other classmates to get the latest assignments, class notes, handouts and news. Make it a habit to go on-line and read the days agenda. Download the homework if you forgot to bring it home. WebAssign homework can still be completed even if you are not in school the day it is due. Always take time to check the Chemistry agenda on the front board to get the days agenda. Students who are absent for numerous days need to communicate with the teacher upon their return and create a new timeline for making up the missed work. If you are excused from school on the day of a test or when something is due then you must hand in your work the day you return, or make an appointment for the test, upon your return to school. Golden tickets are handed out to the top test performances for each unit. Silver tickets are handed out to the close to the top performers. A Golden ticket can be turned in for a free home work; this translates into a 100%. A Silver ticket is worth half of a Golden ticket (in other words, if you earned an 80% on a home work and had a silver ticket to turn in you could change the 80% to a 90%). 6
Assessed Standards, MUHS Performance Targets and Chemistry Performance Targets 1 through 5 are embedded in the Chemistry curriculum. Clearly the main emphasis of the course is on Performance Target 4; Science. The Standards/Educational Learning Outcomes (ELOs) addressed in Chemistry focus on physical science. Labs (excluding mini-labs) and tests are the common tasks in Chemistry. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) assessed in this course are specific to Physical Science and Chemistry. Throughout the semester students will have the opportunity to practice Transferable Skills. These skills are Inquiry, Communication, Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Responsible & Reflective Learner, and Problem Solver. I am... an Inquirer a Communicator a Respectful Citizen a Critical and Creative Thinker a Responsible and Reflective Learner a Problem Solver I can... research, question, and discover new information and ideas and synthesize my learning. communicate clearly, effectively, and persuasively for a variety of tasks, purposes and audiences. understand, respect, and appreciate other people and perspectives. think deeply and critically. set personal goals and play an active role in my learning and development. persist and develop solutions to and products for complex situations. 7