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Introduction
·Welcome back! The average student finds the study of Chemistry somewhat difficult. It tends to be a more abstract science than they are accustomed to, as well as being a highly cumulative course of study. Each day’s learning hinges on comprehension of the previous days work. In this class we will not be simply memorizing facts, but instead striving to understand important relationships, processes, mechanisms, and applications of concepts. Chemistry is a science that stresses inquiry and will require you to explain, analyze, and interpret chemical processes. The topics covered in this class include some of the most important aspects that affect life on earth, such as matter and energy, the atoms and how they are held together, periodic table, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, solutions, oxidation-reduction reactions, electro-chemistry, and organic chemistry. Hopefully you will gain an appreciation for the contributions that chemistry has made and will continue to make for the future welfare of our planet.
Expectations
·You are expected to be on your best behavior. At no point will disrespect towards your teacher or your classmates be tolerated. Failure to conduct yourself as a mature young adult will result in disciplinary action (see classroom regulations).
·You are expected to come to class prepared. You should have your notebook, a reference table, a calculator, any assigned homework, a pen and a pencil with you for EACH class. I will not waste time giving everyone passes to their lockers because they forgot something they needed in class. You will be given daily points for class participation, so failure to come to class prepared will adversely affect your grade.
·You are expected to be an active member in this course. It is essential for your success that you read and complete all assignments, review and study for each chapter we cover in class.
Notebooks
·Your notebook should be a three-ring binder with ample room for lecture notes, handouts, homework, quizzes and tests. Your notebook should not be just a dumping ground for old assignments or a place to doodle. It should be neat, well organized and easy to use as a review for exams.
Books
·We will be using Prentice Hall: Chemistry 2005 edition as our textbook for this course. I do not hand out textbooks for students to take home. Most assignments that need a textbook can be done in class. There is a class set of textbooks located in the back of the classroom. Any student that wishes to take a textbook home may sign it out and bring it home until the end of the school year.
·Later in the year (around Christmas time) you will be expected to purchase a review book for this course. This is a requirement for the course, and it will help you a great deal. I will get back to you with more information on purchasing the review book later in the school year. ( The cost is approximately $11.00)
Homework
·You will always have homework in this class. If it doesn't involve a written assignment, then it will involve studying for a quiz/test, or finishing a laboratory. All assigned homework is due the following class unless otherwise noted. Failure to hand in your homework on time will result in a grade of zero. There will be no credit for late work.
Testing
·This course culminates in the Physical Setting Chemistry Regents Examination in June. This will be your final exam (2/3rds of your final grade). You will also be given chapter/unit tests at various times throughout the year. Each of these tests will cover a major topic discussed in class and the lecture notes. The format for each of these tests will be similar to the Regents Exam. You will also be required to take a mid-term exam in January which counts towards 1/3rd of your exam grade. You will also be given a number of quizzes throughout the year. These quizzes will be announced. Quizzes may be on assigned homework or laboratories.
Laboratories
·Each student must have completed a minimum of 1200 minutes of lab work, accompanied by an acceptable lab report, in order to take the Regents Exam. This is a NYS policy, not just a HHS policy. If a student does not meet this requirement, regardless of their current grade in the course, they will be unable to take the Regents exam and will automatically fail the course.
·Your lab reports must receive a minimum grade of 65% to be accepted for Regents credit. If you fail to receive an acceptable grade with your first submission you will be given additional opportunities to resubmit the lab for an acceptable grade. Resubmissions will not affect your original grade. They will only determine whether a lab will be accepted for Regents credit. In other words, your success in this course depends upon you completing well-written, thoughtful laboratories on your first submission. Once accepted, your teacher will keep these labs in a separate folder. Since the NYS Education Department considers your folder a legal document, you cannot remove a lab once it has been accepted and placed in your folder. Labs must be accepted by the end of the quarter in which they are due. I will not accept a pile of old labs on the final day of classes.
·Since this is a science course, you will be performing laboratories that may use potentially dangerous equipment and supplies. Therefore it is expected that you follow the safety procedures at all times. If you are asked to wear gloves, goggles and/or an apron you must do so. This is not optional! It is also imperative that you listen carefully to instructions. If you fail to return the lab safety document or refuse to follow the safety procedures you will not be allowed to perform the lab.
Grading
·Your final grade for this course will be an average of your four quarter grades, and an exam grade (1/3rd your midterm exam and 2/3rds your Regents Exam). There is no separate report card grade for the "laboratory" section of this course. This section will be figured into your subject grade. A student’s quarterly grade is an average of his/her test, quiz, and laboratory grades, weekly participation grade and DO NOW grade as well as a biquarterly homework grade. If you make a consistent effort to understand and master the content, are timely in the completion of labs and homework, and contribute fully to individual and group projects, you will rarely fail a quarter.
Attendance
· As with all other courses, you are subject to the school's attendance policy. You are expected to attend and be on time to each class. If you are late to class 5 or more times, you will be given school detention through the Assistant Principal’s office. A total of 32 unexcused absences will cause you to audit the course and you will receive no credit for the year. · If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what work you missed. You have one week from the time you return to make up the work. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero. If you are forced to be absent for an extended period of time, please see me. All work that needs to be made up must be done on your own time. If you are caught skipping my class, all work due and performed that day will be counted as a zero and you will forfeit any chance of making it up.
Extra Help
·I am very committed to your success in this course. I realize that at times we may cover the material too quickly or that you may not fully understand a certain topic. Therefore I am always available to you for extra help. Please seek additional help if you need it! I can meet with you during study hall (if I do not have a class) or I can meet with you after school. I will gladly give you a late pass to rehearsal or practice if necessary. I recommend that you make an appointment with me ahead of time to assure that I will be there.
Academic Honesty
·Under no circumstances will plagiarism be tolerated. If you are found to have copied work from another student, both students will receive a grade of zero on that assignment. If you are found to have copied work from the Internet, you will receive a grade of zero and may be subject to a meeting involving your parents and school administration. Each of you is capable of doing your own work. There is no reason to submit work that is not your own.