Chemistry Syllabus

Ms. Begley
2012-2013

How to Succeed in Chemistry

Chem-Is-Try! Thats the key: you have to try. Chemistry is a difficult subject for a lot of people but I guarantee that if you follow the expectations laid out below and try your best you will be successful in this course.

Class Website
http://lessonsinscience.weebly.com/ Here you will find daily activities, assignment submission forms (online), and question submission forms. You can also visit harmony online or our in class student zone for day-to-day activities.

Required Materials
You will be expected to bring the following items to class everyday: Modern Chemistry Textbook Pencil or pen Folder/binder for Chemistry ONLY Scientific Calculator Bound notebook (CPN- see below)
**If you are unable to obtain any of these items please see Ms. Begley by the end of the first week of school.

Course Outline
We will be covering the following topics, which correspond to Indiana State Standards: 1st Semester 2nd Semester 1. Introduction to Chemistry 6. Behavior of Gasses 2. Properties and States of Matter 7. Thermochemistry 3. Atomic Structure and Periodic Table 8. Solutions 4. Bonding and Molecular Structure 9. Acids and Bases 5. Reactions and Stoichiometry 10. Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

Class Expectations
There are two overarching expectations in my classroom: 1. WORK HARD Participate: Ask questions, raise your hand to speak, and have fun! Do Your Best: Come to class prepared and ready to work hard. 2. BE NICE Golden Rule: Treat others as youd like to be treated. Respect: respect your fellow students, instructor, and materials.

**Students are expected to follow all school rules which can be found in your student handbook.

Absences/Make-up work
If you are absent you are responsible for obtaining missed work from the student area. Anything not turned in on a day you are absent is due the day you return, including tests and quizzes. **Consult your student handbook for additional policies and procedures.

Chemistry Syllabus | 1

Grades
Classroom Activities- 80% of final grade Exams- 20% of final grade Classroom Activities include: Labs/Activities, Unit Tests, Friday Quizzes, Homework, CPN. We will follow the traditional Pioneer Panthers grading scale (refer to your student handbook).

Chemistry Practice Notebook (CPN)

Students need to obtain a ruled notebook- I suggest a composition notebook. We will go over together as a class how to keep this notebook. Items to be included in this notebook include: Do Now (DNA) responses, class notes, practice problems, homework (H) problems. It is important that you keep up with your CPN because you will have opportunities to use your CPN during Quizzes. You will turn your CPN to me before we take a unit test and I will grade your CPN while you are testing. A breakdown of grades is provided below but you will receive a separate sheet explaining how I will grade your CPN.

Do Now Activities (DNA)

After the bell rings you are expected to be working on the Do Now Activity. You will record any responses to the Do Now Activity in your Chemistry Practice Notebook.

Homework (HW)
Homework will be given to help you practice the concepts we learn in the classroom. You are expected to complete all homework and to record it in your CPN, unless otherwise indicated. I ask that you include all of your work, not just answers to homework. This will help us both to understand your thought process.

Laboratory Experiments (L)

Working in the lab is probably the most fun aspect of studying chemistry. Labs will be performed individually or in small groups. Before the first lab, students must sign the Laboratory Safety Contract and return it to Ms. Begley. Students are expected to abide by all the rules in the Safety Contract. Neglecting to comply with the Safety Contract will result in a failure for the lab portion of this class.

Friday Quizzes (FQs)

Quizzes will be given every Friday; 60- 70% of the material covered on these quizzes will directly relate to what weve worked on that week. The other 30-40% of the material will come from previous material. Chemistry, like math, builds upon prior concepts. Its important to keep these concepts fresh!

Tests and Exams

After each unit there will be a unit test (UT). These tests will be progressively cumulative. That is to say, each test will contain a few questions concerning what weve learned in previous units, just like the Friday quizzes. This way, when you get to the midterm and final exams, youve already been studying the information all year.
********************sign and detach so you can keep the syllabus*************************** I have read and understand the expectations of this class as stated above. Student Gaurdian Signature Signature Chemistry Syllabus | 2