Chemistry I Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Rachel Meares

Course Description

(NC Standard Course of Study)

The chemistry course encourages students to continue their investigation of the structure of matter along with chemical reactions and the conservation of energy in these reactions. Inquiry is applied to the study of the transformation, composition, structure, and properties of substances. The course focuses on basic chemical concepts and incorporates activities that promote investigations to reinforce the concepts.

The curriculum includes inquiry into the following content areas:

Structure of atoms.
Structure and properties of matter.
Chemical reactions.
Conservation of energy and matter.
Interaction of energy and matter.

Fees

Course Fee (required): $15.00

Science Club (optional): $5.00

Grading Systiem

Six Weeks Grade

75% - Tests, projects, reports, notebooks, and other formal evaluations.

25% - Class work, homework, positive classroom participation in lab activities, discussions, etc.

Final Grade

75% - Average of the three six weeks grades.

25% - Final Exam (North Carolina End of Course Test for Chemistry)

Materials Needed

· pencils/pens

· LARGE 3-ring binder

· loose-leaf paper

· scientific calculator

Teacher Expectations

Before the End of Class Bell Rings

Students are not allowed to leave class early for ANY reason. You must remain in your seats until the bell rings. There will be no lining up at the door while waiting for class to end.

Before the Tardy Bell Rings

1. Sharpen pencils.

2. Be seated.

3. Get notebooks and textbooks opened to the appropriate section and begin working on the starter assignment located on the chalkboard, overhead projector, or white board.

4. Have Homework out and ready to be checked.

Lecture/Class Discussion

1. Raise your hand to be recognized.

2. Do not speak while someone else is speaking.

3. Respect your fellow students. Do not tease, ridicule, or talk negatively about another student.

4. If you do not understand something I have said or directed you to do, please ask for further explanations.

Classroom Participation

Positive classroom participation during lecture, lab activities, discussions, etc. is required for all Chemistry students to reach their full potential. Each student has the right to learn, and no ones learning should be hindered in my classroom. Sleeping, talking out of turn, not working on classwork assignments or not taking notes, etc. will result in a warning & if the behavior continues, a referral to the administration.

Homework

Homework must be completed on the appropriate due date. Late assignments will not be accepted because we generally check and discuss assignments daily. This includes leaving your homework in your locker, car, lunchroom, etc. Most often I check homework for effort. However, occasionally I will ask you to turn in assignments for a “right or wrong” grade.

Tests

Weekly science tests are scheduled for Wednesday. Short quizzes may be given on any day. Students present on test days will be required to take the test. If you are absent the day before the test, you will still be required to take the test. New material is generally not covered the day before a test. Exceptions will be made for those missing more than one consecutive day before the test.

Cheating Policy

Cheating on tests, homework, or any assignment will not be tolerated and will result in a “0” for that assignment. Also, your Parent/Guardian will be contacted and informed about the incident.

Notebooks

Students are required to keep a notebook with all class notes, worksheets, hand-outs, etc. neatly organized. Sometime during the semester, I will ask for ten items from your notebook. This will be unannounced. If you have all 10 items, you will receive a 100 for a test grade. If you have 9 of the items, you will receive a 90 for a test grade, etc.

At the end of the first week of school, I will check to see that everyone has a 3-ring binder appropriately organized.

Make-Up Assignments

Make-up assignments are the responsibility of each student. You will be required to make-up missed assignments within 5 days of your return. This includes copying notes from a fellow student and obtaining any missed handouts. Students may obtain missed hand-outs from the appropriate class period folder located near the windows. You must show me make-up assignments within 5 days of your return. I will NOT ask you for them. If I do not see them within 5 days, a zero will be recorded for that assignment.

Make-up Tests

If you are absent for a test, you will be required to make-up the test within 5 days of your return.

Extra Credit

You will have at least one opportunity per six weeks to receive extra credit. All extra credit points will be added on to your test grades. Listed below are some of the ways you will be able to receive extra credit.

· Preparedness Grade (15 Test Points): When you have your first test, I will check to see that everyone has a 3-ring binder. (5 points) I will also check to see if you have paid your course fee. (10 points)

· Wash Transparencies (10 Test Points): You may carry home two transparencies rolls to wash. This can only be done one time per six weeks.

Classroom Rules

1. Treat others with respect.

2. Bring book and other supplies to class daily.

3. Pay attention.

4. Only one person may be allowed to speak at a time.

Infractions to the rules

First Offense: Warning.

Second Offense: Referral to the administration.