In our first day of class we covered classroom procedures, laboratory safety, and an introduction to the class website.
Be sure you have your disclosure, lab contract, and internet use form signed and back to me by next class.
You should have an idea of what matter is, what it means to discuss matter macroscopically and submicroscopically, and a working knowledge of lab safety tools and equipment in the classroom.
Make sure you have read and taken notes on the first reading assignment. We will discuss and practice scientific processes in class next time.
2011-08-24 16:42:02
Chemistry 2012-2013 Disclosure Statement
Instructor: Mr. Robert Adamson
robertadamson@alpinedistrict.org
www.intelligentdesigneronline.com/chemistry/
Phone: (801) 756-8547 Room: 11 Extension: 111
Prerequisites: Elementary Algebra
Course Description:
Chemistry is the study of matter, a branch of natural sciences that deals with the composition of substances, their properties and their reactions. This course is designed for students with little or no chemistry background and will prepare students for AP chemistry if they choose to continue. This class will be challenging and will help students to think on a deeper level. I want all of you to succeed so I will be here 30 minutes before and after school. Do not be afraid to come ask for help!
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
• Be Prepared – Come to class ready to learn each day with your book, paper, 3 ring binder, pencil and scientific calculator
• Be Proactive – Complete your homework on time and to the best of your ability. Read textbook assignments and think about material before you come to class. Have questions ready and be willing to help classmates with difficult concepts. Some of the greatest learning experiences you will have will be when you seek to teach a concept to someone else.
• Be Prompt – Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings. I will enforce the school’s established attendance policy.
• Be Courteous – Show respect to your instructor and to your fellow students in the class. This includes not having any cell phones, i-pods, or anything that serves as a distraction to me, you, or your classmates.
• Be Honest – Demonstrate a high level of integrity in your learning. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.
• Be Persistent – The concepts presented in this class are often very new and very challenging. Failure only comes when one no longer continues to try.
• Be Safe – You will be using hazardous and toxic chemicals in this class. Before participation in any labs, you will be required to know and practice laboratory safety rules and procedures. There is zero tolerance in failure to follow these policies. Doing so will result in an automatic F on your lab and disciplinary action.
If a student violates classroom rules or breaches safety contracts, a verbal reminder will be issued. If the behavior continues, the student will stay after class to discuss the issue with me. Further disruptions will involve contacting parents and the administration.
Absences/Make-up Work
• You are expected to be in class. Unexcused absences will receive an F on work due that day. If you are absent, and it is excused, you will be allowed to make up missing work by:
o Seeing me for the assignment you missed.
o Getting notes from a classmate, and online resources.
o Coming to me before or after school for any extra help.
• Work due the day of an excused absence will be due the following class period.
• Work is due at the beginning of class. LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED!! I will provide 3 homework passes per term which you can use to turn in a missed homework assignment. The pass must be stapled to the missed assignment. Passes can also be turned in for five minutes use of the hall pass. At the end of the term, if all assignments are turned in unused passes can be used for bonus points. Use your passes wisely!
• Quizzes need to be made up BEFORE the unit test (before or after school)
• Labs must be made up BEFORE the unit test and can be completed after school on Wednesdays, or students may schedule a time with me.
• A missed test due to an excused absence can be made up on Wednesday following the scheduled day of the test at 6:30 am. Any make-up test will not be subject to the class curve.
Grading:
• Your final grade will be weighted on points received for homework, quizzes, labs, tests, and special projects.
o Homework accounts for 20% of your grade. All homework assignments are to be completed online. Please see the website for further information on homework grading.
o Lab reports will account for 20% of your grade. Labs are graded on scientific thought, creativity, thoroughness, skill, clarity and teamwork.
o Quizzes account for 20% of your grade. Quizzes may either be given as a lab group or individually. On occasion students will be required to help members of their lab group master concepts and grading will reflect the group effort.
o Tests account for 30% of your grade. Tests consist of true/false, multiple choice, short answer, calculations, and essay sections. Tests will be subject to a class curve.
• Grade Breakdown:
94-100% A 73-76% C
90-93% A- 70-72% C-
87-89% B+ 67-69% D+
83-86% B 63-66% D
80-82% B- 60-62% D-
77-79% C+ 59% F
Things you should know:
• Students can be issued a copy of the textbook – Chemistry: Matter and Change (Glencoe Science) – from the textbook depository. Each student will be responsible for the care and condition of the book. Fines will be assessed for loss or damage.
• No personal electronic devices will be allowed in class (cell phones, i-pods, etc.). If I see it in class it will be taken to the front office where a parent may come in to retrieve it. Consider this your verbal warning.
• I will provide several opportunities for bonus points throughout the year (unused homework passes, bonus problems on tests and labs, etc.) Take advantage of these opportunities.
• During the year you will be required to submit a science fair project. Details regarding this project will be given later.
• American Fork High School complies with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Therefore, no student shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion or disability.
2011-08-15 15:31:05