American Fork Chemistry Website

Chemistry 2013-2014 Disclosure Statement

Instructor: Mr. Robert Adamson

robertadamson@alpinedistrict.org

www.intelligentdesigneronline.com/chemistry/

Phone: (801) 756-8547 Room: 231 Extension: 231

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:

Getting notes from a classmate, and online resources.

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 MAY BE TURNED IN BEFORE THE UNIT EXAM FOR HALF CREDIT!! QUIZZES ARE GIVEN EVERY DAY.

Labs must be made up BEFORE the unit test and can be completed after school during the Science Help Lab on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30pm, or students may schedule a time with me.

A missed test due to an excused absence can be made up within seven days of the scheduled exam date and may be scheduled with me.

Grading:

Your final grade will be weighted on points received for readings, labs, quizzes, tests, and a self-assessed portfolio. Approximately half your grade will come from tests.

A reading outline is given for the material covered in a unit. Reading assignments are recorded in a reading notebook, and checked each class.

Students will grade their own labs based on a guided rubric. Again, any lab turned in without a grade, or with a grade that does not reflect the work submitted, will be given no credit and may be either re-done or re-graded for half credit up to the day of the unit exam.

Quizzes are taken using the website and will be given approximately once per week. Extra credit may be earned by submitting quizzes early.

On the day of the unit exam, a self-graded student portfolio will be turned in that shows self-scores on student lecture notes, lab reports, and quizzes. Again, portfolios turned in without a grade, or with a grade that does not reflect the work submitted, will be given no credit and may be either re-done or re-graded for half credit.

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 74-76.99% C
90-93.99% A- 70-73.99% C-
87-89.99% B+ 67-69.99% D+
84-86.99% B 64-66.99% D
80-83.99% B- 60-63.99% D-
77-79.99% C+ 59.99% 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.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school from 2:30 to 3:30pm there will be a science help lab available. One-on-one help will be provided. Computers will be available as well to complete the online homework assignments.

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.