Syllabus Regular Chemistry
Welcome to Chemistry with Mrs. Zarley
This class is an elective and is not required to graduate. This course is for all students planning to attend college and or an interest in chemistry.
Materials Needed
Please purchase a binder, notebook, pencil pouch, pen, pencil, scientific calculator, markers, and highlighter for chemistry class.
Prerequisites for Chemistry
Chemistry is heavily math based and requires problem solving/critical thinking skills; therefore good math skills and problem solving skills are necessary to be successful in chemistry. It is recommended that Chemistry Regular students have taken Algebra I and passed with a C or better, for Chemistry Honors you must have taken or currently be taking Algebra II. If you do not meet these math requirements see me.
Teacher Information
Mrs. Zarley, Room 121, azarley@morrishs.org
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Respect Yourself, Respect Others, and Respect your School.
2. All students are required to be in the room and quiet when the bell rings if not you are tardy. Please refer to the MCHS tardy policy in the student handbook it will be followed.
3. All homework assignments and labs will be given a due date. Due at the beginning of class or it is late. Homework not turned in on time results in a zero. Labs and Projects not turned in on time can be turned in later on that day or the next day but points will be deducted from the grade. If you turn in a lab that is not complete you will earn a zero. Therefore it is better to finish the lab and turn it in late with a minor point penalty rather than turn it in unfinished and earn a zero. Labs and Projects will not be accepted beyond one day late.
4. Homework assignments are to be done on your own. Copying a friend’s answers is cheating. Giving your answers to a friend is cheating. The penalty for cheating is a zero to all parties involved and a phone call home to parents. Homework is given to enhance your understanding of the material. By doing your own homework and reading the book you will have increased test scores. Chemistry homework will be given everyday and you must show your work for credit.
5. Be prepared for class! Bring the following items to class with you everyday: student handbook/planner, textbook, binder with pencil pouch, and scientific calculator.
A graphing calculator is not necessary, however, if you own a graphing calculator you may use it for chemistry as long as you never play games on it during class. If you disregard this rule then you will not be allowed to bring a graphing calculator to class and will be required to purchase a non-graphing, non-game playing, scientific calculator.
6. You will be given one copy of all handouts. Keep all handouts in your chemistry binder. Your binder will be collected at the end of each term. This is your first chemistry handout.
7. Zero Tolerance for misbehavior in the lab. Misbehavior in the lab results in a zero on the lab and the student will be sent to Mr. Johnson for the class period. Safety must be followed at all times. You must wear safety goggles at all times in the lab. If you are not wearing your safety goggles you will be asked to leave the lab and receive a lowered grade on your lab. See lab safety handout.
Do not touch anything in the lab without permission from Mrs. Zarley.You are not allowed in the equipment room unless you are given permission. You are never allowed in the chemical room! You are responsible for your lab stations. They must be cleaned at the end of every lab. This includes washing and putting your equipment away, cleaning out the sink, wiping down the lab counter and cleaning out the cubicles. Failure to clean up will result in an after school detention and a lowered lab grade.
8. If you are addicted to texting then keep your cell phone out of my class. Cell phones are not to be used in class. If you use it or I suspect you are using it I will write a referral and Mr. Johnson will sentence you according to handbook policies.
9. All rules and regulations as set forth in the student handbook are in effect. No eating or drinking in lab!
Classroom Procedures
To leave class you must ask permission and sign the daily pass log.
If you are tardy to class please enter the room quietly and record the date of the tardy on the tardy grid attached to the bulletin board. Find your name on the grid and record the date.
Absence- immediately upon returning to class all missed materials must be picked up by you from your class absentee folder. It is your responsibility to pick up materials and finish assignments on time (one day extra for each day missed). Homework assignments are posted on my web page.
Grading
GRADING PROCEDURES
School-Wide Grading Scale- posted on pg. 38 of the student handbook.
A= 100-92 B= 91-83 C= 82-74 D=73-65 F= 64 and below
You will be graded on the basic aspects listed below. Term grade will be calculated as a percentage of total points earned. Semester grade is calculated as 85% term grade and 15% exam.
1-Tests: A test will be given for each chapter.
2-Homework/Writing assignments/Quizzes: Each chapter will have required homework assignments and quizzes. Please label all homework assignments with page number and questions assigned. Attention Students and Parents there will be chemistry homework everyday! Late homework is not accepted. Homework assignments are posted on the chalkboard everyday and on the MCHS website. Show work for all chemistry problems no work no credit.
3-Laboratory Work: Each chapter will have a required lab and lab write-up.
Each student will have a lab partner to work with. You carry out the lab and collect data with your lab partner. You do not work with your lab partner on the write-up portion of the lab. Write-ups and calculations for the lab must be done on your own. Every student will turn in his or her own lab report!
4-Cooperative activities: will be included with some chapters.
5-Projects: TBA
Extra Credit is seldom offered but if offered it will be academic and pertain to chemistry. Extra credit opportunities are announced to all students and only those students who have completed all required assignments are able to participate.
Suggestions For Success
1. Read the Book! Reading assignments must be done before coming to class. Read everything on the pages assigned including picture headings, explanations, tables, and graphs. Take notes while you are read and outline the chapter. Write down key words and the meaning of the words. Re-read the chapter following class lectures. Highlight material in your notes you don’t understand and ask questions the following day.
2. Quizzes are given to make sure you understand the material along the way before a test is given. All quizzes are announced and you need to study before a quiz. Suggestions for studying could be any or several of the following: re-read the chapter, study your notes and homework assignments, highlight key words, make flash cards, or re-copy your notes.
3. Test dates are given far in advance. Do not wait until the night before to begin studying. Study a section each night. Make a crib sheet for each chapter test. See my webpage, Study tips, to learn more about crib sheets. Go to the chapter webpage and study the learning objectives listed. Include these objectives on your crib sheet. Use the weblinks provided to review material and complete practice problems. Crib sheets will be kept in your binder and will be used to study for the final exam. The night before the test study your crib sheet and make sure you can recall all information without the aid of the crib sheet.
4. Note taking during class is required. You must have a notebook or binder designated for my class with you everyday to put your notes in. Begin your note taking with the date. While taking notes you should highlight key words or key information. This could be done using a highlighter or simply starring key material. If I give an example in class or use a visual aid make sure you put that information in your notes. It will help you to remember the material. (Ex. Size of a millimeter- width of a dime) Access PowerPoint lectures on my webpage, print off the slides before coming to class, and you can add notes to each slide during the presentation.
5. If you have any questions ask me for help. I am available everyday after school until 3:30. Please come in and see me. If you put off studying for a test until the night before and discover you do not understand the material then you are too late to ask for help. Do not wait until test time to gain an understanding of the material.
6. Labs are just as important as a test. Take them very seriously. Be prepared for lab. You must read the lab completely before coming to class. You must understand the material surrounding the lab. YOU will be required to work on pre-lab questions, an introduction, hypothesis and procedure before lab day. Be prepared by having all requirements met before lab day. If you fail to meet pre-lab requirements you will receive a zero on all pre-lab questions. Your understanding of the lab is essential to keep everyone safe.
7. Take a few minutes before each class and read the notes you took yesterday.
8. You will keep all chemistry materials in a binder designated for my class. The binder will be organized into sections and separated by tabs. The binder will be collected throughout the term. All work (homework, quizzes, tests, and labs) will be graded and passed back to you to make corrections. Make the corrections in a different color pen/marker and show your work for all calculations. After making corrections organize the papers into your binder under the correct tab.
Binder Organization: Syllabus, Notes/notebook, Homework, Quizzes, Tests, Labs, Crib Sheets, Index of useful tables, figures, etc.
9. Access and use the information provided on my web page. You will find homework, learning objectives, and helpful websites.
