Course:

Conceptual Chemistry (2003-2004)

 

 

Instructor:

Mrs. Whalen

 

 

Class Room:

265/263 (alternating days)

 

 

Office Location

225

 

 

Web Site:

http://bawhalen.tripod.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Description:

The Conceptual Chemistry course at Amity High School has adopted “Chemistry in the Community” (ChemCom) as the basis for its program.  It is an introductory chemistry program organized into eight thematic units, we will cover at least four of them.  Each unit presents a different theme, identifies issues with societal and technological implications, and provides an opportunity to understand the role chemistry plays in those issues.

 

 

 

Unit Title

 

 

 

1.       Supplying Our Water Needs

 

 

 

2.     Conserving Chemical Resources

 

 

 

3.     Petroleum: To Burn?  To Build?

 

 

 

4.     Understanding Food

 

 

 

5.     Nuclear Chemistry in Our World (depending upon time)

 

Materials Required Daily:

1.       One set of covered textbooks will be kept in class.  Student will be responsible for condition of assigned textbook.

2.     Pencils and pen (black or blue ONLY)

3.     Loose leaf paper or notebook

4.     Calculator. A graphing calculator is not necessary

5.     Agenda or calendar to write down assignments

 

You will be required to keep a 3-ring notebook of all your homework assignments, returned work, handouts, lab reports and class notes.  You will need this material for quizzes and exams.  You do not need to bring this to class every day, but you should bring the problems and notes for the chapter we are working on.

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING:

 

 

FINAL GRADE AVERAGE  for the year (SCHOOL POLICY):

10% Midterm Exam

10% Final Exam

80% Each marking period (4 quarters each 20%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARKING PERIOD grade is:

30% Labs: Lab work grades will be based on lab reports, answers to questions, and lab participation.

40% Tests, Quizzes and Special Projects.  There is a test at the end of each book chapter, approximately every 2 weeks.  Quizzes occasionally replace tests but are not weighted as heavily.  Special projects are equal to approximately 2 test grades.

30% Daily Work.  Class work, homework and class participation.

 

 

LETTER GRADES AND PERCENTAGES (SCHOOL POLICY):

A+

97-100

A

93-96

A-

90-92

B+

87-89

B

83-86

B-

80-82

C+

77-79

C

73-76

C-

70-72

D+

67-69

D

63-66

D-

60-62

F

Below 60

         

SHORTHAND GRADES FOR SOME ASSIGNMENTS:

Ö+                                           A                                                    95

Ö                                             B                                                    85

Ö-                                            C                                                    75

Ö--                                          D                                                    65

 

Percentage grades are rounded to the nearest whole number.  Please do not come to me at the end of the marking period pleading 1/10 of a point.  89.4% is a B+, while 89.5% is an A-.  Sorry about that.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

*      CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK COUNTS!  It is due at the beginning of class on due date (unless you are absent).

*      PARTICIPATE. Don’t be afraid to ask a question.

*      LABS:  examine course topics in depth, and if missed, must be made up within 1 week after return to school. Schedule the makeup with me for the next study hall or after school. 

*      LAB REPORTS or WORKSHEETS are due by the beginning of class on the date indicated.  You will be doing labs as part of a group, but you will receive an individual grade for the experiment results and your write up.  Lab reports/worksheets are to be completed independently.  Copied work will result in both individuals receiving a failing grade.  I will not accept computer-related excuses (i.e. My printer broke…  My hard drive crashed – plan ahead!)

*      REMEMBER YOUR NAME.  All work turned in must have – your name, first and last; the class and period, and the date in the top right-hand corner of the paper.

*      LATE WORK. I will accept late work (other than select assignments) up to three (3) days after the due date.  For each day late, I will deduct (10%) off the original grade.  Under no circumstances will I accept work weeks late! 

*      ABSENCES.  If you are absent, you are responsible for all work you missed.  If homework or other projects are due on a day that you are absent, they are due on the day that you return.  You will have 3 school days to make up quizzes and tests.   Make-up tests and quizzes must be scheduled with me. This is your responsibility, I will not remind you.  In the event of an extended illness, a plan will be drawn-up and mutually agreed upon.

*      TARDIES:  If you are late to class without a pass, you will receive a classroom detention.  You serve this detention the next afternoon.  If you work, or have another commitment don’t be late.  End of story!

*      LAVATORY PASSES.  I use a clipboard for a lav pass.  No one is to leave the first few minutes of class while I am introducing the day’s lesson.  After that, one person at a time, for no more than 5 minutes, and only once per period.  The Lav Pass is only for the science wing lavatories, and not for trips to any other bathrooms or location.  You abuse it, you lose it! 

*      GRADING.  There should never be a question of what your grade is.  Grades are posted by ID number in the room and on the web site, and updated about every 2-3 weeks.

*      TEACHER’S DESK, CART, AND CLASSROOM COMPUTER.  All are off limits to you unless I directly give you permission.  If given permission to use the classroom computer, do not download anything onto the computer (IM, software, games, graphics, etc.).

*      EXTRA HELP:  I am available for extra help by appointment almost every day after school, and often when I have a prep period and students have a study hall.  I encourage you to ask for help if you need it.

*      INTERNET ACCESS:  Although internet access at home is not required for this course, it is recommended.  I maintain a website which contains assignments to date.  It can be accessed at http://bawhalen.tripod.com  (and there is a link from the high school web page).  All internet based assignments will allow enough time for students to use school internet resources during study halls or after school.

EXPECTATIONS:

 

In order to provide a good and safe learning environment, the following behavioral standards are in place at all times in the science room.

 

*      OBSERVE SCHOOL RULES.  Absolutely no food or drinks in chemistry classrooms

*      RESPECT OTHERS

*      HONESTY, copy from another and you both lose credit

*      BE IN YOUR SEAT, READY FOR CLASS WHEN THE BELL RINGS

*      USE MATERIALS ONLY FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE

 

Consequences

 

*      Warning

*      Detention

*      Trip to the office / referral

 

Depending on the behavior, I reserve the right to skip one or more steps.  I may also call home to discuss behavior with parents.

When we do labs, all these rules are still in effect.