Course Overview
This course is designed to introduce students to the following Chemistry concepts:
- Atomic Structure
- Subatomic Particles
- Ion Formation
- SPDF Orbitals
- States of Matter
- Bonding
- Chemical Reactions
- Ionization Energy
- Stoichiometry
- Behavior of Gases
Projects
This year Project Topics are assigned.
There will be 3 assigned projects throughout each Science course. Scientific Methods is an exception w/ 2 assigned projects per semester.
Example: Essay (3 pages on Nitrogen management amongst desert, fresh water, marine, & riparian organisms). Resources will be cited, using a works cited page that correlates with footnotes.
Mastery
Students may redo any assignment for 100% (Homework, Labs, &
Projects) within 24 hrs of receipt (weekends inclusive).
Quizzes may be redone for Extra credit within 5 days of receipt.
Absences
Absences contribute to course failure.
Students are ENTIRELY responsible for ALL missed material, including class content, homework, and handouts incurred during absences.
Points will be taken from Class Participation for whining about being absent!!!!
Tardiness
Enter Quietly!! Have a note!
Students must have a note. Tardies are tallied.
Phone calls home are made for every 3 Tardies.
Notes are sent home for every 5 tardies.
Class Participation Points are deducted for each unexcused Tardy(1).
Students are ENTIRELY responsible for ALL missed content!!
Homework
Homework is assigned weekly, but not necessarily daily. Plan
accordingly for 'waves' of science homework, usually following a unit,
articles, labs, preceding a quiz, etc. Procrastination is not recommended
for any of your work.
How Grades are Computed
Participation
Students are assessed on a daily basis for their level of positive Attitude (2), efficient Class Participation (2), & focused Academic Effort (2) using a 6-point system (6).
Assignment Categories |
|
|
Letter Grades |
|
| Participation |
5% |
|
A |
92-100% |
| Homework |
30% |
|
A- |
90-91% |
| Articles |
10% |
|
B+ |
88-89% |
| Lab Exercises |
10% |
|
B |
82-87% |
| Projects |
10% |
|
B- |
80-81% |
| Quizzes |
25% |
|
C+ |
78-79% |
| Exams (F) |
5% |
|
C |
72-77% |
| Study Hall |
5% |
|
C- |
70-71% |
| |
|
|
D |
65-69% |
| |
|
|
D- |
60-64% |
Articles
Articles will be assigned to read. They must be read in the
designated time, as relative discussions follow within one to two days
maximum. Random people will be called upon to participate in the
discussion, after which discussion will open to all (open forum).
Procrastination is not recommended for any of the article readings.
Points are earned for discussion-based and written responses, as assigned.
Labs
Lab exercises occur one to two times per month. Lab reports are
required for all lab exercises unless the lab is assigned differently.
One lab report is required per group, unless stated otherwise.
Quizzes
Quizzes and mini-quizzes are given during and/or after a unit.
They are usually worth 60-110 pts, respectively. The normal format
predominently involves essay questions, though mini-quizzes may have a
variety of question types, from short answer, fill in the blank, and/or
oral questions. See Mastery for more quiz policy.
Projects
Project Topics are assigned, though if you have an idea that
appears to fit the parameters, feel free to chat with me. There will be 2
assigned projects throughout each semester. The format is that of a
research paper, complete with footnotes and works cited references. If
you wish to employ a different format for one of your projects, see me.
Mastery
Quizzes and mini-quizzes may be retaken for 50% of the original
points earned. The original test must accompany the retake in order to
czlculate the revised score. The retake may take place with resources, at
home or at school. Note, retakes must be completed within 3 school days
after initial quiz return. See Late Assignments for homework mastery
policy.
Late Assignments
Late Assignments are not accepted. Homework is the only section where
missing work may be completed within 24 hours of original due date for 50
percent of original point value.
If you still have a Study Hall period available by the time you realize
you owe Science homework, I will accept homework until 3:30 p.m., as long as
it is handed to me personally.
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