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Mr. Sapp Syllabus Advanced Chemistry

RULES FOR CLASS

GRADING POLICIES

Daily Participation: (25%)

Daily Participation:

At the end of each school week, each student will be assigned a grade for his or her participation during the past week. Participation in class is defined as the following:

Attendance of the entire period each and every day of the week-NO TARDIES-it is impossible to participate if you are not in attendance
A good faith effort on each and every assignment while in class
Presentation of make-up work to the instructor within a couple days of an excused absence
Students who finish work during class time are expected to check their work, help other students, and review concepts related to the class
Safe and honest participation in all class activities (lecture, labs, projects, demonstrations, etc.)

Assessment Grades: (75%)

Quizzes:

Occasionally there will be announced quizzes.

Science Class Portfolio:

Each student will be expected to keep an organized portfolio of class notes, handouts, and assignments. Each requires a table of contents and is expected to be neat and organized. A running list of assignments will be kept on a computer in the front of the classroom. In addition, a folder will be kept in the same area for returned papers to be placed in the portfolio. You should maintain the organization of your portfolio on a daily basis. This portfolio will be evaluated at the end of each 9-week period for two assessment grades (one grade for notes and a second for handouts and assignments).

Tests:

There will be 3 to 6 tests each grading period which may, or may not, be pencil-and-paper tests. NO TEST GRADES WILL BE DROPPED. However, a student may choose to take a second test on the same topic. This may only be accomplished by making an appointment with the instructor and may not be completed during the regular school day.

Labs:

There will be several labs during each grading period. Lab grades may count as assessmentgrades. Many labs will require a formal lab report. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with their write-ups and labs. Students may have their lab write-ups assessed by the instructor in advance without grade penalty until one day before the due date. After assessment, students have one week to improve their report and resubmit it to the instructor. Resubmission may allow the student to gain as much as half of the lost credit on that particular assignment.

Writing Assignments:

There will be several writing assignments each grading period. Some will be recorded as daily grades while others will be recorded as assessment grades. You will be informed at the time of the assignment.

Final:

Only students with an A average for the course may be exempt from the final. Students exempt from the final will be required to complete a review.

Grading Scale: The grading scale is the same as used by the rest of the school.

A100-93

B 92-83

C 82-73

D 72-65

F 64-below

Extra Credit:

Extra credit assignments will be made available to all students at different points throughout the course.

Reading ten science articles in magazines and writing a one-page summary of each article may earn you a bonus test grade. [Only once per quarter]
Science Fair Projects may be performed for extra credit. The amount of credit will depend on the quality of the project.

Make-up Work:

It is the student's responsibility to get make-up assignments and notes from the teacher or another student at an appropriate time (not during lecture, lab, or other highly engaging activities). You are expected to make up assignments in a timely manner. That is, you will have the amount of time you missed, plus one day. A computer with a list of assignments and handouts is located in the front of the room. It is also the student's responsibility to present the teacher with the excused absence slip, if he/she has one. If the teacher is not presented with an excused absence slip, you will receive no grade for that class day. Quizzes may not be made up. However, the missed grade will not count against students with excused absences.

Late Work:

Deadlines are one of the most important consequences of the real world. In that light, late work may not be accepted in this class. Any late work accepted must be completed correctly. Even so, it will not receive full credit. In the case of extreme circumstances, exceptions could occur. Such allowances may only be achieved by private conference between teacher and student.

On the Internet

Most assignments, notes, labs, and handouts are available on the internet. If you are missing something you need for this class, check the following web site:

ATTENTION TO ALL STUDENTS!!!!!

You will have opportunities to obtain extra credit, retake tests, and improve some assignments. You have many resources and unlimited ability. In Chemistry class you will get the grade you earn. I expect you to earn a good one.