Mrs. Bailes
Room : 230
Email:
Phone number: 832-484-4972
CHEMISTRY : Syllabus and COURSE EXPECTATIONS 2014-2015
Chemistry is a laboratory science course in which students investigate the composition of matter and the physical and chemical changes it undergoes. Students use science process skills to study the fundamental structure of atoms, the way atoms combine to form compounds, and the interactions between matter and energy. The course meets the requirements as prescribed by the TEKS http://www.utdanacenter.org/sciencetoolkit/downloads/teks/science-teks-staar.pdf and the STAAR Program (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id=3302&menu_id=793) for the state of Texas. The text reference is Chemistry by Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman; Prentice Hall publishers.
Materials & Supplies:
· Chemistry folder
· Laptop computer (required in class every day, charged)
· Journal – MUST be composition with lined paper
· Calculator (scientific)
· Pencils and Pens, blue or black, colored pencils
Guidelines for grading:
The six week grade is:
70% major works – at least 3 per grading period
Includes but not limited to unit tests, lab reports, and research projects.
30 % minor works - at least 6 per grading period
Includes but not limited to progress quizzes, pre- and post-lab quizzes,
Journal evaluations, assignments, and other common assessments (CCA or
DCA). Some quizzes may have time limits.
(Per KOHS policy grades may not be curved, dropped, or have bonus points added to them.)
Late work per KOHS policy a five point deduction per day late will be incurred until four days have passed and then the intervention process will be initiated.
Re-test: per KOHS policy retest will be allowed for a maximum grade of a 75. Please see the Testing, Tutoring and Make-up Schedule for more information.
Progress may be monitored at any time on gradespeed and a 3 week progress report is distributed. Specific concerns about an individual student’s progress may be addressed at any time with the student or his/her parent or guardian.
Grade Repair: Not an option this year per KOHS policy
Common assessments and an end-of semester exam may be required as prescribed by the Klein School District. Final exemptions will be determined by district policy.
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Testing, Tutoring and Make-up Schedule:
1. Test days are Wednesday and Friday. All major tests and projects or emergency changes in the testing days will be announced.
2. All tests, labs and quizzes must be made up on the next scheduled tutoring time.
3. You must arrive promptly to tutoring when making up a lab or test. Due to the length of some tests and labs access may be denied if late.
4. All work in chemistry is to be “made up” if missed. According to school policies, a student should be up-to-date in his/her class work in the same number of days equivalent to the number of days absent.
5. A minor grade that is not turned-in because of an absence on the due date is due the date of return to the class.
6. A minor grade assignment is due within five minutes after the tardy bell of the due date. If a minor assignment is not turned-in at the scheduled time, it will be considered late.
7. Students participating in school activities are expected to meet the original due dates and schedules for major and minor work.
Guidelines for appropriate class behavior/performance:
1. Be prompt and have all necessary materials. A student will not be allowed to return to a locker after the tardy bell; if a student realizes that he/she has forgotten class materials before the tardy bell has sounded, he/she may go to his/her locker. If the student returns after the tardy bell, he/she will need to obtain a tardy slip and have a tardy recorded in the attendance records.
2. Restroom visits or water breaks should be taken during the passing periods. A student will be released to the restroom or water fountain only if the teacher perceives a possible emergency.
Students may not have bottles of water/coffee/soft drinks/etc. during class time until unless approved by the school nurse.
3. Seating charts will be established early in the semester. Each student should sit in his/her assigned position or risk being counted absent. Changes in the seating charts will be made periodically or as behavior warrants.
4. A student is expected to come to class prepared, to be attentive, and to participate in class discussions. Note taking skills are expected and will be reviewed at the beginning of the semesters.
5. A student is expected to check the day’s activities and record/note the assignment for the day.
6. Because the One-to-One Initiative on the Klein Oak campus has generated additional responsibilities for the student, the following guidelines must be followed:
a.) Bring the laptop to class every day fully charged.
b.) At the sound of the tardy bell, have the computer at the online chemistry site for your class.
c.) Keep computers closed and stored during laboratory investigations and selected activities. If the computer is not being used for a major test, it will remain closed and stored during the entire testing period.
d.) Students using computers during class time for anything other than chemistry class note-taking, chemistry research, or chemistry assessment are subject to disciplinary attention.
e.) Students whose computers are put into KORC, and who do not receive a loaner, must print a hard copy of related class materials to be brought to class.
f.) Students who do not have laptops are expected to access online materials at home and are to bring hard copies to class. Students without access to a computer must bring a note to the teacher, so indicating and signed by parents.
h.) The teacher will not print hard copies for students, and will not accept electronic copies when a hard copy has been requested unless specified by an individual AEP.
7. If a student participates in a disruptive or destructive behavior during class, he/she is subject to discipline by the teacher and perhaps the assistant principal. The discipline for class infractions is a progressive process. The process may include any or all of the following steps: 1.) The student is conferenced by the teacher. 2.) The student acknowledges the discipline concern by a signature on a discipline card. 3.) The student’s parents or guardians are notified and the teacher notes the communication on the discipline card. 4.) The teacher records the infraction on a discipline slip with the student’s acknowledging signature, and the student is referred to the assistant principal.
8. Extreme disciplinary infractions will be directly referred to the assistant principal. Examples: fighting or cheating
9. Honesty is expected in all student work and homework, quizzes, labs, and tests. Cheating or the unwarranted exchange of information will earn disciplinary action.
10. Dress code policies are to be followed at all times. Additional dress requirements may become necessary when a student is in a laboratory setting.
11. A student will treat others with respect and courtesy.
12. A student will remain on task throughout the class period. Chemistry work may not be put away and other subject work may not be taken out unless permission is given to do so. A student will not leave the assigned seat or congregate at the door as the class/lab period comes to an end.
Scope and Sequence Overview: Each of the units will be developed as time, interest, and acquisition of understanding allows:
First Semester:
1) Measurement and analysis
2) Matter and Change
3) Atomic structure and Nuclear changes
4) Electronic nature of the atom
5) Periodic law (table)
6) Characteristics of bonding and inter-particle attractions
8) Mole concepts
Second semester:
1) Reactions and equations
2) Stoichiometry
3) Kinetic Molecular Theory and Gases
4) Thermochemistry, Rates and Equilibrium
5) Solutions
6) Acid/Base
7) Redox
8) Qualitative Analysis