CHEMISTRY Course Information                                                                                                                         Mr. Wrisley

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is an introductory course in chemistry for college bound high school students. The course uses a thematic approach to introduce the student to the major concepts, vocabulary, thinking skills, and laboratory techniques expected in a high school chemistry course. The themes include water, material structure, petroleum, air, industry, nuclear, and food. Students planning on majoring in a science related field would be better prepared by taking Honors Chemistry.

The textbook is ChemCom. Please bring it everyday.

Prerequisite for this class: “C” or better in Algebra 1. A grade of “B” or better in Science 1 & 2 is recommended

 

 


COURSE GRADING is on a point basis using straight percentage.  Please note that in this system, all missing assignments will receive a score of zero points.

          90% and above = A                                     

          80% - 89% = B                                   Grade Calculation

          70% - 79% = C                                  Points received  x 100 = %

          60% - 69% = D                                                     Points possible

          59% and below = F

Borderline grades will be determined by your class participation, cooperative attitude, and effort.    EXTRA CREDIT is given for cooperation, etc., not for projects done at grade time. 

Assessment:  approximately 60% Exams and Quizzes, 30% Labs, and 10% Homework

All assignments need:                                    TITLE                              NAME

                               Answers written in complete sentences                    PERIOD

 

 


HOMEWORK  Reading and or problems will be assigned each class meeting and are due at the beginning of the next class - anytime after that it is late.  Reading assignments may be followed by a short quiz. Homework is always written on the board but not always announced.

 

 


ABSENCES   If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the makeup assignments from the Master Assignment Sheet or your classmates.  If you miss an exam or a lab due to an excused absence, on your first day back, it is your responsibility to take the exam/lab or at that time, schedule another time within one week of the exam/lab you missed.  Failure to do this may lead to a zero for the exam/lab.  Lab materials are disposed of after 1 week unless I hear from you. Tests must be made up within two weeks of the date the class takes the test.

 

 


LATE WORK   All work turned in after the class turns it in must have how many class days late it is clearly written at the top of the first page or you will not receive any credit.  Late work must be handed to me before class, during break or after class.  Don’t turn it in with another assignment or leave it on the desk.  Unexcused late work will lose 10% per day.  Excused stamped work should be presented for stamping the first day back.

 

 


CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

All students are expected to:

·        Follow the school rules and Academic Honesty Policy

·        act in an appropriate manner for a high school science student.

·        have everyday a:

               A. pen    B. 3 ring notebook with S.E. 8.5 x 11 inch paper (no spiral bound)  

     C. textbook     D. Calculator (No Graphing calculators, Phones or PDA’s on tests) 

·        be in class, seated, with materials, ready to work when the bell rings. 

If you are not seated when the bell has finished ringing, you may be marked tardy or absent. 

I will not announce that you were tardy.

Please notify me if you enter after the bell-- failure to do so may result in you being marked absent.

·        be responsible for the supplies and equipment that you use.  You will be charged for lost or damaged materials, including your book.

·        clean their lab station before they leave the lab.  Messy lab stations will result in lost points for the group.

·        respect the rights of others to learn and work.

·        follow the directions of the instructor the first time.

·        use all equipment correctly, safely, and as directed.

·        be seated when the dismissal bell rings. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses you.

·        turn off and put away cell phones when you enter the class. Cell phones that are on during class may be confiscated and given to the Administration for retrieval by a parent. Also, cell phones out when a test is out, may also result in a “0” for that test.

 


CONSEQUENCES

   for exemplary behavior may include the following:

·        Extra Credit Points

·        If you are never tardy or truant during the semester you will get 10 extra credit pts.

   for inappropriate behavior may include any of the following (depending on the situation):

·        Warning

·        Change seat/teacher conference

·        Loss of assignment or extra credit points

·        Parent notification/teacher, student, parent conference

·        Referral to Vice Principal

 

 


HINTS FOR SUCCESS

Take good notes.

Review your notes nightly.

Read the book for understanding.

Keep an accurate and orderly notebook.

Come to tutorial (Rm. 12) as often as possible.

Actively participate in all classroom activities.  Remember – learning is achieved through questioning, and “wrong” answers can be a vehicle for learning.

Complete all assignments to the best of your ability.

Keep an open line of communication.  If you let me know what’s going on as soon as possible, we can usually work something out.  Tutorial and after school are good times for this.

This class can be difficult, so please come see me during tutorial or after school for help the instant you get confused.  I really would like everyone to succeed in this course. 

Let's have a great year!

Mr. Wrisley       824-2300 ex.2062