Course Description: In this course, you will learn about the physical world around you. Substances can be described by their chemical structure or properties. Substances can be made of molecules and these molecules are made of atoms. When parts come together, the whole often has properties that are very different from its parts. The formation of compounds results in a great diversity of matter from a limited number of elements. When matter combines, energy is absorbed or released and matter is rearranged to make new substances with new properties.
Intermediate Algebra is prerequisite to this course, and we will be using Algebra as a tool to help us analyze and understand the world around us. The text we will use in class is Modern Chemistry, by Davis. You may also use the USOE OER chemistry text (free pdf version or print version $5.49) as a resource.
What You Will Learn: Chemistry is organized around major concepts of matter, structure, energy, and change. Students will be taught how to think scientifically as they conduct experiments and analyze data. Students will learn the content of the Utah Core Curriculum for Chemistry. The core may be viewed at: http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/
How You Will Show What You Learned: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Chemistry through their lab reports, assignments, projects, quizzes, and unit tests. If you miss class, you need to make it up the work within one week of the date it was assigned or by the unit Late-Work Deadline listed on the online calendar (whichever comes first). After that you may not make it up. If your absence is unexcused, you will receive a zero for the work you missed.
What To Do If You Don’t Learn It: If you begin to feel overwhelmed, or if you think you may need some help, please come see your teacher as soon as possible!!! (Before school/after school.) The sooner you come in for help, the better off you will be. You may also visit the class website for additional help or to download copies of notes, assignments, etc. Chemistry can be a lot of fun, but if you start to get behind, it is easy to feel lost-- and it will quickly get worse if you don’t take action immediately. Make it a priority to stay caught up in this class and to come in for help when you need it.
For the 2016-17 school year, advisory time is incorporated as part of our regular class periods. Please take advantage of the intervention opportunities provided during this time! In some units your teacher may stop to quickly reteach prior concepts during every lesson. In other units there may be one specific day on which your teacher offers the opportunity to improve an assignment score or a day when the teacher provides a mini-lesson on a study or review skill or strategy we think will help you. Please make it your priority to focus and get the maximum benefit from these opportunities.
Lab Experiments: You will be working in lab teams of 2 or 3 students for most experiments, but each student is responsible for completing and turning in his/her own lab report/assignment. For some experiments you are expected to write a formal report in a format you will soon receive. If your teacher notices that one member of a lab team seems to be doing most of the work, the report grade for all team members will be lowered. While some elements of the lab report may be the same for all members of a lab team (such as data and graphs), we expect each individual to write his or her own report. Students and parents must read and sign the Lab Safety Rules & Contract. A student found violating any of the rules may receive a failing grade for the term.
Dry Lab: In some cases, students who miss lab activities will be given “dry lab” data with which to complete their lab report. This is due to the difficulty & inconvenience of recreating the lab setup after the original lab days have been completed.
Quizzes: We may have a quiz as class begins every day. Students who are tardy (for whatever reason) may not take the quiz. The quiz will usually consist of questions from the previous lesson. Except for rare circumstances—e.g., element memorization quizzes—these bell-quizzes are open note. (Students may NOT share notes on quizzes.) Be IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT ready for the quiz when the bell rings to avoid tardies/zeroes. Students talking during the quiz will receive zero (regardless of what they are talking about). “Helping” a classmate on a quiz is the definition of cheating and may result in a zero that is ineligible for makeup.
A prior absence will NOT grant you any extension on a quiz. This means that if you are absent on Day 2, you will still have to take the quiz at the beginning of class on Day 3. It is your responsibility to get the notes (which are available on this site) for the day you missed. You should always do this BEFORE your next day of class in order to avoid a poor quiz score.
Unit Tests: We will take an average of four unit exams each term. Please bring a pencil on test day. You may use a calculator on tests. Bring your own– sharing calculators will not be permitted, nor will the use of your mobile phone as a calculator be permitted. On most unit tests you may also use one-side of a 3”x5” note card with any information on it you would like, provided that (1) you prepare it yourself, and (2) it is handwritten. Students must complete all tests given to be eligible to pass a given term.
Each unit will be relatively short, and the exams will not take the entire class period for most students. There will always be an assignment to be completed after the exam on test days. Those students who use most of the class period working on the test should expect to do the after-exam assignments as homework. Everyone is expected to stay SILENT while working on post-test assignments so that others can complete their tests. Students talking during this time will have their test scores docked and may receive a zero on the test if talking continues after a warning. Phones and music players are prohibited (as always) during these times. Those using any electronic device other than a calculator on test day will receive a zero even if the test has already been submitted.
There are always multiple test versions. Students who do not record the appropriate test version ID will not receive scores. No-name bubble sheets are automatic zeroes. These issues result in a forced retake which will only be allowed to earn partial credit.
Test Remediation:
Term Grades will be given on a total points basis using the following grade scale:
Intermediate Algebra is prerequisite to this course, and we will be using Algebra as a tool to help us analyze and understand the world around us. The text we will use in class is Modern Chemistry, by Davis. You may also use the USOE OER chemistry text (free pdf version or print version $5.49) as a resource.
What You Will Learn: Chemistry is organized around major concepts of matter, structure, energy, and change. Students will be taught how to think scientifically as they conduct experiments and analyze data. Students will learn the content of the Utah Core Curriculum for Chemistry. The core may be viewed at: http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/
How You Will Show What You Learned: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Chemistry through their lab reports, assignments, projects, quizzes, and unit tests. If you miss class, you need to make it up the work within one week of the date it was assigned or by the unit Late-Work Deadline listed on the online calendar (whichever comes first). After that you may not make it up. If your absence is unexcused, you will receive a zero for the work you missed.
What To Do If You Don’t Learn It: If you begin to feel overwhelmed, or if you think you may need some help, please come see your teacher as soon as possible!!! (Before school/after school.) The sooner you come in for help, the better off you will be. You may also visit the class website for additional help or to download copies of notes, assignments, etc. Chemistry can be a lot of fun, but if you start to get behind, it is easy to feel lost-- and it will quickly get worse if you don’t take action immediately. Make it a priority to stay caught up in this class and to come in for help when you need it.
For the 2016-17 school year, advisory time is incorporated as part of our regular class periods. Please take advantage of the intervention opportunities provided during this time! In some units your teacher may stop to quickly reteach prior concepts during every lesson. In other units there may be one specific day on which your teacher offers the opportunity to improve an assignment score or a day when the teacher provides a mini-lesson on a study or review skill or strategy we think will help you. Please make it your priority to focus and get the maximum benefit from these opportunities.
Lab Experiments: You will be working in lab teams of 2 or 3 students for most experiments, but each student is responsible for completing and turning in his/her own lab report/assignment. For some experiments you are expected to write a formal report in a format you will soon receive. If your teacher notices that one member of a lab team seems to be doing most of the work, the report grade for all team members will be lowered. While some elements of the lab report may be the same for all members of a lab team (such as data and graphs), we expect each individual to write his or her own report. Students and parents must read and sign the Lab Safety Rules & Contract. A student found violating any of the rules may receive a failing grade for the term.
Dry Lab: In some cases, students who miss lab activities will be given “dry lab” data with which to complete their lab report. This is due to the difficulty & inconvenience of recreating the lab setup after the original lab days have been completed.
Quizzes: We may have a quiz as class begins every day. Students who are tardy (for whatever reason) may not take the quiz. The quiz will usually consist of questions from the previous lesson. Except for rare circumstances—e.g., element memorization quizzes—these bell-quizzes are open note. (Students may NOT share notes on quizzes.) Be IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT ready for the quiz when the bell rings to avoid tardies/zeroes. Students talking during the quiz will receive zero (regardless of what they are talking about). “Helping” a classmate on a quiz is the definition of cheating and may result in a zero that is ineligible for makeup.
A prior absence will NOT grant you any extension on a quiz. This means that if you are absent on Day 2, you will still have to take the quiz at the beginning of class on Day 3. It is your responsibility to get the notes (which are available on this site) for the day you missed. You should always do this BEFORE your next day of class in order to avoid a poor quiz score.
Unit Tests: We will take an average of four unit exams each term. Please bring a pencil on test day. You may use a calculator on tests. Bring your own– sharing calculators will not be permitted, nor will the use of your mobile phone as a calculator be permitted. On most unit tests you may also use one-side of a 3”x5” note card with any information on it you would like, provided that (1) you prepare it yourself, and (2) it is handwritten. Students must complete all tests given to be eligible to pass a given term.
Each unit will be relatively short, and the exams will not take the entire class period for most students. There will always be an assignment to be completed after the exam on test days. Those students who use most of the class period working on the test should expect to do the after-exam assignments as homework. Everyone is expected to stay SILENT while working on post-test assignments so that others can complete their tests. Students talking during this time will have their test scores docked and may receive a zero on the test if talking continues after a warning. Phones and music players are prohibited (as always) during these times. Those using any electronic device other than a calculator on test day will receive a zero even if the test has already been submitted.
There are always multiple test versions. Students who do not record the appropriate test version ID will not receive scores. No-name bubble sheets are automatic zeroes. These issues result in a forced retake which will only be allowed to earn partial credit.
Test Remediation:
- Each student may retake ONE unit test each term. (There are generally either three or four tests per term.)
- Retakes for a given unit test are only available after the unit late-work-deadline. Retakes are usually available for one week, but may be available for as few as three days if the term end or a school break coincides with the retake week.
- The last unit test of each term does not have a test retake option.
- Retake dates will be posted on the calendar and website.
- It is the student's responsibility to make time to come in during the retake period. If you want the chance for a retake you need to make it a priority!
- There is a 90% ceiling on retakes.
- Your retake score will replace your original score even if it is lower. If you are going to do a retake, you need to STUDY first.
- After a unit late-work-deadline, students will be able to access their test score report via the student portal on Mastery Connect. The Alpine Portal is supposed to work with your Skyward account login. If you have tried your Skyward login there and it did not work, ask your teacher for your login name/temporary password for the Standard Portal. Test results are available from the class "assessments" link.
- After a unit late-work-deadline, specific study days may be announced by the teacher. On those days (at the posted times) students may come in to study their original unit test to determine how improvement can be made. (The original tests may not leave the classroom.)
- There is no overlap between the Study days and Retake days. (I.e., No, you may NOT see your original test on the day you do a Retake. Plan ahead.)
- The same tools (Periodic table, pencil, calculator, 3x5 card, etc) are allowed as with a regular exam. The same rules (no talking, no phones, no calculator-sharing, write name, period & test ID) apply as with a regular exam.
Term Grades will be given on a total points basis using the following grade scale:
|
A: 100-93%
A-: 92-90% B+: 89-87% |
B: 86-83%
B-: 82-80% C+: 79-77% |
C: 76-73%
C-: 72-70% D+: 69-67% |
D: 66-63%
D-: 62-60% F: 59- 0 |
Grading In Class: From time to time we may grade assignments or quizzes in class. Students may be required to grade or review the work of others, and have their work graded or reviewed by other students. I also use student aides to grade some work. Any student found purposefully mis-grading assignments will have his/her grade docked and may be referred to the administration for further consequences.
Progress Reports: You may check your grades on the Skyward website. The teacher may post grades by student ID number in the classroom if necessary. It is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher of any errors (including zeroes which may be the result of no-name-papers) within one week of posting. This is also the case for term grades. Any problem not addressed within a week will no longer be eligible for redress. Check Skyward. Check it early, check it often.
Contact Information: The best way to communicate with the teacher is via email. The teacher may send emails to the entire class with important announcements or reminders. The teacher may also send individual emails regarding grades and assignments. Check your Skyward account now and make certain that both the student and guardian email addresses listed are valid. Don't risk missing opportunities because messages were delivered to an address that has not been used in several years.
Materials: You will need the following with you each class period: A 3-ring binder or folder, lined paper, a pen or pencil, and a scientific calculator. A good scientific calculator that does trig functions and exponential (scientific) notation can be purchased for about $10. A graphing calculator is not required in this course, but may be used if you have one. (Most Math courses at LPHS require a graphing calculator-- check with your teacher.) A cell phone may NOT be used as calculator. Students not prepared with their own calculators will be loaned a calculator at the cost of one slacker-pass-punch. The unprepared student does not have the option to refuse the loan.
Attendance Policy Summary: You are expected to be on time, and come to class every day. Lone Peak High School has established an attendance policy to promote increased opportunities for learning and reduction in classroom interruptions. Below is a summary of student attendance expectations. Should a student go over established limits, he/she will lose credit in the class until the issue is resolved by attending Attendance School or a successful appeal to the administration. When students are absent, parents should contact the attendance office (763-7064) to verify the absence within 2 weeks. This is the only way to excuse an absence.
Tardy Marks: Students who are not in their seat when the bell rings may be required to either (1) go to the attendance office to check in with a Tardy mark or (2) sign in on a clipboard by the door. Students failing to take the appropriate action will be left with an Absent mark. Students arriving late with a note from a teacher or parent must check in through the attendance office for the note to be taken into account.
Slacker Passes / Extra Credit: Students will be issued a ‘Slacker Pass’ at the beginning of each term with a limited number of “punches.” These will not be replaced if they are lost or stolen. The number of punches available may decrease each term. Punches can be used for any of the following: using the Hall Pass during class, asking the teacher to look up your grade for you, loan of a calculator, turning in a late assignment, taking a missed (tardy) quiz, redoing an assignment, etc. On the last day of each term, unused punches on the Slacker Pass may be turned in for bonus points. That’s all the extra credit there is—be careful how you use your Slacker Pass. No bonus points of any kind will be applied to your grade if you do not yet have a passing grade based on your own merits. Any assignment not turned in will cost a punch on your pass. If you do not have an appropriate calculator, you will be charged a punch to borrow one—whether you want to or not.
Homework Policy: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Some assignments will be corrected in class, some corrected by the teacher. On occasions when students are allowed to keep a completed assignment, the assignment will be quickly checked and stamped during class. To receive a stamp the assignment must be completed, or at least attempted with reasonable work shown for every problem. When pre-stamped assignments are turned in for final grading, a stamped paper will be eligible for 100%, while a paper without a stamp will receive a maximum of 50%.
Absent/Late Work Policy: Any assignment turned in after the initial passing-in during class must be turned in with a “LATE” form stapled to it. (Even if it is later the same period/day.) If the late form is not filled out completely and accurately, the assignment will not receive credit. Lack of attention on your part does not grant you an exception! Pass things in when they are requested. Turn absent/late work in to the appropriate location with the required form filled out completely. Use the calendar on the class website if you need to look up dates.
An absence on the day the assignment is given results in ONE additional class period to turn it in. An absence on the day the assignment is due results in ONE additional class period to turn it in. If the assignment is online (Skyward), absence on the due date DOES NOT grant any additional time. (In the case of extended absence, it is the responsibility of the student to speak to the teacher on the day the student returns to class to arrange a case-specific deadline for missed work.)
Assignments that are LATE (not due to excused absence) will cost a punch on the slacker pass to be eligible for credit. I reserve the right to refuse any assignment that is more than one week late. Each unit will have a late work deadline approximately one week after the exam. No assignments from the unit will be accepted for credit after the unit late work deadline has passed. (All of the unit late-work deadlines are already posted on the online calendar.)
Final Exam: We will have a comprehensive state end-of-level test fourth term. Questions for the comprehensive exam may be taken from anything topic covered during the entire year. It is strongly encouraged that you keep your notes organized so that you can use them to review for this exam at the end of the year.
Participation: We expect you to follow the Knight Code of Conduct:
· Treat fellow students with respect and consideration.
· Treat school staff members with respect.
· Attend school regularly.
· Be honest.
· Keep illegal substances away from the school.
· Be ON TIME to class.
Cell phones and music players (iPod or otherwise) are forbidden in this class. If I see it, if I hear it, if someone else sees or hears it– it will be confiscated. I do not care what your excuse is, and I do not care whether it was on or not. This will also affect your participation grade. Students who refuse to hand over these devices on demand will be referred to the administration.
School Dress Code is enforced. Sleeves must have a cap. Shorts must end closer to the knee than the bend of the hip. Leggings are NOT pants. They must be covered by a shirt or skirt that ends closer to the knee than the bend of the hip. If the teacher feels that your apparel is in violation of the dress code, you will be sent to the office. This is not a matter for discussion with the teacher. When a note or comment from the teacher requests that the student go to the main office for dress code reasons, the student is expected to immediately go to the main office, not to dispute the call. If the office notifies the teacher that the student in question did not arrive, the student will be referred to the attendance office as a truancy in addition to being reported to administration as a dress code violation.
Progress Reports: You may check your grades on the Skyward website. The teacher may post grades by student ID number in the classroom if necessary. It is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher of any errors (including zeroes which may be the result of no-name-papers) within one week of posting. This is also the case for term grades. Any problem not addressed within a week will no longer be eligible for redress. Check Skyward. Check it early, check it often.
Contact Information: The best way to communicate with the teacher is via email. The teacher may send emails to the entire class with important announcements or reminders. The teacher may also send individual emails regarding grades and assignments. Check your Skyward account now and make certain that both the student and guardian email addresses listed are valid. Don't risk missing opportunities because messages were delivered to an address that has not been used in several years.
Materials: You will need the following with you each class period: A 3-ring binder or folder, lined paper, a pen or pencil, and a scientific calculator. A good scientific calculator that does trig functions and exponential (scientific) notation can be purchased for about $10. A graphing calculator is not required in this course, but may be used if you have one. (Most Math courses at LPHS require a graphing calculator-- check with your teacher.) A cell phone may NOT be used as calculator. Students not prepared with their own calculators will be loaned a calculator at the cost of one slacker-pass-punch. The unprepared student does not have the option to refuse the loan.
Attendance Policy Summary: You are expected to be on time, and come to class every day. Lone Peak High School has established an attendance policy to promote increased opportunities for learning and reduction in classroom interruptions. Below is a summary of student attendance expectations. Should a student go over established limits, he/she will lose credit in the class until the issue is resolved by attending Attendance School or a successful appeal to the administration. When students are absent, parents should contact the attendance office (763-7064) to verify the absence within 2 weeks. This is the only way to excuse an absence.
- Students are allowed three (3) tardies per class each term.
- Students are allowed four (4) excused absences per class each term.
- Students are not allowed any (0) un-excused absences or truancies each term.
- No mark = the student was present in class, and on time.
- T = the student was tardy (not seated in the classroom before the bell)
- V = the student was very tardy (more than 20 minutes, but less than 1/2 the class period)
- X = the student was absent (and unexcused) or arrived when less than half of the class period remained
Tardy Marks: Students who are not in their seat when the bell rings may be required to either (1) go to the attendance office to check in with a Tardy mark or (2) sign in on a clipboard by the door. Students failing to take the appropriate action will be left with an Absent mark. Students arriving late with a note from a teacher or parent must check in through the attendance office for the note to be taken into account.
Slacker Passes / Extra Credit: Students will be issued a ‘Slacker Pass’ at the beginning of each term with a limited number of “punches.” These will not be replaced if they are lost or stolen. The number of punches available may decrease each term. Punches can be used for any of the following: using the Hall Pass during class, asking the teacher to look up your grade for you, loan of a calculator, turning in a late assignment, taking a missed (tardy) quiz, redoing an assignment, etc. On the last day of each term, unused punches on the Slacker Pass may be turned in for bonus points. That’s all the extra credit there is—be careful how you use your Slacker Pass. No bonus points of any kind will be applied to your grade if you do not yet have a passing grade based on your own merits. Any assignment not turned in will cost a punch on your pass. If you do not have an appropriate calculator, you will be charged a punch to borrow one—whether you want to or not.
Homework Policy: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Some assignments will be corrected in class, some corrected by the teacher. On occasions when students are allowed to keep a completed assignment, the assignment will be quickly checked and stamped during class. To receive a stamp the assignment must be completed, or at least attempted with reasonable work shown for every problem. When pre-stamped assignments are turned in for final grading, a stamped paper will be eligible for 100%, while a paper without a stamp will receive a maximum of 50%.
Absent/Late Work Policy: Any assignment turned in after the initial passing-in during class must be turned in with a “LATE” form stapled to it. (Even if it is later the same period/day.) If the late form is not filled out completely and accurately, the assignment will not receive credit. Lack of attention on your part does not grant you an exception! Pass things in when they are requested. Turn absent/late work in to the appropriate location with the required form filled out completely. Use the calendar on the class website if you need to look up dates.
An absence on the day the assignment is given results in ONE additional class period to turn it in. An absence on the day the assignment is due results in ONE additional class period to turn it in. If the assignment is online (Skyward), absence on the due date DOES NOT grant any additional time. (In the case of extended absence, it is the responsibility of the student to speak to the teacher on the day the student returns to class to arrange a case-specific deadline for missed work.)
Assignments that are LATE (not due to excused absence) will cost a punch on the slacker pass to be eligible for credit. I reserve the right to refuse any assignment that is more than one week late. Each unit will have a late work deadline approximately one week after the exam. No assignments from the unit will be accepted for credit after the unit late work deadline has passed. (All of the unit late-work deadlines are already posted on the online calendar.)
Final Exam: We will have a comprehensive state end-of-level test fourth term. Questions for the comprehensive exam may be taken from anything topic covered during the entire year. It is strongly encouraged that you keep your notes organized so that you can use them to review for this exam at the end of the year.
Participation: We expect you to follow the Knight Code of Conduct:
· Treat fellow students with respect and consideration.
· Treat school staff members with respect.
· Attend school regularly.
· Be honest.
· Keep illegal substances away from the school.
· Be ON TIME to class.
- Take care of equipment & school property (do not write on desks, etc.)
- Horseplay in the lab area is forbidden, as is playing with any equipment set up in the room. Do not touch lab equipment without permission.
- Leave class only when dismissed (or by permission of the teacher). Leaving class early will result in being marked truant (even if it was near the end of class).
- The teacher may assign participation points at his/her discretion. Students who are disrespectful or disruptive to the educational process may receive negative participation points.
- Any student who continues to negatively affect the learning opportunities of other students after receiving a warning and/or negative participation points may be forced to transfer out.
- If the teacher suspects students of cheating or other dishonest behavior on any assignment (homework/lab/quiz/test) the student may be required to complete a second (alternate) version to verify the ability to do the assignment on his/her own. In most cases this will mean fill in the blank questions will replace multiple choice questions.
Cell phones and music players (iPod or otherwise) are forbidden in this class. If I see it, if I hear it, if someone else sees or hears it– it will be confiscated. I do not care what your excuse is, and I do not care whether it was on or not. This will also affect your participation grade. Students who refuse to hand over these devices on demand will be referred to the administration.
School Dress Code is enforced. Sleeves must have a cap. Shorts must end closer to the knee than the bend of the hip. Leggings are NOT pants. They must be covered by a shirt or skirt that ends closer to the knee than the bend of the hip. If the teacher feels that your apparel is in violation of the dress code, you will be sent to the office. This is not a matter for discussion with the teacher. When a note or comment from the teacher requests that the student go to the main office for dress code reasons, the student is expected to immediately go to the main office, not to dispute the call. If the office notifies the teacher that the student in question did not arrive, the student will be referred to the attendance office as a truancy in addition to being reported to administration as a dress code violation.
