Chemistry+A+and+B+Syllabus


 * COURSE SYLLABUS:** Chemistry A and B
 * ACADEMIC YEAR:** 2009-2010
 * TEACHER:** Mr. Munson


 * PRIMARY TEXT:** "World of Chemistry". Zumdahl, Zumdal, and DeCoste, McDougal Littell, 1st Ed. 2007.


 * COURSE DESCRIPTION:** Chemistry is the study of materials, their composition and structure, and the changes they undergo. Chemistry is a body of systematized knowledge gained from observation, study, and experimentation; as opposed to guesswork and opinions. You will be better able to understand the nature of the materials around you. Numerous practical benefits accrue from an understanding of chemistry. The food, clothing, building materials, and medicines that are necessary to life are products of the application of chemical knowledge. This is a time when there is great concern about complex problems affecting the quality of life. Many of these relate to the contamination of our environment. Chemistry will help us understand the causes and potential solutions to many of these problems.

1. Students will learn the facts, formulas, and principles that compose the standard high school curriculum. 2. Students will understand the basic concepts underlying the facts, formulas, and principles. 3. Students will develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills essential in chemistry. 4. Prepare students for college work in science and related fields.
 * COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:**

**ACADEMIC PROCEDURES** 1. In order to be considered prepared for class you must not only be present everyday, but also bring the following materials every day: - 3 - ring notebook/binder w/ loose-leaf paper - Your textbook. - School Agenda book - to keep track of assignments. - Pencil or pen. - A calculator.

2. All class notes, assignments, tests, quizzes and handouts are to be kept in the 3 - ring binder. Everything in your binder must be neat, labeled and organized. I will make occasional checks of your binder so keep it current.

3. Each assignment given is due the following day unless I say otherwise. If you miss a class it is YOUR responsibility to get any missed assignments from me and complete them. A continually updated list of assignments will be posted online (munsonclassroom.wikispaces.com) at all times.

4. I will try to be available for extra help as often as possible. If you are having any problems or just have a small question, feel free to see me. If you wait until you are lost you have waited too long.

5. I encourage you to study together and to work together on assignments and labs. Bouncing ideas off peers and discussing concepts are vital in science. This does not mean copying someone else's work!

Daily Assignments 5% Assignment Quizzes 10% Labs 10% Projects 10% Chapter Quizzes 15% Unit Tests 30% Final Exams 20%
 * Academic Integrity:** Honesty and integrity are essential for work in science as well as life in general. Cheating will not be tolerated. The consequences will be a zero on the assignment/test for all those involved and a meeting with the administration and any additional consequences laid out by the administration. If more than one incidence occurs, then additional consequences will be determined, up to receiving no credit for the course.
 * GRADING POLICY**
 * Course Requirements and Weights:**


 * Daily Assignments:** Include all homework assignments and are given marks according to completion. These assignments are to be placed in the Daily Assignments bin at the appropriate time. Unexcused late daily assignments will be given half credit. You will receive full credit for a daily assignment if you put thought into answering all questions completely – even if none of your answers are correct. We will go over the correct answers together in class and any concepts that you don’t understand need to be discussed. You will not receive any extra credit if any daily assignment is missing.


 * Completeness ||  Score  ||
 * 100% ||  4  ||
 * 75% ||  3  ||
 * 50% ||  2  ||
 * 25% ||  1  ||
 * 0% ||  0  ||
 * Assignment Quizzes:** Are quizzes where the answers are found directly from "Daily Assignments." Marks are given according to correctness. These quizzes may or may not be announced and might request information from a previous unit. These quizzes must be made up (before or after school) within a week of the original quiz date. Missing assignment quizzes will receive a zero. Make sure to talk to me about the best time to make it up.


 * Labs:** Labs are a great way to form knowledge. Mostly, labs will be graded on completeness and participation, not correctness. If you miss the day of the lab, you must make it up (before or after school) within a week of the original lab date. Make sure to talk to me about the best time to make it up.


 * Chapter Quizzes:** Are quizzes that test your knowledge and skills found in a chapter of the text. These quizzes may call upon knowledge and skills from previous chapters. These quizzes will be announced in advance. No notes will be allowed during these quizzes. These quizzes will be marked according to correctness. These quizzes must be made up (before or after school) within a week of the original quiz date. Make sure to talk to me about the best time to make it up.


 * Unit Tests:** Are tests that test your knowledge and skills found throughout a whole unit. These tests may call upon knowledge and skills from previous chapters and units. These tests will be announced in advance and will take place after a small review session. These tests will be marked according to correctness. These quizzes must be made up (before or after school) within a week of the original quiz date. Make sure to talk to me about the best time to make it up.


 * Final Exam(s):** Are tests that will test all the knowledge and skills presented through the class materials up to that point. These tests will be announced in advance and will take place after a substantial review session. These tests will be marked according to correctness. Any student who receives a percentage of 95% or higher will earn the right to have their lowest unit test score removed from their final grade.

YOU CAN RE-TAKE ANY CHAPTER QUIZ OR UNIT TEST AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS. You will receive at least an average of the two scores.

Grade Scale: 94-100 A 90-94 A- 87-90 B+ 83-87 B 80-83 B- 77-80 C+ 73-77 C 70-73 C- 67-70 D+ 63-67 D 60-63 D- 0-60 F


 * RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY**

RESPECT OTHERS - Your behavior reflects your character. Show respect to everyone (students, teachers and yes, even substitutes). No foul language. Basically - use common sense.

RESPECT YOURSELF - Give yourself a chance to succeed. Come on time and be prepared for class. More than four (4) tardies will result in a semester failure. Stay on task during class, complete all homework assignments, and study for tests and quizzes. ANY CELL PHONE USAGE IS INAPPROPRIATE AND WILL BE CONFISCATED. Please leave your cell phone in your locker. Your cell phone will be able to be retrieved from your dean (as explained in the school handbook). Most of all - ASK QUESTIONS! If you are unclear about something I guarantee someone else is too!

RESPECT MATERIALS and FACILITIES - Drinks or food (including gum) are not allowed in the classroom. Textbooks, desks and books should not be written on. The phone, computer, and any lab or other equipment in the classroom may not be used without permission.

You will be held responsible for your actions! Failure to act in a respectful or responsible manner in following the rules and procedures of this class and those in the student handbook will be dealt with on an individual basis with the teacher, Dean of Students, and parents.

Basically, just use common sense and give yourself the best chance to succeed.