Dr. Sharon M. Palmer
Textbook, Chemistry: Chemistry for Changing Times, Hill & Kolb, 9th edition
In order to study chemistry, you must learn how to make measurements, pose and test hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, interpret experimental findings, and communicate and defend a scientific argument. Carrying out experiments serves to illustrate both the scientific method and specific chemical concepts. Doing homework and interpreting your experimental findings will help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I hope that you will be experiencing science as experiential, dynamic, and, most importantly, relevant to your everyday lives.
Course Outline:
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Assessment is calculated on a point basis; the percentages below are approximate (except for the trimester exam, which will count for exactly 20% of the trimester grade). Students will keep track of their grades regularly.
For each unit you will:
| Quizzes/Tests | 30% |
| Homework | 25% |
| Labs | 25% |
| Exam | 20% |
Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory periods, and to arrive on time.
Required Course Materials; bring to class every day:
You will not be excused to retrieve these from your locker once class has begun. I will let you know if you should bring your textbook to class; in general, they may be left at home.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. If they are not turned in at the beginning of class, they are one day LATE (you will not be able to retrieve homework from your locker or finish up or print off assignments at the beginning of class). Assignments turned in one day late will be docked 10% the first day, 20% the second day, and so on. No homework more than a week late will be accepted. In the case of excused absences, homework may be turned in upon your return to school for full credit.
Bathroom passes are not for filling water bottles, going to your locker or another classroom, or for visiting in the hallways. They are for occasional use and may not be used during the first five or last ten minutes of class, while a test is being taken, or while instructions that you must hear are being given. Plan accordingly.
Daily homework/classwork will generally not be collected and graded; you will be given credit for completing the assignment and we will go over them in class; consequently, late homework results in zero credit. Sometimes you will have a “mini-quiz” based on the homework instead. There may be exceptions and these need not be announced in advance. This homework is a vital part of your progress in this class. It is very important that you do not fall behind. Seek help after school ASAP if needed.
The successful student will:
Class Participation is not a formal part of your grade. However, please note that class participation can, in some circumstances, affect your grade. You will be evaluated on how well you follow the laboratory guidelines and to what extent you contribute to a positive learning environment in general. Coming to class tardy or without your notebook, pencil, or calculator, and excessive use of passes may count against you.
If you are absent from class, you can contact me or a classmate or check this website during your absence, and you may make an appointment to see me after school upon your return. Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up promptly (or else you will fall behind). Note that it is difficult to make up laboratory work. You must make arrangements to complete lab work and turn in your lab report within one week of your absence. Work not made up promptly will not receive full credit. See the Student Handbook for additional information.
You are expected to make every effort to be in class on Quiz/Test days. If you miss a Test due to an excused absence, please contact me (or have your parent/guardian do so) that morning to let me know you will be out, and you will take the make-up Test on the day that you return to class – after school, during a Directed Study period, or, if necessary, instead of class that day. If you will miss a test due to a planned absence, you must make necessary arrangements in advance. If you are absent only part of the day, it is your responsibility to make arrangements in advance to turn in homework and take Tests that same day.
Please contact me if you need extra help – and don’t delay. I will be available daily after school. Please note that conversations about make-up work, individual grades, scheduled absences, or other personal problems cannot be held during class time.
From outside of school, you can reach me most easily at palmers@arps.org or by leaving a message at 362-1537.
For parents, e-mail is probably easiest, when possible.
You are encouraged to work together on homework, lab reports, and other assignments. However, everyone must complete one’s own assignments, and all written work must be yours and yours alone. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and will be referred to the administration, as described in the student handbook.
DO NOT bring cell phones, CD/MP3 players, headphones, or other electronic devices to class. Remove your headphones before you enter the classroom. I don’t want to see or hear cell phones. These items will be confiscated and returned to your parent/guardian, or to you at the end of the semester.