Differentiated Chemistry Syllabus

							                                       Differentiated Chemistry Syllabus

Michael Geist                                                                                  E-mail: mgeist@lps.org
Office: B117                                                                                   http://isite.lps.org/mgeist
Availability: Before Period 1, after Period 3

Course outline:

Chemistry is a field of science that deals with studying the composition of matter and the changes matter undergo. In
this semester, you will learn the definition and applications of chemistry, matter and change, scientific measurement,
problem solving strategies, graphical analysis, chemical names and formulas, identifying and predicting chemical
reactions, relationships among quantities of chemicals, formula calculations, concentration, and using equations of
reactions to calculate yields.

Tentative outline (with some adjustments in order being made):
• Chapter One: Activities of Science
   o Part 1: Applying a Scientific Method
   o Part 2: Using Mathematical Knowledge
   o Part 3: Developing Tools for Analysis
   o Part 4: Exploring Matter
• Chapter Two: Describing Matter
   o Part 1: Defining Mixtures and Pure Substances
   o Part 2: Symbols and Names of Molecular Compounds
   o Part 3: Formulas and Names of Ionic Compounds
• Chapter Three: Chemical Reactions and Equations
   o Part 1: Identifying Chemical Reactions
   o Part 2: Regularities in Chemical Reactions
• Chapter Four: Molar Relationships
   o Part 1: Counting Atoms
   o Part 2: Concentration
   o Part 3: Formula Calculations
• Chapter Five: Stoichiometry
   o Section 5.1: Quantitative Meaning of Equations
   o Section 5.2: Adjusting to Reality
• Additional chapters and/or review for the final exam

Class outline:

•   You will be expected to participate in all class discussions and will read any and all material assigned in order to
    prepare for these discussions.
•   You will participate in and document laboratory experiments and, as an individual, will document your findings.
    Additionally, a specified format for laboratory experiment reports will be handed out to you and adhered to
    throughout the course of the term.
•   You will do assignments from each chapter of the book as indicated by the instructor to reinforce important
    material covered in the course of that chapter.
•   Any project in the course of the term related to concepts you have learned or will learn during the course of the
    term will be entered as a grade in the test/lab activities category.
•   The final exam will be developed by your instructor and administered at the end of the term.

Classroom rules/expectations:

•   EVERYONE is to be treated with respect at all times. People of different gender, race, religion, and sexual
    orientation contribute to a better experience to be shared by all in and out of class. It is in your best interests as
    well as enjoyment of the class to cooperate, share, and contribute to all people in class as best you can. Anything
    to disrupt respect in the classroom will be addressed immediately according to school and district policy.
•   It is important for all classroom participants, teachers and students, to be punctual and always prepared. Although
    we cannot always avoid being late or unprepared, habitual tardiness and lack of preparation will not be allowed
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    and will be reflected in your grade. You are considered tardy if you enter class following the bell ringing to signal
    the beginning of class. During third block classes, you may still be counted tardy as well as returning from lunch
    late.
•   Time will not be permitted in class for doing homework. Albeit guided practice and independent practice will be
    done in class, time does not permit doing homework (hence the name, homework). Additionally, as is also done in
    college, should one section end in class, you may be reasonably expect to move on to a new section. In other
    words, there will be no idle time in class.
•   You will receive a copy of the lab safety rules. This copy must be signed, along with this syllabus, in order to
    participate in laboratory activities, and both must be adhered to throughout the course of the semester. NOTE: If
    a laboratory experiment requires you to wear any personal protective equipment (i.e., goggles, apron, etc.), they
    must be worn at all times. Failure to do so will result in your dismissal from the laboratory experiment and
    consequently a lower laboratory grade.
•   No walkmans, portable CD players, headphones, cellular phones, MP3 players, beepers, etc. will be
    allowed in the classroom or computer lab. If you have a question about this or related guidelines, please see
    me before bringing an item into class. Should you bring such an item, it will be confiscated and referred to
    administration.
•   No material should be opened, written, or applied in class that will interfere with the maintenance of classroom
    management and continuity. This includes, but is not limited to, magazines, separate reading material, personal
    notes or notes related to other classes, application of makeup, styling of hair, etc. Any materials which are not
    related to class that are used or created during class will be confiscated. Personal notes will not be returned at
    any time.
•   Books are to be covered at all times. Books should be covered with papers, not with adhesive plastic. Also, at
    the end of the semester, you will be required to vacate the book of all papers and the cover you have put on the
    book. Any damage incurred to the book by not covering or mistreatment and negligence of the book will be
    charged to you at the end of the semester.
•   As this class demands participation and preparedness, it is in your best interests to come to class fully rested.
    Sleeping/napping is not acceptable behavior in class and will result in dismissal from the classroom. Such activity
    logically suggests possible drug usage or suspicious behavior and will be investigated accordingly by the school
    nurse or administration.
•   You are expected to bring a pencil, notebook, calculator, and textbook with you to class every day. You will be
    issued a textbook during the first week of class. It is your responsibility to report any damage that may already be
    present with the textbook you receive so you are not fined for that damage at the end of the course.

Classroom preparation and grading:

Full preparation for classroom discussion and participation will most likely require anywhere from thirty minutes to an
hour or more a day outside of class. This includes reviewing notes, reading the material from the book, and working
on problems. Some days, including those before and after more intense concepts, will require more time. It is your
responsibility to be adequately prepared and make sufficient time reservations outside of class to come to class
prepared.

My means of grading the same as those of the Lincoln Southwest High School Science Department and are as
follows:

          A = 90.0 – 100.0     B+ = 85.0 – 89.9      B = 80.0 – 84.9     C+ = 75.0 – 79.9      C = 70.0 – 74.9
                               D+ = 65.0 – 69.9       D = 60.0 – 64.9     F = 0.0 – 59.9

Although the points a test or quiz is worth might change, as follows is the normal scheme for percentages of your final
grade in this course:

Tests/Lab Activities: Approximately 70%
• Partial credit, in applicable problems, will be provided on all tests as long as you show RELEVANT work. On
   tests, work MUST be shown to receive full credit. Otherwise, the logical conclusions to draw from seeing a right
   answer is that a student has cheated or guessed, neither of which demonstrates that the student has mastered the
   associated objectives. Failure to show relevant work on an objective will result in no credit.
• There are NO retests for tests/lab activities/projects.
Quizzes: Approximately 15%
• Quizzes cannot be retaken, and you may expect a quiz at least once a week.
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•   Partial credit will be provided on all quizzes as long as you show RELEVANT work. On quizzes, work MUST be
    shown to receive full credit. Otherwise, the logical conclusions to draw from seeing a right answer are that a
    student has cheated or guessed, neither of which demonstrates that the student has mastered the associated
    objective. Quizzes will all be related to assigned homework problems.
•   There are NO retests for quizzes.

Final exam(s): Approximately 15%
o There are NO retests for a final exam(s).

Grades will be made available as often as is possible and feasible to that you are able to track your progress in this
class. If the grades made available are not as current as the most recently graded assignment, feel free to ask me
what your current grade is and I will be more than happy to share it with you. Grades will also be available online at
http://isite.lps.org/mgeist/Grade.

Classroom procedures (other reasonable procedures may be created as the semester progresses):

•   Raised hand. When I raise my hand in class, that signal indicates that conversation with any other individual
    should stop until I ask for a response from you. Talking when I raise my hand is disrespectful and will be
    addressed accordingly. Similarly, when another student has his/her hand raised or is talking to me during
    classroom discussion, the same policy is in effect.
•   Visitors. When a visitor enters the room, that is someone who is not normally in class (i.e., the principal, another
    teacher, etc.), it is expected that you will respect those visitors and myself as is normally expected.
•   Tests and quizzes. When a test or quiz is being given, at no time should anyone be talking. If you have a
    question, silently raise your hand and I will assist you as much as I can. NOTE: Any talking or suspicious
    communication (including any nonverbal communication) made during or after a test or quiz prior to
    teacher approval will result in the removal of your test or quiz, a grade for EACH test objective of no more
    than 60%, and no ability for test corrections. If you continue to talk or otherwise communicate with others
    after this has occurred, you will be removed from the classroom and appropriate consequences will
    follow. Tests and quizzes are some of the greatest assessment and grading tools at your disposal, and
    interrupting another individual's self-assessment is disrespectful and, more importantly, damaging to the students
    still taking their tests or quizzes.
•   Substitute teachers. If I am unable to be in class and have a substitute teacher take my place for any amount of
    time, you will be expected and required to provide the utmost respect for the substitute teacher and extend the
    teacher every courtesy and fulfill every request. Failure to do so will result in administrative action upon my return.
    Should I receive no negative comments from the substitute teacher upon my return and you wish to have the
    teacher return should I be absent again, I will personally request that substitute return. However, should I receive
    no negative comments from the substitute teacher upon my return and you do not wish to have the teacher return
    should I be absent again, I will personally request that the substitute will not return and I will make other
    arrangements.
•   Test corrections. A student will only be allowed to conduct test corrections if the student has done relevant work
    for all problems on that test objective. Failure to do so will preclude the student from being able to perform test
    corrections for that test objective. Correct test corrections with explanations of error will return 50% of the credit
    lost for that objective.

Other important notes:

•   GET HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Students who put off asking questions or getting help when they need it get
    further and further behind. E-mail me (mgeist@lps.org - the best way to get a hold of me outside of school), try
    calling me, hunt me down between classes, during class, or whenever is convenient.
•   Check your grades often. From previous experience, students who do not keep accurate recollections of their
    grades and find out at the last minute have difficult times trying to get the grades they desire (i.e., overstudying for
    final exams, etc.).
•   Let your parents know how to contact me. If you happen to get behind at all, it helps tremendously for your
    parents and I to collaborate on an effective way of helping you.
•   Keep a positive mental attitude. Chemistry will undoubtedly be a much different experience for you, but it is a very
    fun subject.


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I have read the Differentiated Chemistry Syllabus and abide to these rules as well as any consequences set forth by
the teacher, administration, and/or school district for my violation of such rules.




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      (Student’s signature)                 (Student’s printed name)                    (Date)




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     (Guardian’s signature)                (Guardian’s printed name)                    (Date)




____________________________________             _________________________________
       (Guardian’s e-mail address)                (Guardian’s daytime phone number)




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