Syllabus and Classroom Guidelines
Print the syllabus and keep it in your binder.
Remember to always follow the classrroom guidelines
Glendale High School
Science Department
Chemistry Course Syllabus & Classroom Guidelines
Mrs. Jahshan
A. KEY CONCEPT OF COURSE:
Chemistry 1-2 is a college prep class which fulfills your high school physical science graduation requirement, as well as the UC’s requirement for one year of a lab physical science. This course follows the California State Standards for Chemistry. The math prerequisite is a C or better in Algebra 1AB. Chemistry is one of my favorite passions, and it is the foundation of all other sciences. The subject is really a worldwide language composed of concepts and mathematics understood by all educated peoples. In this class you will become aware of the importance of chemistry in your everyday life, learn about scientific events as they apply to history, discover the difference between fact and fiction in science, and you will find out how math is applied in the science of chemistry.
B. GENERAL PLAN FOR COURSE:
Students are expected to be in their assigned seat before the tardy-bell, ready to copy the White Board Configuration and answer the Do Now questions while teacher is checking the Homework . After discussing the objective of the day and taking notes from lecture or book, students have to complete the class work neatly as they are collaborating with classmates and getting help from the teacher. Daily easy homework will be given (either taking notes on a chapter section or practice more exercices like the one explained in class. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Group work is assigned during lab session where every student has to participate, follow procedure and instructions and focus on the work assigned for the group.
C. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
There will be lecture and note taking, solving problems, demonstrations, lab work, group work and projects. You should be focused on the work assigned and stay on task all the time. Homework is to be done every night and checked at the beginning of class. You will do well at school when you practice at home what you have learned in class.
Keeping an organized notebook is required and will be checked at any time. You will need 4 dividers with tabs. Tabs will be in the following order and labeled as follow:
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES, SAFETY RULES & HANDOUTS
WHITEBOARD CONFIGURATION and DO NOW
NOTES /CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK (organized by chapters)
TESTS, QUIZZES & LAB WORK
You will also need: Pencils and pens (blue, black, green and red)
Highlighter
Calculator
D. TEXTBOOK TO BE USED:
CHEMISTRY MATTER AND CHANGE by Glencoe Science
There will be a class set so students can keep their book at home, covered at all times.
In case you don't have access to your book for any reason, you can find it on line using Mr. Wigger ( My wonderful Chemistry Colleague) webpage
http://www.mrwiggersci.com/chem/Text-CMC/
E. TEACHER AVAILABILITY:
I am available for tutoring or make up work on Thursdays during lunch and Wednesdays after school for students who need extra help, but it is your responsibility to show up with a question ready to ask not just "I don't get it"
I love to be in close contact with parents in any way to enhance the students’ learning, so please PARENTS! Feel free to Email me on njahshan@gusd.net or call me after school at (818) 242-3161 extension 84414
F. SAFETY STANDARDS:
Lab Safety Guidelines must be always followed in every Lab session. A handout for Lab Safety Guidelines will be distributed and it has to be signed and kept in folder.
G. ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS:
Daily attendance to class is expected. If you have an EXCUSED ABSENCE, then make sure your parents call the school to clear your absence . Call the alpha center
Remember it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed. You have to make up the class work and show up with your homework done so that you don’t lose credit. Therefore, I advise you to have at least 2 study – buddies (friends from class) to call, meet and discuss with them what you have missed.
I will try my best to post everyday Classwork and Homework on my website:
www.mrs.jahchan.mysite.com
so I will not accept any excuses, since YOU and YOUR PARENTS can be informed about the Classwork and Homework at any time.
Tests and quizzes must be made up the day you return from a single excused absence, after school. (A longer delay may be arranged if illness causes extended absence.) Therefore, avoid being absent, since it will cost you more time, more effort and a zero in case you fail to take the make-up test on time.
As for tardiness, the school rule will be enforced. I usually call home after the second one. Excessive tardies will result in a poor citizenship and it will surely affect your grade level since homework will be checked only during the first 3 minutes of class, then you will miss instructions and won’t be able to finish your class work on time.
G. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
I expect my students to have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. You have to take responsibility for creating a positive classroom environment by following the simplest rules:
1- Be polite. Respect everyone’s space, privacy, and opinion and all will do the same for you
2- Listen attentively to instructions. No talking while the teacher is talking.
3- Raise your hand to talk or for permission to get out of your seat.
4- If you are working with a partner or group, use your “quiet voice “
5- No eating, drinking or gum chewing is allowed in class.
6- Be dismissed by the teacher, not the bell
7- The above rules also apply when a substitute teacher covers the class.
Being all, young adults eager to learn, I expect not to have any discipline problems and concentrate on a better learning time. But if you choose to break the classroom rules, here are the CONSEQUENCES:
Progressive discipline will be used unless the situation requires an immediate referral to the appropriate administrator. The steps are:
1- Verbal warning and seat change.
2- Student-Teacher conference.
3- Sent out to finish work in the chairperson’s room.
4- Phone call home or to parent’s work
5- Detention
6- Referral to appropriate administrator which includes a conference with the parent, student and administrator
CHEATING IS A SERIOUS OFFENSE.
· I do not expect anyone to cheat. Some examples of cheating are looking at another student’s test, talking at any time during a test, writing on the desk, bringing in prepared work, cheat notes, plagiarizing a paper, falsifying work, etc. This is not an exhaustive list.
· In order to enforce truthfulness and honesty in testing, if the teacher suspects your grade on a test is higher than it should be for your knowledge of the subject (based on your responses during class prior to the test), you may be subject to an oral exam with the teacher or take one more test to certify your knowledge of the subject matter tested.
CONSEQUENCES:
When you are caught you will receive a double zero on that assignment, detention, a referral and a phone call home and notation in your discipline screen.
NOTE: If there is cheating of any kind, ALL PARTIES INVOLVED will be subject to the consequences above. Saying that you did not know your paper was being copied is NOT an excuse. Keep your papers covered and in your possession at all times.
All school Discipline policies will be enforced, specially:
The use of electronic devices (i.e. iPods, portable video games, ear buds, etc) is also not allowed during the instructional day. The use/presence of an electronic device during any form of assessment will result in a grade of "0" on the assessment, a teacher phone call home, and administrative action.
H. ASSESSMENTS:
Class work and homework are checked daily, out of 5 points each. You can earn 100pts every two weeks. I expect all of you to do CW/HW which will help you learn better and keep a good grade. A quiz is given on every chapter out of 20 to 50 pts. Then a cumulative test follows every 2 or 3 chapters out of 100pts. Quizzes and tests will be always corrected in class and most of the questions will be included on the Final which will be out of 20% of the cumulative grade.
Lab work should be done carefully and seriously. There will be two types of lab: formal and informal. For formal labs you simply complete the lab and fill in information on the lab sheet. For informal labs, you will be given a format that must be followed for a complete write-up .If you follow instruction, procedure, collaborate with your group and write a good synthesis you will earn 50pts for each lab.
J. GRADING RUBRIC:
You earn your grade. It is dependent on your overall points which include tests, quizzes, homework, class work, lab reports, lab work, projects and the final. Daily work is expected; otherwise you will fall behind quickly! It’s your responsibility to read, do all the required work, ask questions and seek help whenever necessary.
Grading Policy: Grades will be dependent on overall points, which include:
40% Tests: 100 points each, questions are multiple choice in style. One per chapter or cumulative.
10% Quizzes: 10 to 50 points each, written/word problem or multiple choice in style.
10% Lab Reports: 25 to 50 points each. It is due at the beginning of the class period.
20% Homework/Classwork: 10 points each. It is checked at the beginning of the class
20% Final Exam, multiple choice in style.
Grading scale:
Grade of “A” 90%-100% “A” level work demonstrates excellence overall with no major weaknesses. This includes an “A” grade on tests and labs. A level work displays excellent presentation and clarification of key concepts of the unit. All written work is outstanding and presented in excellent form.
Grade of “B” 80%-89% “B” level work demonstrates more strengths than weaknesses. This includes “A” and “B” grades on tests and labs. All written and oral work is on the whole clear, precise and well presented.
Grade of “C” 70%-79% “C” level work demonstrates slightly more than a minimal level of skill and comprehension of material covered in the class. “C” level work demonstrated by a “C” grade on tests and average presentation of formal written material. “C” level work shows some assignments are reasonably well done but others are poorly done or mediocre at best.
Grade of “D” 60%-69% “D” level work demonstrates a minimal level of skill and comprehension of material covered in class. “D” level work is demonstrated by a “C” grade or lower on tests and below average presentation of formal written material. “D” level work at the end of the semester is the minimum level to recommend continuing into the second semester of the class.
Grade of “F” Below 60% “F” level work demonstrates that the student has failed to comprehend the material and to the required work of the course. “F” level work is demonstrated by a grade of “F” or lower on tests and below average presentation of formal written material.
Citizenship grades:
O (Outstanding) is earned by a student who goes above and beyond normal participation. In addition to not being a discipline problem, this student has NO tardies or truancies.
S (Satisfactory) is earned by a student who participates on a consistent basis. This is the highest grade for a student with 1,2, or 3 tardies and NO truancies per the semester.
N (Needs Improvement) is earned by a student who occasionally disrupts the educational process during class. The highest earned grade for a student with 4, or 5 tardies, or 1, 2, or 3 truancies / semester.
U (Unsatisfactory) is earned by a student who frequently disrupts the educational process. Cheating by a student, or having 6 tardies, or more than 3 truancies will automatically earn a U.
I- Keys to Success in Chemistry
a. Be here and on time.
b. Get the names and phone# or email from 2-3 people in class to form a study group. This is the most successful way to do well in chemistry! GET YOUR STUDY BUDDIES!!
c. It is your responsibility to do your reading, classwork, and homework daily. I expect you to do between 30-40 minutes of homework and/or studying each night.
d. Your questions and answers are a vital part of this class. There are NO dumb questions. Chances are that others have the same question, so please ASK.
e. Work cooperatively with others. Disturbances interfere with the learning process and are not fair to other students or yourself. You will lose points off your daily participation grade for each disruption.
f. Physical and mental participation in class and labs. Read and study the lab before class.
g. Keep up from the beginning! Once you get behind its too late.
h. Always look on the board and write down the assignment each day.
i. Being successful does NOT include doing work from other classes, sleeping in class, or showing disrespect to anyone, including substitutes.
Chemistry can be fun if you let it be. All of my class rules are in place for reasons that are in all of our best interest. They will be enforced always without exception. Following the rules is the key to learning in my class. You are a valuable resource to the class and I care for the success of each one of you. I look forward to working with you and hope you will give this class your best effort.
Chemistry 1-2
Mrs. jahshan
Student: I have read Mrs. Jahshan’s Chemistry Guidelines and also the Safety Rules. I understand the course requirements and policies. I am also aware of the expectations for this course, and I agree to abide by the safety rules and regulations as stated.
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Parent/Guardian: I have read Mrs. Jahshan's Chemistry Guidelines and Safety Rules. I understand the course and safety requirements, policies, and expectations of my son/daughter.
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