Chemistry Syllabus

CHEMISTRY

COURSE INFORMATION AND CLASSROOM RULES

Mrs. O. Garza

Location: Room 158

Office Hours: 7:30 am – 8:00 am & Tuesdays and Thursdays After School


Welcome! Chemistry is involved in almost every aspect of your life, from the food you eat and digest to the CDs and MP3s you listen to for entertainment. This science is required for careers in medicine, oil industries, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and other related jobs. Chemistry is math driven. If you have MATHAPHOBIA, I will help you overcome it. Chemistry can be an interesting and even a fun subject! You can take full advantage of what this course has to offer if we follow a few guidelines.

 

Materials Needed:

  1. Textbook: Texas Modern Chemistry – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  2. 3 Subject College Ruled Notebook – specifically for my class
  3. Folder/Binder – with pockets and brads (all references, quizzes, reports, and tests will be held here)
  4. Optional – Page protectors for your references
  5. USB Drive
  6. Scientific Calculator (It would be best if you got your own)
  7. Pencils and Pens (pens need to be blue or blank ink only NO RED PENS)
  8. Paper (to take notes)

 

Classroom Rules:

  1. Materials mentioned above must be brought everyday to class. Failure to complete any assignment because of missing materials will result in a zero for that day of work.
  2. Be prompt and never be late to class. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings. The classroom door will close and lock at the bell. You will not be allowed into class without a permission slip, detention slip, or administrator pass.
  3. Stay in your seat during lecture. Do NOT disturb class during lecture. Bathroom passes will only be given for emergency purposes and those needs need to be taken care of during passing periods. Only one person at a time may be excused to the restroom. Raise your hand to speak in class and ask permission to move around the classroom.
  4. No late work will be accepted. If you are absent and it is excused, you will have the next day to turn in your assignment or tests you have missed.
  5. The teacher’s desk, files, cabinets, grade book etc, are strictly off limits to all students unless given permission. DO NOT TOUCH chemicals or equipment on the lab tables unless instructed to do so.
  6. No drinking or eating in class except for water.
  7. Pick up trash around your area.
  8. When the bell rings remain seated until permission is given to leave.
  9. CELL PHONE USE WILL NOT BE TOLEARATED. PUT IT AWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS!!!! Confiscation and fines explained by school policy will apply.
  10. All other school policies will apply.

 

Safety

Lab work can be the most enjoyable and fun part of this course; however, the chemistry laboratory can be a dangerous place when people are careless or ignorant. The teacher reserves the right to deny any student access to the lab if she/he feels that the student’s behavior is inappropriate. The student will receive a zero for any grade recorded in the lab. The student will be financially responsible for any damage to equipment, except in those cases of normal use.

 

Grade Distribution

  1. Minor Grades: The average of the minor grades will be worth 40% of the semester grade. Daily grades include classroom assignments, homework, and quizzes.

***************QUIZZES WILL BE ALMOST DAILY***************

  1. Major Grades: Major grades will be comprised of the average of tests taken over lecture material as well as Lab Reports and will be worth 60% of the semester grade.

 

**LAB REPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO BY TYPED AND ALL SECTIONS COMPLETED BY COMPUTER**

  1. Folder/Binder: The folder/binder MAY BE graded as a TEST and will count not higher than 10 points of your highest test grade. This will not count towards exemption. Folder/binder sections are as follows:
    1. Reference Sheets
    2. Assignments
    3. Quizzes/Tests
    4. Lab Handouts and Reports
  1. At the end of each semester, the average of daily grades, and tests will be 80%.
  1. Semester Exam: The semester average is worth 20%. Your final exam will be comprehensive.

 

Please ask Questions! However, it would be appreciated if you do NOT ask the following:

  1. Did I miss anything important while I was gone?
  2. If I turn this in, will it raise my grade?
  3. Is there anything I can do for extra credit?
  4. Do I need to know this for the test?   

What I dislike about teaching chemistry?

  1. Students being late or absent from class.
  2. Grading late assignments and tests.

                                                            NEVER ASK ME:    “Can we Watch a Movie?”

                                                                                           “Can we have a Free Day?

 

What I like about teaching chemistry?

  1. Classroom discussion
  2. Your presence in my class. Never being late or absent and assignments and tests are on time.
  3. Giving you the tools in chemistry to help generate new ideas about the Earth you live in.

Communication:

        Please feel free to email me at any time with concerns about homework, lab reports, or any questions you may have on anything.

        Please keep in mind that I am always in contact through email and phone with parents whether it’s a good review on a student, a bad review, or simply to keep them informed.