Course Syllabus for 2013-2014
Chemistry
Ms. Francois
High School for Global Citizenship, Room 308
2013-2014 Course Syllabus
E-mail: [email protected]
School Phone: (718) 230-6300
Website: http://msfrancoischem.weebly.com
Welcome to Chemistry! Throughout the year, we will discover what our world is made of, how it is put together, and what happens when different parts of our world interact with each other. Most importantly though, we will discover WHY these things happen and how they relate to our everyday lives.
No matter what your exposure to chemistry has been or how you have done in science classes in the past, I believe that all of you are capable of fully understanding the world around you. To guarantee this, we will be doing hands-on activities and labs to help you visualize and understand concepts. We will also be working extensively as a team this year, to collaborate and solve complex, real-world problems. In short, we won’t just be learning chemistry this year, WE WILL BE DOING CHEMISTRY!
“Chemistry doesn’t just matter; it is matter”
DESCRIPTION:
This chemistry course will provide with a solid understanding of everything related to matter—its composition, its properties, its changes, and its interactions. It explains a macroscopic phenomenon (what you observe) through an investigation what happens at the nanoscopic level (atoms and molecules) using symbols as a way to communicate. Through a mix of lecture, lab, hands-on inquiry and case studies, we will cover the following topics: the scientific method, matter, energy and gas laws, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
One of our class rules is to respect the classroom. This means…
Thank you in advance for your courtesy and cooperation!
In a professional environment you will be expected to monitor your own behavior and ensure that your actions are appropriate. In our classroom, it is your responsibility to do what is necessary for you to follow our class rules and act in a professional manner. For example, if you begin to fall asleep in class than it would be in your best interest for you to quietly take your binder and stand in the back of the room while you continue to take notes in order to ensure that you act professionally and do not miss out valuable classroom time.
CONSEQUENCES:
If there is a problem of these expectations being met, there will be a series of consequences:
TO BE PREPARED
The following is a list of supplies you must have to fully participate in this class:
GRADING:
Meaningful learning happens gradually over time and is not something that can be demonstrated simply by cramming for exams or completing one assignment well. Because your grade is to reflect this learning process, everything that you do in this class will be considered toward your final grade.
Do Nows & Exit Slips 10%
Weekly Quizzes 15%
Exams 30%
Classwork + Homework 25%
Projects + Lab Reports 15%
Preparedness 5%
LATENESS: Points will be deducted. Will not accept work past ONE week due unless I have a note from home. Otherwise you get a 0 after one week late.
In order to succeed in this class:
10% percent luck, 20% percent skill
15% percent concentrated power of will
5% percent pleasure, 50% pain
And a 100% reason to study tonight!
(from Fort Minor's song "Remember the Name")
99 % of success is perspiration and 1% is inspiration
ATTENDANCE:
You are expected to have excellent attendance. This class will be difficult for those who don’t show up every day, because one lesson builds on another.
Consequences for being absent:
1. You do not get credit for Do Now or Exit Slip (No makeups!)
2. You will miss a row of checks on your tracker, meaning your grade will reduce on your packet (unless you have a signed note)
3. You miss valuable information
If you have to miss class, on the day of your return, please:
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. How often do we have homework?
A. You have homework twice a week that takes an average of 15-20 minutes that will be included in the packet. However, each day if you do not finish classwork, you are expected to finish for homework (which will be checked off in the Daily Tracker).
Q. What happens if I don’t do my HW?
A. You do not earn your checks in your Daily Tracker, which means you lose points in your packet and overall class grade. More importantly, you won’t benefit from the practice and the thinking involved. You are less likely to remember anything.
Q. Can I retake a quiz or test if I fail it?
A. NO. However, you will be able to go through a process to earn half the points back that involves getting help first before testing for mastery again. You will also be able to make corrections. It is important that you learn the material no matter how long it takes.
Q. Do we have to keep all of our papers?
A. Yes, because I will take time out of class to organize your binder. Having no organized binder means you already start off losing 10 points from your grade. Also, it helps you develop a life skill and have material to look over to study for an exam.
Q. What happens if I lost a handout?
A. You should go online to class website to print out another handout.
Ms. Francois
High School for Global Citizenship, Room 308
2013-2014 Course Syllabus
E-mail: [email protected]
School Phone: (718) 230-6300
Website: http://msfrancoischem.weebly.com
Welcome to Chemistry! Throughout the year, we will discover what our world is made of, how it is put together, and what happens when different parts of our world interact with each other. Most importantly though, we will discover WHY these things happen and how they relate to our everyday lives.
No matter what your exposure to chemistry has been or how you have done in science classes in the past, I believe that all of you are capable of fully understanding the world around you. To guarantee this, we will be doing hands-on activities and labs to help you visualize and understand concepts. We will also be working extensively as a team this year, to collaborate and solve complex, real-world problems. In short, we won’t just be learning chemistry this year, WE WILL BE DOING CHEMISTRY!
“Chemistry doesn’t just matter; it is matter”
DESCRIPTION:
This chemistry course will provide with a solid understanding of everything related to matter—its composition, its properties, its changes, and its interactions. It explains a macroscopic phenomenon (what you observe) through an investigation what happens at the nanoscopic level (atoms and molecules) using symbols as a way to communicate. Through a mix of lecture, lab, hands-on inquiry and case studies, we will cover the following topics: the scientific method, matter, energy and gas laws, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
- Respect yourself
- Respect each other
- Respect the classroom
- Respect your teacher
- Respect your work
- Come prepared to learn
- Complete all assignments on your own
One of our class rules is to respect the classroom. This means…
- No Food
- No Writing on desks
- No papers, etc. on the floor
- No Cell phones, CD players, & iPods (Please turn off and put away)
- No Profanity, insults, and other disrespectful or rude remarks.
- No cheating/stealing of people’s work
Thank you in advance for your courtesy and cooperation!
In a professional environment you will be expected to monitor your own behavior and ensure that your actions are appropriate. In our classroom, it is your responsibility to do what is necessary for you to follow our class rules and act in a professional manner. For example, if you begin to fall asleep in class than it would be in your best interest for you to quietly take your binder and stand in the back of the room while you continue to take notes in order to ensure that you act professionally and do not miss out valuable classroom time.
CONSEQUENCES:
If there is a problem of these expectations being met, there will be a series of consequences:
- Verbal Warning
- No check for expectation being broken (or serious behavior issues = no checks at all)
- Call home
- Timed owed in tutoring
TO BE PREPARED
The following is a list of supplies you must have to fully participate in this class:
- Pen or pencil (YOU BRING IT!)
- Folder (YOU BRING IT!)
- Calculator
- 1 three-ring binder (3.0” wide min.) provided by Ms. Francois
- 5 subject dividers provided by Ms. Francois. Please label them: Classwork, Quizzes/Exams, Lab, Roundtable, and Reference
- Your weekly packet
- Reference table
GRADING:
Meaningful learning happens gradually over time and is not something that can be demonstrated simply by cramming for exams or completing one assignment well. Because your grade is to reflect this learning process, everything that you do in this class will be considered toward your final grade.
Do Nows & Exit Slips 10%
Weekly Quizzes 15%
Exams 30%
Classwork + Homework 25%
Projects + Lab Reports 15%
Preparedness 5%
LATENESS: Points will be deducted. Will not accept work past ONE week due unless I have a note from home. Otherwise you get a 0 after one week late.
In order to succeed in this class:
10% percent luck, 20% percent skill
15% percent concentrated power of will
5% percent pleasure, 50% pain
And a 100% reason to study tonight!
(from Fort Minor's song "Remember the Name")
99 % of success is perspiration and 1% is inspiration
ATTENDANCE:
You are expected to have excellent attendance. This class will be difficult for those who don’t show up every day, because one lesson builds on another.
Consequences for being absent:
1. You do not get credit for Do Now or Exit Slip (No makeups!)
2. You will miss a row of checks on your tracker, meaning your grade will reduce on your packet (unless you have a signed note)
3. You miss valuable information
If you have to miss class, on the day of your return, please:
- Check class handout folder in front of room for any extra copies
- Check the class website for PowerPoints to get some missing notes
- Find out about missed notes and announcements from a classmate.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. How often do we have homework?
A. You have homework twice a week that takes an average of 15-20 minutes that will be included in the packet. However, each day if you do not finish classwork, you are expected to finish for homework (which will be checked off in the Daily Tracker).
Q. What happens if I don’t do my HW?
A. You do not earn your checks in your Daily Tracker, which means you lose points in your packet and overall class grade. More importantly, you won’t benefit from the practice and the thinking involved. You are less likely to remember anything.
Q. Can I retake a quiz or test if I fail it?
A. NO. However, you will be able to go through a process to earn half the points back that involves getting help first before testing for mastery again. You will also be able to make corrections. It is important that you learn the material no matter how long it takes.
Q. Do we have to keep all of our papers?
A. Yes, because I will take time out of class to organize your binder. Having no organized binder means you already start off losing 10 points from your grade. Also, it helps you develop a life skill and have material to look over to study for an exam.
Q. What happens if I lost a handout?
A. You should go online to class website to print out another handout.
Course Syllabus Pamphlet |
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2014-2015 Parent Introduction Letter |
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Course Contract |
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Parent Questionaire |
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FB Survey |
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Text Message/Email Reminder Sign-Up Instructions |
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Classroom Expectations PowerPoint |
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Binder/Lab Folder Organization |
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