Course Expectations
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
Mr. Andy Klamm
Niles North High School Resource Periods 4th and 9th (and others…)
2015-2016 (847) 626-2764
Class Expectations andkla@d219.org
Overview:
As an AP Chemistry student you have taken on a tremendous amount of work and responsibility. Whether you are taking this class as a foundation for a science career or to bypass college science requirement in order to focus on other areas, you will find this year both challenging and enlightening. As we work through the material it is important that you view chemistry as being more than atoms, molecules and reactions (although at times you will begin to wonder about this.) Chemistry encompasses a greater realm of thinking.
Throughout the year you will be asked to solve many problems, think creatively, and work both independently and as a team. My goal is to have all of you as prepared as possible for the AP Exam. Although this is one of our main focal points, it must not be the only focal point. It is an expectation of the course that you take the AP exam in May. In addition to being prepared for the AP exam, we must also concern ourselves with real world issues. Chemistry does not happen just in a laboratory, it is taking place all around us at all times. If you keep this idea in mind you will find much that you may contribute toward your success and the success of your classmates. Let’s begin.
Grades: The grading scale is listed below for all tests, quizzes, homework, labs and projects
100 - 90 = A Exams = 50%
89.9 - 80 = B Labs = 20% Semester grades will be calculated as follows:
79.9 - 70 = C Quizzes = 20% 1st Semester % = 80%
69.9 - 60 = D Homework = 10% Final Exam % = 20%
59.9 ¯ = F Semester Average
Materials: (Required)
Text: Zumdahl, Steven. 1997. Chemistry:7th Ed. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston.
Lab notebook – Bound lab notebook to be purchased (carbonless) through me
Binder(s)
Spiral Notebook(s)
Scientific Calculator
Attendance:
Attendance is a must. In order for you to do well in this class you must be here all period, every day. If you know in advance that you will be absent let me know as soon as possible and we will make arrangements for make-up work. Lab make-up days will be scheduled as needed. I will be following the truancy policy found in the Niles North handbook.
Tardy:
I will be following the tardy policy found in the Niles North handbook.
Simply put:
1st tardy = 15 minute teacher detention
2nd tardy = 40 minute teacher detention and call home
3rd tardy = 60 minute teacher detention
4th tardy = 60 minute teacher detention and call home
5th tardy = Saturday detention
Classroom Expectations:
· I run my classroom from an atmosphere of openness and respect for individuals and their ideas. Keep in mind that we can learn by criticizing ideas, not people. I expect you to listen to others and to share your ideas as well.
· Because this is a laboratory class you will be expected to follow all of the safety guidelines as presented in the Flinn safety contract you have received. You will also be expected to take a safety quiz before entering the lab and sign a safety contract.
· No gum, candy, or beverages are allowed in the classroom.
· Do not go into the lab area unless directed to do so by your teacher.
· There is to be no horseplay in the classroom, no disrespect to yourself, your teacher, or to other students. Do not use vulgar or abusive language.
· Work up to your expectations at all times.
· Help out the first year chemistry students.
The above guidelines are not all-inclusive, behavior will be dealt with on an individual basis. Consequences for infractions of these guidelines will result in, but are not limited to: a teacher’s detention, a dean’s referral, a parent notification, suspension or drop from the class.
Other Notes:
A. MAKE-UP POLICIES: Make-up policies for homework, labs, and tests/projects for this course are as stated below. It is the student's responsibility to make-up work in accordance with the following policies and procedures. Failure to adhere to the following procedures will result in forfeiture of credit.
1. Homework: If homework is missed due to an unanticipated absence, the student will be given the same number of days to make the work up as they were absent. If homework is missed due to an anticipated absence (e.g., school-related activity or routine doctor/dentist appointment), any work that is due on the day of the absence is still due on that day. Any work missed in class due to such an absence must be made up by the second day in class upon return. If homework is missed due to an unexcused absence, the student will not be given the privilege of making up the work.
2. Labs: If a laboratory is missed due to an excused unanticipated or excused anticipated absence, the student must make arrangements with the teacher to make-up the work. Labs must be made up, you will be responsible for the procedure rather than just getting data.
3. Tests/Projects: Test and project make-up policies and procedures for this course are those that have been adopted by Niles Township High Schools District 219, which are recorded in SECTION III-ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY of the Student Handbook.
4. Suspensions: Policies and procedures for credit for work missed during suspension for this course are those that have been adopted by Niles Township High Schools District 219, which are recorded in SECTION XII-SELECTED BOARD POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES of the Student Handbook.
B. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Students are expected to review and conform to the Niles Township High Schools District 219 Academic Honesty Policy in SECTION V-ACADEMICS of the Student Handbook.
Graded Work:
1. HOMEWORK
Homework gives you the opportunity to practice and gives me the opportunity to give you feedback and see how well you are understanding the material. It will appear in several ways:
- Practice problems on concepts we just learned in order to get feedback without points – to be followed with class discussion and a short quiz
- Required problems and additional practice problems to make sure a key concept is understood
- Additional graded problems after practicing a concept to get a graded score on how well you understand the material
While not all homework will be graded for points, it will all be required and will be put into the grade book – practice and feedback is an essential part of chemistry, and successfully practicing will lead to more success on the unit tests and final exams.
* I will also use “video lectures” as homework. These will present the lesson and are expected to be watched before entering the class period. The class period will then be used to work cooperatively on worksheets, labs, or material.
2. LABS
Labs are an integral part of a college chemistry class as well as a great opportunity to get hands-on experience with chemistry. We will do many experiments during the year for which you will complete lab reports in order to earn college lab credit at the completion of the course. In order to participate in lab, you will need to complete a pre-lab that outlines the safety requirements and the procedure that will be followed in the lab. This will either be checked in or used while completing a pre-lab quiz. These labs will be a significant number of points, but you will have several days to complete them in most cases as negotiated by the class.
3. QUIZZES
Quizzes will be a frequent, and important, part of the course in order to make sure that you are mastering each individual topic as we complete it. These will be short but significant checks of your knowledge and allow you to feel comfortable about a topic or be a reminder that you still need some work to master a topic. You will have the opportunity to retake quizzes if you are not pleased with your original score, but these retakes will be done outside of normal class time.
4. AP PROBLEMS
At the completion of each unit, you will complete past AP free response questions that apply to the topics that we just completed in the unit. Not only are these great review for the test, they will give you valuable experience in completing problems that are worded as the College Board does. These will be due on the day of the test, and all work and reasoning must be shown.
5. DEMONSTRATIONS
Class demonstrations will also be written up as part of the lab requirement for the course. They will consist of observations and pictures, explanations, and all pertinent equations that apply to the demo. They will be collected and checked in approximately every 10 demos.
6. TESTS
Tests will be given at the end of every unit. They will consist of two parts, just like the AP test: multiple choice (first, no calculator) and free response (second, calculator allowed). They will be out of 100 points and the largest portion of your class grade. Practice tests, old materials, and AP problems should be used as review.
7. MASTERY TESTS/REVIEW
As the year goes on, you will do a great deal of review to refresh all ideas and units. These will consist of weekly reviews at times which will have other old AP practice problems. You will also take mastery tests. You will need to score 80% or better on these tests in order to get credit in your grade for these. Retakes will be offered and done until this score, and mastery, is reached.
Electronic Communications:
1. Google website
I will use a Google website to electronically post all things that we’ll use in the class – worksheets, labs, PowerPoints, and everything else as well.
2. Moodle site
I won’t use the Moodle site as the main location, but I will use it for some resources – practice quizzes, simulations, videos, and other things. I’ll notify you when I expect you to check for something on Moodle – the enrollment key for the site is: APKlamm.
3. Adobe Connect
This is a video/chat interface that the district has. Before exams, I will reserve the time in the evening for all of you to be able to go on and ask any last questions so that you feel fully prepared for the exam.
4. Remind
Remind is a free program that allows me to send text or email reminders to you when I have something that would be helpful for you to know. I highly recommend that you sign up. Text @apklamm15 to 81010 to sign up.
5. Google Voice
While email is still the best form of communication, I understand that for some of you, it is easiest to communicate via a text message. If you’d like to text a question, you can text me through Google Voice –
Number to store for Google Voice = (657) 21 – KLAMM
6. Socrative
Socrative is an app that I will use as a way to check in with some practice problems during class – whether it is to double check a problem during a lecture, or as an opening or ending problem for a day. If it’s possible for you, I’d like you to get the student app on your phone (you can do this on the computer as well if you don’t have that capability on your phone)
Room on Socrative = Klamm2305
7. Get a periodic table app on your phone! Just because it’s fun and helpful!