Syllabus and Classroom Procedures

2023-24

Course Syllabus Ms. Sharon Worthen

Honors Chemistry                                   sworthen@faculty.brashiermiddlecollege.org

                                          (864)757-1800         Room #239

Suggested Course Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 1 and Honors Biology and teacher recommendation

Text: Introductory Chemistry- A Foundation (Zumdahl and DeCoste) Cengage Publishers

SC Standards for Science: to view chemistry standards go to www.myscschools.com

Credit: one unit (lab science)

Course Description: This course is rigorous and demands a high level of abstract thinking, memorization, working with symbols, and application of knowledge to problem solving. Student participation in laboratory activities is essential for success in this course. The course content includes organization of matter, chemical nomenclature, chemical bonding, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, chemical reactions, solutions, gases, states of matter, acid and base theory, and equilibrium.

Course Objectives:

• build a solid chemistry vocabulary

• gain a strong understanding of key scientific principles and topics

• learn how to use mathematics to tackle scientific problems

• develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills 

A Word about Chemistry

      Some students believe that if they can follow the lectures in class, then they have learned the material. This is not true. To understand chemistry, a student must do a significant amount of work outside of class thinking about the course material. No one ever learns by simply reading about it or listening to someone talk about it. You learn it by making the effort to understand the material, building mental pictures, asking questions, and by critically thinking about the principles learned. 

Course Pacing:

First Semester Second Semester

Summer Packet Review (physical sci overview, Chemical Equations and Reactions

unit conversion, measuring, sig figs)

Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter Stoichiometry

Nuclear Chemistry States of Matter

Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms Gases

Periodic Law/Periodic Table Solutions

Chemical Bonding Ions in Solution/Colligative Properties

Chemical Formulas and Compounds Acids/Bases/pH/titrations

Mid Term Exam                 Final Exam

Additional topics if time allows:

redox reactions, chemical equilibrium, reaction rates, thermochemistry

Classroom Expectations, Policies & Procedures

• Please refrain from personal discussions with other classmates during instruction.

• It is expected that students will be courteous during lectures by remaining seated and attentive.

• Students will interact with the teacher and classmates in a courteous, non-offensive manner.

• No food or open drinks (bottled water is OK)

• Do not sit on the tables

• No access to cell phones or other electronic devices (including smartwatches) during instruction or during testing situations. Students will place their phones in the phone holder for the duration of class unless otherwise specified.

• Students must come to class prepared. 

    Things to bring to class:

Writing instrument

Notebook/ paper to write on

Chapter Lecture Notes in PowerPoint

Textbook as requested by teacher

Scientific Calculator

Assignment Policies

Class Work:  

• Class work assignments are due by the end of class the day the assignment is given.  

• If the student is absent on the day a class work assignment is given the student may only make it up if we have not gone over it in class or if it hasn’t been returned.  A student can receive a copy of the missed assignment to review but it will not be accepted for a grade.

• Lab Write Ups are to be submitted on or before the due date specified.

Quizzes: 

• Most quizzes will be announced several days in advance, but please be aware, pop quizzes are a possibility. Therefore students present on the day of a quiz will take the quiz. Being absent the day before the quiz does not excuse the student from taking the quiz.

• If the student is absent on the day of the quiz they are expected to make it up upon return during lunch or after school (that day)

Tests: 

• All tests are announced several days in advance. Therefore students present on the day of a test will take the test. Being absent the day before the test does not excuse the student from taking the test.

• If the student is absent on the day of the test they are expected to arrange a makeup time with the teacher upon returning to class

Laboratory:

• All laboratory rules and procedures must be followed at all times.  Failure to follow all the lab rules and procedures will result in the student being removed from the laboratory.  The student will not be allowed to complete the lab and will receive a zero for that lab grade.  

• If the student’s failure to follow the lab rules endangers himself/herself or classmates a parent/guardian conference will be required before the student may return to the laboratory.

• Pre-lab assignments and/or pre-lab quizzes may be given and students will be required to turn in the pre-lab assignment and/or pass the pre-lab quiz in order to participate in the lab activity.  The goal is to insure that the students are familiar with the lab procedures, safety concerns, and handling of chemicals.

• If a student is absent on the day of a lab the student will be allowed to make up the lab during lunch or after school as long as the lab is still set up.  If the lab has been broken down to make room for the next lab then the student will not be allowed to complete the lab but will not be penalized.

Special Situations:

• If a student is absent for two or more consecutive class periods arrangements must be made with the teacher for all makeup work (including tests) ASAP.  

Extra Credit:

 No individual extra credit will be given so please do not ask.  

Cheating:

• Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.  

• Cheating on any assignment will result in a zero for all students involved.

• A student who is caught cheating that is a member of Beta Club and/or National Honor Society will be reported to both associations.  Both associations have a review process and the student will most likely be expelled from the organizations.

Examples of cheating:

• Copying a classmates class work

• Copying from a classmate’s test/quiz

• Taking a photo of a test or quiz to distribute to others or discussing specific content of the test to those who have not yet taken the test

• Bringing unauthorized information via calculator/ cell phone/ smartwatch/cheat sheet for a test/quiz 

Assignments & Grades:

We will cover the course material by units and for each unit there will be class work assignments, homework assignments, sometimes a quiz and always a chapter test.  Not all class work or homework assignments will be graded for accuracy. Some will be checked for completion only and some will be self-checked by the student and will not be checked by the teacher for a grade.  It is at the teacher’s discretion to decide which assessment method to use for these assignments. So, failure to do a class work or homework assignment could result in a grade of zero depending on whether the teacher decides to count it as a minor grade. Incomplete assignments could receive partial credit for the work that is completed. 

Grading Scale (Brashier Middle College)

 A-    90 to 100

B-    80 to 89

Any grade below 80 is considered not passing

Grading Criteria:

chapter tests, formal labs: 60%

classwork/homework/informal labs/quizzes: 40%

Exams

I do provide a study guide (things you need to know) and practice work for both the midterm and the final exam.  This information will be posted on my 

website approximately two weeks prior to the exam.

*Cumulative midterm counts for 20% of the first semester grade

*Cumulative final counts for 20% of second semester grade

Late Work Grades

All assessments for evaluation are expected to be turned in on time. Turning assignments in late is highly discouraged and points will be deducted accordingly. Any homework that has been collected by the teacher to be graded may be turned in later that day for a maximum grade of an 80. Any homework turned in after that receives a 50. No exceptions. Students may submit late work up until the end of the unit. 

Retesting Policy

If a student earns below an 80% on any test, the student has the opportunity to retest on that chapter/unit under the following conditions:

• The student must attend AA on the assigned science day after school (Monday or Tuesday)and the student must retest on Friday after school.

• The student must make arrangements to stay after school for AA and retesting opportunities. After school jobs, sports activities or practice, and open PM periods are not excuses for any changes in the retesting policy. If the student cannot accommodate the after school time commitment, then they will not be able to take advantage of retesting.

• The highest possible grade for a retest will be an 80%. There will be no averaging the old and the new test, the student will receive the higher grade- up to an 80%.