Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to Chemistry. The purpose of this course is to teach students about the various roles of chemistry in the world around them. In the duration of this class students will study many facets of chemistry including states of matter, the periodic table, chemical equations, thermodynamics and gas laws. Chemistry is a subject, much like math, in which the material continually builds on itself. Understanding all information presented is essential to success.
This is a participatory class. Students who participate fully by completing assignments and interact in class should find the course more enjoyable, and gain a better appreciation for the around them. Above all, I hope that students will enjoy the class and will learn organizational, critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary for life after high school. Listed below are the contact information, classroom policies, classroom rules and grading policy.
Contact Information:
E-mail address: jkots@fatherjudge.com; Phone Number: 215-338-9494 ext 2310
Chemistry COURSE WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/a/fatherjudge.com/ms-kots-chemistry-page/
Resources such as notes, worksheets and classwork can be found at this web address:
GRADECONNECT: https:// adphila.gradeconnect.com
All grades are posted on Gradeconnect. Parents and students both have access. Parents are strongly encouraged to set up their accounts with emails and to check Gradeconnect often to monitor their son’s progress.
SCHOOLOGY, Google Classroom and GOOGLE DOCS:
Many of the assignments will be given via Schoology or Google Classroom or Google Docs. This requires that all students sign up for a Schoology account and sign in for google classroom. All students will receive a Gmail account as part of their entrance into Father Judge. This account will give them full access to all Google related applications.
Honors Chemistry Period 3 Section 421-02 Schoology Access Code: CWN2S-KVB2Z
Honors Chemistry Period 3 Section 421-02 Google Classroom Code: isc151
Honors Chemistry Period 5 Section 421-01 Schoology Access Code: 6S9Z2-KGZ4X
Honors Chemistry Period 5 Section 421-01 Google Classroom Code: o6w1m8
Tutoring:
Tutoring is available to any student having difficulty. Peer tutoring is available every morning and afternoon. I am available most days before first period. Please inform me if you intend to stop by.
Classroom Materials:
· Notebook
· Pens (Blue or Black Ink)
· No. 2 Pencils (Required For Tests)
· 1 set of color pencils
· Folder
· Scientific Calculator
· Textbook
· IPad Fully Charged
Grading:
Grades are calculated using a points system. Every test, quiz, project, class activity, lab and homework will have a point value. At the end of each quarter, the student’s grade will be calculated by tallying all the points the student earned for the quarter and dividing that value by the maximum number of points the student could have earned. This ratio is then multiplied by 100% to get the student’s quarter grade.
(Points Earned ÷ Maximum Possible Points) x 100% = Quarter Grade
Assessments, Tests, Projects and Quizzes
· Tests will be given at the end of 1-2 chapters. These tests will be worth 100 points each.
· Quizzes will be given at the discretion of the teacher. Quizzes will be worth 5-20 points each. If a quiz is given at the beginning of the period students who come in late without an excuse will not be permitted to make up the quiz if they miss it. Quizzes can be announced, unannounced, written or oral.
· Projects will be assigned during each semester. These projects will be worth 100-200 points. The directions and grading rubric for this assignment will be handed out to the students when the project is assigned. Projects must be handed in on time.
o 25 points will be deducted for every day late.
· Semester Assessments are given according to Diocesan policies. This is calculated separate from the quarter grades within Gradeconnect.com.
Laboratory Experiments
· Labs will be graded on two components, performance in the lab and the lab report. Students who miss the lab due to an excused absence will be given the opportunity to make up the lab if possible or he will be given an assignment to be completed at home in place of the lab.
· Lab performance will be a 20 point grade on adherence to procedures and safety protocols, participation and completion of lab/clean up. Students will be graded on a 5 point scale for each of these areas.
1. Students that fail to observe proper laboratory behaviors will be removed from the laboratory and will receive a zero for that laboratory experiment.
· Lab reports will be graded for content, completion and accuracy. Each laboratory write-up will be worth 10-30 points each depending on length and difficulty of the lab.
1. Lab reports are to be submitted within 1 week of the completion of the lab and will not be accepted late.
Notes
Notes serve two purposes, to provide an example of a system for organizing course materials in a logical fashion
and to allow students to access any information about their coursework at any time. The amount of notes given per chapter/unit depends on the length and difficulty of the content. Notes can be found on the course website and should be downloaded prior to the start of class. Students without the notes will be considered unprepared for class.
Homework & Classwork
· All homework and classwork will be given at the discretion of the teacher. Some chapters will require more assignments than others depending on the length and difficulty of the chapter.
· Homework and Classwork have many purposes:
1. To give students opportunities to practice skills
2. To prepare students for a new topic
3. To elaborate on introduced material
4. To reinforce classroom learning
· Homework and classwork assignments will be worth 5-10 points each. They will be graded for completion and accuracy and will not be accepted late.
· Assignments will be completed either electronically or on paper as indicated by the teacher.
· Classwork is due at the end of the class period unless otherwise stated by the teacher.
· Homework is due at the start of class the day after it is assigned unless otherwise stated by the teacher
Attendance, Preparedness, Participation and Cooperation
· Students can earn a maximum of 10 points per week per quarter totaling in 100 points.
· Students start each week with 8 pts.
o Students can earn the additional points by participating in class.
o Students can lose points for infractions, such as being off task or unprepared.
· Students are expected to be in class and on time.
o Lateness is not acceptable and is detrimental to student performance.
o Students late to first period are required to report to Student Services to get a late slip.
o Students late to all other periods will receive Level 1 Offense
· Students are to be prepared daily and are to bring all required materials.
· During class students are expected to be awake and participating.
o Students who are reminded of this because they are sleeping or engaging in non-class related activities such as but not limited, to talking in class, leaving their seats, chewing gum, eating or drinking in class, will be deducted points.
o Those engaged in repeated or significant behavioral disruptions will be subject to disciplinary measures, i.e. Level 2 Offense. Classroom disruptions cheat the entire class of valuable learning time and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Absence
· If you are absent on the day that a test/quiz is scheduled it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me to take it. This is to be scheduled the day that you return to school. If you are absent on the day that a lab is scheduled it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me to take it. This is to be scheduled the day that you return to school. No make-ups will be given during class time. It is the responsibility of the student to get all missed notes and assignments when they are absent.
· Frequent absenteeism has a detrimental effect on student academic performance and understanding.
Classroom Rules:
1. Come to class on time. Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be INSIDE the door when it begins ringing to be counted on time. Remember lateness has consequences.
2. Upon entering class open notebooks and begin to copy directions and/or notes from the projection screen or chalk board immediately. When I begin class, directions for the start up of class may be taken down, so don't delay.
3. Attend to personal needs before coming to class. Students will not be given passes to lockers and are limited on passes to the restroom to within the first or last 5 minutes of class, so please do not ask for a pass unless you have a true emergency.
4. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have raised your hand and been given permission to get up. Throw scraps away at the end of the period on your way out. Do not leave you seat until the bell ending the period has officially rung. Those not in their correct seat will be marked cutting and dealt with accordingly.
5. Do not drink or eat in class. This includes chewing gum.
6. Cell phones, watch alarms and pagers are to be turned off prior to entering class. Cell phones are to be turned off and away during class at all times. At no time during class are students permitted to use their cell phones. Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action. If cell phone use is observed during a quiz or test the student will receive an immediate zero and disciplinary action.
7. Bring all required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed. Your textbook, notebook, calculator and a writing instrument are required every day.
8. Talk only when permitted. Be aware of the situation, class discussions and group work will require quiet talking. When the teacher is giving instructions the class should be silent
9. Use polite speech and body language. Unkind teasing, vulgar language and impolite behavior are unacceptable.
10. Cheating is stealing, which is not tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and demerits. Both the student who shares his work for an independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same consequences. You are expected do your own work and to be sure no one can copy it.
11. Follow ALL the teacher’s directions immediately without argument.
12. Assignments are to be neat and handed in on time. Most assignments may be typed or hand written unless otherwise stated.
13. Late assignments will not be accepted. Late is anytime after the teacher has collected it.
Ms. Kots Technology Policy
1. Students may not use any hand held devices in the classroom (cell phones, PDA’s, MP3 players, cameras, etc.) without the explicit permission of the instructor. All hand held devices should normally be turned off and packed away during class sessions.
2. Students may only visit websites approved by your teacher. Do not visit any sites unless they are from a pre-approved list or you have your teacher’s permission.
3. Guard your personal information. Do not give personal information to other people or companies. Do not post personal or identifying information online.
4. When communicating with your teacher use only you school provided email, Gradeconnect and the teacher‘s official email for communication.
5. Students will be required to engage in online communication via school email, Gradeconnect, Schoology, Google Classroom and Google Docs. Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, MySpace, Twitter, Messenger, and use of any and all unauthorized social media formats during class are strictly prohibited. Violations will result in disciplinary action and/or loss of technology privileges.
6. When instructed to post responses or assignments students will post only appropriate text, audio and visual media to online websites. All posting is to be respectful of others. Do not use offensive or abusive language. This includes all-caps, name-calling, and abbreviations. Failure to follow these policies will result in disciplinary action.
7. Students may not record, video or photograph the instructor or any other class member. Violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
8. Students may not post ANY material from classes on the internet or other personal networking sites without the explicit, written permission of the instructor and all other class participants.
9. Always cite your sources. When you use text, images, or information found online, use proper MLA or APA style citations.
10. Report abuse. If you are cyber-stalked, threatened, or bullied online, report it to your teacher. If you notice any classmates behaving inappropriately, it is your responsibility to report it.
11. Use proper English. Make sure that you always follow proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules.
12. When in doubt, don’t do it or ask permission. If you suspect you may offend someone, don’t say it. If you are not sure about the site you are viewing, ask your teacher.
13. If hand held device use is observed during a quiz or test the student will receive an immediate zero.
14. Hand held devices may not be used as calculators.
15. Students are required to follow the technology policies of the school and the Archdiocese. Violations of those policies are detailed in the student handbook.
MS. Kots’ Courses IPad Policy
1. IPad usage is at the discretion of the teacher during class.
2. Students have received IPads for educational purposes only.
3. Students must bring the IPad to class each day fully charged since their textbook is on it.
4. Students are to follow all Father Judge Policies about maintenance and usage of the IPad at all times.
5. Usage of those IPads during class is limited to the completion of assignments related to the instructional lesson in science class.
6. Work related to other courses and homework is strictly prohibited during class time.
7. Communication with other students inside and outside of the class is prohibited unless directly instructed to do so by the teacher.
8. No downloading. Do not download programs, games, applications, or media unless specifically instructed by your teacher.
9. Use of Messenger, Facebook, FaceTime, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and all social media apps are prohibited during class.
10. Use of Games is prohibited during class.
11. Playing music is prohibited during class.
12. Students are prohibited from recording still or moving images or voices of students or the teacher without permission from the teacher.
13. Students will not post recordings of still or moving images or voice recordings of students or the teacher to online websites without their written permission.
14. Students will practice internet safety with online resources.
15. IPads are prohibited during any testing unless the test is given via Schoology.
16. If IPad use is observed during a quiz or test the student will receive an immediate zero.
The use of technology in the classroom is a privilege, not a right. Technology should be used for educational purposes only. If technology is used for texting, messaging, Instagram, snapchat or any other social media the instructor may revoke the privilege of using a technology in that class. Students with multiple violations of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.