Expectations & Grading

The purpose of this chemistry course is to allow the students to discover and work with the relationships that are fundamental to chemical reactions through hands-on instruction. Chemistry is a rigorous course made more so at the Honors level. Students are expected to arrive in the classroom with high level of algebra comprehension. A keen sense of logic and reasoning will also be expected as the students will be asked to work in small groups to solve complex and multi-level problems. The lab experience will provide opportunities to master concepts, use problem-solving skills, and to apply those skills to real-world situations. Topics studied will include atomic theory, the periodic system, chemical bonding, writing and balancing chemical equations, stoichiometric calculations, predicting products in various reactions, aqueous reactions, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and gas laws.  Attendance is one of the most critical components for success.  If students must miss school, they need to be proactive about requesting missing assignments by email and seeking out tutoring or online help to catch up as quickly as possible.  

Major Assessments: 60% total

Will include:

Lab practicals: Graded at teacher’s discretion.  Typically grades are collected from a Lab Practical in which students are allowed to use their work from one or more labs as a guide.

Unit tests: Based on material, laboratory work, and literacy covered in each unit.  Each test includes multiple choice and open-ended free response items,, and will be counted twice as much as lab exercises.

Projects:  Graded via rubric.

Minor Assessments: 30% total

Will include quizzes graded at teacher’s discretion.

Homework/Classwork (10%) total:  Each unit of study will contain 3 composite grades in this category.  A composite practice work grade, a composite online instruction grade, and composite reading/vocabulary grade.

Assessment Re-Take Policy - Students who score lower than 80% on a Unit Test will have the opportunity to improve their score.  Test retakes have a maximum score of 80% and are only available to students who complete the following criterion.

1.  All unit assignments are completed

2.  Video/Lecture notes are completed

3.  Test corrections are completed - must be completed with the teacher outside of class time

4.  Student attends one tutoring session (can also be used for test corrections)

5.  Retake occurs within one week from when the assessment is graded.  

Late Work Policy:  Homework grades are not accepted late for present students.  Absent students must complete the homework by the end of the unit of study or within 5 days of the due date.