Syllabus (Honors Chemistry)
Syllabus
Honors Chemistry 2018-2019
Instructor: Dr. Rhett Watson Room: B-308
Voice Mail: 355-6546 Email: rtwatson@greenville.k12.sc.us
Dear Student & Parents,
Welcome to Chemistry at Mauldin High School! I am excited about the opportunity to get to know you and am looking forward to a productive year. Below you will find classroom policies and procedures, a syllabus, and a list of standards.
Chemistry is often more difficult for students compared to Biology. Although there is some memorization, most of the topics involve some degree of mathematical problem solving. Students should expect to spend at least 20 minutes a day studying, reading, or practicing chemistry to be successful. The most successful students are those who take responsibility for their own progress. Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to grow in self-motivation and in developing good study habits such as promptly doing homework, preparing for class, taking notes, studying for tests, and working with a study partner.
Grades are issued by the school each 4 ½ weeks, however, Greenville County utilizes PowerSchool, a web-based program which will allow parents to access grades 24/7 from home. If you have not already done so, please come to the school’s Front Office to obtain your Power School user name and password. Important information such as your child’s attendance and current grades can be viewed on Power School. I encourage you to maintain communication with your child and help them develop a sense of responsibility by questioning them about their academic standing in science class between grade reports. It is my desire that we work together so that your student will find success this year.
Please return the class policies / video permission form and laboratory safety contract as soon as possible. Again, welcome and I look forward to working with you this year. If you have any questions about your son or daughter’s progress in Chemistry, please contact me at school.
My phone number is 355-6546 and my e-mail is rtwatson@greenville.k12.sc.us
Sincerely,
Rhett T. Watson, Ph.D.
Procedures for Make-up Work:
If a student misses class for any reason on the day of a test, the test must be made up on the day of the student’s return. Make up of other school work missed during absences shall be coordinated with the teacher at the earliest time possible, but should not exceed five (5) school days after the student returns to school. In the case of excused absences due to extenuating circumstances, an extension beyond the 5 days may be given. If a student feels that he/she needs an extension, it is the responsibility of the student to speak to me as soon as possible. If a student misses class for any reason it is his or her responsibility to see me before or after school to obtain missed assignments or other information. Because of time constraints and the amount of content covered in Honors Chemistry there is not usually time for me to help an individual student get caught up during class. Make-ups for daily grades/labs will be allowed when feasible; however, students are responsible for learning any material covered during an absence. It is the students’ responsibility to get copies of the notes missed due to absence. If you are absent on a day when an assignment is due, the assignment is due the day of your return to school.
Late homework/classwork will not be accepted and the grade will be recorded as a zero. Labs may be submitted 1 day late with a deduction of 10%.
Materials:
· 1 roll of paper towels for labs
· 3 ring binder for notes, worksheets, labs
· Pens, pencils with erasers
· Graph paper
· Scientific calculator (graphing function not necessary)
· 1 page protector
· Optional - Colored pencils and highlighter
Classroom Procedures :
Entering the classroom:
· Come into the room quietly and take your seat.
· Make sure your ID is on and visible at all times.
· Take out your class materials and begin any posted assignments.
Tardy Policy:
You should be in your seat and quiet when the tardy bell rings. Consequences of repeated tardiness are listed in the Student Handbook.
General:
· You should plan ahead to be sure you have time to take care of locker and restroom needs between classes.
· Raise your hand to speak or to sharpen your pencil. Do not leave your desk without permission. Hold all trash until the end of the period and throw it away as you leave.
· Do not talk. It is both annoying and difficult to try to listen when people around you will not be quiet. You do not have the right to impair another student’s opportunity to learn.
· Do not eat or drink in class (only water is allowed!).
· Do not use perfume, lotion, body spray etcetera (anything scented) in class. These items can cause students with allergies and asthma to have reactions.
· Do not put on make-up during class.
· Do not talk during announcements.
· Treat your teacher and all your classmates with respect. Most of the time, our attitude affects others’ treatment of us. So treat others as you would like to be treated.
· Do your best always. Doing your best generally will result in positive experiences, success and personal satisfaction.
· Use your common sense. If you think it might be wrong, it probably is. If you think it might disturb someone else, it probably will.
· Learn now to take responsibility for yourself and to gracefully accept the consequences, as well as the benefits, of your own actions.
· Failure to adhere to classroom expectations or procedures will result in detention, being sent out of class, a call to your parents, a referral, or other disciplinary action.
· Procedures are subject to amendment without prior notification as needs arise.
· Academic Honesty
Cheating in any way, shape, or form will not be tolerated within this classroom. If you are caught copying another student's work or if you allow another student to copy your work you will receive an automatic zero for the assignment or test. You will also be reported and steps will be taken as explained in your student handbook. Plagiarism will also be dealt with in this manner.
Consequences:
· Failure to meet these expectations will result in the following consequences:
· 1st time: Warning
· 2nd time: Call to Parent
· 3rd time: 30 minute detention, Call to Parent
· 4th time: Office Referral
Severe Clause:
· Certain offenses determined by administration will result in an immediate office referral
.Restroom Policy: Students are encouraged to take care of needs between classes.
Assignments: Time on any assignment may be limited at the teacher’s discretion. The time allowed to complete any assignment will always be more than sufficient for any student who stays on task or who has properly prepared, as in the case of a test. Students who have 504 or IEP accommodations may receive extensions as required. All papers should include Name (first and last) and Class Period in the upper right-hand corner.
Leaving Class: Stay in your seat until the teacher dismisses you; the bell does not dismiss you… the teacher dismisses you.
Grading:
Major Assignments: Tests 60%
Minor Assignments: Classwork / Homework / Quizzes / Labs 40%
2018 / 2019 HONORS CHEMISTRY YEARLONG PLAN - ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 2 Measurement 2 Weeks
Chapter 3 Matter 1 Week
Chapter 4 Elements, Atoms, Ions 3 Weeks
Chapter 11 Modern Atomic Theory 3 Weeks
Chapter 19 Radioactivity & Nuclear 2 Weeks
Chapter 5 Nomenclature 3 Weeks
Chapters 6 & 7 Reactions 3 Weeks
Midterm Exams 1 Week
Chapters 8 & 9 Chemical Composition 2.5 Weeks
Chapter 12 Chemical Bonding 2.5 Weeks
Chapter 13 Gases 2.5 Weeks
Chapters 10 & 17 Heat 2.5 Weeks
Chapter 14 Solids and Liquids 2.5 Weeks
Chapters 15 & 16 Solutions, Acids, Bases 2.5 Weeks
Chapter 20 Organic Chemistry 1 Week
Optional Topics, Review & Final Exam 2 Weeks