Chemistry in the Earth System
C.K. McClatchy High School
Julie Watkins
2024/2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry in the Earth System is a two semester, lab-based course that addresses the Next Generation Science Standards and is guided by the California Science Framework’s High School 3-Course Model. It is a hands-on, inquiry based course, where students will explore chemical and earth science concepts through rigorous investigations. Instructional segments in this course are centered around a real world phenomenon. Students learn by asking essential questions about these phenomena and performing investigations to test their ideas. The content is taught in an integrated manner, with concepts building on each other and being revisited throughout the course to help students build deeper comprehension. Topics covered include: atomic structure, periodic trends, intermolecular forces, chemical reactions, nuclear chemistry, plate tectonics, weather patterns and climate trends. Energy is a major theme connecting concepts throughout this course.
This course meets the SCUSD high school graduation requirement for a physical science course and counts as a University of California A-G Lab Science course.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: watkinsj@scusd.edu
Class Website: https://sites.google.com/scusd.edu/ckm-science-watkins/home
MATERIALS
College Ruled Composition Notebook. Students will use the composition notebook for notes and warm-up questions. They should bring it to class every day.
3-Ring Binder and loose-leaf, lined notebook paper
Students should have a binder and lined notebook paper. The binder can be used for other classes as well, but it should have a dedicated chemistry section. Students will be given an assignment sheet that should be kept in the front of the binder. It is very important to keep this assignment sheet and bring it to class every day, as it will be your record of completed assignments. All assignments and handouts, should be in your binder and you should bring it to class every day.
Experience Chemistry in the Earth System textbook/workbook
This is a consumable textbook and workbook that you will be issued at the beginning of the year. This book is yours to keep, so you can highlight text and make notes in the margins.
Chromebook. You should bring your charged chromebook to class every day. It’s also a good idea to carry your charger with you.
Pens/pencils. Sketches, graphs and assignments involving math should be done in pencil. All other assignments may be done in either pencil or blue or black ballpoint pen.
Optional Materials (These items are useful, but not necessary)
Small stapler
Metric Ruler
Colored pencils and pencil sharpener
Plastic protective sleeves for important handouts and reference materials
Calculator (You do NOT need an expensive calculator for this class. For any tests or quizzes where calculators are allowed, you will be provided one and that will be the only one you are allowed to use. It is useful, however, to have your own calculator for homework and lab calculations.)
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Aretha Franklin (R.I.P.) said it best! Respect is the most important rule in the classroom and at CKM. Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect Learning and Respect Property. Students learn best in a positive, respectful and supportive learning environment. Your citizenship grade will be based on your overall effort to learn and your contribution to a positive learning environment for all students. Please see the student handbook for all the school rules that you should follow, but here are a couple specifics:
Cell Phones and other electronic devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices should only be used in class when specific instructions are given for their use. Cell phones should be turned off and stored in your backpack (including ear buds) during class.
Tardies
Class begins immediately after the tardy bell and ends when released by the instructor. Students should be in their seats and prepared to work when the tardy bell rings, or they are considered tardy. Failure to be on time to class shows a lack of respect for your teacher, your classmates and the learning environment.
Grades
Assignments will be posted in Google Classroom, but grades will be posted in Infinite Campus.
Google Classroom Codes:
Period 1: bbmaar
Period 2: f36o3kk
Period 3: eq4yzno
Period 4: xehleer
Grades will be based on completion of daily assignments, participation, lab performance, quizzes, tests, projects and a final exam or project at the end of the semester. Graded work will have a point value which reflects the weight of the assignment. Daily work and participation will be recorded on a Stamp Sheet, which students should bring to class every day.
Grades will be cumulative over the first and second quarter for fall semester and third and fourth quarter for spring semester. The following scale will be used:
90-100% = A 70-79% = C < 59% = F
80-89% = B 60-69% = D
Save all your work in your binder! Completed assignments are a good way to study for tests and the final. It is also important to save them in case of any discrepancies in Infinite Campus.
Late Work
It is important to learn the time management and organizational skills that are necessary to get work completed and turned in on time. Late daily work will not receive credit. It is still important to do these assignments, because they help learn the material and prepare you for assessments. Late labs and projects will receive at best 80%.
Absences
There is no substitute for being in class, so it is important that students make every effort to be there every day. However, if you are feeling sick you should stay home. When you are absent, class still goes on and it is important for you to take responsibility for the work you missed. Here are some ways that you can do that:
Notes/Lecture → get notes from the website, Google Classroom or a friend; email me (watkinsj@scusd.edu) if you need help understanding the material
QuizzesTests → if it is a planned absence, talk to me ahead of time; if it is unexpected, email the day you are absent to make arrangements for a make-up test/quiz
Labs → get the lab handout from the website and read through it. Make sure you understand the concepts and basic procedures of the lab. Email me for instructions on how to make up the lab. For multi-day labs, you should communicate with your lab partners about the progress. You should have email addresses for your lab partners so you can do this. Talk to me about what you need to do to make up the lab time.
Classwork/Homework → This includes all the assignments that are done on a daily basis to help you learn the concepts you need to know in chemistry. Generally, they are graded on completion and effort. Check the website for these assignments when you are absent and complete them to the best of your ability. If you don’t understand them, email me and make arrangements to come in for help during lunch.
Tutoring
If for any reason you need extra help with Chemistry, please see me immediately. I am usually available at lunch. Chemistry concepts build on each other and if you get behind in the beginning, it is very hard to catch up.
Copying others’ work
Copying shows a lack of respect for yourself, for the other students in the class who have done the work, and for the teacher who grades the work. It will not be tolerated. Do not copy work from others or allow your work to be copied. Work that is copied from another student will receive no credit. We will be doing many activities where you will work cooperatively with other students, and share information, ideas, lab data, etc. This is different from copying someone’s homework or lab, without discussing or contributing to the answers. If you are at all confused about the difference, ask me.
Tips for doing well in Chemistry
Be on time to class and prepared to learn. Pay attention in class, participate and ask questions when you don’t understand something. Don’t wait! A lot of what you learn in chemistry will build on previous concepts, so it is very important to make sure you understand each concept as we cover it.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up for what you missed. See the instructions above on how to do that.
Bookmark the class website and Google Classroom on your chromebook, phone, computer, etc.
Figure out a homework/study routine that works for you.
Don’t let yourself get behind! It is very frustrating when you do not understand the material, and it will only get worse if you do not get help. Come in for tutoring, get help from a friend, review textbook readings or notes, study practice problems or watch some of the tutorials. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Be patient! Chemistry is a difficult class and you will struggle at times. That is normal. Don’t give up!