Honors Chemistry Syllabus

Fall Semester 2019

Course Honors Chemistry

E-mail: williamsc1@fultonschools.org

Textbook:

Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation; Zumdahl, Decoste 9th Edition

Replacement Cost: $132.75

If a student does not return the textbook distributed to them, with the matching accession number, they will be charged a fine equal to the replacement cost for that book. Some classes may not officially distribute textbooks; but students are always welcome to have a book if they want one – please speak with your teacher.

Course Description:

This course is designed to enhance problem-solving skills, construct new concepts and build upon learned scientific principals and skills. The student will demonstrate abstract and higher-level thinking, will perform algebraic manipulations, will read critically and will improve upon their organization skills, and enhance traits of self-reliance, determination and resourcefulness. The student will experience writing formal lab reports and will also gain experience with analysis and research skills. Through researching, the student will be able to differentiate between quantitative, qualitative and mixed studies.

Honors Chemistry will flow at a faster pace than regular chemistry education courses, the topics covered will be more in depth, and the course will require more independent study. Strong work ethic and organizational skills will benefit the student learner.

Objectives/Standards: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Chemistry-Georgia-Standards.pdf

Here are the content standards we will focus on this semester.

SC1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the use of the modern atomic theory and periodic law to explain the characteristics of atoms and elements.

SC2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the chemical and physical properties of matter resulting from the ability of atoms to form bonds.

SC3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how the Law of Conservation of Matter is used to determine chemical composition in compounds and chemical reactions.

Units to be covered:

Unit # Unit Title Book Chapter(s) Days **Test Date

1 Safety, Scientific Method, Matter & Measurement 1, 2, 3 15 8/24

2 Atomic Structure & Modern Quantum Theory 4, 11 15 9/19

3 The Mole Concept 8 10 10/03

4 Periodic Law 11, 12 7 10/12

5 Bonding, Writing Formulas & Naming Compounds 5, 12 16 11/09

6 Chemical Reactions and Redox 6, 7, 18 17 12/12

-- Review for Final Exam -- 3 TBD

** Test dates are approximations and subject to change

Expectations/Course Requirements:

Students should:

1. be on time to class

2. have supplies needed to work paper, pencil, scientific calculator, notebook(s)

3. be willing to learn new ideas and ask questions

4. be willing to practice chemistry exercises and skills

5. make up work missed in a timely fashion

6. be respectful

7. always practice lab safety

Grading scale

90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 0-69 F

Grading Rules/Policies for Course: (Description of Tests/Quizzes/Homework/Labs):

Major (Tests and Projects) – 50% Minor (Quizzes, Labs, Homework) -- 30% Final Exam-- 20%

Extra Credit: No grades will be given for non-academic assignments and no extra credit will be assigned.

Opportunities for extra help or study sessions:

I am available for extra help Thursday before school from 7:45-8:15, or most mornings at 8:00 a.m. Chemistry is a cumulative subject, so a misunderstood concept early on can continue to impact your learning. Please see me as soon and as often as you need to for extra help.

Honor Code/Plagiarism Policy

Integrity is a Johns Creek High School core value. Johns Creek students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all work submitted to a teacher. The honor code ensures the validity of student work which guides instruction. All JCHS students are bound by the Johns Creek Honor Code. (See the Student Handbook for more detailed explanation.)

If you have a phone out for any reason during an assessment (unless explicitly directed otherwise) it will be an automatic honor code violation

Recovery Policy

All students and parents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the web-based program for monitoring grades - Home Access Center. Students should check their averages frequently and see their teachers if they become concerned with their academic performance. Recovery is for students who have made a legitimate effort to meet course goals including attending class regularly, attending help sessions or asking for extra help, participating in class, and completing required assignments.

Provision for Improving Grades

Students may initiate recovery on summative assessments or projects when their cumulative average is a 75 or below and they have made a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Attendance is considered a course requirement and unexcused absences may disqualify students for recovery opportunities. Students may be asked to complete recovery work including attending help sessions as a precursor to the recovery assessment. The recovery assessment may be in a different format from the original assessment. So, that students stay focused on the content at hand and don’t become overwhelmed and fall too far behind, they should initiate recovery on a major assessment within 10 days of being informed of the grade on that assessment. After successful completion of the recovery assessment, the teacher may replace the original assessment grade with the recovery assessment grade up to an 80 (75 for AP/Honors). A recovery assessment grade that is lower than the original assessment grade will not replace the original assessment grade.

Intersession

Intercession is a program for students who have fallen just short of passing a class, despite consistent effort and diligence on their part, to have a second opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course standards.

In order to qualify for intercession a student must

· Make a consistent effort to meet course requirements including attendance, turning in homework, and participating in class

· Actively seek out extra help and recovery throughout the semester

· End the semester with an average of 65-69.

Make Up Work Policy

Students may make up all work missed on an excused and preapproved absence. Work assigned during the absence must be returned to the teacher within the same number of days as the absence which was excused. Unexcused absences may result in grade reduction.

Late Work Guidelines

Half credit will be given for any late homework. Labs late will be deducted 20% per day late.

Technology/Cell Phones at JCHS

Johns Creek High School supports the use of technology for academic pursuits. This includes cell phones, tablets, and laptops. The use and type of technology in a classroom is at the sole discretion of the teacher. All technology must be turned off and put away upon entering each classroom. Permission to use technology in a classroom will be explicitly stated by the teacher. Students may possess technology for personal use outside of classrooms in common areas. All devices must remain in silent mode, and students should use headphones when listening to sound. Students are responsible for the safety and security of their own devices and are not required to possess personal technology for instruction. In the case of an emergency, all technology should be turned off and put away as not to interfere with administrative emergency procedures.

One Note

For the 2018-2019 school year, teachers will be utilizing Remind and a Google website. These tools are to assist parents and students with the communication of assignments, class calendars, syllabus and other resources. Parents have the option to access their child’s account by using their student login. In order to access the student’s OneNote Class Notebook, parents will use their child’s student ID and birth date for the username and password. OneNote Class Notebook offers students a collaboration space for activities, a content library for handouts, and a persona classroom notes.

Honors Chemistry – Fall 2019

Please read the information in the syllabus carefully. Please contact me at any time with your comments, questions or concerns. Email is the best way to contact me. I look forward to an exciting year of chemistry!

I have read the syllabus and understand the classroom rules and procedures for Dr. Williams’ Chemistry class.

Student Name (please print): __________________________________ Class Period: _______

Student’s Signature:________________________________________ Date:_______________

Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Date:_______________

Parent email(s) (please print):______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Parent Phone number(s): __________________________________________________________

Student Science Laboratory Safety Contract Agreement- Keep actual contract in notebook

Do you wear contact lenses? o Yes o No Are you color blind? o Yes o No Do you have allergies? o Yes o No Do you have asthma? o Yes o No Do you have other medical conditions? o Yes o No

If “yes” to allergies and/or medical conditions, list here.

I have read and understand each of the above safety rules set forth in this contract. I agree to follow them to ensure not only my own safety but also the safety of others in the science classroom or laboratory. I also agree to follow the general rules of appropriate behavior for a classroom at all times to avoid accidents and to provide a safe learning environment for everyone. I also will closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the teacher. I understand that if I do not follow all the rules and safety precautions, I will not be allowed to participate in science activities. Since laboratory work is addressed in course standards, any unsafe behavior on my part that requires disciplinary action may negatively impact my grade.

Student Name (printed)

Student Signature Date

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Your signature on this contract indicates that you have read this Science Laboratory Safety Contract, and are aware of the measures taken to insure the safety of your child in the science laboratory, and will instruct your child to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory.

Parent/Guardian Name (printed)

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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Spring Semester

Objectives/Standards: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Chemistry-Georgia-Standards.pdf

Here are the content standards we will focus on this semester.

SC1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the use of the modern atomic theory and periodic law to explain the characteristics of atoms and elements.

SC2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the chemical and physical properties of matter resulting from the ability of atoms to form bonds.

SC3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how the Law of Conservation of Matter is used to determine chemical composition in compounds and chemical reactions.

Units to be covered:

Unit # Unit Title Book Chapter(s) Days

1 Stoichiometry 9 10

2 Gas Laws/IMF’s 13 13

3 Thermochemistry 10 12

4 Solutions 15 13

5 Reaction Rates 17 10

6 Equilibrium 17 12

7 Acids and Bases 16 16

-- Review for Final Exam -- 3

** Test dates are approximations and subject to change