Chemistry Class: Goals
• Perform to the best of your ability
• Learn new stuff about chemistry and
see its applications to the world
around you
• Become a critical thinker
• Have fun!!!
Weighted Grading
15% Homework/Classwork
15% Quizzes
25% Labs/Projects
30% Tests
15% Semester Final
Participation
• Warm-Up/Cool Down Logs
• Special Events: STEM Week
Homework
• Due at beginning of class after warm up.
• We will work a few problems on board
before homework is checked.
• I will then come around and stamp
completed HW.
• Checking for completeness, not correctness.
• Answer keys will usually be published night
before HW is due. Hard copies for answer
keys are kept in classroom.
Homework continued
• HW turned in on day of test. If it has a
stamp you will earn 2 pts. No stamp will
receive 1 pt. Missing HW will go into
gradebook as a zero.
• NO LATE HW WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! Unless
excused absence.
• Two lowest HW will be dropped each
semester.
Homework Philosophy
HW is practice for you to prepare for test and learn the
content. Very rarely will I assign busy work (the same
concept or problem 10 times over). If you are the type of
person who waits until last second and copies HW from a
friend …. Well you might manage to get your 15% credit in
the HW category, but you will do poorly on test and
quizzes.
The answer keys are online so you can work a problem and
then see if you got it correct. If you get it wrong, perhaps
seeing the correct answer will allow you to figure out your
mistake and understand the content. If the correct answer
makes no sense to you, I am expecting you will ask me to
work the problem on the board.
Quizzes
• Usually announced (10 -15 pts.)
• Tend to occur the week before the test
• Pop quizzes are a possibility … they tend
to be easier and worth less pts. (5 or so)
• THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS FOR MISSED
QUIZZES! Your score on the unit test will
count towards your quiz grade.
• Your lowest quiz score will be dropped
at the end of each semester.
Labs
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Usually occur every week on block days
You must wear long pants and closed-toe
footwear or points will be deducted. For
certain labs you will not be able to participate
and will receive a zero or lose points.
If you miss a lab day, you must coordinate with
me on when to make it up and sign up on
board. Make up labs usually occur lunchtime.
Late labs are accepted with a 20% penalty
before grading. Deadline for late labs will occur
a day or two ahead of the end of a quarter.
Tests
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If absent day of test: Responsibility to meet
with me and come up with acceptable day to
take test. Must sign up on board.
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Tests are part multiple choice, and part short
answer, where you have to show your work to
get credit.
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If you score below 75% percent on a test you
can perform a retake to raise grade to 75%.
Extra Credit
• You have the opportunity to earn up to 1% extra
credit each semester.
• In this class you can earn your extra credit by
accumulating chem dollars on the following scale:
40 cd - 1.00%
30 cd - 0.75%
20 cd - 0.50%
10 cd - 0.25%
*Amounts may change
What are Chem Dollars
and How Do I Get Them
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Interacting in class
Reviews for tests
Doing nice deeds/helping out
Going to outside scientific events
Name that element and other games in classroom
Reviewing journal articles (more to come)
Required Supplies
Pencils (Chemistry is a pencil science)
Pens (Blue and/or Black ink only)
Loose-leaf Paper
Organized Binder (I try to three-hole punch
everything I hand-out)
Textbook (Class set)
Non-graphing scientific calculator (we have class set)
Start of Class
When you come into class…
1) Get out warm up log and start warm up when bell rings
2) Discuss warm up with neighbor if you are waiting for
others to finish
3) Class discussion about warm up
4) If HW is due, place it on right corner of your desk
5) Prepare to ask any questions about HW you did not
understand
6) HW will be checked
7) If other work is due, (lab, etc.) I will give instructions on
how to turn in
Return after Absence
1) Check out class website (chem. calendar) for
what you missed (preferably night before)
2) Ask a friend what you missed
3) Look for missed handouts on wall file
4) Look on wall agenda for any other material you
might have missed
5) ….. Then ask Mr. Dressen if you are still
confused
What is a Tardy?
• You are tardy if you are not in your desk starting
to work on your warm up when bell rings.
• Please do not try to negotiate what “tardy”
looks like in this class.
• If you arrive late to class, rest assured I marked
you absent.
• In order not to be marked absent, but only
tardy, you need write your name on tardy log so
I can go over it later.
I Have to go to the Bathroom!
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Not in the first or last 10 minutes of class.
Sign name and time on white board.
Cross out name when you return.
Only one person can leave classroom at a time.
Anyone who misuses a restroom privilege will
have that privilege revoked for the rest of the
semester. (Gone for more than 5 minutes,
excessive use, etc.)
Food/Drink Policy
• No food in room --- this room is a lab.
• No gum chewing in room --- this room is a
lab
• Water in a closed container/drink container
will be allowed in seated area … not in lab
area.
• Your food or non-water beverage will be
taken away and carefully stored in the
compost can outside.
• You can retrieve it after class.
Electronic Devices
• LAHS policy on electronic devices is
observed.
• We should use them for good not evil.
What Happens at End of Class
• We will often review what we have
learned (cool-down) and connect it to
what you will learn soon. Sometimes
you will hand in cool-down (exit slip).
• Students do not pack up their
belongings until after the teacher tells
them to do so.
• Students do not even flinch when the
bell rings. Instead, they wait for the
teacher to dismiss them.
• Students double check that they
understand the homework assignment.
Class Website
• I use district website, it is a new
platform, so I am in process of
migrating information
Finding Mr. Dressen
• Always in my room 710 during tutorial and lunch
(unless school meeting)
• Afterschool 3:30-4:30 by appointment in 710
(Mon/Tues/Thurs)
• If you have a free 3rd or 5th we can talk
Finally ….
• Respect your physical space
(room/lab/equipment)
• Respect your peers
• Respect your teacher
• Most importantly, respect yourself