Chemistry Class: Goals
• Perform to the best of your ability
• Learn new stuff about chemistry and
see its applications to the world
around you
• Have fun!!!
Weighted Grading
5% Participation
15% Homework/Classwork
15% Quizzes
25% Labs/Projects
40% Tests
Semester Grades
1 and 2 Quarter = 80%
Fall Semester Final = 20%
3 and 4 Quarter = 80%
*Spring Semester Final = 20%
*Spring Semester Final is cumulative for entire year
… 1/3 from fall and 2/3 from spring
Participation
• Warm-Up/Cool Down Logs
• Assignment Logs
• Special Events: STEM Week
Homework
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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 check HW (0,1,
or 2 pts.)
Checking for completeness, not correctness
Answer keys will usually be published night
before HW is due.
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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Try to do a lab every week on block days (Wed./Thurs.)
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.
If you miss a lab day, you must coordinate with me on
how to make it up.
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.
The entire science department is using the LabWrite
website this year to give guidance on the format and
grading of lab reports (more to come)
labwrite.ncsu.edu
Tests
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If absent day of test: Responsibility to meet with me
and come up with acceptable day to take test.
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You will be allowed one re-take each semester. The
retake will occur on assigned date. Your score will be
the average of the two tests.
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Tests are part multiple choice, and part short answer,
where you have to show your work to get credit.
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
30 cd
20 cd
10 cd
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1.00%
0.75%
0.50%
0.25%
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
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 some
calculators in room)
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) Go to assignment log to see if there were any
handouts
3) Get handouts from little portable file
4) ….. 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!
• Sign out using the restroom log
• Go only to the restroom and back. Don’t stop for
anything else.
• Sign back in 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
garbage/compost can
• You can retrieve it after class
Electronic Devices
• LAHS policy on electronic devices is observed
• We should use them for good not evil
• No computers …. sorry
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 isn’t the greatest, but it is
functional
• Best bet is to go to chem calendar
Finding Mr. Dressen
• Before Period 1 Room P10 (CATTS building)
• Always in my room 710 during lunch (unless
school meeting)
• Afterschool 3:30-4:30 by appointment in 710
(Mon/Tues/Thurs)
• If you have a free 2nd or 3rd we can talk
Finally ….
• Respect your physical space
(room/lab/equipment)
• Respect your peers
• Respect your teacher
• Most importantly, respect yourself