PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 2014-2015
Ms. Scirbona & Ms. Bergamini
bobbi.scirbona@wcsdny.org
(845) 298-5100 ext. 31070
Welcome to practical chemistry. This course has been designed to give you a broad based knowledge in
chemistry and laboratory techniques with practical everyday applications. The course outline and possible topics of
study are attached. This course will be a strong statement on your transcript and will also provide you with valuable
problem-solving and lab skills. This course has no science or math prerequisites; however, you should have taken and
successfully completed two or three years of high school science. If you work hard, you will succeed.
Materials:
You will only need a notebook, pen, and your reference table for this class; there is no text book. A majority of this class
is hands on work, and it is imperative that you are in class every day. You will be given a reference table during the first
week of school. This reference table will serve as a sort of portfolio for the year. You will build it from knowledge and
skills you will learn in the class. The notes and work that you complete in your reference table will count as a part of
your quiz and class participation grade. It is important that you bring this every day to class and are diligent with its
upkeep. You may only use your reference table for in class assessments.
Expectations:
You are expected to be respectful to both your instructors and your classmates. Disrespect will not be tolerated in any
way, shape, or form. You are expected to be in class every day, on time and ready to work. If you are late to class three
times without a pass you will receive a written referral. If you are not in class, for whatever reason, legal or illegal, you
will be responsible for any missed work or information. If you have an unexcused absence you will receive a 0 for the
work missed. I keep extra copies of all course work, but it is your responsibility to find out what you missed when you
were absent. All procedures will be reviewed the first week of class.
Assessments:
Tests and quizzes will account for approximately 30% of your overall quarter grade. As this is a hands-on lab course, lab
activities and write-ups will make up approximately 30% as well. You will receive a lab report grading rubric during the
first week of class. Projects will account for 20% of each quarter’s grade, and the remaining 20% will be a combination
of class work, homework and participation grades. Most of the work in this class will take place in class, so it is
imperative that you are in class every day and on time. Occasionally, you will have to work on projects outside of class,
or have a homework assignment, but if you work to your full potential, 90% of the work will be able to be completed in
class.
Lab work:
As this is a science class, a large percentage of your time will be spent in the lab. Lab work missed due to a legal absence
may be made up during school, and I will announce lab make-up days in advance. Lab safety is paramount and anything
less than complete regard for yourself and your fellow classmates will not be tolerated, EVER. If you ever have a safety
concern, never hesitate to ask me. Lab safety procedures will be reviewed in the first few days of class. If you are acting
inappropriately in the lab, you will be asked to leave the lab area and receive a grade of 0. This cannot be made up. If
there are repeated infractions to the lab safety agreement, an administrative conference will be set up to ensure the
safety of the class.
Extra help:
Extra help is always available. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions when you don’t understand something. Be proactive; it is easier to keep up than to catch up.
Parent/Guardian notice:
In order to ensure the success of your child, please be involved with their schoolwork. Please sign the agreement at the
end of this document to indicate that you and your child have read, understand and agree to the above guidelines.
Practical Chemistry
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