CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
E-mail:
TEXTBOOK:
Page 1
Mrs. Tang
mtang@ggusd.us
Zumdahl/DeCoste, 2007. World of Chemistry, McDougal Littell.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry is a college preparatory course designed for students who have completed
Biology and Algebra 1 with a grade of C or better. This course fulfills the high school graduation
requirements for laboratory science and provides the prerequisite knowledge for taking AP and
college chemistry. The instructional format consists of textbook reading, lecture, hands-on
laboratory work, homework, literacy exercises, projects, and performance assessments in the form
of quizzes and tests. To succeed in the course, a student must be prepared for class every
day and make allowances for study time. Chemistry requires a significant amount of
mathematics, and homework assignments provide the necessary practice for the types of
problems that will be encountered on quizzes and tests.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this course is to provide students with a better understanding of our
natural world through the fundamental concepts of chemistry. The study topics correspond with
the California State Content Standards for Chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical
bonding, chemical reactions, mass conversions, gas laws, thermodynamics, acids and bases,
chemical equilibrium, and organic chemistry. The curriculum schedule follows our district’s pacing
guide, and the class moves very quickly!
HOMEWORK, ASSESSMENTS, AND LAB ASSIGNMENTS
1. Homework is assigned several times per week and due dates will be posted in class.
Homework must be turned in by 8:00 AM on the due date; assignments turned in after
8:00 AM will be stamped late and deducted 10% of the available credit, unless
accompanied by an excused tardy slip. Late work will be accepted and graded after the
due date for excused absences only, where make-up periods will coincide with the duration
of the absence. There is no make-up work accepted for unexcused absences, and these
assignments (including labs, quizzes, and tests) will receive a zero in the grade book.
2. Arrangements to make-up missed tests, quizzes, and/or labs must be made immediately
upon returning to class. Failure to do so may result in a zero grade for the assignment.
3. Written work should be neat and legible with final answers designated clearly, (boxed or
highlighted.) If I cannot read your paper, I cannot grade your paper. For computational
responses, YOU MUST SHOW YOUR WORK TO GET CREDIT.
4. Please label all assignments with your name, date, period, and assignment title. Always
keep your graded/returned work to compare against the AERIES grade book.
5. For lab reports and lab notebooks, use only blue or black ink and follow the proper format
(to be provided.) White-out is not allowed. Lab reports are written in a technical writing
style (not essay format), using academic language and scientific vocabulary.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS
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LABORATORY
Laboratory work is used to demonstrate key concepts. Students will typically work as a
team in table groups. Each group is responsible for the cleaning, care, and inventory of all
equipment used. The science department will charge a fee for broken glassware and damaged
equipment. Safety rules and regulations must be followed with no exceptions. Students and
parents will be required to sign a safety agreement form prior to the first experiment. Closed-toe
shoes must be worn in order to participate in any laboratory work.
GRADES
Your final grade will be based on the points earned from all graded class
work and a final semester exam. The grading scale is indicated below:
91 – 100%
90 – 90.9%
88 – 89.9%
81 – 87.9%
80 – 80.9%
78 – 79.9%
68 – 77.9%
66 – 67.9%
65 – 65.9%
56 – 64.9%
55 – 55.9%
< 55%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Your grade will be approximately weighted as follows:
Tests & Projects
Laboratory & Literacy
Quizzes
Homework
Guided Practice (in-class work)
45%
15%
15%
10%
15%
ATTENDANCE
Every effort should be made to attend class on a regular basis; absences are the greatest
source of difficulty in science classes! Habitual absences on quiz and/or test days may result in a
loss of make-up privileges. La Quinta’s attendance policy will be enforced and all tardies will be
recorded. If you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings, you will be marked tardy.
Habitual tardiness will result in detention, parent conference, or referral, and affect your citizenship
mark.
“The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS
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MATERIALS*
Please obtain the following materials for the class:




Textbook
Basic scientific calculator, (only TI-30X A or TI-30X IIS operations will be covered in
class); programmable calculators will NOT be allowed during tests
Composition book, grid-type paper (for graphs & tables)
College-ruled paper, pencils with eraser, ink pens (black, blue, red)
*If you are unable to obtain these materials, please see me.
HOMEWORK CREDIT
Keep all of your graded homework assignments! These papers will be compiled into a
unit packet that will be turned in after the unit test. Only stamped homework assignments
(designating on-time receipt) will receive credit.
DAILY WARM-UPS
Class starts with a 10-minute warm-up activity to practice the previous day’s material.
Students should enter class and immediately begin the warm-up exercise that is posted on the
board. Daily warm-ups are written in a journal format, and pages should be clearly labeled with the
date. Warm-up pages will be turned in for credit with the unit packet.
TEACHER WEBSITE
I will maintain a webpage to serve as a remote source of information for the class, including
a link to the online textbook, a class calendar, important references, and reminders for upcoming
events. Please note that homework assignments and due dates may change based on our daily
progress but the webpage may not reflect that change “real time”; therefore, best practice in your
daily routine is to 1) check the homework board when you enter the classroom and write down the
information in your school planner, 2) listen carefully for announcements related to the homework
assignment, and 3) have a “study-buddy” in class to check in with.
TUTORING
I highly recommend that students make use of La Quinta’s established after-school tutoring
programs, peer study groups, or private tutoring as needed to promote your success in the class.
I will offer an evening online tutoring session before select quizzes and tests; a link to the session
will be posted on my webpage. I am NOT available for tutoring before school. I do have limited
availability for tutoring during lunch and after school; please see me first to make arrangements.
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”
– Bill Cosby
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS: CLASSROOM RULES
Rule
1. Be prepared
2. Be respectful
Page 4
Examples
 Bring the required materials DAILY: textbook, _______________, paper, pencil/eraser, pen
 To personal and school property
o Do not write or __________ on the desks
o Do not write on the whiteboards or _______________ without permission
o Do not touch belongings on my desk or that aren’t yours
o For items discovered, bring them to _____ _______________.
 To the teacher
o Do not _________ when I’m speaking
o If you have a question, _____________ ________ _________ and wait for me to call on you
o If I pose a question to the whole class, DO NOT ________ _____ responses; wait for me to call on
you
 To each other: Remember the ____________ Rule!
o Do not talk when another _______________ is responding or presenting
o No name calling, character judgments, racial/sexual commentary, or profanity
 Turn off cell phones and store all electronics ____________ class; (refer to the school confiscation policy – it
will be enforced.)
3. Be responsible
 Be present and on time
 Accept the _________________ of your choices regarding class work and behavior; don’t ________ others
 Complete make-up work _____________.
 NO EATING IN CLASS; you may have bottled __________ at your desk
4. Follow directions
5. Follow school rules
 _______________ gum chewing is allowed
 Follow all Classroom Procedures, (see the next page)
 Follow LAB WORK & SAFETY PROCEDURES
 Refer to your student handbook or school website
 La Quinta’s academic integrity (____________) policy will be strictly enforced per the attached
Academic Honor Code
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS:
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ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
For La Quinta High School
1. Before, during and after any assessment, the student shall use only those materials
allowed by the teacher. Students shall not be in possession of any materials not
authorized by the teacher.
2. The student shall respect another student’s right to privacy of materials, test and
property (sharing of any information by any means is prohibited, i.e.: visual, written
or verbal).
3. The student, when doing research assignments, shall give proper credit (footnotes,
citations and/or bibliography in compliance with the teacher’s instructions) to those
sources, including the internet when allowed to be a source, used in order to avoid
plagiarism
4. The student will refrain from utilizing technology in unauthorized ways on academic
assignments and exams. ( Some examples include but are not limited to: hand-held
computers, cell phones, digital cameras, calculators, and recording devices)
5. Violations of the Academic Honor Code will be determined by the teacher based on
the school and classroom guidelines s/he set in her/his classroom. Each teacher is
responsible for defining determining and documenting violation(s) of the Academic
Honor Code.
In order to maintain the integrity of La Quinta High School and its individual students,
violation of the CODE OF HONOR will result in the following:
FIRST OCCURRENCE
A. An F or Zero will be given for the work in question.
B. A referral will be sent to the administration specifically describing the Honor Code
violation.
C. A notation of the Honor Code violation will be placed by the administration in the
student’s file.
D. The parents of the student will be notified by administration.
E. The student will be assigned Saturday school or be subjected to other disciplinary
penalties.
“It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them.”
– Mark Twain
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS: CLASS PROCEDURES
Procedure
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What to do
Turning in
Homework
 Homework is due in the file box at Room 333 before first period
Start of class
 Pick up any handouts as you enter class
 If you were absent, check the file box for handouts
 Sharpen your pencils before class begins
 Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings or you’ll be marked tardy
 Take out your materials and store backpacks and/or purses under your seat
 Note the posted homework assignment in your planner
 Complete the Warm up Activity
 Wait quietly for teacher instructions
 4th Period: Do not talk during announcements!
All activities (whole
class, individual &
group)
 When I raise my hand or ring the bell, stop, face me, keep your eyes on me and
pay attention; be ready for instruction, I will have something to say
 Raise your hand to ask permission to leave your seat
 Hall Pass: Fill-out the hall-pass information in your school planner, signal me to
request permission, and then bring me your hall pass to sign. Go only to the place
you have requested or you will be considered truant. To minimize interruptions to
instructional time, please plan to use the bathroom during break, lunch, and/or
passing periods.
Group activities
(including lab work)
 Group assignments are not negotiable or self-appointed
 Assemble in your assigned groups promptly
 Participate in your assigned work without being disruptive
 Keep discussions on-topic
Housekeeping
 Dispose of your food/drink BEFORE you come to class
 Trash goes in the trash can or out the door with you
 Please recycle your plastic bottles! Rinse them first (unless the content is water)
 Spills & breakage should be reported and cleaned up prior to leaving class
 Put all materials back neatly to their proper location prior to leaving class
 Notify the teacher of any damaged or non-functioning materials
End of class
 The teacher dismisses you, not the bell, not yourself; STAY SEATED until the
teacher dismisses you
 Turn in any in-class work (e.g. “tickets-out-the-door”) as you exit
CHEMISTRY 1AB SYLLABUS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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(Please read, sign, and return this acknowledgement page to your teacher.)
I have read and understood the 2015-16 Chemistry class syllabus
and will abide by all classroom rules, policies, and procedures.
Student Acknowledgement
_____________________________
Name (printed)
_____________
Period
_____________________________
Signature
_____________
Date
Parent Acknowledgement
_____________________________
Name (printed)
_____________________________
Parent e-mail address
_____________________________
Signature
____________
Date
DETACH & RETURN SIGNED PAGE TO CLASS