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Notebook Contents
Item.................................................................................................................... Page #’s
Table of Contents .................................................................................................... i-ii
Weekly Grade Check .............................................................................................. iii
Course Syllabus ..................................................................................................... iv-v
POGIL Guideline ..................................................................................................... vi
Safety Contract..................................................................................................... vii-viii
Unit Name
Alchemy
Investigation
Lesson
I: Defining Matter A Penny for Your
Thoughts
Abbreviated
Name
I-1
Page #’s
1-4
ii
Unit Name
Investigation
Lesson
Abbreviated
Name
Page #’s
iii
Weekly Grade Reports
Directions: Edline is updated as soon as new grades are available. Fill in the following
information pertaining to your grade report every week. This will be part of your
notebook grade. Attach this sheet to your notebook after the Table of Contents. If you
begin a new notebook, you’ll need to make sure this gets attached to it.
Week Grade Test HW NoteInLab
Area(s) of
Avg. Quiz book Class Avg.
needed
Avg. Avg. Assign.
improvement
Avg.
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Parent
Signature
iv
Mr. Willard
mwillard@murrieta.k12.ca.us
894-5750 x6646
Chemistry Syllabus
Chemistry is the study of matter and how it changes. It is a college prep course and meets the UC and
CSU requirements for a Lab-Based Physical Science. It requires memorization, competent math skills,
abstract thinking, technical reading ability, good lab skills, and complex problem solving skills. To be
successful in chemistry you must take responsibility for individual learning and maintain a good work
ethic. The units of study are listed below.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Alchemy
Atoms, Molecules and Compounds
Toxins (cont’d)
Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry
Smells
Molecular Structure and Properties
Weather
Gas Laws and Phase Changes
Toxins
Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry
Fire
Energy and Thermochemistry
Grading Policy
Quizzes:
Tests:
Classwork:
Final Exam:
20%
40%
30%
10%
Required Materials
(These materials must be brought EVERY DAY!)
Spiral Bound Notebook (Minimum 150 pages—one for each semester)
Scientific Calculator
Typical Classroom Structure
-subject to changes
Weekly HW Quiz (5 min)
-begins immediately when last bell rings the last class of the week.
-I will drop the 2 lowest quiz scores at the end of each semester
-make-up quizzes only for excused absences
v
Chemistry Lessons
(C days will consist of one lesson/Block days will consist of 2 lessons)
-Will be recorded in your notebook (must follow notebook procedures exactly)
-Will be accomplished with your learning team
-If absent, you will get a zero for the check-in exercise assignment due at the end of class (but I will
drop the 2 lowest scores at the end of each semester).
-If absent, you will need to make this assignment and bring your notebook current immediately.
You never want to get behind in a class like chemistry!! (Especially when the lessons build on
each other)
FORMAT OF EACH LESSON/NOTEBOOK SETUP:
(Each lesson consists of 4 pages in your notebook)
Page 1 in notebook:
 ChemCatalyst (5 min)
-This is to be answered individually
 Notes (5-10 min)
Page 2 in notebook:
 Activity
-This is where you’ll answer the questions pertaining to the activity or lab (15 min)
-Perform with learning team
Page 3 in notebook:
 Making Sense notes (10-15 min)
-This is based on class discussion of the activity just performed in order to provide clarification
of the activity.
 Exercises
-exercises provide more practice with the lesson
Page 4 in notebook:
 Homework
-This is to be obtained from Teacher’s Website.
-A quiz will be given at the end of the week to verify that you did your homework correctly.
Check-In Exercises (5 min)
 This is to be answered individually at the end of class.
-This is the only assignment that I collect daily.
Notebook Checks
 I collect notebooks at the end of every grading period (about every 5 weeks).
Tests
Will be given approximately every three to four weeks (It will be announced ahead of time)
Formal Labs
You will be asked to write several formal lab reports each semester—details will be given at a later
date.
POGIL: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning
Main Function: Students work in teams of four students (called “Learning Teams”) to help develop essential skills
in information processing, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving. Because teamwork skills are
especially important in the workplace, students work as a team together to develop skills such as learning,
thinking, problem solving, teamwork, communicating, management, and assessment. Although students work
together as a team, they also perform individually much like an athletic team does. The team members benefit by
helping each other, but they must also be able to perform on their own.
Research shows students learn better (and memory increases) through discovery and from each other rather than
from a lecture-oriented class structure.
Description of Learning Team Roles

Manager

Spokesperson Presents oral reports to the class. These reports should be as concise
as possible; the instructor will normally set a time limit.

Reflector
Manages the group. Ensures that members are fulfilling their roles, that
the assigned tasks are being accomplished on time, and that all members
of the group participate in activities and understand concepts. Your
teacher will respond to questions from the manager only (who must raise
his or her hand to be recognized.)
Identifies and keeps a log of what the team is doing well; what needs
improvement. Records the names and roles of the group members at the beginning of
each day. He/she prepares the Reflector Report to turn in to the teacher.
Notes:
-Learning teams will be changed after each test as chosen by the teacher
-Roles will change each day
-Teacher selects the initial manager when learning teams are initially made—each following day
the current manager will assign the new roles to their team