Welcome to Chemistry!
Please take your seat
Today’s objectives:
• Get Acquainted
• Find out what to expect
• Getting to know our class
Homework:
• Gather supplies – due
Friday, 8/26
Mrs. Baldessari
Chemistry
Here are a few facts about me...
•Married to Keith Baldessari for 25 years
•2 children: Sarah (Freshman at Kenyon College),
Matt (10th Grade at CVCA )
•Golden Retriever: Sandy
• Education: Hudson High School, Denison University
Hofstra University, Cleveland State University
(BS-Chemistry, MBA-Finance, MA-Ed.)
• I love to travel and
enjoy boating, and snow
skiing.
• I love the beach!!! And, I
am an avid shark tooth
collector.
I play the harp.
•I enjoy attending all of my children's
sports events, music recitals, and
other activities.
• I love entertaining and decorating
our home for the holidays.
What is Chemistry?
• Chemistry = the study of matter and the
transformation it undergoes
• Lab based college preparatory class
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Why Study Chemistry?
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To be better informed
To be a knowledgeable consumer
To make better decisions for yourself and society
To learn problem-solving skills
To enhance analytical thinking
It will look great on your transcripts, provided you
earn a good grade
• This class will prepare you for AP Chem and/or
College Chem
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What do I need?
• 1 ½ inch binder – with 5 dividers – reference,
vocabulary, notes, labs, projects
(Note, handouts and PowerPoint's should be
filed under notes)
• Scientific or graphing calculator
• Covered textbook – leave in locker or at home – I
will tell you when you need to bring it to class
All Materials due on Friday, 8/26 – 5 points
What do I need?
• 3 x 5 index cards for vocabulary and key concepts
these may be kept in a pencil holder pouch or
baggie, or with a rubber band, or hole punch with
ring
• Writing materials – Pencil, pen, writing paper
• Closed toed shoes on lab days – a pair of shoes
may be kept in class
• Hair ties for long hair
• All Materials due on Friday, 8/26 – 5 points
What do I need?
• Cell phones will be used as stop watches , cameras,
and to text yourself the weekly homework
assignments. – They must be off and out of sight
except when we are using them for a pre-approved
activity.
• Bring in a box of Kleenex and a roll of Paper towels
and earn two homework passes allowing you to hand
in two homework assignments one day late with no
penalty
• All Materials due on Friday , August 26
Successful Students will:
• Attend class, if you miss class, it is your responsibility
to make up the missed work
• Check ESIS regularly
Check syllabus with homework, quizzes, tests, and
project due dates
Know what your grade is, and why it is what it is
• Actively participate during class discussions,
activities, and labs
• Study – vocabulary, notes, handouts
• Do all assignments to the best of your ability and on
time, ask questions and come to me for help
Always Ask!
•If in doubt….
ASK!
Chemistry has its own language with
lots of new vocabulary to learn
• Learning vocabulary is an on-going process.
It continues throughout your entire life.
• Look at the following examples:
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at the age of 4 you probably knew 5,600 words
at the age of 5 you probably knew 9,600 words
at the age of 6 you probably knew 14,700 words
at the age of 7 you probably knew 21,200 words
at the age of 8 you probably knew 26,300 words
at the age of 9 you probably knew 29,300 words
at the age of 10 you probably knew 34,300 words
• In this class you will learn more than 1000
vocabulary words!
How will I learn 1000 Chemistry
vocabulary terms?
CONTEXT CLUES
Learning the meaning of words from the context of your reading
material can be the most useful strategy to increase your vocabulary
comprehension. Using the context that surrounds an unknown word
helps to reveal its meaning.
WORD STRUCTURE
Sometimes a word can give clues to the meaning in its structure. When
you approach an unknown word, you can guess at its meaning by
breaking down the parts of the word.
MAKE FLASHCARDS– with word and definition
Add picture and other info if it helps
VocabWord
Front
Definition
Draw
picture
Back
1 class rule: Respect!
 Respect yourself
 Respect each other
 Respect me – come prepared and be in your seat when the bell
rings
 Respect the other adults that are in our room
 Respect school property
 Student honesty and lab contract - due on Tuesday, 8/30
Grades
• Grades will be weighted:
 tests 50%
labs, in class activities, and projects 40%
quizzes 5%
homework 5%
• Homework assignments are based on completion – due on the
date assigned for 100% grade
• Labs are based on completion, cooperation and quality of
work, and demonstration of content knowledge
• Quizzes will be given often and have a low point value – goal is
to help you learn the material
• All assignments will be announced – no pop quizzes
Assignment due date policies
• Look for assignments in 3 places - daily when you arrive on
Power Point slide, on my website, and on Blackboard.
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• Late work – Assignments not turned in on time will receive a
late penalty. You will be permitted to use two late homework
passes each semester, each good for one additional school
day. Once those are used the late penalty is 10% of the points
possible per school day.
• Once an assignment has been returned to the rest of the
class you may not receive any credit. You may still turn an
assignment in after this time to receive feedback and to
remain eligible for extra credit, but no points will be awarded
for the assignment itself. The only exceptions are for
absences.
How do I earn extra credit?
• Complete assigned extra credit projects
• Earn extra “freak” points for doing an
outstanding job on something
• Turn in unused homework passes – 5 points
each
• Turn in all assignments – extra credit points
will only count if you have no missing
assignments
Late homework passes
1) If you do not have your homework, simply complete
the form and turn it in instead of your homework.
Your homework will be due the following school day.
2) Each unused homework pass will earn you 5 bonus
points at the end of each semester, but only if you
have no missing work throughout the semester.
3) Homework passes are not able to be used to postpone quizzes or tests.
4) Earn 2 extra homework passes for bringing in a box of
Kleenex and a roll of paper towels.
Quizzes
• Once quizzes and tests have been graded, I will pass them
back, go over them, and recollect and file them. You or your
parents are welcome to make an appointment and review
any quiz or test further.
• As previously mentioned quizzes are formative, meaning
that they are given to help you learn the material. They will
be given often, vary in size, and have low point values.
Every chapter will have a vocabulary quiz and a content
quiz prior to the unit test. In more difficult chapters, we
will have five point daily quizzes.
• Quizzes and tests are not graded on a curve. However, if a
question is missed by the majority of students, it will be
thrown out.
Tests
• Tests will typically be given on a block day to allow maximum time for
every student to finish the test.
• Tests are summative, meaning that this is your opportunity to show
what you have learned.
• Chapter tests will typically be composed of three parts – multiple
choice, extended response, and a lab activity. Each grade will be
reported separately.
• Sometimes students fail to perform as expected. Those that score less
than 70% on a chapter test, will be asked to meet with me and do
some remedial work to prepare to retake a similar test.
• Students that scored higher than a 70%, but would still like a chance
to do better are welcome retest. The higher of the two test scores
will be recorded. Retests will be given on Thursday mornings.
Textbook reading
• When reading is assigned, you are encouraged to
take Cornell notes. You will receive a homework
grade of 10/10 points for every section
completed, and 0/0 points if you choose not to
complete them.
• In other words, there is no penalty for not doing
Cornell notes, but you will receive a 100%
homework grade if you complete them.
• Cornell notes may be used on all content quizzes.
They may not be used on vocabulary quizzes or
tests.
Please Remember:
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I am here to help you
You can achieve the grade you desire if you are conscientious
Email: sbaldessari@beachwoodschools.org
Phone: 216/831-2080 ext: 255
Website: See BHS homepage under teacher websites
My schedule: Office hours M, T, Th, F 7:30-7:55 Room 709
1 - planning
2nd , 4th , 10th - Biology
3rd - 9th grade advisory
5/6th Study Hall room 709*
7th Lunch*
8/9th , 11th Chemistry
• I am available to help during the school day (see * for time and location)
• I am willing to help you before school during office hours and after school
by appointment
• You and your friends are welcome to join me for lunch anytime