CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS 2013-2014
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Online Textbook: http://my.hrw.com
Username: chepler22
Password: u3r7j
STUDENT NAME_______________________________
PERIOD _____
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry is an academic laboratory course that meets five (5) periods per week. Three
(3) of these periods are dedicated to classroom discussion while two (2) periods per week
may be dedicated to laboratory work. Topics include the discussion of matter and
energy, chemical reactions and chemical nomenclature, the periodic table and the
elements, moles and stoichiometry, the behavior of gases, acids and bases.
PREREQUISITE—You MUST be taking or have taken Algebra II for chemistry! If
Algebra II is not on your schedule, you need to see the guidance counselor before
or after school to make changes. Chemistry will require weekly lab reports and daily
readings and problem solving outside of the classroom. A midterm and final exam will
be given for this course. NOTE: A student who averages a 95% or above for the first two
marking periods may opt out of the midterm exam with parental permission (see Student
Handbook); however, the final exam must be taken by all students regardless of his/her
average grade.
COURSE TEXTBOOK
Holt’s Modern Chemistry ©2012 and Modern Chemistry laboratory manual as well as
various other laboratory sources
o Holt’s Online Modern Chemistry @2012 Link:
o Go to //my.hrw.com; username is chepler22 password is u3r7j
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 Students are to bring to class daily: a notebook or three-ring binder for storing
classroom notes, handouts, and lab reports; a scientific calculator; and a pen or
pencil. Textbooks are kept in the room but may be signed out for outside classroom
use.
 Students are to follow all lab safety rules and classroom rules at all times. In
addition, all students are required to clean up after themselves and to return all
equipment to its proper place after class and lab activities.
 Students are to hand in all required assignments on time to successfully complete
this course. This includes study guides, chapter homework, monthly technology
critiques, weekly laboratory reports, daily classroom assignments, and projects.
 Students are responsible to find out what was missed when absent. Please see me
for missed class work and handouts. My homepage (found under
www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us) is updated weekly, and the white board lists upcoming
tests and major assignments. Be prepared to make up tests upon your return
from a brief absence (i.e., day of the test)! Labs must be made up within five (5)
days of your absence unless arranged otherwise. Please see my posted schedule for
the periods when labs and tests can be made up.
 Students must complete their own study guides, lab reports, chapter homework,
critiques, daily classroom assignments, and projects. Any copied work or plagiarism
will result in a zero for the entire assignment. In addition, all completed projects,
assigned or as extra credit, must contain cited references for any credit.
 All students are required to keep track of his or her grades throughout the year.
Grades will be posted by student ID number each week or so on the front bulletin
board; however, it is the responsibility of the student to check the posted grades
periodically for any mistakes. I will be able to discuss your grade before or after
class.
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CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS 2013-2014
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Online Textbook: http://my.hrw.com
Username: chepler22
Password: u3r7j
STUDENT NAME_______________________________
PERIOD _____
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Marking period points total between 250 to 350 points. Required assignments and their
estimated points are listed below.
 Study Guides: Study guides are handed out about a week before the end of each
unit or chapter. Study guides are due the day before the test for an “in-class check”.
Study guides are returned during the same period so you can use them to study for
the test. Late study guides will not be accepted. Points: 5 per study guide
 Chapter Homework: Homework is due on the day of the test unless otherwise
noted by the teacher. Homework will not be accepted after 2 days. Marking period
extra credit will be assessed if homework is turned in 2 days early. Points: 5 per
assignment
 Lab Reports: Lab reports will be completed after each experiment. Lab reports are
usually due the day after the lab is completed unless specified by the teacher. Lab
reports will not be accepted after 5 days. Points: 15 per report
 Prelabs: A prelab is the start of your lab report that you do before coming to class.
Prelabs are required for each lab report unless otherwise noted by your teacher. You
must present your prelab at the start of the lab period to receive points. Late prelabs
will not be accepted. Points: 3 points per prelab
 Study Island: Each marking period students will be assigned up to ten (10) sections
of Science Study Island questions to complete online. Students MUST complete and
obtain a blue ribbon for at least five (5) of the assigned sections. Each section is
worth three (3) for a total of 15 points. If a student does all of the assigned sections
(or more than five), they will received bonus points for each section they receive a
blue ribbon above the first five. Study Island is due on the date listed online; late
submissions will not be accepted. Points: 3 per section (first 5); 1-2 bonus points for
each thereafter
 Technology Critiques: Students are required to complete a monthly technology
critique on any area dealing with chemistry or a chemistry related technology. A
critique contains a paragraph summary and a paragraph opinion. Critiques may be
turned in at any time during the month and can be turned in months in advance.
Each critique is due on the last class day of the month—no excuses! Extra credit will
be assessed to each student who turns in all nine critiques (September through May).
Points: 4 per critique
 Projects: Students will be required to participate in and complete a few projects
throughout the year. Points: 20-40 points per project
 Tests/Quizzes: A test or other assessment will be given after each chapter that is
covered. Quizzes may be given on assigned reading passages or mid-way through a
longer chapter. Points: 30-60 points per test and no more than 20 points per quiz
 Miscellaneous Assignments: May include graphic organizers, problem solving in
class, in class labs or activities, or assigned readings/research outside of class.
Points may vary for each assignment. Points: no more than 20
RUBRICS
The following assignments will be graded using a rubric. Each rubric will be reviewed
prior to turning in the assignment. All rubrics can be found on my homepage or in the
rubric organizer in my room. Rubrics can be attached to the front or back of your
assignment. The assignment is then placed in the “turn in tray” in my room. Graded
assignments can be found in the homework return box on the bookshelf under your
class period.
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CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS 2013-2014
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Online Textbook: http://my.hrw.com
Username: chepler22
Password: u3r7j
STUDENT NAME_______________________________
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PERIOD _____
Chapter Homework—a rating rubric is used to grade all chapter homework
assignments for completion, neatness, and accuracy.
Lab Reports—a standard rubric is used to grade all lab reports. Please remember
to fill out the top of each rubric before turning in your assignment.
Critiques—a simple rubric will be used to grade your monthly technology
critique.
Projects—depending on the project, a rubric will be used to explain what details
are needed to successfully complete it.
MY CONTACT INFORMATION
Mrs. Leslie Hepler
Email: heplerl@mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
Website: www.mlbgsd.k12.pa.us
School phone: (717) 692-2108 ext 1
Online Textbook: http://my.hrw.com
Username: chepler22
Password: u3r7j
STUDENT/PARENT REPLY AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Student Name _____________________________________________________________________
Student Signature ________________________________________________________________
Student Email: _____________________________________________________________
Parent(s) Name ____________________________________________________________________
Parent(s) Signature ________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone #s ___________________________________________________________
Parent(s) Email(s) ___________________________________________________________
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