Chemistry Course Outline
Page 1
Course Content and Goals
Chemistry is the study of matter, its structure, properties and composition and the changes that
matter undergoes. Upon completion of this course students should have a good understanding
of the following topics:
 The Nature of Chemistry
 The Structure of the Atom
 Periodic Table and Periodicity
 Ionic and Covalent Compounds
 Chemical Reactions
 Acid and Bases
 Stoichiometry
 Gases
Text
Chemistry: Matter and Change, Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2008
Lab Safety
Student safety is of the upmost importance in this class. All general safety rules outlined in the
safety contract must be followed at all times. This agreement must be signed by both student
and parent/guardian and returned to Mrs. Lee. Students are also required to pass a safety test
based on this agreement prior to lab participation. Food and drink are prohibited in lab for the
safety of all students. Instructions must be followed the first time given, if a question arises,
please ask before proceeding. Pre-lab assignments must be completed prior to your lab; not
only to ensure proper procedure but also to ensure your safety. Clean up after a lab is also
necessary for the safety of incoming students. Violations of lab safety and procedure will be
dealt with severely; Initially lab grades will be affected; repeated violations will result in your
removal from the lab. The safety of all students relies on individual cooperation!
Materials
Come to class prepared with appropriate materials; which include, but are not limited to
homework, pencils, blue or black pen, paper, books, notebook etc. A dedicated 3-ring binder
and goggles will be needed for this class. The goggles must be chemical splash proof goggles
and not industrial safety goggles/glasses. Some goggles have been left in the classroom from
years past and can be used IF available, but Lowes and other hardware stores usually stock them
at an economical price.
Other Course Materials
This class incorporates a website with a variety of information sources. Students will need online
access in order to complete assignments. Classroom laptops will be used frequently. Software
needed for this class will be provided on the classroom laptops and can optionally be installed
on home computers. Students must have a calculator capable of basic scientific functions. A
calculator similar to a Ti-84 is more than sufficient.
Chemistry Course Outline
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Website
www.bobcatchemistry.wikispaces.com
We will use this website almost daily throughout the course of the year. This will be your source
for guided notes, lecture presentations, online quizzes, online tests, virtual labs and class
calendar. Most class materials will be presented in an electronic format. Students will need online
access in order to complete assignments.
Classroom Rules and Expectations
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Follow all safety guidelines outlined in the student safety contract.
Students are to follow all directions the first time given. If you do not understand,
please ask. The safety of all students relies on individual cooperation.
No food or drink allowed in lab.
Be respectful of other students, the teacher and yourself.
Be ready to work when the bell rings.
No electronic devices of any kind are permitted in class unless a calculator is required as
part of an assignment.
Be prepared with necessary classroom materials.
Work for other classes is not allowed, and will not be tolerated during this class.
Clean up your work/lab stations prior to leaving the classroom.
Academic Misconduct
Cheating/Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please familiarize yourself with Grandview Heights
High School’s policy on cheating and plagiarism in the parent/student handbook. If cheating or
plagiarism is suspected, the policy will be followed without exception. It is important for every
student’s work to be his or her own. If at any time there is a question of what constitutes
cheating, please see me for clarification before proceeding. Examples of cheating include, but
are not limited to, copying homework, viewing a test prior to taking it, using a phone or other
device to get answers for a test. Not all assessments and activities for this class will be for a
grade, but all activities help to prepare students for an assessment that will be for a grade. If
students are turning in work, any work…homework, quiz, online activity, test or lab… that has
been copied, or modified with the help of another, it will give a false sense of understanding on
the part of the student and the instructor. Misconceptions and misunderstandings that are
masked by cheating cannot be caught and corrected; therefore a zero tolerance policy for
cheating, of any kind has been adopted.
Electronic Devices
All such devices with the exception of a calculator (when an assignment or activity requires it)
must be turned off and put away once you are in the classroom. If I hear or see it a detention
will be assigned and the cell phone/device confiscated. Second offense will result in a detention
and the cell phone/device given to the principal and your parents will need to arrange for
pickup.
Chemistry Course Outline
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Senior Exam Exemptions
Seniors will be exempt from the final with an 84% cumulative grade for the year and an 84% for
the final reporting period.
Assessments
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Tests -50% of grade– Summative tests will be scheduled after every major topic and/or
chapter at my discretion. They will most likely contain a variety of assessment tools.
(true/false, short answer, essay, multiple choice, online activity, problem solving…etc.)
Students can earn partial credit from content missed on the test.
Quizzes/Class Activities -15% of grade – Several quizzes will be scheduled for each of
the nine weeks. Content for the quizzes will be based on homework assignments. The
lowest quiz grade will be dropped for each reporting period.
Labs -25% of grade – Please see lab report rubric for expectations. Flow chart
preparation may be a required pre-lab activity and may be a significant portion of the
lab grade. Late labs will be accepted with penalty up until the labs are graded and
returned to the class. Labs that are not turned in prior to the others being returned
cannot and will not be accepted.
Culminating Project – In the spring we will concentrate on a culminating physical
science project. Students will have considerable freedom on the topic of this project.
This freedom is intended to encourage creativity and interest within the physical
sciences. Final projects will be entered as a double lab grade during spring quarter.
Safety, Participation and Preparation– Active participation in labs and classroom
activities is expected. Excessive trips out of the classroom for bathroom breaks etc.,
distract from classroom activities. Most importantly, following safety guidelines in class
are a must and violations will negatively affect your grade.
Homework– 10% of grade - Regular homework will be assigned, but may or may not be
checked for completion. Answers to homework problems will be provided for students
to check and reference. Quizzes will cover assigned homework content.
Extra Credit- Some extra credit will be available during the course of the school year. In
order to be considered for extra credit, all assignments must be turned in and complete.
Test Correction/Retake Policy – All tests can be corrected for additional points. If a score on a test
is under 70%, I highly recommend that it be corrected. If two tests in a row are under 70%; both will
be required to be corrected. Tests can be corrected and points ‘reclaimed’ under the following
guidelines:
1) Test in question must be corrected with all missed problems worked out or explained in
writing with detail.
2) All classroom activities and assignments must be complete and turned in upon
correction.
3) Missed questions from the test will be restated/discussed one on one to ensure
comprehension.
Chemistry Course Outline
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4) Corrected test score and original score will be averaged for final grade.
Make-up Work
Missed work is the responsibility of the student. When an excused absence is planned, work
must be done prior to the absence unless otherwise approved by the teacher. When an excused
absence is unplanned, in accordance with school policy, you will have the same number of days
missed, up to a maximum of two weeks to make up your work. Unexcused absences shall
receive no credit for make-up work.
Help and Questions
If you need extra help, I will be happy to work with you before school, after school or during
lunch with prior notice. Please see me so that we can arrange a time that fits both our
schedules. If you are not doing as well as you had hoped or the material in class becomes too
difficult, I encourage you to take initiative and come speak with me about possible solutions. Be
an advocate for yourself and communicate about problems you may be having in class.
Contact Information:
Jo Lee
614-481-3620
jo.lee@ghcsd.org
Website: http://bobcatchemistry.wikispaces.com