www.southgateschools.com/web/?chemistry
[email protected]
Welcome Back!
I hope that everyone is as excited to be back as I
am. I am looking forward to a great year. In order
for us to do that, we have to start off on the right
track. This guide should cover everything that
you may have questions about during the year.
Remember that this is only a guide. As new
situations arise, changes may be made to ensure
that our classroom runs smoothly. If you have
any concerns or questions, please see me as
soon as possible.
Additionally, I have been teaching with Southgate
since 1993 and plan to stay until I retire from
teaching. Teaching is not just a job for me. I
wake up every day eager to start the adventure
and excited about the unique people I get to work
with, both teachers and students. I wish all of you
the same success in finding a career that you love
as much.
Thank you for being a part of my class and for
helping us all to have an unforgettable year!
Miss Repp
[email protected]
Grading Scale
A
94-100
A-
90-93
B+
87-89
B
84-86
B-
80-83
C+
77-79
C
74-76
C-
70-73
D+
67-69
D
64-66
D-
60-63
What you need for class:
Spiral Notebook
Folder or Binder
Scientific Calculator
100 pack of 3 x 5 Cards
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Respect and Responsibility
The following set of School Rules was developed to be used to improve student behavior while at school. Some issues
originate outside the classroom, but may become an issue when noticed inside the classroom and therefore become School
Rule violations.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Respect for others and their property must be adhered to at all times.
Use appropriate language and non-disruptive behavior.
Follow the directions and requests of the staff.
Follow the school dress code policy.
Anything that promotes gang activity, including graffiti or clothing will not be permitted.
Open food and drink are not allowed in the hallways.
Some of my specific classroom rules by which students are expected to abide:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Be on time to class.
Be prepared to participate in class.
Follow directions the first time given.
Sit in your assigned seat until instructed otherwise.
No food or drink is permitted in class.
Do not store anything in your chemistry book!
HALL PASSES: I don’t usually write passes for students to leave the room...I want to spend as much time
with you in the room as possible. Make sure that if you need to leave the room, you ask at an appropriate
time. You are permitted two hall passes per trimester. If you require any more than that, I will allow you to
leave, but you will take a tardy.
APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR: Please think about your actions. Certain words and gestures
have become commonplace in your dealings with your friends; however, some of these are not appropriate for our
classroom. Generally, if you wouldn’t say it to your grandma, you probably shouldn’t say it in our classroom either.
Let’s keep our class fun and safe for everyone.
SLEEPING: If you are not feeling well, please tell me at the beginning of the hour so that I can write you a pass to
go to the office. Sleeping in class is not an option. You will be sent to the office and marked absent.
ELECTRONICS: The use of all telecommunication and electronic devices, are prohibited on school grounds and at school
-sponsored or school-related activities on or off school property, during the instructional school day (including lunch). Examples include but are not limited to, cell phones including text messaging, music devices such as iPods, MP3 players and CD
Players. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen devices. Teachers and administrators will take appropriate actions if a student is observed using these devices during the school day or if such devices disrupt the instructional setting. Disciplinary actions may include: immediate confiscation, a parent conference for return of the device, suspension and
loss of privileges.
Golden Rule: If what you’re
you re about to do is going to disrupt someone’s
someone s learning
or teaching, then wait until it won’t
won t or just don’t.
don t.
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Page 3
Attendance Policy
The Southgate Anderson High School staff believes that regular school attendance is an asset to the
learning process; therefore the following attendance guidelines and procedures have been established.
•
•
Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes.
Students will be allowed five (5) absences in each class period during a trimester, which includes suspensions. Parents are required to call and report the absence of their child within 24 hours of the absence. Parents are also encouraged to review their child's attendance on PowerSchool.
A. On a student's sixth (6th) absence, the student will be required to achieve at least a ‘C' on the final exam
to have his/her grade calculated for the term. If the student does not attain a ‘C' grade on the exam, the
student will receive no credit for the course.
B. Students who accumulate a total of nine (9) or more absences will lose credit for those classes except
for extenuating circumstances of a documented legal nature, medical nature (such as a serious or extended illness or injury) or other problem well beyond the student's control. Upon receipt of documentation,
the exception will be considered. Medical documentation from the doctor in charge must be turned in within
one week of the date(s) of the student's absence. This documentation must contain the legal reason or a
diagnosis of the illness and the specific dates that the student could not be in school. Parents/guardians
must contact an administrator when extenuating circumstances are present.
Assignments and Homework
All assignments are due or checked off at the beginning of the hour. If you do not turn in the
assignment at the time I collect it, it will not be graded. There are no exceptions to this. If
you are absent the day an assignment is due, you are required to turn it in to me the day
that you return to school. If I have assigned something new when you are absent, you are
required to turn that assignment in to me the next day. If you are absent the day before a
test, you will be required to take that test during the makeup session.
After teaching a lesson, I will assign homework problems, a reinforcement worksheet, or an
activity. The assignment will be due at the beginning of the hour the next day. When I walk
around to ensure that the assignment is completed, you will receive either five points for
completing eighty percent (80%) or more of the assignment or you will receive zero points
for completing less than eighty percent (80%) of the assignment. Completion of the assignment at any time after I come around to check off the assignment DOES NOT remove the
zero earned, but it does increase your chances of success on the objectives of the unit.
It is my recommendation that you maintain your notes from class and your homework problems in a spiral notebook and you save all of your worksheets, guides, and tables in a
folder or binder. You will lose five points every time I find papers, pencils, notebooks, or
anything else inside your school book. It is also my recommendation that you have a calculator that you can bring to chemistry class every day. This should be a scientific (not necessarily graphing) calculator. You will probably use your calculator more in chemistry class
than you would in math class!
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Educational Goals and Objectives
Kristina Repp
GOAL #1
To increase the percentage of students attempting practice and reinforcement problems on a daily
basis in chemistry and advanced chemistry.
STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE GOAL #1
• Check off homework from students every day at the beginning of the hour.
• Give students credit for homework if at least 80% of the assignment is completed.
• Choose random students to do reinforcement problems on the board every day.
• Answer any questions that students have on reinforcement problems every day.
• Give periodic assessment of reinforcement problems (weekly).
• Return student tests and go over each question prior to them taking the next test.
GOAL #2
To create chemistry units and real-world problems that will increase student understanding of benchmarks in mathematics as well as chemistry.
STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE GOAL #2
• Develop a variety of interdisciplinary units that cover key benchmarks in mathematics.
• Use varied teaching methods, such as cooperative learning and mastery learning in all interdisciplinary units.
• Incorporate real-world topics and situations to help students relate chemistry and mathematics to
their everyday lives.
GOAL #3
To create chemistry units that will engage the students’ attention and provide a fun, safe learning environment.
STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE GOAL #3
• Develop a variety of activities, including lab safety quizzes that students must pass to be permitted
to participate in experiments.
• Incorporate a weekly joke or anecdote that relates to a topic we’re covering.
• Greet students at the door when class begins.
• Dismiss students with a positive comment when class has ended.
GOAL #4
To develop (or improve) the organizational skills of each student.
STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE GOAL #4
• Require students to do a pre-chapter outline of the goals and objectives for the new chapter.
• Require students to take notes on lectures and problems during the hour.
• Require each student to maintain a notebook and folder for class.
• Hole-punch all assignments for students for easy access in folders.
• Require students to silently read specific sections during the chapter.
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Page 5
Honor Code
I expect that you will settle for nothing less than your best on everything that you do in our class. I also expect
that you will never sell yourself short by turning in the work that another student has spent his or her time and
energy on. “Cheating” is a term that holds a variety of meanings to everyone. It has become justifiable in some
instances and appalling in others.
To clarify what I expect, please remember that you will receive a zero on any assignment, quiz, or test that
resembles the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
If it is found that
If it is found that
If it is found that
If it is found that
If it is found that
If it is found that
you used a “cribsheet”, book, or anything on a quiz or test that is not permitted.
you looked at answers on another student’s quiz, test, or assignment.
you copied answers off of another student’s assignment.
you and another student have exactly the same answers on free-response assignments.
you split up assignments and give or receive answers from another student later.
you did not do the work yourself in any way, shape, or form.
Please understand that “cheating” to me means that you have not done the work yourself. This means that you
have cheated yourself out of the sense of accomplishment that goes along with hard work and commitment. I
will not let you cheat yourself out of that experience.
The freedom allowed in our
classroom permits you to
express your thoughts,
opinions, and concerns in a
responsible, mature
manner. Because of this
freedom, it is rare that
students feel the need to
act inappropriately.
However, if the situation
arises where these policies
are not being followed,
appropriate consequences
will follow. The first step for
most problems will be a
discussion with you and
possibly your parents.
Additional steps may be
required through the office
as well.
Let’s make class fun and
safe so that everyone can
have a great year!
Classroom Website
You can find my website at www.southgateschools.com/web/?chemistry. I created this site
for use as an interactive tool to help keep you on track in the class. You will find the following
(and more) when you visit my site:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Weekly lesson plans and notes
Printable periodic table and other charts
Direct link to Power School
Clickable topics and reviews
Chemistry Database Center for help
Extra Credit questions
Student Pictures
Fun Links
Please write the site down in your planner so that you have it handy when you need it. All
teachers’ emails and website addresses are linked at www.southgateschools.com/web to
make it easier for you and your parents to locate information.
www.southgateschools.com/web/?chemistry
E-mail: [email protected]
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Safety in the Lab...
Throughout this year, we will be conducting several experiments and I will be performing a variety of demonstrations. It is important that all members of the class are safe at all times. You will be taking several Lab
Safety and Material Recognition quizzes prior to performing a lab. The following is a general guide for you to
read since you will be in the presence of chemicals and laboratory equipment from this day forth.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Conduct yourself in a mature, responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. Always think about what you
are doing.
No food or beverages are permitted in the classroom. No gum is permitted during experiments.
Follow the lab instructions one step at a time.
Do not work alone unless I permit you to do so.
Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials unless you are instructed to do so.
Perform only those experiments that I authorize. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in
the laboratory procedures. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments
of any kind are prohibited.
Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures and perform all pre-lab assignments before
entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited… and will cause your removal from the laboratory with a zero on your lab.
Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only
your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and pencils to the work area.
Do not sit down in the lab. If a chemical spill occurs, you want to be able to move quickly.
Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment, including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm exits are located.
Notify me immediately if you should observe any unsafe conditions.
Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals by running the in the sink.
Labels and equipment must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed.
Keep hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with
soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean, rinse, and wipe dry all work surface (including the
sink) and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order.
Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the experiments of other students.
Students are never permitted in the room behind my desk. If you need more chemicals or equipment, you
must request them from me.
No hats are allowed in the classroom
Shoes must completely cover the foot during an experiment. No sandals or open toed shoes are allowed.
Students will wear laboratory goggles that I provide at all times while in the laboratory.
Contact lenses should not be worn during experiments.
Long hair must be tied back. Dangling jewelry, loose clothing, and long hair are a hazard in the lab.
Report any accident immediately no matter how trivial it may seem.
Do not attempt to pick up broken glass or spilled chemicals with your hands.
Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. This will cause a contamination.
Never remove chemicals, equipment, or other materials from the laboratory.
By joining this class, you automatically agree to the previous guidelines without exception. In addition to these
procedures, you will be given a packet of information concerning chemistry experiments. Prior to performing
any lab, you must pass a series of laboratory safety and materials quizzes. Failure on these quizzes will result
in a zero on each lab that you miss.