Chemistry Class: Goals• Perform to the best of your ability

• Learn new stuff about chemistry and see its applications to the world around you

• Become a critical thinker

• Have fun!!!

Weighted Grading

5% Participation15% Homework/Classwork15% Quizzes25% Labs/Projects40% Tests

Semester Grades1 and 2 Quarter = 80%Fall Semester Final = 20%

3 and 4 Quarter = 80%*Spring Semester Final = 20%

*Spring Semester Final is cumulative for entire year … 1/3 from fall and 2/3 from spring

Participation

• Warm-Up/Cool Down Logs• Special Events: STEM Week

Homework

• Due at beginning of class after warm up.• We will work a few problems on board

before homework is checked.• I will then come around and stamp

completed HW.• Checking for completeness, not correctness.• Answer keys will usually be published night

before HW is due. Hard copies for answer keys are kept in classroom.

Homework continued

• HW turned in on day of test. If it has a stamp you will earn 2 pts. No stamp will receive 1 pt. Missing HW will go into gradebook as a zero.

• NO LATE HW WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! Unless excused absence.

• Two lowest HW will be dropped each semester.

Homework PhilosophyHW is practice for you to prepare for test and learn the content. Very rarely will I assign busy work (the same concept or problem 10 times over). If you are the type of person who waits until last second and copies HW from a friend …. Well you might manage to get your 15% credit in the HW category, but you will do poorly on test and quizzes.

The answer keys are online so you can work a problem and then see if you got it correct. If you get it wrong, perhaps seeing the correct answer will allow you to figure out your mistake and understand the content. If the correct answer makes no sense to you, I am expecting you will ask me to work the problem on the board.

Quizzes• Usually announced (10 -15 pts.)• Tend to occur the week before the test• Pop quizzes are a possibility … they tend

to be easier and worth less pts. (5 or so)• THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS FOR MISSED

QUIZZES! Your score on the unit test will count towards your quiz grade.

• Your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of each semester.

Labs• Usually occur every week on block days• You must wear long pants and closed-toe

footwear or points will be deducted. For certain labs you will not be able to participate and will receive a zero or lose points.

• If you miss a lab day, you must coordinate with me on when to make it up and sign up on board. Make up labs usually occur lunchtime.

• Late labs are accepted with a 20% penalty before grading. Deadline for late labs will occur a day or two ahead of the end of a quarter.

Tests• If absent day of test: Responsibility to meet

with me and come up with acceptable day to take test. Must sign up on board.

• Tests are part multiple choice, and part short answer, where you have to show your work to get credit.

Extra Credit• You have the opportunity to earn up to 1% extra

credit each semester.• In this class you can earn your extra credit by

accumulating chem dollars on the following scale:

40 cd - 1.00%30 cd - 0.75%20 cd - 0.50%10 cd - 0.25%

*Amounts may change

What are Chem Dollarsand How Do I Get Them

• Interacting in class• Reviews for tests• Doing nice deeds/helping out• Going to outside scientific events• Name that element and other games in classroom• Reviewing journal articles (more to come)

Required SuppliesPencils (Chemistry is a pencil science) Pens (Blue and/or Black ink only)Loose-leaf PaperOrganized Binder (I try to three-hole punch everything I hand-out)Textbook (Class set)Non-graphing scientific calculator (we have class set)

Composition Notebook for Labs

Start of ClassWhen you come into class…1) Get out warm up log and start warm up when bell rings2) Discuss warm up with neighbor if you are waiting for others to finish3) Class discussion about warm up4) If HW is due, place it on right corner of your desk5) Prepare to ask any questions about HW you did not understand6) HW will be checked7) If other work is due, (lab, etc.) I will give instructions on how to turn in

Return after Absence

1) Check out class website (chem. calendar) for what you missed (preferably night before)

2) Ask a friend what you missed3) Look for missed handouts on wall file4) Look on wall agenda for any other material you might have missed5) ….. Then ask Mr. Dressen if you are still confused

What is a Tardy?• You are tardy if you are not in your desk starting

to work on your warm up when bell rings.• Please do not try to negotiate what “tardy”

looks like in this class.• If you arrive late to class, rest assured I marked

you absent.• In order not to be marked absent, but only tardy,

you need write your name on tardy log so I can go over it later.

I Have to go to the Bathroom!

• Not in the first or last 10 minutes of class.• Sign name and time on white board.• Cross out name when you return. • Only one person can leave classroom at a time. • Anyone who misuses a restroom privilege will

have that privilege revoked for the rest of the semester. (Gone for more than 5 minutes, excessive use, etc.)

Food/Drink Policy• No food in room --- this room is a lab.• No gum chewing in room --- this room is a

lab• Water in a closed container/drink container

will be allowed in seated area … not in lab area.• Your food or non-water beverage will be

taken away and carefully stored in the compost can outside.• You can retrieve it after class.

Electronic Devices

• LAHS policy on electronic devices is observed.•We should use them for good not evil.• No computers unless they are part of

your 504 or IEP plan.

What Happens at End of Class

• We will often review what we have learned (cool-down) and connect it to what you will learn soon. Sometimes you will hand in cool-down (exit slip).

• Students do not pack up their belongings until after the teacher tells them to do so.

• Students do not even flinch when the bell rings. Instead, they wait for the teacher to dismiss them.

• Students double check that they understand the homework assignment.

Class Website

• I use district website, it isn’t the greatest, but it is functional.

• The calendar app is best link to use.

Finding Mr. Dressen

• Before school, either 703 or 710• Period 1 and 2 room 703 (1st semester only)• Always in my room 710 during tutorial and lunch

(unless school meeting) • Afterschool 3:30-4:30 by appointment in 710

(Mon/Tues/Thurs)• If you have a free 3rd or 4th we can talk

Finally ….

•Respect your physical space (room/lab/equipment)•Respect your peers•Respect your teacher•Most importantly, respect yourself