Syllabus - High School Chemistry

Text: World of Chemistry, 2005/6 edition, by Zumdahl

http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/woc_07/book_home.htm

Schedule
15 class meetings per semester lasting approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.
About 1/3 of these are labs.
Labs
Approximately 5 or 6 labs per semester, depending on time available

Homework

Book Problems - Every week we will cover the material in the chapter and I assign problems from the book. The
book problems are not turned in, but you must do them in order to learn the material. You should check the answers
to the assigned problems to make sure you are understanding them correctly. Keep your book problems in a
notebook and clearly label the number and chapter. Then when its time for the test, it will be easy for you to
review them.

A Chapter Check will be given every non-lab week. It will be graded and will cover things we studied in class and
problems you should be working on from the book. You can use your notes and book when working on this, but it
must be turned in each week. A late turn-in will only be accepted with a parents excuse.

You should plan on studying chemistry an hour a day at least 5 days a week. At least 2-3 days a week you should
review the previous weeks notes. On the day before class you should carefully read the upcoming lesson material
and if assigned, the upcoming lab. The more prepared you are, the easier the class will be and the better you will do.

Because we have such a limited time to cover review material, I sometimes make whiteboard videos to help students,
particularly with the second semester calculations. This should give you an additional tutor during those weeks.
Also, the website listed above has lots of activities, quizzes, etc., that you can use to help you learn and entertain
yourself. I use Engrade to post grades and handouts and other helps for the class.

Grades I use a 10 point scale: A 90-100; B 80-90; C 70-80; D 60-70; F Below 60.
However, the parent is the nal arbiter of the grade.

Tests 50% of grade
There will be 3 or 4 take-home tests usually given on Lab Day and usually covering 2-3 chapters. Because
we only meet once a week we dont have the luxury of a weekly chapter test, so it is important that you review
the previous material regularly so you will be ready for the test. The nal test is not cumulative, mainly due
to time constraints, but chemistry concepts build upon each other, so the better you learn it the easier the next
thing will be.

Homework Grade 25% of grade
Weekly 20 point worksheet to turn in. Grades will be combined to count as one test. I usually drop one or
two grades. Late homework will only be accepted if accompanied by an excuse from a parent.

Lab 20% of grade
Labs should be read before coming to class and any pre-lab assignments prepared. There is always a Lab
Report to ll out and turn in. Labs tend to be pretty fun and interesting, and most students enjoy them.

Participation 5% of grade
This should be easy to get if you stay awake, pay attention, and turn in your homework. :)