Chemistry

Teacher Information
Teacher:
Mrs. DiCiancia
Room: 527
Website:
mrsdcscience.weebly.com
Planning: 2nd Block
Phone:
919-718-2400 Ext. 2132
E-mail:
jdiciancia.sl@lee.k12.nc.us
Office Hours: I am usually available after school once a week from 3:00 4:00
for extra help or for students to make up work missed due to absences.
The date is posted on the board weekly. Students should always confirm
my availability before making arrangements to stay after school.
Course Description
The Chemistry curriculum focuses on the following basic questions:
1. How is matter constructed?
2. How does matter behave?
3. What is the role of energy in the observed behavior of matter?
The course will use a variety of instructional methods including demonstrations, inquiry-based labs, lecture, mathematical
problem-solving, drawing representative models or pictures, reading scientific articles, and writing reports.
Matter:
Properties and
Change

1.1 Analyze the structure of atoms and ions

1.2 Understand the bonding that occurs in simple compounds in terms of bond type, strength, and properties.
1.3 Understand the physical and chemical properties of atoms based on their position in the Periodic Table.

Energy:
2.1 Understand the relationship among pressure, temperature, volume, and phase.
Conservation and 2.2 Analyze chemical reactions in terms of quantities, product formation, and energy.
Transfer
Interactions of
Energy and
Matter

3.1. Understand the factors affecting rate of reaction and chemical equilibrium.
3.2. Understand solutions and the solution process.

Required Materials
1. A 3-ring binder. You may share this binder with other classes, but you will need to dedicate at least 1.5 inches of
binder space to Physical Science, so be aware of this when planning your supplies for the semester.
2. Pencils and/or pens. Either is fine for completing assignments, as long as your handwriting is legible. If you choose
to write in pens, please use a professional color of ink (blue, black, or the like).
3. Colored pencils. I will provide you with a set of twelve colored pencils to use while in class but if you would like to
use your own that is fine.
You must bring all required materials to class every day. This is part of your classswork grade. If for some reason you
have trouble acquiring these materials, or if you have trouble bringing them to class every day, come see me, and I
may be able to help you.

Other Requested Supplies

Dry-Erase Markers (black, red, and blue colors)

Kleenex boxes
Scotch tape
Class Structure

1.
During class, students are expected to work independently and participate in group activities, conduct
laboratory investigations and write reports summarizing those investigations, complete review worksheets and
questions from the textbook, complete activities using the internet, participate in class discussions, and listen to
lectures and take written notes on new topics. Students will also take quizzes and tests.
2.
To facilitate student organization, I use an Entry system and require each student to keep an organized
notebook. Each written assignment (lab report, activity, worksheet, questions from the textbook, lecture notes, etc.)
is given an Entry #. Students are required to use this system to organize their notebooks. The Entry # and
assignment description are written on the board each day. Assignments are referred to by Entry # on Progress
Reports.

Students are required to turn in their notebook at the end of each quarter for grading.
Each quarter, this notebook grade will count as a test grade.* If the notebook is complete and
3.

organized, the notebook grade improves the students overall average for the class. This notebook can also be used
as a portfolio in the event the student is borderline in passing the course.
Late Assignments
1. Homework assignments and lab reports are due at the BEGINNING of class on the day they are due.

2. Students may turn in TWO late assignments per quarter.

There is a 20-point deduction on late assignments. After the 2nd late assignment,
students may only make up missing assignments if they stay after school with me.
3.

4. Students can only complete a maximum of 5 late assignments with the following guidelines:
A. Assignments must be completed after school with Mrs. DiCiancia before the 8 th week of the
current quarter.
B. If we have already reviewed the answers to the original assignment, students must complete an
alternate assignment.
C.
Board review will not be accepted as late work and cannot be made up.
Make-Up work due to Absences
1.
If a student is present on the day an assignment is given, but absent on the day the assignment is due,
the student is expected to turn in the assignment on the day they return from their absence.

It is the students responsibility to remember to turn in the

assignment.
2.
Students are expected to make up missed daily assignments within three days of their absence unless
other arrangements have been made.
3.
Students are expected to make up missed quizzes, labs and tests within one week of an absence, unless
other arrangements have been made.

It is the students responsibility to know what work needs to

be made up.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
1.

I send home progress reports on time!

2.
Students are expected to have a parent or guardian review and sign all progress reports and return
them within two days. It is the students responsibility to keep up with their progress report. I will not reprint
progress reports for students who lose their progress reports.
3.
Our school uses PowerSchool to maintain student grades.
Please log onto: https://lcs.powerschool.com/public to view your grades. If you do not know your username
I can provide that for you. Your password is your NCWise # (your lunch #).
Cell phones
1.
2.
3.

Students are not permitted to have cell phones during class.

Students should not have cell phones visible or turned on.
Since I have a clock in my classroom, there is no need to check a cell phone for the time!

4.
With permission, students may use the classroom phone at the beginning or end of class to call
parents, work, etc. when necessary.
5.
Confiscated cell phones will be given to an administrator. A parent or guardian is required to
retrieve the cell phone from the administrator.
Cheating and Plagiarism
If you choose to cheat or plagiarize an assignment, or if you are complicit in someone cheating or plagiarizing your own
work, both parties will immediately receive a zero for the assignment without the opportunity to make up the work.
Grading Scale
0-59% F
60-69% D
70-79% C
80-89% B
90-100% A
Breakdown of Final Grades
40% (First Quarter) +
40% (Second Quarter) +
Breakdown of Quarter Grades

20% (Final Exam) =

Final Grade

50%

Tests

There will be a test at the end of each unit. Tests are on the USATestPrep
platform but may have an additional assessment that I have designed.

30%

Daily Work

This includes classwork, homework, laboratory activities, and any other

assignments aside from tests and quizzes. Most activities can be completed
during class time, but occasionally there will be homework. Homework is
always due the next day we have class. I do accept late work until the unit
review day. Late work also automatically receives a 20 point penalty.

20%

Quizzes

There will be frequent announced and unannounced quizzes, including

notebook quizzes. This should encourage you to prepare your notebooks as a
way of preparing for tests. If you need individual help with organization, come
see me.

Daily Guidelines
Before Class

Collect all materials you need for our class.

Get water, use the restroom, socialize, sharpen your pencils, etc.

 If you were absent for the previous class, look at the schedule on the side of the
board to see what you missed. You will have three days to make up missed assignments
and quizzes and one week to make up tests. You must stay afterschool to make up
missed tests and quizzes.

At the Start of Class

Begin the Board Review. There will be a Board Review every day.
You are tardy if you are not inside of the classroom when the bell rings. You will be
referred to ISS for every three tardies, per school policy.

During Class

Per school policy, you must sign out and sign in when leaving and re-entering the
classroom. The sign in/out sheet is located on the lab table closest to the door. You may
only leave the classroom four times per quarter.
Racist, sexist, homophobic, or ableist language is strictly prohibited.
If you disobey the laboratory safety rules at any time during an experiment, you will
be dismissed from the lab and given an alternate assignment.
Cell phones are not to be seen during class. Per school policy, they will be
confiscated on the first offense.

At the End of Class

Return all borrowed materials to their proper locations, especially if we are doing a
lab. Do not leave the room in a worse state than it was when you entered.

After Class

Complete all homework assignments.

Talk to your parents/guardians about how you are doing.
Come talk to me if you think you are struggling, have missed assignments, or need
tutoring. I am available after school one day per week, which will be posted on the
board.

Classroom Expectations
Show RESPECT to others.
Show RESPECT to things.
Be prepared.
Produce quality work.
Follow procedures.
If unsure, ask permission.
Water is allowed. NO FOOD.
As explained in the Student Handbook, keep all cell phones off and inside your backpack/pocket unless we are using them
in the lesson. If I see you using your cell phone during class instruction/discussion when you should be participating in
class, I will ask you to give it to me. If you refuse to give it to me, I will call an administrator to retrieve the phone, write
you up, and call your guardian.
Discipline
1st Offense: Verbal Warning: If you are doing something wrong in my class, I will immediately tell you. This will serve
as your first and only warning.
2nd Offense: Parent/Guardian Contact
3rd Offense: Administrative Referral

Syllabus Contract

Teacher: I promise to hold my students accountable for the high expectations within this syllabus.
Mrs. Joani DiCiancia ___
Printed Teacher Name
Mrs. Joani DiCiancia_____
Teacher Signature

_________________________
Date

Student: I have read this syllabus, and I promise to follow all of the procedures held within.
_________________________________________
Print Student Name

_________________________
Class Period with Mrs. DiCiancia

_________________________________________
Student Signature

_________________________
Date

Parent/Guardian: I have read this syllabus and the expectations to which my student will be held.
____________________________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name

__________________________________
Best Contact - Phone number

____________________________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name

__________________________________
Best Contact - email