Syllabus

In order to be able to understand this text, the student needs to have completed Algebra I. This course is designed to be a first-year high school chemistry course and gives the student a rigorous foundation in chemistry, in order to prepare him or her for a college-level course. The course covers significant figures, units, classification, the mole concept, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, acids and bases, redox reactions, solutions, atomic structure, Lewis structures, molecular geometry, the gas laws, and equilibrium. Students who take and understand this course will be very well-prepared for a tough university chemistry course.

Your Textbook

Students should be using the Apologia: Exploring Creation with Chemistry, 2nd Edition Student Textbook.

My Expectations

The relationship between teacher and student should be healthy and open. I am here for any questions or concerns that you as the student or you as the parent may have. My expectations of my students will always be simple and clear:

Be on time for class ready to learn. Make sure you have your materials with you.
Homework is to be done at home and be ready to turn in or go over when class begins.
Disrespect will not be tolerated. Ever.
If you have questions, please ask. I don't know what you don't know.
I do not give grades. You will get out exactly what you put in.

Materials

The only things you will need for this class will be:

Your textbook (see above)
A writing utensil
Some type of notebook

Grading

The grading will be dependent on four factors: quizzes, homework, labs, and tests. Each factor will be explained below.

Quizzes (10%):

Each week, there will be a quiz on the reading and vocabulary words. I will grade the quiz and have it to return to the student either by the following class session.

Homework (5%):

It is imperative that each student takes this class seriously and spends time each day either reading or completing problems. At any time, I may take up a random assignment. This assignment will not be accepted late. If the student does not have the assignment at the time it is taken up, the resulting grade will be a zero. No exceptions.

Labs (25%):

Labs will be scheduled on Fridays. If the student cannot be present for the lab, it is their responsibility to let me know so that the lab can be made up. The make-up lab will need to be rescheduled BEFORE the next lab. In the event that a lab is not made up, the resulting grade will be a zero.

Tests (60%):

Tests will be given online and will need to be completed by 11:59 on the day before the next class. Each test will be available for that given time period. If a student cannot access the test during this time frame, they will need to contact me (via text or email). Failure to contact me will result in a failing grade (0%). Any test submissions outside the given time frame (unless you have instructor approval) will not be counted for credit.

If student cannot access test and has contacted me, they will be given a hand written test. A time to retake the test must be scheduled. The retaking of tests will not be allowed during regular class times. Failure to reschedule a make-up will result in a zero.

Each test will be timed, meaning once you begin the test, you will only have a given amount of time to finish it.

Class Times

Classes will be held every Tuesday from 12 pm to 1:30 pm and labs will be on Friday from 2 pm to 3 pm. Please see "Class Assignments" tab for scheduled dates. The Fridays where labs are not scheduled will be available for tutoring and any make-up labs or tests. You must see me by the Tuesday before the open Friday to schedule a tutoring or make-up session. If you have not scheduled time, do not expect anyone to be available. If you need to schedule time for tutoring or to make-up a test/quiz, please contact me.

Absences