Chemistry Syllabus
PARENT N E W S L E T TER
CHEMISTRY 2011/12 MS. HUBBARD
I would like to introduce myself to you. I've been teaching science for over ten years. My teaching includes experience with K-12th grade levels. I also have extensive industrial experience as an environmental chemist.
Please feel free to stop by Room E-7 anytime. You may also obtain information regarding homework assignments by accessing my homework website at http://hottscubbardsmom.googlepages.com. You may e-mail me by using my address: hubbardj@libertyuhsd.k12.ca.us. E-mail is the best way to reach me since I can e-mail during the day.
SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Your student will be learning about these chemistry topics during the first semester: the periodic table, atomic structure, chemical formulas, chemical reactions and the scientific process.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR STUDENT
Please purchase the following items so that your student will succeed in class:
1. colored pencils and markers
2. a spiral notebook (70 pages) and a 3-ring binder with dividers
3. a scientific calculator
Please contact me if you have difficulty purchasing these items. I have a few extras for students.
Students will be completing and turning in homework assignments daily. Each student needs to make sure the homework is turned in properly during class. You can help your student by reminding them to do their homework during the week and to turn it in properly. Homework will be assigned during the class period and will be due the following day in most cases. Some homework assignments will be graded on a completion basis only. Late work will not be accepted except for excused absences. Students who are tardy to class will receive a zero on that day's homework assignment. Entering the classroom after the second bell, no matter at what time, will result in a tardy. Students are expected to be in their seats, working on their problem of the day (POD) before the tardy bell rings.
Students will also have periodic quizzes and tests. You can help students study for their POD (problem of the day) quizzes. These quizzes are based on their daily problems. Your student should have the question and the answer written in their notebook (see above). This notebook is a requirement for the class and will be graded periodically.
Students will be graded using the following criteria:
Homework 20% (approximate)
Appropriate Class Participation/Labs 20%
Tests and Quizzes 20%
Class Work 20%
Final Exam 20%
The grading structure may be changed at the professional discretion of the instructor. Extra credit assignments are available at any time but may not exceed 5% of the total semester points. Please remind your students to ask for these assignments if they need to improve their grade.
CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION
Appropriate classroom participation will affect your student's grade. Appropriate participation means that the student comes into the classroom quietly and begins on the POD (problem of the day) before the beginning of class. Appropriate participation means that during small group work each student is working and helping the team accomplish the team goals. Appropriate participation means that the student contributes during class discussions and doesn't disrupt activities in the classroom.
Those students who cannot follow classroom rules of behavior may receive negative consequences including not being allowed to participate in small group work, labs or presentations. Appropriate behavior is especially important for laboratory work. Student safety is my primary concern and those students who cannot behave appropriately will not be allowed to participate. This may negatively affect a student's grade.
Students who behave appropriately will receive various happy consequences. I hope to call you with the good news!
TESTS AND QUIZZES
Students will have tests based on the PODs and math assignments done in class. Students should study the POD questions and answers to prepare for these. We will prepare for tests in class also. We will have a POD test periodically. The final exam will be given on the last day of class.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned often because it greatly affects a student's achievement in chemistry. Students must turn in homework properly. The homework must be date stamped to show that the student turned in their homework on time. Late work will not be accepted except for an excused absence. Students who are tardy to class will receive a zero on that day's homework assignment.
CLASS WORK
Work will be assigned to be completed in class. Students must turn their daily work in to the teacher.
LATE WORK/PROGRESS REPORTS/EXTRA HELP
Late work is not accepted unless the student has an excused absence. Students may only make up quizzes and tests, due to absence, on the day of their return to school. Parents may request a progress report to be signed on Friday. Parents may monitor students grade through the www.quizlab.com website. Your student will show you how to monitor their grade. If your student needs extra help, let me know and we will arrange for help.
CLASSROOM RULES
1. Have all materials at your seat and be ready when the bell rings.
2. Please respect the people, equipment, and furnishings.
3. Please adjust your voice level to the activity.
4. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
5. Listen and follow directions.
CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES
if you break a rule:
1. First offense: Warning (first week only)
2. Second offense: Detention (after class 1-3 minutes)
3. Third offense: Sent to office or another classroom.
4. Fourth offense: Sent to office.
Parents will be informed if students are not participating appropriately in class. These consequences may be modified at the professional discretion of the instructor.
Tardies: Students must be working when the tardy bell rings. If students are not working at this time, they will serve an in-class detention at the end of the period (1-3 minutes). Repeated tardies will require a more substantial consequence. Please read and sign the attached tardy policy for more detail.
Cheating Policy: Students who turn in work that is not their own will receive no credit for that assignment. Students who give assistance to others during an exam will receive no credit for that exam. School policy will be followed.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES: I've attached a list of materials that your student will use this year. If you have these items to donate please send them to school.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUR CLASS IN ANY WAY!! THANKS!!