General Chemistry
Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement
Welcome to Chemistry! I look forward to having you in my class this year. This is a challenging course but if you’re willing to work hard you’ll do well and will understand much more about the world around you. Feel free to communicate with me by calling 373-6550 ext. 3411. If I’m unable to answer, please leave a message and I will return your call. You may also e-mail me at chrisn@provo.edu Please note that I have a website linked to the PHS page under faculty.
This full-year course will emphasize the impact of chemistry on society and the environment and applications to everyday life.
Course Detail
- 1.0 Credit
- Grades 10-12
- Fees: $10
- Prerequisite: Secondary Math 2
- Homework: 3-4 Hours per Week
- Level of difficulty: 3
- Credit Type: PS, NCAA
The Students will Study:
- Dimensional Analysis
- Solubility
- Periodic Table
- Ions
- Balancing Equations
- Redox
- Reactions
- Moles
- Molarity
- Bonding
- Lewis Structures
- Organic Nomenclature
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Acids/Bases
- Much more!
This is a hands-on class with many lab activities and demonstrations included.
Learning Expectations
- Come prepared every day with a notebook pencil and calculator.
- Listen and take good notes.
- Take advantage of work time.
- Show detailed work when solving problems and check with the teacher to make sure all is going well.
- Show respect to teacher and other students.
- Learning targets will be given in class.
Assessment of Progress
I have a website linked to the PHS page under faculty. Please check there to find all of the due dates. They’re updated when we start a new unit.
Course Materials
MATERIALS NEEDED:
-
- Calculator with a log function.
- Binder for handouts and notes.
- No. 2 pencil. (NOT pen)
Classroom Procedures
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly. Late work will not be accepted. It will be considered late if it’s turned in after it has been collected in class. There will be an exception of two assignments which may be turned in for full credit each term. They will need to be turned in by the deadlines announced in class. Please put a heading (first and last name, period, and title) on every paper to ensure that you get credit for it. You may lose points for not having a proper heading. Homework is assigned early so you have time to work on it before it’s due. It’s very important that you work ahead rather than from behind if you want to be successful in this class.
Labs: Labs will be graded on proper write-up and results. Lab write-ups will be due on the class day following the lab for full credit unless otherwise specified. If a lab is turned in the following time after it’s due, you’ll receive 50% credit. After that you won’t receive any credit. Goggles are required and safety procedures must be followed at all times or you may not be allowed to participate in labs. If you miss a lab you’ll need to do an alternate assignment. You’ll have a week to do this.
ABSENCES:
- In case of absence, all work must be turned in on the day of your return. You will have one week to make up tests. After that your score will be reduced to 50% of the score received. You will be taking tests in the testing center. If you wait until the last day or two and can’t get in because it’s full, you’ll have to take it late and you’ll receive 50%. So don’t procrastinate. Get in there early in the day AND in the week!
- The Provo High Attendance policy will be enforced (see student hand-book.)
- If you are absent or need help please come and see me as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you may be too late to get credit for your work.
- All work must be turned in by the end of the term even if that means you have less than a week to work on it.
Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments
I have a website linked to the PHS page under faculty. Please check there to find all of the due dates. They’re updated when we start a new unit.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Grading: Term grades will be based on the following:
Tests 50% of grade
Quizzes, Homework, Labs 50% of grade
Grades will not be on the curve. Following is the grading scale:
A 94 – 100% C 73 – 76.9%
A- 90 – 93.9% C- 70 – 72.9%
B+ 87 – 89.9% D 60 – 69.9%
B 83 – 86.9% F 0 – 59.9%
B- 80 – 82.9%
C+ 77 – 79.9%
Connecting Home to School
My phone number is 801-373-6550 ext. 3411. The best way to contact me is through e-mail at chrisn@provo.edu
I’ll get back with you as soon as I have time.
Personal Statement and other items (optional)
Helpful Hints for Success in Chemistry
Here are some important things to be aware of:
- Students must earn 70% in order to get credit for the class.
- I have prepared a list of all of the deadlines for the unit so parents can help their students to be prepared and to stay organized.
- Tutors will be available in my room most days during lunch and after school until the middle of December.
- Tutors are also available in the library after school from 2:15 – 4:00 Mon – Thurs.
- If a student does their homework assignment early and shows it to me, I will give them extra credit, tell them which problems they’ve missed, and then they can correct any mistakes so they can get the highest possible score on each assignment.
- Any student who completes every assignment, lab and test (including optional extra credit activities listed in Gradebook) will pass even if their final percent is below 70%.
What can still be done?
- Two homework assignments can be done late each term (within a week of the due date.)
- Two quizzes can be dropped each term.
- Students can re-take the math competency test to improve their grade. There are 8 practice sheets they need to pick up from me and do before they re-take the test. The deadline is Oct. 7.
- Several extra credit assignments can be done. A list of options is posted in my room. Extra credit can raise a grade up to 3%.
- If scores are missing please talk to me.
- At this point we are only half way through the term. We still have many homework assignments, quizzes, labs and tests ahead of us. A student’s grade can be improved significantly by doing well for the rest of the term regardless of how he/she has done so far. Make a fresh start and do your best!
Please check Gradebook regularly. If there are any problems please come and talk to me, send me an e-mail at chrisn@provo.edu or call me at 373-6550 ext. 3411 after 2:30 pm. Chemistry is a challenging course but every student can pass if they are willing to put in the time and effort required.