1. Safety: the Most Important Rule in the Chemistry

Dr. D’Meo

College Prep Chemistry 2012- 2013

RULES AND POLICIES 1. SAFETY: THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IN THE CHEMISTRY LAB IS: FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES DURING ALL LAB PERIODS. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF SOMETHING… ASK! ( IF YOU DON’T KNOW, THE ANSWER IS NO.)

ANYONE WHO IS ENDANGERING THEMSELVES OR ANYONE ELSE WILL BE APPROPRIATELY DISCIPLINED. IF A STUDENT ENGAGES IN HORSEPLAY OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR DURING A CHEMISTRY LAB, HE/SHE WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO FOR THAT LAB.

2. RESPECT: AN ATMOSPHERE OF MUTUAL RESPECT WILL BE EXPECTED IN THE CLASSROOM AT ALL TIMES.

3. GRADES: The Science Department has chosen to calculate grades for all science classes based on total points rather than weighted averages. All CPA science classes will have a rubric which includes homework representing 10% of the students’ grade. Your grade for each marking period will be based on tests, outline notes, labs and homework. Based on total points, the APPROXIMATE percentages will reflect your grades for each marking period:

Tests ~ 60% Textbook Outline Notes ~ 10% Lab Reports ~ 10% Homework ~ 10% Do Now/Homework Quizzes ~ 10%

LAB REPORTS AND HOMEWORK ARE DUE THE FOLLOWING DAY. NO LATE HOMEWORK IS ACCEPTED. Homework must include all calculations and must be hand-written. Homework is not graded as “right or wrong”. I will check homework on a daily basis to ensure that you are making a sincere effort. Homework is checked at the minute the bell rings. Have it open for me to check. If you are out sick the day of or the day before a test, you will take the test on your first day back in school.

1 Outline Notes: Reading each chapter in the textbook will be part of your regular homework .The notes should be approximately 3-5 pages per chapter. These notes must be hand-written and legible. I will check your outline notes on the given due dates, and this will be factored into your class grade. No late outlines are accepted. *****NO EXCUSES***** LATE LAB REPORTS WILL BE PENALIZED AT THE RATE OF 10 POINTS PER DAY. If you are out of class and miss a lab day during a marking period, you will be excused from the lab. If you are out of class more than once during a marking period, you will be given alternative assignments. Not all labs will require a lab report--- some will be assessed with a lab quiz. Lab quizzes are open-note and you may use your lab reports to help answer the questions.

IF YOU ARE OUT SICK, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN ANY ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPLETE THEM ON TIME. When you return to class, be sure and ask me if there were any hand-outs that you missed. Remember, you are responsible for all material taught, whether you were in class or not. Telling me during a test/quiz that you were absent when the material was taught will elicit the stock answer of (“Do your best”). I will announce when extra help is available after school for those students who have worked productively during class and have completed all assigned homework.

4. SUGGESTIONS: CHEMISTRY IS A SCIENCE WHERE LOGIC AND UNDERSTANDING ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS. TRYING TO MEMORIZE FACTS AND FORMULAS WHICH ARE EASILY FORGOTTEN WILL NOT SERVE YOU WELL. KEEP UP WITH YOUR ASSIGNMENTS SO THAT YOU ARE CONTINUALLY BUILDING A FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO ADD NEW MATERIAL. IF YOU ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING A CONCEPT AND HAVE QUESTIONS, …….ASK!!!!! (FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE TEST!)

5. MATERIALS: MANDATORY:  One THREE-RING BINDER  Calculator  Pen or Pencil