ACADEMIC CHEMISTRY
2007-08
Mr. Gotlib
C24
215-619-8112 X 2950
lgotlib@wsd.k12.pa.us
Welcome to chemistry. I hope you will have interesting, enjoyable and challenging year in this class. This packet will provide you with some basic information on the class organization and some of the expectations I have for you.
Class Expectations:
You should come to class each day ready to learn and to contribute to the class. These means having all work done on time and bringing with you the following materials. 
• Homework and any other assignment due that day (must be ready at the start of class)
• Textbook
• Notebook
• Pens/pencils
• Calculator (more on calculators later)
• Any other materials we are working with
I expect you to treat yourself, your classmates, the teacher and the class with respect. Inappropriate behavior will result in the following:
• Student/teacher “informal meeting”
• Detention hall (scheduled at my convenience)
• Phone call home
• Referral to administration
You are expected to follow all school rules as well as those that are specific to my class. Because of the lab setting there are some rules that are specific to chemistry class that go beyond the usual school rules. Examples of inappropriate behavior are:
• Coming to class late without a pass
• Personal grooming in class
• Eating or drinking in class (this includes chewing gum)
• Interrupting someone else
• Being rude or disrespectful to a student or teacher
• Playing calculator games
Any severe disruptions or behaviors that endanger others will be immediately referred to the administration. I certainly don’t expect there to be many behavior issues in this class. I hope you will find the class enjoyable and interesting. I am not here to prove that I know more chemistry than you (I had better) or to “catch you” on some picky items.
For each chapter you will get a short study guide to help you focus on the key points. There are no surprises in this class. When I tell you a topic is an important one and we go over it several times, you can be sure it is on the test. If I tell you a topic is a minor one, it will not be a big part of a test.
• Textbook
• Notebook
• Pens/pencils
• Calculator (more on calculators later)
• Any other materials we are working with
I expect you to treat yourself, your classmates, the teacher and the class with respect. Inappropriate behavior will result in the following:
• Student/teacher “informal meeting”
• Detention hall (scheduled at my convenience)
• Phone call home
• Referral to administration
You are expected to follow all school rules as well as those that are specific to my class. Because of the lab setting there are some rules that are specific to chemistry class that go beyond the usual school rules. Examples of inappropriate behavior are:
• Coming to class late without a pass
• Personal grooming in class
• Eating or drinking in class (this includes chewing gum)
• Interrupting someone else
• Being rude or disrespectful to a student or teacher
• Playing calculator games
Any severe disruptions or behaviors that endanger others will be immediately referred to the administration. I certainly don’t expect there to be many behavior issues in this class. I hope you will find the class enjoyable and interesting. I am not here to prove that I know more chemistry than you (I had better) or to “catch you” on some picky items.
For each chapter you will get a short study guide to help you focus on the key points. There are no surprises in this class. When I tell you a topic is an important one and we go over it several times, you can be sure it is on the test. If I tell you a topic is a minor one, it will not be a big part of a test.
Your grade is based on the following:
Quizzes & Tests- These will make up about 50-60% of your grade. Quizzes and tests usually include a variety of question types. There may be some multiple choice, some matching, some problem solving or short answer questions. Different chapters will have a different mix of question types. As we go through the year you will see that I try very hard to help you focus on the key points for each test. You will usually have at least two days advance notice before a test and we will have a review day as well.
Labs- Labs will make up about 20-25% of your grade. Part of your lab grade is based on the work you do in class and part is one the lab write-ups and reports. We will do about one lab per cycles, which means that you will have about 25 labs throughout the year. Material from labs often shows up on quizzes and tests.
Homework- Homework counts for about 10-15% of your grade. Doing your own homework is a great way to really learn the material (and this do well on the tests). I expect a consistent honest effort on homework. Having the answers to the questions without showing any work will not earn you full credit. By checking your homework, I can see what topics need to be reviewed more. There is not a lot of homework on any given night, but you should expect some work in this class most nights.
Other Projects- these may include class presentations, essays or reports. These will be worth about 10-15% of your grade.
You are expected to do your own work. Working with someone else is perfectly acceptable and is a great way to better understand the material but copying, or letting someone else copy form you, is cheating and will result in a grade of zero. If you are not sure what level of “cooperation” is acceptable, ask me.
Students who put in a good consistent effort usually end up with good grades in the class. Inconsistent efforts (or minimal effort) tends to be very obvious when tests arrive. I am here to help you and I will do everything I can to help you do well in this class.
I know that grading is not an “exact science” and that factors such as improvement, effort, and “unusual” situations do come up. I will try to be as fair as possible.
The grading for the reports cards is based on the school policy:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th marking periods = 25% each
Each of the first three marking periods will have a quarterly progress assessment (QPA) which is worth 10% of that marking period. The QPA covers material from that marking period.
The June exam is a year-long final exam which is weighted as 20% of the fourth marking period.
School policy is not to round.
I generally do not give extra credit, although every once in a while there are opportunities for some bonus points.
Late work: Any work that is not turned it at the start of class the day it is due is considered late. If I come around to check homework and you don’t have it then, then you will not receive credit for that homework.
Late labs and other projects are assessed a penalty of 25% per day. If you are absent the day an assignment is due (and the absence is excused) the assignment is due your next day back. In the event of extended absences or emergencies, you and I will meet and figure out a plan to help you get caught up.
If you miss a quiz you are expected to have it made up promptly. Make up quizzes are not done during class. The best time to make up a quiz or test is before school or during a study hall. Quizzes and tests that are made up within a day or two will usually be the same one as given in class (or one very similar). After a couple of days, when the tests have been returned, the make up quiz will be different.
Homework- Homework counts for about 10-15% of your grade. Doing your own homework is a great way to really learn the material (and this do well on the tests). I expect a consistent honest effort on homework. Having the answers to the questions without showing any work will not earn you full credit. By checking your homework, I can see what topics need to be reviewed more. There is not a lot of homework on any given night, but you should expect some work in this class most nights.
Other Projects- these may include class presentations, essays or reports. These will be worth about 10-15% of your grade.
You are expected to do your own work. Working with someone else is perfectly acceptable and is a great way to better understand the material but copying, or letting someone else copy form you, is cheating and will result in a grade of zero. If you are not sure what level of “cooperation” is acceptable, ask me.
Students who put in a good consistent effort usually end up with good grades in the class. Inconsistent efforts (or minimal effort) tends to be very obvious when tests arrive. I am here to help you and I will do everything I can to help you do well in this class.
I know that grading is not an “exact science” and that factors such as improvement, effort, and “unusual” situations do come up. I will try to be as fair as possible.
The grading for the reports cards is based on the school policy:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th marking periods = 25% each
Each of the first three marking periods will have a quarterly progress assessment (QPA) which is worth 10% of that marking period. The QPA covers material from that marking period.
The June exam is a year-long final exam which is weighted as 20% of the fourth marking period.
School policy is not to round.
I generally do not give extra credit, although every once in a while there are opportunities for some bonus points.
Late work: Any work that is not turned it at the start of class the day it is due is considered late. If I come around to check homework and you don’t have it then, then you will not receive credit for that homework.
Late labs and other projects are assessed a penalty of 25% per day. If you are absent the day an assignment is due (and the absence is excused) the assignment is due your next day back. In the event of extended absences or emergencies, you and I will meet and figure out a plan to help you get caught up.
If you miss a quiz you are expected to have it made up promptly. Make up quizzes are not done during class. The best time to make up a quiz or test is before school or during a study hall. Quizzes and tests that are made up within a day or two will usually be the same one as given in class (or one very similar). After a couple of days, when the tests have been returned, the make up quiz will be different.
Calculators: You need a non-programmable scientific calculator. These typically cost about $10. You are not allowed to use graphing or programmable calculators on quizzes and tests. It is your responsibility to have an acceptable calculator for each test. Most students find that if they bring the same calculator to class every day then they are in good shape when it comes to the tests. The middle of a quiz or test is not a good time to be learning how to use a calculator.
It is up to you to organize and maintain your notebook. There are lots of handouts in this class so coming up with a system to keep track of material can be a big help. Material from handouts often shows up on quizzes and tests (hint, hint).
It is up to you to organize and maintain your notebook. There are lots of handouts in this class so coming up with a system to keep track of material can be a big help. Material from handouts often shows up on quizzes and tests (hint, hint).