Honors ChemistryFall 2015.

Work Hard. Get Smart.

Ms. Garrard
Classroom G225
Email: christine1.garrard@cms.k12.nc.us
Website: http://msgarrardscience.weebly.com
I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work with you this semester. Chemistry is an
exciting, thought-provoking, hands-on subject that surveys what makes up the universe (matter!)
and the changes it undergoes. Chemistry is an important class and a required course for
many colleges. I am here to provide you with the resources and opportunities to ensure your
success.
You are expected to follow all procedures and rules, complete all work on time, and
try your best!
1. BIG GOALS: what you will get out of this class:

100% of students will achieve 80% or above mastery of objectives.

Students will take responsibility over their own education and their choices.
Students will be prepared for a life after Vance High School.

2. PREPARING FOR SUCCESSWhat you need to bring to class EVERY DAY:

A 1 binder for chemistry only
Loose-leaf paper
4 Dividers (labeled Catalysts, Notes, Homework, and Labs)
Writing utensils (pencils or blue/black ink pens ONLY)

Special Note about Binders: It is critically important to keep up with your binder this
semester. Successfully doing so will make studying for your tests and quizzes a lot easier. Keep
all work in your notebookyou will NOT receive multiple copies. I will do random binder
checks. I will look for:
Syllabus in the front of your notebook.
All assignments, notes, and labs COMPLETED and in APPROPRIATE LOCATION.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS:
to maximize learning time
Arrive on-time and prepared for class.
Turn in work complete and on time.
Do not get out of your seat without
permission.
Do not talk while other students or I am
talking.
Be respectful of self, others, and property.
I will not tolerate any disrespect.
Professional language ONLY.

CONSEQUENCES: to ensure we are all held

accountable for our choices
1. Warning
2. Conference
3. Time Out / Move seat
4. Time Out from class*
5. Phone call home
6. Referral from the classroom*
*this will require the student to make up
missed class time during lunch or after
school

I reserve the right to skip steps in severe

situations
Extreme situations may result in immediate
referral

3. GRADE MAKE UP: what you are graded on

Formal 70%

Informal 30%

Formal
Assignments
Tests
Interim
Assessments
Some Labs
Projects/papers

SCHOOL GRADING SCALE

90 - 100% = A (Excellent)
80 - 89% = B (Good)
70 - 79% = C (Average)
60 - 69% = D (Minimum
Pass)
Below 60% = F (Failing)

Informal
Assignments
Homework
Classwork
Quizzes
Some Labs

Tests: You will have the opportunity to retake (a different version) of any unit test (not quiz or
interim assessment) you earn a 70% or below on. You will have 2 weeks to make up the exam
AFTER SCHOOL or DURING LUNCH. Regardless of grade, the second grade will be recorded and
will replace the first grade.
Homework: to ensure you have enough practice to be successful
Homework will be posted on the board daily. Expect to have approximately 20 minutes of
homework for this class each night. Please place homework on the top corner of your desk
area at the beginning of class. Some homework will be collected and corrected, while other
homework will only be checked for completeness.
HONESTY IS THE BEST AND ONLY POLICY.
I expect you to complete all of your own work. Cheating is completely unacceptable,
dishonest, and will result in an automatic zero that cannot be made up. Cheating includes, but
is not limited to, copying someone elses homework, test answers, lab write-ups, etc.
4. ABSENCE POLICY: what to do if you MUST miss class
If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make up the work you missed. You must make
sure you get all notes taken while you were out. Tutoring is available after school on
Thursdays until 4:00 or you can make an appointment if you need additional help.
You have a maximum of 5 school days to make up any missed assignments without
penalty, but the longer you wait, the farther behind you will fall.
If you miss a test or quiz, you must make it up AFTER SCHOOL or DURING LUNCH. Due
to the amount of material we cover in the course, class time will not be used for
make-up work.
5. LATE WORK: for those EXTREMELY rare situations you do not get work in on time
You will receive a progress report after every unit test (approximately every 2 weeks). Any
missing work must be completed and turned in during the two weeks before your next
progress report. NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT AFTER YOUR NEXT UNIT TEST.
o For example, work from Unit 1 will not be accepted after the Unit 2 Test.
COMPLETED late work (informal) should be turned in but it will receive a MAXIMUM of
60%.

COMPLETED late work (formal) should be turned in, but it will lose 10% off of the original
grade for every day it is late.
No late work will be accepted the last week of the quarter or the semester.

6. KEY PROCEDURES (abbreviated): what to do when you are in class

PROCEDURE
SPECIFIC STEPS
Entering the classroom

Leaving the Classroom

1. Class begins the moment you enter the door, not at the bell.
2. Pick up handouts on the table upon entering if there are any.
3. Go silently to your seat and begin your Catalyst immediately.
USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS.
No students will be allowed out of the classroom for the first or last 15 minutes of the
period.
Students will need security escort to leave during class.

Expectations for Talking

Exiting the classroom

When working independently, there will be NO TALKING.

12 inch voices during partner/group work.
Academic voice during presentations.
For all group work, conversations must be on task and related to the current
assignment or task.

Raise hands and wait to be called on for any questions or if you need to get out of your
seat for any reason.
In order for the class to leave on time, the classroom must be CLEAN and all materials
must be put away. All students should be at their desks. The bell does not dismiss
you, I do.

7. Outline of Topics Covered and Tentative Assessment Dates: Expect a test AND a quiz
for each unit, which will last approximately two weeks each (some more, some less). It is in your
best interest to study a bit every night and to keep an organized notebook because we cover a
lot of material in a short amount of time.
Unit 1: Chemistry Matters (Quiz: 8/28, Test: 9/3)
Unit 2: The Electron (Quiz: 9/14, Test: 9/18)
INTERIM ASSESSMENT: Units 1 + 2 (9/22)
Unit 3: Bonding and Nomenclature (Quiz: 9/29, Test: 10/6)
Unit 4: Chemical Reactions (Quiz: 10/13, Test: 10/15)
MIDTERMS from 10/19 10/22
Unit 5: The Mole and Stoichiometry (Quiz: 10/27, Test: 11/4)
Unit 6: Gas Laws and Kinetic Molecular Theory (Quiz: 11/10, Test: 11/18)
INTERIM ASSESSMENT: Units 5 + 6 (11/24)
Unit 7: Thermodynamics and Heat/Energy (Quiz: 12/3, Test: 12/8)
Unit 8: Solutions and Solubility and Acids and Bases (Quiz: 12/11, Test: 12/18)
FINAL EXAMS from 1/13 1/20
I have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for you because I want you to be the MOST SUCCESSFUL in this
class! With NO EXCUSES we will achieve our goals! WORK HARD. GET SMART!
By signing this form, you hereby acknowledge that you: (1) have read the classroom rules and
procedures outlined above; (2) understand the classroom rules and procedures; and (3) agree to
follow all of the classroom rules and procedures; (4) understand the learning targets and will
commit myself to succeeding in Chemistry.

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Printed Student Full Name

Class Period

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Student Signature
Signature

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Parent