Spring 2017 Chemistry Printed:2/2/2017 Page 1 of 4

Welcome to Modeling Chemistry

INTRODUCTION : Welcome to the WONDERFUL WORLD OF CHEMISTRY. My name is John Wozniak (Wahz-nee-ack,
a.k.a Mr. Woz), and I will be your teacher for Chemistry this semester. In Chemistry, students will learn about the
composition and properties of the substances that make up matter, as well as the study of the interactions between
substances. In my science classroom, we are using an instructional pedagogy called "Modeling" and using Standards
Based Grading.

MODELING : Modeling instruction is a method of teaching in which students construct their own model of the physical
world. Modeling is a student-centered process that allows students to create, explore, manipulate, apply, falsify, and
continuously expand their models (understanding). By the end of the semester, we will have constructed a
comprehensive model of chemistry. The goals of modeling include improving the critical thinking skills of students,
requiring students to reflect on their work and revise it as needed, using multiple representations to describe a
situation, working collaboratively with their peers and communicating their ideas supported by evidence.

MATERIALS required for class EVERY DAY

100 Sheets/200 Pages GRAPHING COMPOSITION Notebook [no spiral/tear out] **I have these, just bring me $1
Roll of scotch tape [$.97 at wal-mart] to attach papers into notebook,
Dry erase Marker(s) [for whiteboarding] Pencils/Pens(Blue or Black) Highlighters (if desired]

Classroom Collaboration and Participation: Collaborative group work is a key component of the modeling
approach therefore ALL in class work will be completed in small lab groups. Each individual student will be required to
record their class activities (labs, worksheets, etc) in their lab notebook. Keeping a neat and orderly lab notebook will
be critical to student success! Lab notebooks will be collected at the end of each unit and graded. More on these
notebook checks can be found below.
Students will participate in board meetings daily. All solutions to labs and worksheets will be displayed by lab
groups on whiteboards. We will gather as a class to share and discuss the solutions to these labs and problems. All
students will be required to actively participate in these regular board meetings. Student participation will also be
critical to their success!

MAKEUP WORK
ITEM CHECKS: If you were absent the day an Item Check activity was done/assigned, you have 2 days to show it
to me to be graded (at the end of class/after the bell). I WILL NOT ASK YOU ABOUT IT. If you were absent the day of
an Item Check, and you were legally excused for (bring note/doc.), you must show it to me the next class period if
you want it graded (again, at the end of class/after the bell). IF YOU DO NOT BRING IT TO ME TO BE GRADED as
specified above, the grade WILL NOT BE CHANGED from an INCOMPLETE (0). It is your responsibility to check the
Makeup assignment folders in the front of the room for missed assignments and handouts. Also check the website
and check with your neighbor for missed class consensus notes and check with important announcements.
Labs/Activities: If you miss a lab or activity, you should make sure that you:: get the (1) key questions for the
activity as well as any (2) collected data that you need to make-up/complete the graphs and analysis.. ALSO get the
Class Consensus [key points/relationships/information learned from the activity]. If you miss the initial setup
and/or start of a lab, but are present on the day we are completing the lab, you can get (most/all) of the information
from the assignment sheets in the group folders and other students in your group.
EXTRA HELP : If you wish to stay for tutoring, put your name and reason on the calendar. If there are people taking
make-up tests/quizzes/labs, I will not be able to take questions concerning material that might be on those make-ups.
Assistance will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis.

EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to follow all Nash Central rules and policies. For us to have a
successful year together is science class, you should know what I expect of you:
Be on Time: Students are expected to be in their seats before the bell sounds. Once the student arrives,
he or she should begin the posted assignment on the board. Your notebook and/or whiteboard must
be on their desks within the first minute of class.
Be Accountable: It is very important that you take responsibility for finding out what assignments,
notes, and labs you have missed if you are absent. Handouts will be in the bin located at the front of
the room.
Be Respectful: All students need to respect the property of the teachers as well as their fellow students.
Treat everyone with respect, because to receive respect, one must show respect.
..
CONTACT INFORMATION: John Wozniak, Cell:(252)299-5787 (Google Voice#,before 9pm, prefer texts)
School: (252) 451-2860 Website: http://johnwozniak.weebly.com/
Email: jwozniak@nrms.k12.nc.us EDMODO.com Class code: Chemistry: 7aip4b
Spring 2017 Chemistry Printed:2/2/2017 Page 2 of 4
TEXT REMINDERS:signup at http://rmd.at/mrwozchm OR Text @mrwozchm to 81010

GRADING (Standards-Based Grading) :

What is Standards Based Grading (SBG)?
SBG is a grading system that measures students mastery of clearly defined course objectives (Learning
Standards). The goal of SBG is to give students accurate feedback about which Learning Standards (skills or concepts)
they have mastered, and which still need work. SBG also allows students the opportunity to continue working
(remediation and retesting), without penalty, until they are able to demonstrate mastery of the Learning Standards.

Why is Standards Based Grading (SBG) good for students?

SBG gives students a much clearer picture of the standards they have mastered and need to keep working on
than a traditional numeric grade.
SBG does not penalize students who do not demonstrate mastery on the first assessment.
SBG requires students to reflect on their work in order to improve their mastery of the standards.
SBG teaches students to produce quality work.

How will Standards Based Grading work in our Chemistry class?

Overview: Each unit of study will focus on a single model of the physical world. To help us develop these models, I
have identified key Learning Standards (goals) for each model. The standards are written to clearly chunk the
required knowledge and skills and make it easy for students to focus their learning. Students will be given the model
standards at the beginning of each unit, so they can focus on the standards or goals for each model.

Assessments: Students will demonstrate their understanding of chemistry by demonstrating mastery of the standards.
There will be a test at the end of each unit covering all of the Learning Standards in that unit. On each quiz or test, I
will rate a students mastery on each of the Learning Standards being assessed.

Note that students will not receive a traditional grade on their assessments (such as a 77 or an 86). Instead, they
will receive a score (No Mastery, Developing Mastery, or Mastery) for each Learning Standard. The current level of
mastery of all assessed Learning Standards will determine the students course grade at that moment.
NM= No Mastery (0). The student is still working on the basic concept, or perhaps they have not even
attempted an assessment on this standard yet.
DM= Developing Mastery (0.4 = 40%). The student has the basic concept, but still make makes errors
in applying it correctly (in different problems/situations). Most of the time, these are habitual errors that they
make again and again. They most likely need more practice, with attention to reflection after each exercise.
M= Mastery (1=100%) Mastery has been clearly demonstrated (understanding & application of concept)

Re-Assessments: Students will have the opportunity to complete an additional assessment, or re-assessments, on
any Learning Standard(s) which they have not yet demonstrated mastery. Re-assessments will only cover standards
not yet mastered and must be initiated by the student. If a student demonstrates mastery of a Learning Standard that
they had not previously mastered, then their grade will improve without penalty for the delay in mastery.
To qualify for a re-assessment, a student will need to:
o Have all required items in their lab notebook for that model (via notebook check)
o Complete the additional practice (remediation) for the learning standards on which they want to retest

Notebook Checks: For each unit (model) there will be a master Table of Contents kept up in the classroom, and a
folder with any missed handouts. Students will be expected to keep their notebooks table of contents up-to-date, and
to have all items (labs, worksheets, class consensus/notes) in their lab notebooks upon completion of the model. I will
collect lab notebooks on most Test Days and conduct a notebook check for those items for the model (unit).
Remember, you will not be able to complete reassessments until they have a completed lab notebook for the model.

Students who are absent are required to get any missed work from their lab group. This is how students will be held
accountable for their participation in class and homework. A student who initially did not receive full credit for a
notebook check will receive full credit once they have completed the missing items for reassessment eligibility.

How will numeric grades be calculated?

Student numeric grades will be based mostly on the number of Learning Standards that they have mastered, and the
rest of their grade comes from keeping up with their work in class (Notebook checks, etc).
Grade Calculation: Honors Chemistry = 85% Mastery of Learning Standards + 15% other (NtBk cks, etc.)
Chemistry = 75% Mastery of Learning Standards + 25% other (NtBk cks, etc.)
Grading Example: On the first model, Donna demonstrated mastery of 4 out of the 5 standards for the model and had
all of her items in her lab notebook. So her current grade is [85 (4/5 Stds) + 15 (100/100 ntbk) = 84].
Donna completes a re-assessment and demonstrates mastery of the 5th Std [15+ 85(5/5)=100]. Later,
Donna demonstrates mastery of 5 out of 6 standards on the next model and has a complete lab notebook. We
have now covered a total of 11 standards (5+6) and Donna has mastered 10 of them, so her current grade is
now [15 + 85 (10/11) = 93].
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At the end of the semester, there will be a NC State Final Exam (NCFE for Chemistry). (20% of the final grade)
FINAL COURSE GRADE = (40%) 1st 9-weeks grade + (40%) 2nd 9-weeks grade + (20%) Chemistry NCFE

Class Expectations & Standards-based Grading AGREEMENT & INFORMATION

Please read ALL of the class expectations and grading information before completing this form.
This PAGE is to be returned by Friday [tear off and keep the contact Pleaseinformation at thebefore
read the class information bottom]!
completing
this form. This form is to be returned by Friday!
Students Name: ____________________________ Email:___________________________
Students Name:
________________________________
For your safety reasons, answer the following questions.
1. Do you wear contact lenses?
Email:
2. Are you color blind? ________________________________
For your safety reasons, answer the
3. Do you have allergies? (chemical allergies, example: sulfa) following questions.
If so, please list specific allergies.
1. Do you wear contact lenses?
2. Are you color blind?
4. Any other medical conditions I should be aware of: 3. Do you have allergies?
(chemical allergies, example: sulfa) If so, please list specific allergies.

Any other medical conditions I should be

Additional Information: Please share any information about your childs strengths, weaknesses, and/or
aware of:
special interests that might help me be more effective in teaching him or her. If you have seating
preferences, list them here!
Additional Information: Please share
____________________________________________________________________________________ any
information about your childs strengths,
____________________________________________________________________________________
weaknesses, and/or
____________________________________________________________________________________
special interests that might help me be more
effective in teaching him or her. If you have
____________________________________________________________________________________
seating preferences, list them here!
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
More additional space is on the back...
Guardians Name:
_______________________________
Phone #:
_______________________________
Work #:
_______________________________
Email:
_______________________________
Best way and time to contact you?
Spring 2017 Chemistry Printed:2/2/2017 Page 4 of 4
Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________ Phone #: _________________
Email: _______________________________ Work #: ____________________
Best way and time to contact you: ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________ Phone #: _________________

Email: _______________________________ Work #: ____________________
Best way and time to contact you: ________________________________________________

By signing, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to course expectations, grading policies and
safety rules. Each student should keep the course outline (1st sheet) in their binder & RETURN this sheet.

Parent Signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________

Student Signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________

.cut along dotted line and keep the bottom part at home.

CONTACT INFORMATION: John Wozniak, Cell:(252)299-5787 (Google Voice#,before 9pm, prefer texts)
School: (252) 451-2860 Website: http://johnwozniak.weebly.com/
Email: jwozniak@nrms.k12.nc.us EDMODO.com Class code: Chemistry: 7aip4b

TEXT REMINDERS:sign up at http://rmd.at/mrwozchm OR Text @mrwozchm to 81010

I will send texts to inform/remind students & parents of any important information and assessment dates.