CHEMISTRY INFORMATION SHEET 2008-2009                                                         Mrs. Falk

What is chemistry? Chemistry seeks to answer: What are substances composed of? How are their properties related to their composition? How does one substance interact with another?  Chemistry courses stress both the theory and practical application of the concepts learned.

GRADING:   Grades will be based on labs (25%), tests and quizzes (25%), homework (40%), and participation (10%) [The semester final is 20% of your grade, so at that time the breakdown will become: labs (20%) and test (20%), homework (35%) and participation (5%)]. In general, 100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-65% = C; 64-50% = D, and below 50% = F.    

Participation: Class participation will include your participation in class lectures, group work, and your overall class preparedness and behavior.  Participation points will be given each class period, if you are absent, you can not receive participation points.  If you are disruptive or are not prepared for class, participation points will be deducted.  Being prepared for class means that you have all of your supplies for class, including your book and notebook, and you are in your seat when the bell rings.

TESTS:   Tests will be worth 25-50 points, depending on the amount of material covered, and will occur about every other week. If you miss a test, be sure to see me on the day you return to school to make special arrangements to take a make up test. You must make up the test within one week from the day you return. If the test is not completed in this timeframe, you will be given a zero.  Final exams at the end of the semester exams are worth 20% of your final grade.

“Hall Pass or Hail Mary”: You will not be allowed to leave the lab during class for any reason, unless a pass comes for you from the office.  But, at the start of each semester, you will be given a magical hall pass that you may use only two times, in an emergency.  If you use this pass only once, or if you do not use this hall pass at all during the semester, I will collect it from you, and in return I will add ten extra credit points to your lowest test grade.

HOMEWORK:   Homework is an essential and necessary part of the course. You will not be able to master Chemistry unless you do your homework carefully.
1. Reading assignments are to be completed before class meets.
2. Written homework will be checked in class on the due date, and collected on the day of the test. Each assignment will receive 3-5 points, depending on the amount of material.
3. Formal lab reports are generally worth 10 points each and informal reports are worth less than 10 points. Either type of report is due the next class meeting after the experiment is completed. The format for lab reports will be discussed separately.
Absolutely no late homework will be accepted, unless you have an excused absence.

ABSENCE:   Absence is not an excuse for not completing your work. All work must be completed and turned in. Labs can be made up during Academic Advisory periods, on certain choice days or after school.  If you do not come in to make a missed lab, you will be given a zero on that lab.

TARDIES AND CHEATING: The school policy regarding tardies, cuts and cheating will be followed.  Also, if you have an unexcused tardy, you will not receive participation points for that day.

TURNING IN PAPERS: Use pencil or pen (in blue or black ink), no ragged edges, and use both sides. You must use the “homework cover sheet” to turn in homework for each chapter. Please label the outside top right of each assignment with the following information:
YOUR NAME
CHEMISTRY PERIOD __
DATE
ASSIGNMENT# (very important!!)   CHAP.    PAGE#'S

** If you don’t put your name on an assignment, you may not receive a grade for it!

HINTS TO PASS THIS COURSE: Everyone in this class is capable of passing this course.  (Totally easy – just do your work!!)  But, to earn a high grade, some will require more effort than others. Help will be available during Academic Advisory periods, certain choice days, and every Wednesday after school from 3-4 in the Chem. Lab (Rm. 119). Chemistry builds upon itself, so you will need to be able to do last week's material next week, next quarter and even next semester. Seek help when you need it. DON'T WAIT!

CONTACT INFORMATION:  You can e-mail me at rfalk@mercyhs.org.  To leave me a voicemail message, call (415) 334-0525, ext. 377.  To check your homework, or to see a copy of the lab report format or lab safety rules, visit my website at www.falkscience.com (homework will be updated here, and not on Edline (though grades will be available on Edline))