Chemistry is ExplosiveChemistry is Explosive Mr. Amar Patel – Room 45 Mr. Amar Patel – Room 45

First Day AgendaFirst Day Agenda

► IntroductionsIntroductions► Classroom RulesClassroom Rules► Course Description and Course Description and

Grading policyGrading policy► AssessmentsAssessments►MaterialsMaterials► Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

I’m finally finished with school!!! (well for a couple of months)

I graduated from Western Kentucky University in May

2012. B.S. Chemistry (American Chemical Society

certified)B.S. Science and Math Education (SKyTeach)

Two minors in the areas of mathematics and biology.

I plan to teach chemistry at the high school level. I would like to obtain my Masters in

Chemistry and then a Ph.D. in Chemistry or Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

I also finished a “pre-medicine” program at WKU and was accepted into medical schools for this Fall.

Let’s take a look at my training…

IT’S A FROG!!!!...well, it was a frog.

CAT!!!

Comparative Anatomy…one of the hardest courses I have ever taken.

But I LOVE teaching!

Any moment is an opportunity to learn and teach and I take FULL advantage of this…just ask any of my

friends.

I try to be in a teaching situation as much as possible. This is why I love summer camps and

afterschool/weekend events.I have participated in Super Saturdays (Chemistry), VAMPY (astronomy), Band Camp, Science Olympiad, Odyssey of the Mind, and so much more! Interacting

with students (of a certain age…no elementary!!!!!) is incredibly rewarding and so much fun.

Please Help Me Get to Know Please Help Me Get to Know YouYou

1.1. What is the most What is the most exciting thing you exciting thing you did this summer?did this summer?

2.2. Is there anything Is there anything that you would like that you would like me to know about me to know about you so that I can you so that I can help you learn. help you learn. Would you prefer to Would you prefer to sit in the front?sit in the front?

3.3. What do you hope to What do you hope to learn in this class?learn in this class?

4.4. What is the last math What is the last math and science class you and science class you took and what grades took and what grades did you make?did you make?

5.5. List extracurricular List extracurricular activities you are activities you are involved in (work, involved in (work, sports, clubs, sports, clubs, hobbies).hobbies).

Rules, Rules, Rules!Rules, Rules, Rules!

Few TopicsFew Topics

►1. Tardy1. Tardy►2. Food and Drink2. Food and Drink►3. Cell Phones and Music Devices3. Cell Phones and Music Devices►4. Cheating and Plagiarism4. Cheating and Plagiarism►5. Procedures and Infractions5. Procedures and Infractions►6. Be Respectful6. Be Respectful►7. School and District Policies in effect7. School and District Policies in effect

Course Description- Grading Course Description- Grading Policy Policy

► Challenges can be Challenges can be stepping stones or stepping stones or stumbling blocks. It’s stumbling blocks. It’s just a matter of how just a matter of how you view them.you view them.

►Hold yourself Hold yourself responsible for a responsible for a higher standard than higher standard than anyone else expects anyone else expects of you. Never excuse of you. Never excuse yourself.H.W. Beecheryourself.H.W. Beecher

Course DescriptionCourse Description

► Chemistry is the study of the changes in a Chemistry is the study of the changes in a material’s properties from the smallest part material’s properties from the smallest part of the atom to the most complex molecules. of the atom to the most complex molecules. Basic concepts, equations, nomenclature, and Basic concepts, equations, nomenclature, and reactions will be explored. Both, qualitative reactions will be explored. Both, qualitative and quantitative models of instruction will be and quantitative models of instruction will be employed throughout the course. employed throughout the course.

► Further, demonstrations and laboratory Further, demonstrations and laboratory experiments that investigate and reinforce experiments that investigate and reinforce concept will be conducted throughout the concept will be conducted throughout the course. course.

Topic OutlineTopic Outline► (1) Intro to Chemistry and Measurement (1) Intro to Chemistry and Measurement

(including Lab and Safety), (including Lab and Safety), ► (2) Matter and Change, (2) Matter and Change, ► (3) Atomic Structure, (3) Atomic Structure, ► (4) The Periodic Table, (4) The Periodic Table, ► (5) Electrons in Atoms, (5) Electrons in Atoms, ► (6) Bonding, (6) Bonding, ► (7) Acid/Base Chemistry and Chemical Reactions, (7) Acid/Base Chemistry and Chemical Reactions, ► (8) Chemical Quantities, (8) Chemical Quantities, ► (9) Stoichiometry, and (9) Stoichiometry, and ► (10) Gases. (10) Gases.

ResourcesResources

►TextbookTextbook

►WebpageWebpage

► InternetInternet

►Peers and InstructorPeers and Instructor

GradingGrading

►Grading in this course will be determined from Grading in this course will be determined from homework, laboratory assignments, reports, homework, laboratory assignments, reports, exams, quizzes, writing assignments, and exams, quizzes, writing assignments, and similar forms of evaluation. similar forms of evaluation.

► The grades for this course will be determined The grades for this course will be determined by the percentage of points earned out of the by the percentage of points earned out of the total number of points possible. total number of points possible.

► Rounding of grades is determined by the Rounding of grades is determined by the Infinite Campus Software.Infinite Campus Software.

GradingGrading

►A standard ten-point scale will be A standard ten-point scale will be used:used:

► GradeGrade Percent of Available Percent of Available PointsPoints

A A 90 – 100% 90 – 100% B B 80 – 89.99% 80 – 89.99% C C 70 – 79.99% 70 – 79.99% D D 60 – 69.99% 60 – 69.99% F F 59% and below 59% and below

GradingGrading

►At this point, it is anticipated that the At this point, it is anticipated that the semester (about 18 weeks) will contain semester (about 18 weeks) will contain 8 exams, 8 quizzes, 16 labs, 1 8 exams, 8 quizzes, 16 labs, 1 midterm, 1 final, homework midterm, 1 final, homework assignments, and other assignments. assignments, and other assignments.

►This is subject to change at any point This is subject to change at any point by the instructor. by the instructor.

Assessments and Class WorkAssessments and Class Work

Exams and QuizzesExams and Quizzes

► During the semester, the lowest exam During the semester, the lowest exam andand lowest lowest quiz will be dropped. This will be done quiz will be dropped. This will be done onlyonly if if dropping the exam/quiz will improve the student’s dropping the exam/quiz will improve the student’s letter grade.letter grade.

► Dropping grades is done only by the instructor’s Dropping grades is done only by the instructor’s discretion. discretion.

► At the end of the first quarter, the drop will be used if At the end of the first quarter, the drop will be used if the student’s letter grade will be improved; the the student’s letter grade will be improved; the student will not have a drop for the second quarter. student will not have a drop for the second quarter. If the drops are not used during the first quarter, If the drops are not used during the first quarter, they will be used during the second quarter. they will be used during the second quarter.

► The midterm and final exams The midterm and final exams cannotcannot be dropped. be dropped.

Missed Exams/QuizzesMissed Exams/Quizzes

► If a student has to miss an exam, If a student has to miss an exam, for any reasonfor any reason¸ ¸ the exam or quiz that they miss the exam or quiz that they miss will bewill be their their dropped score. dropped score.

► If a student knows If a student knows ahead of timeahead of time that he or she will that he or she will miss an exam, the student will need to make miss an exam, the student will need to make arrangements with the instructor to take the arrangements with the instructor to take the exam/quiz exam/quiz beforebefore the scheduled date. The student the scheduled date. The student must inform he instructor at least three days in must inform he instructor at least three days in advance to take advantage of this option. advance to take advantage of this option.

► If a second exam or quiz is missed during the If a second exam or quiz is missed during the quarter, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion quarter, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion how that missed quiz or exam will be handled. how that missed quiz or exam will be handled.

HomeworkHomework

► Homework will be assigned and scored at regular Homework will be assigned and scored at regular intervals during the semester. It is the student’s intervals during the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to know what is assigned responsibility to know what is assigned even when even when absent.absent.

► Due dates for the assignments will be announced in Due dates for the assignments will be announced in class, posted in the classroom and on the webpage. class, posted in the classroom and on the webpage.

► Homework will be Homework will be spot-checkedspot-checked for completion and for completion and accuracy. It is imperative that students complete accuracy. It is imperative that students complete homework assignments in order to master the homework assignments in order to master the material presented in this course. material presented in this course.

HomeworkHomework

►For students who are absent on due For students who are absent on due dates, the students will be required to dates, the students will be required to turn in the assignment the day that turn in the assignment the day that they return. they return.

►Each day that the assignment is late, Each day that the assignment is late, students will receive a 20% deduction students will receive a 20% deduction in points. in points.

Other AssignmentsOther Assignments

►All other assignments include, but are All other assignments include, but are not limited to, lab reports, portfolio not limited to, lab reports, portfolio pieces, reflections, and bellringers. pieces, reflections, and bellringers.

►Periodically, notebook checks and “I Periodically, notebook checks and “I Can…” Statement checks will be Can…” Statement checks will be performed. performed.

► It is very important that students It is very important that students maintain a complete and organized maintain a complete and organized binder for this class.binder for this class.

FormattingFormatting

► All students will be assigned a student All students will be assigned a student number. number.

► Each assignment turned in to be graded Each assignment turned in to be graded must be formatted correctly, as discussed in must be formatted correctly, as discussed in class, and contain the student number. class, and contain the student number.

► Assignments Assignments mustmust be turned in on loose- be turned in on loose-leaf notebook paper. leaf notebook paper.

► The instructor reserves the right to deduct The instructor reserves the right to deduct up to 2 points for formatting errors. This will up to 2 points for formatting errors. This will be at teacher discretion.be at teacher discretion.

What You NeedWhat You Need

The The whole is whole is bigger bigger

than the than the sum of sum of

its parts.its parts.

Materials List for First WeekMaterials List for First Week► 1 Box of tissues1 Box of tissues► 4 EXPO dry erase markers4 EXPO dry erase markers► 1 pack of Post-It Notes1 pack of Post-It Notes► 2 inch 3-ring binder2 inch 3-ring binder► 5 dividers with pockets5 dividers with pockets► 200 Notecards (3”x5”)200 Notecards (3”x5”)► HighlightersHighlighters► Pens (black or blue only)Pens (black or blue only)► PencilsPencils► Loose leaf paperLoose leaf paper► Scientific Calculator [about $10, with exponential key]Scientific Calculator [about $10, with exponential key]

Success on Chemistry Success on Chemistry

Key to Success Key to Success

► Study nightlyStudy nightly► Work hard in classWork hard in class► Practice at homePractice at home► Rewrite notesRewrite notes► At least two people to get At least two people to get

assignmentsassignments► Take exams on timeTake exams on time

Key to SuccessKey to Success

► Positive AttitudePositive Attitude► Ask questionsAsk questions► No shame in needing helpNo shame in needing help► Study groupsStudy groups► ESS practice or tutoringESS practice or tutoring► Before and after school practiceBefore and after school practice

What you will getWhat you will get

► Please share Please share allall information with your information with your parent/guardian.parent/guardian. Course SyllabusCourse Syllabus Class Expectations – signed and returnedClass Expectations – signed and returned Letter to the ParentLetter to the Parent