Office Hours:

Week of 01/02: Wednesday from 2:30 - 3:00 pm in room 438

Advanced College Prep Chemistry:  Course Expectations

Instructor:  Dr. Kaczmarek

Classroom: 438     Office: 358

Dr. K's Office Hours:

• Mondays from 2:30 pm- 3:00 pm in Room 438
• By appointment

Dr. K's Schedule:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Block A			AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438
Block B			AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438
Advisory	436	436	436	436	436	436	436
Block C
Block D	AP Chem 437 1. lunch	AP Chem 437 1. lunch	AP Chem 437 2. lunch	AP Chem 437 3. lunch	DR           442 2. lunch	AP Chem 437 2nd lunch	AP Chem 437 1. lunch
Block E	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438	AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437
Block F		ACP Chem 438				ACP Chem 438	ACP Chem 438

 

Instructor's WelcomeLinks to an external site.

Back to School Presentation

Course Description:

         The objective for this course is to allow students to develop an appreciation for science and the chemical properties that govern our world. Students will spend time examining the physical structure of matter, how this matter interacts through chemical processes, and the role of energy in these interactions. Students will also develop an appreciation for the application of Chemistry in our society. Experiments, application activities, problem solving, and group decision-making are a central part of this course. Nightly homework focuses on reviewing class notes, applying concepts learned in class, and laboratory reports. Students in this course should have completed a year of science and have the recommendation of their grade nine science teacher.

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Course Sequence:

Sequence subject to change to better accommodate for students and schedule.

Semester 1		Semester 2
Unit 1: The Nature of Matter Unit 2: The Atom and Nuclear Chemistry Unit 3: Electrons and the Periodic Table Unit 4: Compounds and Chemical Bonds Unit 5: Chemical Reactions		Unit 6: The Mole and Stoichiometry Unit 7: Molecular Compounds and Properties Unit 8: Properties of Gasses Unit 9: Solutions and Acid/Base Chemistry

Student Engagement Expectations:

Student engagement is so important to overall success in any course.  Communication, attention, and patience are important elements!  Students should reach out whenever they need additional support.

Successful Chemistry Students....

• Bring charged laptops, notebook or binder, pencil/pen, and to the class daily.
• Are in the classroom when the scheduled class begins.    
• Remain engaged while participating in all lessons.  This might mean taking notes, responding to questions, actively participating in groups or in the lab.
• Check the Daily Agenda on Canvas OFTEN.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate!!!  Students are expected to reach out when they hit roadblocks.  There will be MANY.  Please check in when you need support!

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Required Course Materials:

Charged Laptop and something to write with

• While some work this year will be completed through the computer or online, we will need to write or draw some items in class and remotely.  Please have access to paper and pencil (or pen) at all times.

Headphones or Earbuds:

• There may be a lot happening in the classrooms.  Students will use video and simulations to complete some of the work this year.  Students should have headphones with them whenever they attend Chemistry class to best focus on these items.

Three Ring Binder

• Handouts and notes should be kept in a binder. All material for the year should be organized. You will need it!

Lab Supplies

• All labs completed during lab blocks should be kept in a Bound Notebook of graph paper. Students will be given lab notebooks this year!  Students will also need scissors and glue sticks to complete lab setup.  Please have some glue sticks handy!  They run out quickly.

• Students are required to wear goggles during all lab experiences.  Students may borrow goggles from the classroom supply or purchase their own.  

Textbook

• Students will be provided a copy of High School Chemistry Textbook and Workbook by T. van Geel.  Students are asked to bring the workbook to class at all times. 

Scientific Calculator

• The subject of Chemistry is often very math-based. You should bring a calculator daily. Graphing Calculators, cell phones, or other electronic devices may not always be permitted.  

Grading Policy:

         

 The final grade for ACP Chemistry will be calculated according to the following breakdown.  Grade weights or sequence may shift to better support students and schedule.

Item	Course Content	Weight
Term1	Units 1 and 2	22%
Term 2	Units 3 - 5	22%
Semester 1 Final	Units 1 - 5	6 %
Term 3	Unit 6 and 7	22%
Term 4	Unit 8 and 9	22 %
Semester 2 Final	Units 6 - 9	6 %

Schedule subject to change to better accommodate students needs.

Grade Details:

Quizzes and Summative Assessments (Unit Tests):

• Quizzes will be worth 5 - 30 points and given as needed.  There will be a summative assessment at the end of each Unit to monitor student mastery.  These assessments will be worth 50 - 100 points.  Students earning below 70% on a major summative assessment (Unit Test or large Quiz) may retake the assessment and earn up to 70%.  Students may only utilize this option once a term.    

Lab Activities and Projects:

• Lab Activities will generally be worth 10 -20 points. A larger, long term project might be worth more. Each lab partner  or group member must turn in an individual lab activity unless told otherwise.

Homework: 

• Homework assignments will be worth 5-10 points depending on the complexity of the assignment. Homework will be assigned most nights and is due the following class to receive full credit. Homework will be checked in class or collected. Assignments turned in later will receive a reduction in credit.

Late Work Policy:

• Students may submit any graded assignments (in class work, labs, activities, worksheets) for a unit until the unit assessment.  Unless specific arrangements have been made, after the summative assessment is given for a unit all missing work will remain a zero in PowerSchool regardless of the reason missed.  Credit on late assignments will be reduced in Canvas by 5% for each day late until the date of the Unit Test.      

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Graded assignments are posted in the Daily Agenda and in PowerSchool.  Students are expected to check assignments and grades often. 

Classroom Expectations

The community of learners in our classroom must work respectfully, collaboratively, and openly so that each student may have the opportunity to learn and share effectively. As a class, we will create norms to uphold as a group that adhere to the core values.

• Academic excellence
• Cooperative and caring relationships
• Respect for human differences
• Commitment to community

It is important that you understand the policies and rules outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply to you AT ALL TIMES during this class. 

TARDINESS

If you are more than 10 minutes late you will receive a cut. Lab for this class starts at 7:30 AM. At this time traffic can be heavy; this is not a valid excuse for tardiness. We will sometimes take a short break during double block; students will be marked tardy if they do not return to class by the designated time. If you have a written excuse for being late, take it to the office before coming to class. If you are late without a written excuse, come directly to class.

MISSING CLASS: If a student misses class for any reason, he/she/they must take the initiative to check Canvas,  ask a classmate for class notes, announcements, and make up missed work.

SAFETY:

You will be handling hazardous chemicals in this class, so it is imperative that the class environment remains calm and quiet. No running, sitting on lab benches, or roughhousing of any kind. Safety glasses must be worn at all times during lab. There will be no food, drink, or gum in lab.

WEBSITE:
We will be using Canvas for this course.  All academic information will be posted here.

Academic Honesty/Integrity

Please be clear that cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will NOT BE TOLERATED and the school policy will be followed.

Parent/Guardian-Teacher Communication

Parents/Guardians should feel free to contact me at any time via school email at kaczmareks@wellesleyps.org as email is the best means of communication for me during the school day. The class syllabus on Canvas is public as well.

Contacting Me

If I am not teaching a class, I can often be found in the science office, room 352. The best way to get in touch with me is email (kaczmareks@wellesleyps.org); teachers in the science department do not have individual phones. I check my email daily, but my voicemail rarely. My schedule is posted on the classroom door.

Laboratory Safety Guidelines

Wellesley High School

1. Serious, responsible behavior is expected in the laboratory at all times.
2. You are expected to follow all directions given by your instructor at all times.
3. Safety glasses must be worn when work involves toxic chemicals or the possibility of eye contact from material being used. If the instructor informs you that safety glasses are required for this lab, you MUST wear the goggles. Contact lenses are not always allowed since some chemicals which can get stuck behind the lenses cannot be removed easily. Some safety goggles may be worn over prescription glasses.
4. Know the location and understand the usage of the following safety features of the classroom: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, safety shower, eyewash, and emergency exits.
5. Sandals are not permitted in the laboratory. Feet must be completely covered to protect against injury from spilled chemicals or broken glass.
6. Long hair must be tied back to avoid contact with chemicals, flames, and equipment.
7. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the laboratory.
8. Report all accidents and injuries to the instructor immediately.
9. Food is not allowed on the lab benches.
10. Do not return unused portions of chemicals to the reagent bottles. This could contaminate the chemicals. Measure materials carefully and consult instructor on the proper disposal of each chemical.
11. Clean up all spills immediately. Broken glass must be disposed of in the marked container. Always consult your instructor on the proper way to handle cleanup of spills.
12. DO NOT perform any experiments that are not authorized and supervised by the instructor. DO NOT use any equipment in the laboratory for any purpose other than how you have been instructed.
13. Never taste chemicals in the laboratory. When smelling chemicals, “waft” the smell toward you by waving your hand. Do not put your nose directly into the chemical.