Honor's+Syllabus


 * Frankel Jewish Academy **

** 2012-2013 Honor’s Chemistry **** Syllabus **


 * Contact information/Office Hours **

Mr. Nicholas Mantas


 * //Email:// nmantas@frankelja.org I check my email frequently throughout the day and can usually respond promptly
 * //Phone:// If you wish to speak to me on the phone, please email me your phone number, the best times to call, and the context of the conversation.
 * I’m available during Wednesday and Thursday study halls most weeks for office house. Please email me and verbally let me know that you are coming in. If you don’t have a scheduled study hall then we can work out a time before/after school or during lunch. I can’t accommodate drop-ins. Supplemental videos will be posted at the course website at http://mantaschemistry.wikispaces.com/ Be sure to check to see if a supplement is posted before emailing me or setting up office hours. If a face-to-face session is available, (If I have a meeting during a Wednesday or Thursday then I will try to be available during another study hall that week).


 * Course objectives **

As a result of completing this course students will be able to do the following:


 * Understand the relationships between concepts in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
 * Balance and use chemical and mathematical equations to predict results in a lab setting.
 * Handle chemicals and laboratory equipment in a safe and appropriate manner.
 * Use the language of chemistry in classroom discussion and written work including: lab reports and research papers to explain events in the world around us.
 * Develop the ability to read chemistry text carefully to extract information, learn mathematical manipulations and processes, and explain them orally to their classmates.
 * Individually gather information from books, scientific journals, reputable Internet sites, and other related sources to compose written works that clearly discuss and support a variety of chemistry related topics.
 * Prepare the students for success in college-level chemistry.


 * Assessments **

Throughout the year you will be assessed in many ways both formally and informally. Listed below are the various assessments that will be used:


 * Class Participation**

Throughout the school year students will be engaging in labs and class activities where student involvement is essential as well as participation in our digital activities on our class website. Therefore student participation will be assessed in addition to written work and will count as individual participation assignments. Students earn participation points based on timeliness, preparedness, behavior, attitude, cooperation, time on task, contribution to lab group, etc. Points will be deducted if a student is tardy, has to return to locker for materials, does not follow safety procedures, is disruptive, sleeps during class, exhibits inappropriate behavior, etc. Teacher may assign participation at any time. Being late for class will guarantee that you will be deducted classroom participation points for that day. Unauthorized use of iPads will also be deduction of participation points.


 * Homework/Class work**


 * Packets, worksheets, book problems, and/or Internet problems will form the bulk of the homework/class work category. In order to achieve higher student independence, the majority of the homework is self-assessed by the students and graded on completeness. A homework grade is not a great indicator of success and is a minor contributor in calculating a student’s overall grade in the course.


 * Labs**
 * You will be given any necessary lab handouts at least one day prior to conducting the actual lab. You are expected to read the lab handout and complete any pre-lab assignments before class.
 * Lab data is to be written directly on the lab handouts that are provided or in a lab notebook as instructed. **//All lab data and results must be signed off by the instructor before leaving the lab. Unsigned data will not be accepted and points will be deducted from the lab grade.//**
 * If a serious problem should arise, and you will not be able to make a particular lab session, you should notify the instructor as soon as possible to make special arrangements.
 * During laboratories there is no time to waste. Therefore, it is important to remain “on task” and refrain from socializing during lab time. **//Roaming and socializing that is not lab-related will result in loss of participation credits and may also result in loss of credit for that lab.//**
 * Student safety is a priority. **//Any behavior that endangers you or other students will not be tolerated.//** This means that lab procedures must be followed as instructed, no eating or drinking in the lab, safety glasses/goggles must be worn at all times, and anyone engaging in unsafe behavior will be asked to leave the lab and will receive a zero for that lab. You are encouraged topolitely enforce these safety rules among yourselves.
 * Lab reports may consist of worksheet handouts that need to be completed or they may be full typed reports depending on the type and extent of the lab activity.


 * QUIZZES**
 * Quizzes will be given between exams. This will help break the unit up and gives the students an idea of what will be on the exam.


 * EXAMS**
 * **//Unit/chapter exams//** – Unit/chapter exams will be given at regular intervals throughout the semester and their dates will be based on the speed with which we cover topic material. You will be notified of an exam date at least one week prior to the exam. ACT content will also show up on the exams.
 * **//Midterm and final exams//** - Cumulative exams will be given during the midterm and final exam weeks at the end of each semester.

** Grading Weights **

The schools grading scale from the student handbook will be used

|| ** Grade Weightings ** || 40% Unit Exams 15% labs 10% quizzes 10% homework/class work 10% participation
 * 15% Final Exam (Midterm)

100% overall semester grade ||


 * Course Policies: **


 * Classroom Safety**

* Student safety is nonnegotiable. Any behavior that endangers you or other students will not be tolerated. This means that lab procedures must be followed as instructed, no eating or drinking in the lab, safety glasses/goggles must be worn at all times, and anyone engaging in unsafe behavior will be asked to leave the lab and will receive a zero for that lab. The signed safety contract is required before any labs can be done.


 * Late Assignments**

* All assignments are due at the start of the class period – any assignments turned in after the start of class will be considered late and will be subject to partial or no credit.

* If you do not have your assignments to turn in on the day when it is due, then you may turn it in the next school day for a loss of 20%, after that it will be worth 50% and must be turned in before the unit exam. After that, no credit will be given. __Late assignments are to be directly handed to the teacher no exceptions.__

* If you are going to be or have been absent, it is YOUR responsibility to see me about make-up assignments. Please do this at the end of the class period. For homework and quizzes, you have as many days to turn the assignment as you are absent (excused). For exams please privately talk with me and we will work out a time.


 * Attendance Policy (the school’s attendance policy will be strictly followed)**


 * The FJA Student Handbook states:
 * Every student is required to attend and be on time for classes and other activities, including Minyan, PALand Town Hall. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each period. Parents are asked to schedule appointments (e.g. medical, dental, etc.) outside of school hours.
 * Absences exceeding eight per semester will result in the reduction of one half grade (i.e. A- to B+). In P/F classes absences exceeding eight per semester will result in a failing grade.
 * Prolonged absences due to exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Deans. A prolonged absence is considered to be fourconsecutive school days or more and the student must provide a doctor’s note to be considered.
 * Every three tardies accumulated within a semester will be considered an absence.To avoid being considered absent, students arriving late for any class are required to receive a passfrom the front desk.
 * Students arriving later than 10 minutes from the start of class will be considered absent.
 * When students are absent it is their responsibility to make up the material they missed. When absent, students should consult the unit calendar and their online classroom to determine what they missed. Students have as many days as they were absent to make up their missing work.
 * There is a locked door policy. When the bell rings the classroom door will be shut and locked. Students who are tardy must go to the front desk and get a tardy pass and then wait at the door until the teacher is ready to let them in. Students will not be admitted not be into the classroom without a tardy pass.


 * Food/Beverage Policy:**

No food products are allowed in the room. Beverages are ok if they are in a sealable container (no cups or cans or anything glass).


 * Compiling Content/ACT**

The material builds throughout the year and because of this every exam will have material from previous units. ACT prep questions will be given throughout the year on exams and quizzes. The ACT questions are not guaranteed to be related to the current content being studied but will count as part of your grade. If you want to study ACT questions it is advisable to purchase an ACT prep book or app on your own.


 * Test Error Analysis**

Many assessments will have a mandatory exam error correction/analysis assignment will be given after each exam.


 * Exam/Quiz Taking Procedure**

Tables must be cleared of **everything** but a pen/pencil and cell phones must be put in the basket in front of the room BEFORE exams are handed out.

Students are expected to have all their work organized in a binder and bring it to class daily, paper, pens/pencil, calculator (I highly recommend a TI graphing calculator), and iPad. I’m currently evaluating digital textbooks so we will have a text on the iPad. The class textbook will only be used as a reference for you to use and is not required to be brought to class each day unless instructed to bring it.
 * Daily Class Materials**


 * Restroom passes**:

Ask if you have to leave the restroom. The restroom pass is for emergencies only. Leaving the room too often, roaming the halls, or talking with friends will result in the loss of this privilege. If you are gone for an excessive amount of time you will loose any participation points and can be marked absent.


 * Extra Credit**

Prior to the unit test a review packet will be given. The completion of the review packet is worth 3% extra credit toward your test score (example: if you earned a 90% and completed the packet your recorded score would be 93%, if you earned a 98% on the exam the points are capped at 100%). The review packet will be collected on the day of the test. In order to receive extra credit the packet must be completed in its entirety, meaning all answers must be written in complete sentences and all work must be shown for any calculations. Any question left blank will result in no credit for the entire packet no partial credit will be given. Additionally the packet must be handed in on the test day and will not be accepted late. Students absent for any reason on the test day are not eligible to receive extra credit for their packet even if it was completed before the test was given. Students who know they will be absent on the test day can receive extra credit if they make arrangements to take the test before the date and submit the completed review packet at the time they take the test. There will not be any other Extra Credit opportunities so this is a great opportunity to improve your grade.


 * Cell phones**


 * The FJA Student Handbooks states:
 * The use of cell phones in school will be allowed as follows: before or after school hours, during lunch time and during passing time.
 * Students are encouraged to secure their cell phones in their lockers during class time. Students are not permitted to use cell phones during class time. Use is defined as a cell phone that is out, a cell phone that is on, a cell phone that rings or makes an audible noise or vibration, or a cell phone that causes any type of classroom disturbance. Prohibition during class time includes times when students may be out of the classroom itself (e.g. retrieving items from a locker, getting a drink, going to the restroom, etc.) Class time includes minyan, Town Hall, study hall and PAL.
 * A teacher may allow a student to use a cell phone during class time to fulfill a specific educational purpose.
 * Students may not use a cell phone in any area where other students or staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This would include restrooms and locker rooms.
 * Students who violate the cell phone policy invite progressive discipline.

**1st Violation:** The cell phone is confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day.

**2nd Violation:** Same as above. The student is placed on probation and the parents are notified.

**3rd Violation:** The cell phone must be picked up by a parent and the student will not be allowed to use a cell phone at all during the school day for the remainder of the semester. Students with a subsequent violation of the cell phone policy will be progressively suspended or expelled.


 * iPad**

We will be using iPads frequently. The use of iPads in the classroom is a privilege and not a right and must be used in accordance with the school’s acceptable use policy. iPads may only be used with the teacher’s permission otherwise the device must be turned off and stowed away. On days when the iPads are being used in class, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the iPad is charged and operational. Students who forget to charge or bring their iPad to class will lose participation points for that day. Students who violate the acceptable use policy will be subject to the schools progressive-discipline policy.


 * Cheating & Plagiarism:**

The Frankel Jewish Academy is dedicated to the highest moral and ethical standards. Students plagiarizing or cheating will automatically receive a failing grade for that assignment or exam and are subject to further disciplinary action as determined by the administration.

Consequences for Cheating and Plagiarism are:


 * **First offense:** Student will redo the assignment for credit to be determined by the teacher and the Dean.
 * **Second offense:** Student will receive a zero for the assignment and will be required to redo the assignment for no credit.
 * **Third offense:** The student will receive a suspension of at least one day up to expulsion.

I put a great deal of thought into biology placement recommendations for the next school year. Students in general chemistry must have at least a 94% in order to even be considered to move up to honors however this does not guarantee acceptance into honor’s biology. Students will be evaluated on work ethic, timeliness of assignments, quality of writing, critical thinking skills, and ability to understand content conceptions. Chemistry and physics skills do not necessarily translate to success in biology.
 * Biology Placement Recommendations**

* Portions of this syllabus were crafted from the collaborative efforts of the FJA science department as well as Mrs. Kegebien and Mrs. Holodnick,