Welcome to Honors Chemistry!Teacher: Ms. Mitsch Room: 4-319 Email: mitschh@pcsb.org

Class Website: msmitschchemistry.weebly.com

COURSE DESCRIPTIONHonors chemistry is a rigorous honors-level course that provides students with introductory chemistry skills, and will prepare students to take AP chemistry or another college-level chemistry course. Honors chemistry will be a challenging course, and students must study nightly in order to be successful. The material will build all year and it is imperative that students keep up in order to be successful in the course. We will cover topics including atomic structure, periodic trends, reactions, stoichiometry, solution chemistry, thermochemistry, and redox. Honors chemistry is a laboratory intensive course. Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. Students will participate in lab experiences regularly and lab reports will make up a large portion of the overall grade. These labs will afford students with the opportunity to apply content learned in class and understand the practical uses for the content being taught.

REQUIRED MATERIALSBring these materials every class:

1. BCHS 3 ring binder with 2 dividers2. Planner3. Index cards (2 packs total)4. Graphing or scientific calculator (must have a

log key)

5. Blue or black pens AND #2 pencils6. Colored pen7. Highlighter 8. Composition laboratory notebook 9. Closed toed shoes

Phones CANNOT be used as calculators. You must have shoes every day. You may leave an extra pair in a lab drawer if you frequently wear sandals. If you are unable to purchase any of these supplies, please let me know by filling out the supplies request at the bottom of

your student information sheet.

GRADINGGeneral grading information:

● Grades are determined using a whole-points system.

● Grades will not be rounded or bumped up for any reason.

● All work is due at the beginning of the period on the due date. Work will not be accepted at the end of the period or day. Plan ahead if you are confused.

● Absolutely no late work will be accepted!

● You will only receive 1 copy of an assignment.

● All assignments must have all work shown or no credit will be given. This is an understood requirement for every assignment.

Grade breakdown:1. Binder & Planner Checks

● Planner = 5 points; binder= 20-100 points (depending on the quantity of assignments in the binder check, but at least 15% of your grade)

● Planner checks will be weekly and at random. You must have your planner daily.

● Binders will be checked periodically throughout the quarter, and will need to be properly organized prior to the binder check day. You cannot sort papers or look for papers on the day of the binder check.

2. Assignments

● 5-30 points each

● Assignments that need to be graded more closely will be turned in separately from your binder

● Late assignments will not be accepted

3. Labs

● 20 points

● All labs will be completed in you lab notebook. Labs on separate paper will not be accepted.

● Points will be deducted from the lab report/lab notebook if you fail to clean your lab station.

● Late labs are not accepted4. Tests and Quizzes

● Quizzes = 10 -50 points; Tests = 100points5. Extra credit

● It is recommended that you complete all of the extra credit, even if you do not currently need it. You may find you need it later in the quarter.

● Extra credit will not bring you from an F to a C, or a D to a B! Do not expect extra credit to compensate for poor study skills and poor work completion all quarter.

● Extra credit will be offered on a whole-class basis only. Do not ask if you can have additional extra credit to improve your grade.

● No late extra credit will be accepted!

HOMEWORK PASSES Students will be given 2 homework passes a quarter. You may not use more than 2 passes a quarter (you cannot borrow one from a friend). Students will be exempted from the assignment that they use the homework pass for. It will not count for or against you. You must turn in the homework pass when the assignment is due. It should be attached to the original worksheet, or a blank

sheet of paper with the assignment title on it. If you forgot your homework passes, you cannot turn it in later. You may not use both homework passes on assignments on the same topic. If you use one on Nomenclature ws 1, you cannot

use the other on Nomenclature ws 2. Homework passes may not be used on labs or binder checks! Homework passes cannot be used on assignments worth more than 10 points. If you lose your homework passes, you will not get replacements and will be without the remainder of the year.

ABSENCESExcessive absenteeism or tardiness is the main reason for students doing poorly in Chemistry. Even the most intelligent and hardworking students typically have a D or F if they do not come to class regularly. Chemistry is extremely rigorous and is not an easy subject to learn on your own. With the extensive lab work in class, it is almost impossible to pass if you are frequently absent or tardy. Keep this in mind when it comes to other commitments, clubs, and fieldtrips. Class goes on even if you are not there. We will be doing important work when you are gone that you will need to make up. Unlike other classes, reading the book or copying a friend’s notes will likely be inadequate when trying to learn the material you missed. A significant amount of work will be required to make up a 90-minute class period. If you are unable to come to class regularly, taking chemistry may not be in your best interest

General Absence Policies:

● Students are responsible for all material covered on the day of the absence.

● Tests will not be pushed back due to absences throughout a unit.

● You must get all missed assignments the day you return from your absence.

● Students will have 1 day for each day absent to turn in work they missed from their absence.

● No absent work will be accepted after the last day of the quarter for any reason.

● Students with extensive absences (a week or more) must come during tutoring times to plan a makeup schedule for their absences before the following class period. Students may also complete it via email. Without completing this schedule, test and lab dates will not be extended, and the 1 day for each day out rule will be strictly enforced (if you are absent on the due date, it must be submitted via email).

What to do when you are absent:1. Check BCHS lesson plans to determine what you missed. If you need to ask Ms. Mitsch about the work you missed, plan to

come for tutoring. Do not interrupt class to ask about an assignment.2. Put assignments that were physically turned in into the box with “ABSENT” written on the top.3. Get a stamp for any binder check assignments and enter then in your TOC.4. Arrange to make up labs, quizzes or binder checks.5. Get any missed work from the absent box. If it is not there, ask Ms. Mitsch for the assignment.6. Make up your participation points by completing the participation make-up assignment.7. Get notes from a friend, or the binder.8. Come to tutoring if you need extra help on the topic. You must do this before the following class!9. Turn in all makeup work the following class.

TEST MAKE-UPS

● Students will be required to make up tests immediately upon their return during class, unless they make an extended absence plan.

● Alternative forms will be used for test make-ups.

● You are responsible for all information you missed due to absences. If you were absent and missed information on the test, you will not be given more time or any type of test retake.

LAB MAKE-UPS If you miss a lab for any reason, the only way to make up the lab will be an alternative assignment. Lab materials will be cleaned up immediately, and will not be available for makeup. Copying lab data from a student who was present for the lab will result in a zero and a cheating referral. Students will receive 1 day extension for each lab day missed.

LAB SAFTEYLab safety is extremely important and ensures the safety of all students in the classroom.

● Students must get a 100% on the lab safety quiz in order to participate in any labs. If you miss a lab because you failed to do the quiz before the deadline, you will get a zero on the lab(s) you missed.

● Students are required to wear closed-toed shoes, safety goggles, and tie back long hair for all labs! Students should have lab appropriate shoes every day. Please note that if the shoe does not completely cover the top of your foot, you cannot use them as lab shoes. If you frequently wear sandals, it is recommended that you purchase/bring in shoes especially for lab and store them in a lab drawer.

● Students who are removed from lab due to lab safety violations or students who do not bring appropriate shoes will not be permitted to participate in lab that day or make up the lab at a later date. They will receive a zero for the lab assignment.

● Students who talk or fail to pay attention to instructions and safety information will not be permitted to complete the lab.

● Students are expected to apply common sense during lab, and follow all instructions given. Please see the lab safety contract for more information and specific policies.

HALL PASSES

● Ms. Mitsch will not write passes anywhere other than the clinic or the 3rd floor restroom.

● You may not go anywhere other than the 3rd floor restroom with the bathroom pass.

● No passes will be written the first or last 10 minutes of class.

● Ask Ms. Mitsch before leaving the room. If you leave without permission you will get a referral.

● Any type of pass (from a teacher, office, guidance, Mr. Vigue) will not excuse you from the participation make-up assignment.

● Do not ask another teacher for a pass to come see Ms. Mitsch during class for any reason. The only acceptable times to talk to Ms. Mitsch are during your class period, during regularly scheduled tutoring times or via email.

CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY Cell phones and electronic devices must be powered off and kept away during class time. Electronic devices include

headphones! If any of these devices are visible at any time, the student will receive a detention. There will be no warnings given.

● There will be absolutely no charging of cellphones or electronic devices in the classroom at any time (this includes at the computers).

● During tests, students must put their cell phone in the bin or a locked lab drawer to ensure academic honesty.

● Any instance of cell phone use during a test will be considered cheating and you will receive a zero on your test. Any retakes or curves will not be awarded.

● Calculators are required materials for this class. Students may not use a cell phone as a calculator under any circumstances. Scientific calculators are sold at the dollar tree for $1. You must purchase a separate calculator and bring it to class daily.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITYYou are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

● Copying answers from a classmate (on any assignment given including group work, not just tests and quizzes).

● Using unauthorized materials on an assignment, quiz or test (cheat sheets, notes, etc.).

● Completing work for someone or turning in work that someone else completed.

● Knowingly helping another person obtain answers that are not their own.

● Using another person’s writing, pictures etc. and not providing a proper citation.

● Collaborating with classmates on individual assignments, tests or quizzes.

● Copying lab data when you were not in class to perform the lab.

● Failing to mark incorrect answers or changing answers during peer grading.

● Putting your name on a group assignment that you did not contribute to.

● Answering analysis questions or writing lab reports with your lab partner. (These are always individual assignments!)

● Altering answers or grades on a graded paper.

● Placing your name on another student’s assignment.

● Forgery of a parent/guardian/teacher/school staff member’s signature.

● Taking papers out of class bins or the teacher’s desk area.

● Duplicating secure items such as test questions.

● Removing classroom materials, chemicals etc. from the classroom.

All assignments are considered individual work unless specifically stated otherwise by the teacher!!! This means that any evidence of identical answers is considered academic dishonesty. Claiming that you were unaware a certain assignment was individual work is not an excuse for plagiarism or cheating.

All work must show evidence of independent thinking. This means that all assignments must be written in your own words and problems must be worked out on your own. Ms. Mitsch reserved the right to ask for explanation of any problem for credit. Working with someone on an assignment and writing down what they write are very different. You must understand, and be able to explain every answer on your paper. If you can’t, this is academic dishonesty.

Lab reports and academic integrity:

● Lab reports are individual assignments even though the data collection is completed in groups.

● You may not write lab reports collaboratively with a lab partner. You must show your own understanding by individually writing your lab report.

● All lab reports will be submitted to turnitin.com to check for plagiarism.

● When using internet resources, you must cite the source and include the quote in quotation marks and cite it in the reference section.

● Procedures must be written in your own words. The steps you took will likely be the same as your partner, but you must show your own understanding of the steps required in the lab.

● In labs where you are required to design a procedure, using procedure from the internet will not be permitted.

Tips to avoid academic dishonesty: Do not give any assignment to another student for any reason. Write all lab reports separately from your lab partner. Do not work on them collaboratively, and do not give them sections of

your lab report to reference. Come to tutoring regularly and study regularly for tests. Do not procrastinate. If you use any internet source, use quotation marks and cite it in your references. Ask yourself “Can I explain this to someone?” If the answer is no, you need to learn how to do the problem before turning it

in. Show all work on all problems and be able to explain each step. Make up all absent work immediately and get help if you need it.

Consequences:Any violation of the rules outlined above will result in a zero for all students involved (including the student who did the work but allowed another student to copy) and a referral.

HELP!Chemistry is an extremely difficult that builds on previous knowledge. If you do not understand a topic, it WILL catch up to you. If there is a topic you do not understand, you must seek extra help to be successful in the remainder of the course. Here are tips to help you if you find you are having difficulty with a topic:

● Come to tutoring. Ms. Mitsch will offer tutoring Monday-Thursday afterschool and every day during lunch. Ms. Mitsch is not available after school on Fridays. You must plan accordingly. Occasionally, Ms. Mitsch will need to cancel after school tutoring due to meetings. The weekly schedule will be posted on the whiteboard outside the classroom.

● Dedicate an hour each night to studying and working on chemistry.

● Find online tutorials. There are many excellent online tutorials for chemistry. Check Kahn Academy and Bozeman science.

● Review previous topics. Many students have difficulty with an advance topic because they lack understanding in a foundational topic.

● Find a study buddy or study group.

LABORATORY SAFTEY RULESThe laboratory experiment provides students with the opportunity to get you “hands on” experience in science courses. These labs can be dangerous without the proper safety guidelines. These rules are designed to minimize the dangers in the laboratory and make these activities fun and safe experiences. These rules apply every time you are in the lab without exception. Any violation of lab safety rules will result in immediate removal from the lab and a zero on the lab assignment. The instructor reserves the right to remove students from lab for the remainder of the year for excessive or egregious safety violations.

General Rules:1. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not

understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.

2. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without their instructor.

3. Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area unless you are instructed to do so.

4. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

5. No personal grooming, applying makeup or chapstick, brushing hair etc. during lab.

6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

7. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.

8. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

9. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory notebooks to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored in the classroom area.

10. Keep aisles clear by pushing stools and bags under the tables. No stools are permitted in the lab area.

11. Report all accidents and injuries immediately regardless of how trivial they seem. Wash chemicals from your skin immediately (before you do anything else).

12. Know the locations and operating procedures, where appropriate, for all safety equipment including first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.

13. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.

14. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.

15. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

16. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.

17. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.

18. Do not sit on the lab tables.19. Let your instructor know of any medical condition (allergies,

pregnancy, etc.) before doing lab.

Clothing:20. Always wear safety goggles for every lab! They may not be taken

off for any reason.21. Shoes must completely cover your feet. No sandals, open toed

shoes, ballet flats, slides with socks etc. Covering your feet with any object will not qualify as closed shoes. You cannot do lab without shoes.

22. Long hair must be tied back completely (even boys with long hair).23. All loose or dangling times (jewelry, ties, etc.) must be tucked in or

secured.

24. Your shirt must completely cover your stomach, back, bottom, and chest, even when reaching across a table. You must wear an apron if your attire does not meet this requirement.

25. Lab aprons and gloves are provided for your use during laboratory activities.

Chemicals:26. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do

not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for wafting chemical vapors will be demonstrated to you.

27. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents (some names look very similar but are very different). Take only as much chemical as you need.

28. Label all beakers, test tubes, etc. clearly.29. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.30. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet

pump.31. Acids must be handled with extreme care. Always add acid to water

(not water to acid), swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.

32. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.

33. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.34. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use the fume hood when

working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into the fume hood.

35. Notify the teacher immediately if a chemical spills. Some chemicals must be cleaned up using specific methods.

36. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container.

Glassware and Equipment:37. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and

dustpan to clean up broken glass. 38. Place broken or waste glassware in the glass disposal container.39. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended,

e.g., rinsing glassware and equipment, or adding water to a container. Squirting others will be an immediate referral

40. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.

41. Report damaged equipment immediately. 42. Use all materials for their intended purpose only.43. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the

instructor for help.44. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

Heating Substances:45. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the

flame at all times. Never reach over an exposed flame.46. Do not put any substance/item into the flame unless specifically

instructed to do so.47. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is

being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

48. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.

49. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary.

50. Never look into a container that is being heated.51. Allow equipment to cool completely before handling.52. Do not heat a closed container.

Honors ChemistryMs. Mitsch - Room 4-319

Student Name (Printed)____________________________________________________________ Period____________

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Parent Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________________________

Daytime phone number(s)____________________________________________________________________________

Parent email(s) _____________________________________________________________________________________

Please list any information that you would like Ms. Mitsch to know about your student below.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

SYLLABUS AGREEMENT AND LABORATORY SAFETY CONTRACT

I have read Ms. Mitsch’s course syllabus in its entirety and understand all the information contained in it. I agree to abide by the rules and procedures outlined it and understand the consequences if these expectations are not met.

I have read all of the laboratory safety rules and understand the importance of following these rules at all times during laboratory activities. I agree to follow all safety rules at all times and will ask for clarification of specific rules as needed. I understand the consequences for failing to follow any safety rules listed on the contract. I also understand that closed shoes that completely cover the top of the foot are required daily for chemistry. Without shoes, students are not permitted to do lab and will receive a zero.

Student Signature________________________________________________________________ Date_______________

Parent Signature_________________________________________________________________ Date_______________

SUPPLIESIt is extremely important that students come to class daily with the correct supplies needed for this course. If your family is unable to purchase supplies for your student for any reason at all, please let me know by circling the supplies you cannot get. I will get the supplies for your student. Please be aware that these purchases will be made out of my own money, so please only select supplies that are needed. Please be aware that I cannot purchase lab shoes or graphing calculators for your student.

I need the following supplies to be purchased for my student: (circle all that apply) Scientific calculator with a log key

3 inch binder with 2 dividers

2 packs of index cards

Pens and pencils

Paper

Colored pen

Highlighter

Composition Lab Notebook (no spiral bound

notebook

Honors Chemistry Student Information Sheet

1. Why did you decide to take honors chemistry?

2. Do you have any questions or concerns about the course?

3. What science class did you take last year?

4. Are you taking any science classes in addition to AP chemistry this year?

5. What math class are you currently taking?

6. What do you plan do after high school? If you plan to go to college, what are you interested in studying?

7. What activities/sports/clubs are you involved in?

8. Do you have a job? If so, where?

9. What is your favorite science topic?

10. What is your favorite subject in school?

11. Which of these is the best way for you to learn new information? (Pick ONE)

a. Taking notes in class from a lectureb. Reading and outlining the textbook

independentlyc. Using internet and textbook resources to

complete a group projectd. Watching online videose. Having material explained to you one-on-one

during lunch or after schoolf. Other:__________________________________

12. Which of these is the best way for you to practice math-based problem solving? (Pick ONE)

a. Seeing several examples in a lecture formatb. Solve problems on whiteboards and go over the

solutions as a classc. Work in pairs to solve problems on a worksheetd. Work independently to solve problems and then

check your answers with a keye. Break up in small groups to complete a problem

and each group member must explain a different step

f. Play a game or have a problem-solving competition

g. Other: ________________________________13. Below are different ways to represent the same data from

an experiment. Which representation of lab data makes the most sense to you?

a. A student performs a lab testing how increasing temperature affects the reaction rate. At 24⁰C, the reaction to 30 s to reach completion. When the temperature was increased to 30⁰C, the reaction took 24 s. The student then increased the temperature to 36⁰C, and the reaction took 18 s to reach completion.

b. Effects on Reaction Rates with Increasing Temperature

Temperature (⁰C) Reaction rate (s)24 3030 2436 18

c.

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 3805

101520253035

Effects on Reaction Rates with Increasing Temperature

Reaction Rate (s)

Tem

pera

ture

(⁰C)

14. Which of these statements describes the best way for you to study for a test?

a. Independently in a silent roomb. Independently with music playingc. In a small groupd. In a larger review session led by a teachere. Other:______________________________

15. Do you have a computer at home?

16. Do you have reliable internet access?

17. Do you have access to Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) at home?

18. Do you have a quiet place to study or do homework?

19. Please all allergies you have and the relative severity of each.

20. Do you wear contact lenses?

21. Are you colorblind?

22. Do you have any medical conditions that may prevent you from safely completing labs? (Pregnancy, severe asthma, etc.)