Hazleton Area Career Center

Contact:  Email is preferred, as I check it several times a day.  I am more than willing to return a call or set up a meeting time if ever required.  Please do not hesitate.

Additional Help:  Support and tutoring will be made available as frequently as required or requested.  Students may make arrangements during Plan Periods and before/after school.  Additional times may be made possible at the instructor’s discretion when deemed necessary.

Chemistry - “The branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances”

Course Description:

Chemistry is a discipline that uses visual, mathematical, and logical skills to describe the smallest particles (molecules and atoms) that make up the familiar substances around us.  Since these particles are too small to be observed directly, they must be studied by indirect methods.  We will focus on designing procedures to collect data, interpret, and understand data rather than just simply memorizing facts and key points.  However, every science does contain a certain amount of memory work and chemistry is no different.  Whenever possible, we will try to put our knowledge into a framework or graphical organizer so you can use this to manipulate and understand rather than struggle with unconnected facts.

Science, in general, has become much more of a collaborative process in recent years.  Therefore, this class will use collaborative groups as much as possible.  Students that use this collaborative approach to learning will be very successful, not just on class work, but on testing as well.  The class ends with a cumulative (comprehensive) exam.  Any student earning a passing grade in this class and has completed all requirements will earn credit for the course.

The course will consist of 10 units, each of which will last approximately 8 class meetings (some longer than others). Each unit will consist of a set of higher level learning objectives including conceptual (analytical), performance (math and lab skills), and behavior (academic and social maturation), as well as vocabulary interpretation and communication.  Students will be assigned objectives and material for each unit in class.   

Supplies Required Daily by Students:

• Lesson notebook:  3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper.  Binders are required so students may hole-punch papers or handouts and insert them in the proper date and section of notes.  No Spiral notebooks!

• Scientific calculator:  Must include trig, exponential, and logarithmic functions.  Graphing calculators are encouraged (required for collegiate level science/math courses) but are not necessarily needed for us.

• Textbook: Chemistry

• Students are expected to come prepared to lab/lesson each day.  This includes your 3-ring binder, calculators, textbook, writing utensils (pencils for notes and calculations are HIGHLY recommended), proper lab attire, and positive attitudes. 

   

Grading Policy 

Students will be graded based on a variety of summative and formative assessment practices including participation, homework, quizzes, exams, projects, and lab reports.  Final grades will be determined using the following grading scale as seen in the Hazleton Area Public Schools Student Handbook

Class Room Policies 

1. Cell Phones must be turned off, or silent.  If a cell phone comes out for any reason without the instructor’s permission, it will be confiscated as per the Hazleton Area High School Handbook.
2. Eating/drinking is absolutely not acceptable during a chemistry lab or demonstration.  
3. Bathroom breaks should be taken between classes.  Additional breaks require students to sign out and obtain a pass.  Please note: Leaving this floor is considered cutting class.  Any other trip (nurse, office, etc.) requires you to ask for permission and obtain a written, signed pass.
4. You must respect your classmates and teacher.

• Do not insult or interrupt a classmate as they present their ideas.

• Participate in classroom discussions, but always remember: Think before you speak.

• Show your knowledge and ability by helping classmates.  Collaborate!!!!!

• Exchange ideas, but not gossip.

5.       Knowledge is meant to be shared - but not on a test. If you are seen cheating on an assignment/test, you will be awarded a 0% for a grade and an office referral.  A make-up assignment can only be attempted after a conference including you and a parent / guardian. 

Laboratory and Classroom Safety:

Lab and classroom safety is perhaps the most important aspect of any science classroom or laboratory.  Rules are to be followed exactly, leaving all horseplay and hazardous behavior out of the procedures.  Safety in the laboratory is mandatory for all experiments, including, but not limited to, demonstrations, labs, or instruction while lab materials are out or in use (i.e. glassware, chemicals, or apparatus).  All specified behaviors and expectations are nonnegotiable and will be followed at all times. 

Failure to comply with these rules will result in ejection from lab and/or additional disciplinary actions as recommended and reviewed by the instructor and administration.  In addition to this, students ejected from the laboratory will receive a zero for the follow-up lab report.