Conceptual Chemistry

Kory Knaster
Email: kknaster@ccs.us
Phone: (610) 903-1300
Website: http://www.knasterscience.weebly.com/
Remind 101: text @knaschem to the number 81010

Conceptual Chemistry
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Welcome to Conceptual Chemistry! This course may be one of the most difficult courses you
take at Collegium, but it can also be the most rewarding. Science is a rapidly growing field, and
elements of science- especially chemistry- are constantly changing the world around us. In
order to be an educated citizen of this world, you must understand the basic principles
underlying these scientific breakthroughs and be able to relate them to your own life situations.
I will do everything I can to help you succeed in this course, but I cant do it alone. It is
imperative that you seek immediate attention for any problems you may be experiencing with
this class or that might be impeding your success in school. I will be more than happy to meet
with you before or after school if you let me know ahead of time. Students must be willing to
put forth effort to develop the ability to think and reason scientifically and critically. Students
are expected to understand basic calculations that relate to the quantitative aspects of
chemistry. Students should anticipate nightly practice.
CONTENT OUTLINE:
Unit
Critical Milestone Questions
1
How do we describe and measure matter?
2
How are the structure and nature of the atom related?
3
How can we apply the systematic method for writing formulas and
naming compounds?
4
How do we determine theoretical quantities? How do chemists
determine the quantities involved in chemical reactions?
Mid Term
Mid Term Exam
Exam
5
What is the role of heat in physical and chemical processes?
6
How do chemists predict the behavior of gases?
7
What is the influence of electron arrangement on the properties of
an atom?
8
How do we explain the formation of compounds?
9
How do we explain solution behavior?
10
How do we distinguish between acids and bases?
Final Exam Final Exam

Duration
6 weeks
3 weeks
4 weeks
8 weeks

3 weeks
3 weeks
4 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks

MATERIALS NEEDED:
3 ring notebook
Calculator
School Supplies (Pencils, highlighter, other writing utensil)
TEXT: Conceptual Chemistry: Understanding Our World of Atoms and Molecules
A classroom set of textbooks will be provided. If you would like to have your own textbook to
take home, please see me individually.
GRADING:
Foundational Knowledge
CIA Essays
Teacher Imbedded Assessments (TIAs)
Mid-term and Final Exam

45%
15%
20%
20% (10% each)

LATE POLICY:
1. Late assignments, projects, lab reports, papers, etc. (NOT CCAs) will lose 10% per day
for 5 the first 5 days.
2. Beyond these 5 days, assignments may be turned in with a grade deduction of 50%.
3. Late assignments will be accepted until the lockout dates for each semester. Late
assignments will not be accepted after these dates.
4. If a student misses class for any reason it is their responsibility to make up the work. If
notes or homework were given, the student should contact a friend in class for notes or
assignments.
5. If a student misses a lab, the lab must be completed during or after the school day when
the equipment and science room are available. Labs must be made up promptly within 2
days.
6. All assignments are due on their due date. If you are absent from school due to illness
you must turn in your assignment the day you return to school.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
Be Ready
Be in Class on Time
Be Prepared for class with your science notebook and a writing utensil
Be Responsible
Complete assignments on time
Follow classroom procedures
Keep an organized notebook
Be Respectful
Keep your cell phone away during class time
Remain in your seat unless told otherwise
Do not talk while others are talking

Remember a classroom is for all of US not just U

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Entering the classroom
1. Go to your assigned seat.
2. Sharpen your pencil or get makeup work if necessary.
3. Place any new papers into your
notebook
4. Complete the Do Now.

When you are late to class

1. Knock once and wait for me to
answer it.
2. Enter the class quietly.
3. Take your seat and begin class.
4. Each late will be a minor
offense
When you are not prepared for class
1. Get a pencil or pen from a friend
before starting your warm-up.
2. If you need a pencil from me, ask
and I will provide you with one.

Leaving the Classroom

1. To request permission to go to
the bathroom, raise your
bathroom pass in the air and wait
for me to respond. Do not call
out.
2. If you must leave for any other
situation, raise your hand and ask
and I will give you the appropriate
pass.
3. Only 1 student at a time leaves to
go to the bathroom.

Getting Your attention

1. If you hear me say May I have
your attention please you need to
do that following things.
Sit up
Listen
Ask and answer questions
Nod your head
Track the speaker
Getting out of your Seat
1. Students are expected to remain
in their seats during instructional
time (when I am speaking)
2. If you must get up, raise your
hand and ask permission.
Sharpening pencils
1. Sharpen your pencil before class
starts.
2. During class, please hold up your
pencil quietly as a signal for
permission. When I shake my
head yes, you may go sharpen your
pencil.
Heading and Passing in Papers
1. Always include on your papers the
following information:
First and last name
Period #
2. When collecting papers, all papers
can be passed on the side of the
table.
3. Papers may be turned into the
appropriate to be graded bin.
4. NO NAME, NO GRADE

1.
2.

3.

4.

5.

1.
2.

3.

When you are absent

Ask me in the beginning of the
period for the work you missed.
If there are any handouts from
the day you were absent, they will
be in the make-up work bin.
You may turn in make-up work
at any time. Place make-up
work in the appropriate bin.
If you need help with handouts or
notes from the day you were
absent, ask a neighbor before
asking me.
Missed labs may be made up by
doing the makeup assignment.
Cell Phone
Cell phones are monitored using a
red zone/green zone sign.
A red zone means that cell phones
are not being used in school, so
they should be out of site.
A green zone means you are
allowed to use your cell phone for
school appropriate uses.

1.
2.

3.

4.
5.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Working in a group
Each member of your group will
have a different job to do.
If you have a question, please try
to ask your group before me. If
you still have a question, only one
person has to raise their hand.
Use inside voices at all times. No
yelling or screaming. No taking
to students outside your group!
Be respectful of others.
When your group is finished, the
Material Manager must clean up
and return all materials.
End of the Period
Do not pack up until I tell you to.
Remain in your seat until I dismiss
you.
All materials and folders must be
put away to be dismissed
When I dismiss, push your chair
in.
Calmly exit the room.
If you need to speak to me for
any reason, please see me at this
time.

CHEATING
Cheating will not be tolerated. If a student is suspected of cheating, the assignment will result
in a zero and disciplinary action will result. This applies to copying another students work or
plagiarism.
ADDITIONAL HELP
Additional help will be provided to all students who need it. Any student needing extra help can
contact me to figure out a time we can meet. I am available before school, after school, during
lunch or during planning periods. Please do not hesitate to ask for help.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me.

I HOPE TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR