Chemistry

Contact Information Office Hours

Miss Siegfried - Rm 211 Monday/Friday - 3:15 - 4:30
siegfriedj@sfusd.edu Wednesday/Thursday - During Lunch
(650) 488-7256

Course Overview
In this class you will explore the world of chemistry and understand how it can be applied to
your everyday life through interactive experiences and focused research. We will focus on the
scientific method, learning how to ask questions, and use critical thinking skills.
Fall semester will begin with an exploration of the atom, and how each part of the atom affects
a material’s properties and characteristics. We will then move into molecules and bonding,
which will get us ready for spring semester, when we will explore how these molecules interact
with one another and how these interactions can be seen and measured in everyday life.

Classroom Expectations
Our classroom should be an open, safe place for students to learn and explore chemistry. In
order to help us to achieve this goal, there will be some specific, non-negotiable classroom
expectations.
1. Respect each other. Respect yourselves. Respect our space. It is my expectation
that our classroom is a safe, open space for us to learn and grow as scholars and
scientists. Disrespectful behavior, including bullying, will not be tolerated in this class. In
addition, we will seek to leave the classroom and the equipment we use in the same
condition we find them in.
2. Make mistakes: Science isn’t something you learn and then walk away from. It is a
practice, and it takes work. I expect you to ask questions, take risks, and make
mistakes. I also expect you to share your learning experience and help each other learn
from
3. Cell phones are turned in at the beginning of class. Miss S will give them back during
the last 5 minutes, when all students are seated and ready to leave. If a student
chooses to keep their phone and is seen with it during class, the phone will be sent to
the office. No further warnings will be given.
4. No hall passes the first and last 10 minutes of class.

Homework and In-class Assignments

There will not be a lot of homework assigned in this class. Most of the work we do will be in-
class. This means that if you do not complete work in-class, it should be completed at home,
unless you are otherwise directed.
When homework is assigned, it is because I feel it is important and useful in helping you to
grow in your understanding of the topics we are covering in class.
Both homework and In-class work will be collected every Friday (or the last day of the school
week). Late work will be accepted (with a penalty) until 1 week before the end of the grading
period.

Academic Honesty: Cheating does not help you learn. Cheating includes: copying work from
other students, from the text, or from a source on the Internet (without proper citation). If you
are caught cheating, you will receive a ZERO for the assignment and will be required to re-do
it.

Classroom Safety: We will be working with chemicals, fire, and heat in this class. These
things can be dangerous and cause serious injury to you or others if not used properly. It is
important that you follow ALL safety rules while in this class, and especially during lab.
Roughhousing or using lab equipment improperly will result in a zero for the lab, and you will
be required to come in (on your own time, after coordinating with Miss S) to finish your lab
activity. There will be no food allowed at the lab tables ever and no eating in the classroom on
lab days to prevent contamination.

Materials Needed: For this class you will need a composition book, colored pencils, glue stick,
scissors, and a scientific calculator. It may be helpful to have a metric ruler, as well.

Grade Breakdown:
Do Nows and daily participation 15% A: 100% - 85%

Homework 15% B: 84% - 75%

Quizzes and notebook reflections 20% C: 74% - 65%

Tests 15% D: 64% - 55%

Lab activities and write-ups 35% F: less than 55%

Important Dates
Holidays:
● December 24, 2018 - January 4, 2019: Winter
Break
● January 21, 2019: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
● February 5, 2019: Lunar New Year
● February 18, 2019: Presidents Day
● March 25 - March 29, 2019: Spring Break
● March 29, 2019: César Chávez Day,
observed
● May 27, 2019: Memorial Day
Grading Periods - I plan to have a test or
quiz at the end of each grading period.
FALL
GP 1 ends Sep. 28th (5% Late Penalty)
GP 2 ends Nov. 9th (10% Late Penalty)
GP 3 ends Dec 21st (15% Late Penalty)
SPRING
GP 4 ends Feb 22nd (20% Late Penalty)
GP 5 ends April 19th (25% Late Penalty)
GP 6 ends June 4th (30% Late Penalty)