CHEMISTRY: CLASSROOM GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Mr. Laliberte http://laliberte68.googlepages.com

Laliberte1.20.amitychem@spamgourmet.com

Key Rules
1. Do not talk out of turn especially when I am talking.
2. No offensive or demeaning language.
3. No eating (including gum & candy) or drinking allowed in this room. **If I see
any food, candy, or drinks, they will be thrown in the garbage.
4. Keep hands, feet, and all other objects to yourself.
5. Absolutely no fooling around during lab.

Consequences
Warning
30 min. detention with me (extra 15 min. for arguing about it during class).
Phone call home
Office referral
* The warning will be bypassed for severe or repeat infractions.
Other Classroom Policies or Guidelines
1. Come to class each day prepared with 3–ring binder, calculator, and writing materials.
Programmable calculators will be thoroughly cleared before quizzes or tests.

2. Being “on time” means that you are in your seat and ready to start class when the bell
rings. Starting 10 seconds after the bell rings I will start recording tardies. If you have
trouble getting to class on time, see your administrator immediately.

3. Goggles must be worn for all experiments where there is danger of chemical splash or
broken glassware (state law).

4. Don’t pack up at the end of class until you are told to do so.

5. During lab, keep bookbags and pocketbooks on your seat so that the aisles are clear.

6. Use all chemicals and equipment only in the manner directed. No unauthorized
experiments.

7. Save your work to use for midterm and final exam.

8. Your textbook must be covered.

HELPFUL ACADEMIC ADVICE

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1. Chemistry is cumulative. That means anything you don’t understand early in the course
will probably return to cause trouble later on. Ask questions if you don’t understand.
Come for help after school if anything is unclear.

2. The correct way to do a problem:

a. Read the problem. Determine what information is given in the problem and what
you are supposed to find. Write it down.
b. Write down an equation that contains both the known and unknown information.
Some problems require more than one step, and more than one equation.
Write them all down.
c. Rearrange the equation to isolate the quantity you want to find. Write it down.
d. Plug in the numerical values for the quantities in the equation, including units.
Write it down.
e. Solve. You may use a calculator for this step.
f. Write down your answer including units. Round off to the appropriate number of
significant figures. Circle the answer. Note: Do not round off until you
get to the final answer.

3. Set up your notebook with separate sections for class notes, homework, lab work, tests
and quizzes, and references and handouts. Write the date on everything. Save all notes,
tests, etc.; they will help you study for the mid-year and final exams.

4. Problem solving is a skill. It requires practice, just like typing, playing an instrument, or
serving a tennis ball. Learning chemistry takes more than reading the chapter and listening
to lectures; you need to take the time to understand the concepts. Cramming for tests is
NOT an effective strategy for this class. A useful method for studying is to try to
explain the material.

5. Note taking and paying attention in class are essential. Paying attention means analyzing
the information covered in class. Ask yourself: Does it make sense? How does it relate
to things I already know or we have already covered? How can I apply this to something
else?

6. Thinking in class will be one of the most useful and productive ways in which you can
learn chemistry. During class and lab, I will try to give you questions and problems that
make you think about the concepts in class. Putting your full effort into class time is
extremely important.

7. In science, it can be very useful to look for patterns. However, sometimes the patterns are
only a coincidence. If you notice a pattern, bring it to the attention of the class so we can
discuss it. Caution: Do not rely on patterns alone. Understanding the idea behind
the pattern is much more important.

GRADING
Grading is done on a point basis (no curve). Your grades for all assignments are added, then
divided by the total points it was possible to earn. Students may calculate their own grades at any
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time by keeping track of all grades as papers are returned. Assignments missed due to absence(s)
must be made up promptly. If you are absent the day of a test, come prepared to take the test on
the day you return to school. Check to see what assignments you missed (before or after class,
not during class time). Arrange for extra help after school if necessary. For extended absences,
you will have one day to make up work for every day you are absent.

TESTS will be announced in advance. They are designed to determine whether you have reached
the objectives for each unit. In recognition that anyone can have a bad day, I offer make-up tests
where you have a second chance to show me you have learned the material. You may take
advantage of this opportunity once each semester. Make-up tests are to be taken on your own
time — after school, or during a study hall (NOT during class).

QUIZZES may be announced or unannounced. They are designed primarily to let me (and you)
know whether you understand the material.

LAB WORK is designed to illustrate and reinforce concepts covered in class. Lab partners will
be randomly selected for some experiments. Lab reports will be graded out of a point scale from
25 to 100 points, depending upon length. At times, there will be lab quizzes to help me monitor
your understanding. Students who disregard safety by failure to follow directions, indulging in
horseplay, or failure to wear safety goggles will be excluded from the class and given a zero for
the lab. I’ll give one warning for safety goggles (with a 10% grade deduction). Points will also
be deducted for failure to return your key, forgetting your shoes, or for not cleaning your
workstation.

CLASS PARTICIPATION & HOMEWORK combined together will be graded as a 100 pt test
(50 pts each). For participation grades, I focus on how much you participate in class discussions,
frequency of going to the board, whether you ask questions or not, and your behavior.
Homework is due at the beginning of class the day after it is assigned. You will lose 5 points (out
of 50) for each HW you miss.

NOTEBOOK CHECKS may be done occasionally to check to see if you took notes for that
day. These will be counted like the homework and will not be announced in advance.

Your grade for each marking term will be comprised of:

Tests and Quizzes 70%
Labs, lab reports, projects 30%
Class Participation & Homework Averaged in as a test.

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