Class Hours

T W Th (2nd,3rd. 4th & 5th)
F (to be determined)

• Note: Friday classes will usually be labs

Instructor

Brent Armstrong
Email: brentarmstrong@foothillsschool.net
Office hours: Mondays, from 9 am to 12 noon

Course Materials

• 3 ring binder
• scientific calculator,(preferably TI, does not have to be a Graphing Calculator)
  NOTE: the 3 ring binder will have 4 note book dividers labeled homework/classwork, quizzes/tests, notes, handouts
• Your text book is required to be brought to class every day
• Text:, Physics, A First Course, by Tom Hsu, Ph.D.
• Lab Text: Investigations, Physics, a First Course

Course Format

• Lecture/Recitation: Little formal lecture will be given. The first part of the class will be spent reviewing homework and introducing new material; this will be accomplished partly through demonstrations and in–class problems that are performed by the class in small groups. See also Ninety Per Cent Rule below.
• Homework: Homework is assigned 5 days a week except when we are reviewing for tests or exams, and is due in accordance with the assignment scheduled. .Each homework set will carry the same weight as every other homework set, regardless of the number of problems. (see Grading below). Late assignments will not be accepted. Homework sets must be neatly formulated. Homework shall be kept in the three ring binder. See also Ninety Per Cent Rule below.
• In-Class Problems: Additional problems often will be introduced in class and solved in small groups. A group representative may be asked to explain the group’s solution to the class. Solutions may also be collected for credit. See also Ninety Per Cent Rule below.
• Quizzes: A 20–minute quiz will be given nearly every week on Tuesday, except for exam days or days before or after an exam. Quizzes will typically cover the previous three classes. Approximately twelve quizzes will be given during the semester. No make–up quizzes will be offered. However, the lowest two quiz grades will automatically be dropped. See also Ninety Per Cent Rule below. See also Cellular Phones, etc., below.
• Text Exams: Ten one–hour exams plus final exam will cover the material. Missing the final exam will result in a failing grade in the course. No make-up exams will be given.
• Laboratory Experiments: The class is Laboratory Driven, in that we perform a lab to demonstrate the Physical principals and then explore what and why things occurred as they did. Written reports are due the day after the lab. Students will work in assigned groups and each student is responsible for a lab report.. Lab notes and data shall be recorded in a bound lab book. Each student is responsible for the entire experiment – excuses such as “that was my lab partner’s job” will not be accepted. Laboratory reports will be graded on a 10-point scale: 3 points each for “procedure” and “creativity”, and 4 points for overall “quality”. See also Ninety Per Cent Rule below.

Grading

Grades are posted every Tuesday evening
There will be a test after each module.
Overall grade weighted as follows:
Labs, including Lab Report                                           15%
Homework, (problems and written summaries)  10%
Class participation                                                            10%
Quiz, notebook check, book check, etc.                   10%
Exams                                                                                     20%
Final(cumulative over the whole year)                    25%
In class Problems                                                               10%

Note: in the text any information that is centered in the text and in bold must be memorized.

• No open toed shoes ever in the classroom and no food or drink (even water)
• All chemistry students will be responsible for a $75.00 annual lab fee to cover the cost of replaceable chemicals, breakage, and lab books.
• Ninety Per Cent Rule: In order to pass the course, a minimum of 90% of the homework assignments must be completed and turned in on time. Also, a minimum of 90% of the classes must be attended from beginning until the end. Performance below the 90% level in these areas will result in the grade of F.
• Academic Integrity: Zero tolerance will be given to cheating of any kind. In every case a grade of F will be given, and formal disciplinary procedures within the FCHS Parent-Student Handbook will be initiated.

Conduct

Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students are required to follow the FCHS Student Code of Conduct.

Procedures and Routines

(Courtesy of Mr Ron Newkirk)

• Go to your assigned seat.
• Place homework assignments in the tray by the door before the bell sounds.
• Return to your assigned seat
• Place your text book and notebook in front of you.
• Wait for the teacher to complete the roll and for further instructions.
• Trash goes in the trashcan. Do not leave trash anywhere in the classroom.
• Show respect to yourself, your classmates and to everyone in this classroom.
• Tests are final. There are no re-takes. Study the first time.

Arrival and Departure from the Classroom

(Courtesy of Mr. Ron Newkirk)

• Take care of all personal business (bathroom, locker, phone calls, water, ordering lunch) and other school business (counselor, coaches, etc) on your own time(before and after school)
• You should be in your seat and prepared to take notes or otherwise participate in class activities before the bell rings. If you are not in your seat, you will be counted tardy.
• The teacher always dismisses class, not the bell. Wait for the teacher to dismiss you verbally. Packing up before you are dismissed is rude and disruptive. Consequently, students who pack up before class is dismissed will be penalized
• If you are absent for any reason, upon your return to class you must present an admit slip covering the entire period of your absence• I will sign it and return it to you. If you do not present an admit slip, you will be referred for ditching
• Cellular Phones, Disruptive Behavior, etc.: No cellular phones, pagers, headphones, etc. may be used during class. A warning will be given for the first interruption. The second
  offense will result in the \equivalent of a zero on one quiz. The third offense will result in the equivalent of a zero on the next two quizzes

Comments

• Read the assigned text sections before each class. Pay close attention to example problems.
• Work problems in addition to the homework assignments. You can find many more problems that are easier than, equivalent to, or harder than the assigned problems.
• When solving problems, avoid inserting numerical values until the last possible moment. Then, check your units, and always check to see if the answer is reasonable.
• You are encouraged to work homework problems with other students from the class. Do not just copy someone else’s work, however. Make sure you understand the solutions.
• Utilize your instructor’s office hours or make appointments to meet with him at other times.

Parents’/ Guardians’ Chemistry Class Management Plan
I acknowledge having received and read the Parents’/ Guardians’ Class Management Plan. I commit to helping my student stay on task and succeed.
Parent’s / Guardian’s Name___________________
Student’s Name ____________________________