1. Chemistry Class: Goals Perform to the best of your ability Learn new stuff about chemistry and see its applications to the world around you Have fun!!!

2. Weighted Grading 5% Participation 15% Homework/Classwork 15% Quizzes 25% Labs/Projects 40% Tests

3. Semester Grades 1 and 2 Quarter = 80% Fall Semester Final = 20% 3 and 4 Quarter = 80% *Spring Semester Final = 20% *Spring Semester Final is cumulative for entire year … 1/3 from fall and 2/3 from spring

4. Participation Warm-Up/Cool Down Logs Assignment Logs Special Events: STEM Week

5. Homework Due at beginning of class after warm up. We will work a few problems on board before homework is checked. I will then come around and check HW (0,1, or 2 pts.) Checking for completeness, not correctness Answer keys will usually be published night before HW is due. NO LATE HW WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! Unless excused absence. Two lowest HW will be dropped each semester.

6. Homework Philosophy HW is practice for you to prepare for test and learn the content. Very rarely will I assign busy work (the same concept or problem 10 times over). If you are the type of person who waits until last second and copies HW from a friend …. Well you might manage to get your 15% credit in the HW category, but you will do poorly on test and quizzes. The answer keys are online so you can work a problem and then see if you got it correct. If you get it wrong, perhaps seeing the correct answer will allow you to figure out your mistake and understand the content. If the correct answer makes no sense to you, I am expecting you will ask me to work the problem on the board.

7. Quizzes Usually announced (10 -15 pts.) Tend to occur the week before the test Pop quizzes are a possibility … they tend to be easier and worth less pts. (5 or so) THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS FOR MISSED QUIZZES! Your score on the unit test will count towards your quiz grade Your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of each semester

8. Labs Try to do a lab every week on block days (Wed./Thurs.) You must wear long pants and closed-toe footwear or points will be deducted. For certain labs you will not be able to participate and will receive a zero. If you miss a lab day, you must coordinate with me on how to make it up. Late labs are accepted with a 20% penalty before grading. Deadline for late labs will occur a day or two ahead of the end of a quarter. The entire science department is using the LabWrite website this year to give guidance on the format and grading of lab reports (more to come) labwrite.ncsu.edu

9. Tests If absent day of test: Responsibility to meet with me and come up with acceptable day to take test. You will be allowed one re-take each semester. The retake will occur on assigned date. Your score will be the average of the two tests. Tests are part multiple choice, and part short answer, where you have to show your work to get credit.

10. Extra Credit You have the opportunity to earn up to 1% extra credit each semester. In this class you can earn your extra credit by accumulating chem dollars on the following scale: 40 cd - 1.00% 30 cd - 0.75% 20 cd - 0.50% 10 cd - 0.25%

11. What are Chem Dollars and How Do I Get Them Interacting in class Reviews for tests Doing nice deeds/helping out Going to outside scientific events Name that element

12. Required Supplies Pencils (Chemistry is a pencil science) Pens (Blue and/or Black ink only) Loose-leaf Paper Organized Binder (I try to three-hole punch everything I hand-out) Textbook (Class set) Non-graphing scientific calculator (we have some calculators in room)

13. Start of Class When you come into class… 1) Get out warm up log and start warm up when bell rings 2) Discuss warm up with neighbor if you are waiting for others to finish 3) Class discussion about warm up 4) If HW is due, place it on right corner of your desk 5) Prepare to ask any questions about HW you did not understand 6) HW will be checked 7) If other work is due, (lab, etc.) I will give instructions on how to turn in

14. Return after Absence 1) Check out class website (chem. calendar) for what you missed (preferably night before) 2) Go to assignment log to see if there were any handouts 3) Get handouts from little portable file 4) ….. Then ask Mr. Dressen if you are still confused

15. What is a Tardy? You are tardy if you are not in your desk starting to work on your warm up when bell rings. Please do not try to negotiate what “tardy” looks like in this class. If you arrive late to class, rest assured I marked you absent. In order not to be marked absent, but only tardy, you need write your name on tardy log so I can go over it later.

16. I Have to go to the Bathroom! Sign out using the restroom log Go only to the restroom and back. Don’t stop for anything else. Sign back in when you return. Only one person can leave classroom at a time. Anyone who misuses a restroom privilege will have that privilege revoked for the rest of the semester. (Gone for more than 5 minutes, excessive use, etc.)

17. Food/Drink Policy No food in room --- this room is a lab No gum chewing in room --- this room is a lab Water in a closed container/drink container will be allowed in seated area … not in lab area Your food or non-water beverage will be taken away and carefully stored in the garbage/compost can You can retrieve it after class

18. Electronic Devices LAHS policy on electronic devices is observed We should use them for good not evil No computers …. sorry

19. What Happens at End of Class We will often review what we have learned (cool-down) and connect it to what you will learn soon. Sometimes you will hand in cool-down (exit slip). Students do not pack up their belongings until after the teacher tells them to do so. Students do not even flinch when the bell rings. Instead, they wait for the teacher to dismiss them. Students double check that they understand the homework assignment.

20. Class Website I use district website, it isn’t the greatest, but it is functional Best bet is to go to chem calendar

21. Finding Mr. Dressen Before Period 1 Room P10 (CATTS building) Always in my room 710 during lunch (unless school meeting) Afterschool 3:30-4:30 by appointment in 710 (Mon/Tues/Thurs) If you have a free 2 nd or 3 rd we can talk

22. Finally …. Respect your physical space (room/lab/equipment) Respect your peers Respect your teacher Most importantly, respect yourself