Mr. Christopher McKnight: Christopher.McKnight@Edison.k12.nj.

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www.mcknightchemistry.weebly.com Course Overview:

This Chemistry course serves as an introduction to the intra/interdependent world in which you live. As the year progresses, students will have a better understanding of the type of course content Chemistry involves and more importantly gain knowledge of the importance of keeping focused on the issues at hand. Appropriate behavior, suitable language, and proper social interaction of each student are very important towards maintaining a classroom environment that is conductive for learning. Disruptions, no matter how small, take away from our learning time together. These disruptions will not go unnoticed and those students guilty of infractions will face consequences based on the severity of their actions. A variety of labs and activities will be performed throughout the year in many different areas so it is necessary for students to be careful, cautious, and alert at all times. Chemistry is designed to be a fun, exciting, and an interesting introduction into the subject basics and by working together we can create an enjoyable year.

General Rules:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be respectful to everyone Come to class on time and stay in your seat until dismissed by myself, NOT the bell. Be prepared for class. Food and candy are not tolerated in the classroom. **Cell Phones are NOT allowed in the classroom**

Expectations
1. You are expected to keep an organized binder/notebook and review it often out of class to prepare you for any assessments. There is a possibility of your notebook being collected at any time during the year to be graded, so please be as organized as possible. We suggest using a loose leaf binder as your notebook, so that you can insert any handouts or worksheets directly into the notebook in the section we are working in. You are expected to complete your assignments and turn them in, or have them ready to be checked on time. Homework assignments can be turned in a day later for half credit, but we will not ask for it. It is your responsibility to show me any late work.

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All late assignments, such as lab reports and class work, can be handed in for partial credit until the day before that chapter test. No work for a specific chapter will be collected after that chapters test is taken.

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You are expected to check your grades often and follow up on missing work. Grades will be posted online for assignments as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to check your grades frequently throughout the marking period to ensure that you have completed all of the assignments. We will not chase you for late or missing work. If you are absent, you are expected to find out what you missed. In a perfect world, every student would attend every class period, but that is unrealistic. If you are absent, ask either of us or a fellow classmate what you have missed. For all assignments given while you are absent, you are given as many days as you were absent to complete the work and have it turned into me. If you are absent on a test day, you will need to complete the test during the next class period which you are present in. If you are absent on a day in which we reviewing for a test, but are present on the day of the test, you ARE expected to take the test. You are expected to inform me if you do not understand me or need extra help. We are more than willing to help anyone who is having a problem with any of the material. Come see me after any class period to set up an appointment to stay after school or during study hall. You can also set up an appointment with me via email. DO NOT be shy or embarrassed to ask for help. Thats what I am here for.

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Textbook You will receive a chemistry textbook to be kept at home. In addition, a textbook will be provided for every student while in the classroom. Your textbook is very useful tool to be used to help master the material at hand. It has many practice problems, alternate explanations of the material, definitions of important terms within the chapters, and a full review of every chapter.. Do not lose track of your personal textbook. If it is misplaced, you will be required to buy a new one. Cheating/ Plagiarism Some examples of cheating are: talking during a test or quiz, looking at another quiz or test paper other than your own during an assessment, copying another students lab report, copying homework, and writing information on your hands or desk. If you are not sure if something is cheating, please be safe and ask beforehand. With plagiarizing, we know it is very easy to cut and paste information that is not your own. If you use information that you did not write, then you must reword the information and give credit to your source. Plagiarism is considered stealing. If you plagiarize or cheat on any assignment, you will receive an F on that assignment. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Grading Grades are determined by the percentage of points earned out of the total number of points possible. You will be informed of the value of each assignment, including tests and quizzes before it is handed to you.

Term grades will be based on: 1. Tests 50-100 points 2. Quizzes 25 points 3. In class assignments 5-10 points 4. Class Participation 50 points 5. Labs 25 points 6. Homework 5-10 points

*Please see me if you have any questions about this grading policy. Grades can be easily followed online

Edison School District Grading Scale.

District Grading Scale

A+ A AB+ B B97-100% 93-96% 90-92% 87-89% 83-86% 80-82% C+ C CD F 77-79% 73-76% 70-72% 65-69% 64%