MYP Physical Science/Chemistry

Course Syllabus
Ms. Boos
Room B-1
Course Description: Chemistry is a one-year course that provides the necessary learning situations to
help students succeed in an introductory college course. Some of the questions you will be
exploring the answers to are: What are the problems that arise when the US uses a different
measurement system than the rest of the world? How do we see different colors? What is
radiation and what are its uses? How do rockets work? Why is water so important? How do
atomic bombs work? Whats wrong with fossil fuels? What are the pros and cons of alternative
energy sources? What is acid rain and what are its effects? And much much more!
Materials: All students are required to come into class prepared each day with the following:
Pens and pencils
Scientific calculator
Either a 3-ring binder specific to this class or a separate section in your binder
Lined paper
Colored pencils and highlighters (not mandatory but beneficial)
Expected Classroom Behavior: Students must comply with the following classroom expectations in
conjunction with the school rules and dress code policy as stated in the Student Handbook:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Respect yourself and your future

Respect your fellow students and their right to learn
Respect your teacher
Respect your schools property and community

Consequences if expectations are not met: If the aforementioned expectations are not met the
consequences will typically be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Verbal warning
Sent outside to complete the reflection form, clean up duty
Call home and low level referral
Refer to counselor/vice principal
Parent conference
Class suspension
School suspension and/or school expulsion

**Note: Depending on the severity of a class disruption, some steps may be skipped to ensure a safe
and fair learning environment. These consequences may also be used in combination or in any order.**
Homework: Homework will be kept to a minimum, but homework that is assigned is important and
crucial to your comprehension of the subject matter. Unless you speak to me personally, any
homework turned in a day late will receive half credit, and will receive no credit if turned in
after that. If you are having any trouble with the homework please come see me!
Classwork: Students will engage in meaningful problem and project based learning and performance
tasks to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts. Inquiry will be at the forefront of the

MYP Physical Science/Chemistry

Course Syllabus
Ms. Boos
Room B-1
class with lecture and drill practice problems at a minimum. It is vitally important for students
to be in class on time every day. Projects and performance tasks will usually be in a group
setting where an absence would affect more than just the absent student.
Tests and Quizzes: Many tests and quizzes will be replaced with projects and problem based learning
tasks. There will still be the traditional tests and quizzes, but used at a minimum.
Grading Policy: Grades are cumulated at the end of each semester and will be based only on personal
effort and performance. Grades will be mailed to parents approximately every five weeks.
Student performance will be assessed in the following areas, and is not weighted:

In class assignments
Homework (majority will be unfinished class work from that day)
Exams, which includes both chapter tests and end of semester exams.
Semester research papers, projects and labs

Each of these areas will be weighted as follows:

90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59- and below

A
B
C
D
F

Extra Credit: There will be many opportunities for extra credit in this class. You can only have 3
missing assignments per semester to be eligible for extra credit, and you can obtain a maximum
of 20 points of extra credit per semester. Options for extra credit include but are not limited to:
Research papers, scientific article summaries, at-home science experiments, extra class
presentations or extensions of class assignments. If there is something you are learning in class
that you would like to take further, please come see me!
Absences: Missing work can be obtained from the absent work box. Students that are absent should
also talk to the people in their group about what part of the project/task was missed. After you
have obtained the work and spoken with your group and you are still confused, please come to
me with any questions. Homework should not give absent students a chance to fall behind as
far as content is concerned, but projects and performance tasks are time sensitive.
Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any student caught cheating on
an assignment, project, test or quiz will receive zero credit.

MYP Physical Science/Chemistry

Course Syllabus
Ms. Boos
Room B-1

***Sign and Return***

STUDENT: I have read and understand the Classroom Expectations for Ms. Booss Chemistry
Class. I agree to honor them.

_____________________________________
Students Name Printed (Make sure I can read it!)

______________________________________
Students signature

Date:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - PARENT OR GUARDIAN: I have read the Classroom Expectations. My child has discussed
them with me. I understand the Expectations and support them.

______________________________________
Parents Name Printed

______________________________________
Parents signature

Date:

Fill in the following information. Check which form of communication is preferred.

Parents phone number: _________________________

Parents e-mail address: _________________________