Christopher B. Siren
Science Teacher
Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

543 Chemistry 1 (Level 3) - Mr. Siren

543 Chemistry 1 (Level 3) - Mr. Siren


Teacher: Mr. Christopher Siren
Mr. SirenÕs Email: csiren at IGNORETHIS gdrsd dot org
Room: 209
Text: LeMay Jr., H. Eugene, Beall, Herbert et al. Prentice Hall Chemistry: Connections to Our Changing World, Prentice Hall, Needham, Massachusetts, 1996 Note: This version of the class was run for four sections in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 years. The current content remains essentially the same.

Schedule

Course Goals

  • To learn about the basic structure of matter and how its structure affects its interactions.
  • To learn about how those interactions are classified and how they can be predicted.
  • To learn about how scientific knowledge is acquired by designing and carrying out experiments
  • To gain laboratory skills Š making measurements, using various lab equipment, keeping a science lab book, setting up and cleaning up experiments
  • To gain valuable problem-solving skills through the process of designing experiments and analyzing data

What To Bring To Class Daily

  • Covered textbook
  • Pens/pencils and scientific calculator
  • 3-ring binder with section dividers
  • Completed Homework, Assignments, Projects, and Lab Reports
  • Lined paper and graph paper for notes, labs and quizzes.

3-Ring Binder Format

Each student is expected to have a 3-ring binder exclusively for science. This binder should be organized into the following sections:

  • List of Assignments
  • Notes and handouts
  • Completed Homework
  • Quizzes and Tests
  • Labs
  • Project Work
  • Miscellaneous
By having all your papers and by keeping them organized throughout the year, you will be much more effective in preparing for quizzes and exams. To encourage the habit of organization, your notebook may be checked by me at any time. Some pop quizzes will also be designated as open notebook.

Grading Policy for Each Quarter:

Labs 25 to 50 points each
Quizzes/Homework 1 to 10 points each
Tests 100 points each

Both announced and pop quizzes will be given frequently throughout the year to help me evaluate your understanding of new material, lab preparation, reading comprehension, and homework completion.

You will have tests at the end of each chapter.

You will usually have at least one lab per unit. Some of these labs will be formal labs, requiring a formal lab report. Others will be mini-labs, requiring a less extensive write-up.

Collaborative Learning vs. Academic Dishonesty

Please learn the difference between collaborative learning and academic dishonesty! Collaborative learning is positive and involves constructive discussion of homework problems and labs with your classmates. However, what you write down for homework or in you lab notebook must be in your own words in order to reflect your effort and understanding of the material. Students who hand in identical work, or work that is too similar, will experience serious disciplinary consequences! Note that all quizzes and exams are considered strictly independent work. While lab partners may share data and discuss how to address the analysis questions, their final words should be their own.


General Chemistry Links


 Last Modified: 14 March,2008