Chemistry Syllabus

Mr. Madden
Email: mmadden@salem.k12.va.us

Website: mmsalemscienceteacher.weebly.com

Welcome to Chemistry! I am very excited to have you in my class this year. This syllabus outlines the
topics that we will cover, as well as the class policies and procedures I expect you to follow as a member
of our classroom. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Required class materials: scientific calculator!; 1 or 1 binder just to use for Chemistry class;
Dividers (at least 5 tabs); Pencil, paper, highlighter (one)
Course Topics:
Acids and Bases
Formulas and Equations
Organic Chemistry

Atomic Structure

Chemical Bonding

Matter and Energy

Periodic Table

States of Matter

Nuclear Chemistry

Reduction and Oxidation

Solutions

Class Rules:
Respect for all. Be prepared. Raise hand. Stay seated. No heads down. No personal
grooming.
When the bell rings
When the bell rings, you are expected to be seated, ready for class to begin. You will be expected to
answer the CLL (Chemistry Learning Log) within the first 5 minutes of class each day. These will be
collected each Friday and graded.
Raise your hand
While I am teaching, I expect you to listen, ask questions, respond to questions I ask you, and participate
BUT you must raise your hand.
Behavioral Consequences
All behavioral issues, such as tardiness, putting ones head down during class, refusal to complete a class
activity, or disregard for teacher directions will be handled in the same way: First offense = conference
with student; Second offense = student assigned detention and parents contacted; Third offense = student
assigned detention and parents contacted; Fourth offense = administrative referral.
Show your work
You must show the setup for all calculations and chemical equations on all assignments. Kinetic learning
is one of the most effective means to retain knowledge.

Extra help
If you need extra help, I am available each morning at 7:00am. If you have been absent, this is an ideal
time to get caught up. If you would like assistance after school, you must let me know ahead of time so
that arrangements can be made.
Absent procedure
1. When a student is absent, they should look at the homework calendar posted on our class website. To
learn the missed course content, use the resources available on my website, make plans to come in the
morning, stay after school, or meet with a friend. I cannot provide individual instruction when I must
continue teaching with the rest of the class.
2. It is your responsibility to arrange a time to make up quizzes and tests. They should be made up as
soon as possible, since retention of knowledge decreases with time.
3. Missed labs must be made up within one week from the day you return to school. Lab reports will be
due within one week after the lab is made up.
Working on assignments for other classes
When you are finished with all of your chemistry assignments, you may work on assignments from other
classes or read. If these or other items distract you from completing your work, they will be taken and
returned at the end of the period.
Packing up early
You are not allowed to pack up before the bell rings. Students should be completing work up until the bell
rings.
Wearing goggles during labs
For each lab that involves glassware or chemicals, you must wear goggles while at a lab bench. If you
would like to take off your goggles, you must return to a desk. If you remove your goggles at the lab
bench for any reason, you will receive detention. Put them on and keep them on.
Turning in labs late
Lab reports will have 5 pts deducted for each day they are late. DO NOT lose your lab data. If you are
afraid of losing your lab data, let Mrs. Cook know and she can keep it in the classroom for you. You may
NOT copy data from a partner.
Detention policy
Students must make accommodations to serve their detention before or after school within two days it is
assigned, according to SHS policy. If a student fails to serve detention, it is SHS policy that they be
referred to administration.

Trash
Students are expected to take responsibility for keeping the classroom clean. Trash is not permitted on the
floor.
Grading policy
Grades will be calculated by total points earned total points possible. The points possible on an
assignment may vary based on the amount of class time spent on the assignment, the difficulty of the
assignment, and the type of assessment. At the end each nine weeks, borderline grades with a 0.5 or
greater will automatically be rounded by PowerSchool to the next letter grade. Considerations may be
made for semester grades and final grades.
Textbooks
You will not be given a textbook to take home. All textbooks will be stored in the classroom for use
during class. Traditional hard-copy textbooks are available upon request if youd like to borrow one.
To Parents/Guardians
I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night and during parent-teacher conferences. Please
email me at mmadden@salem.k12.va.us if you have any questions.