Belleville High School Media Center
Belleville, Michigan
 

  GRADING RATIONAL - A.P. CHEMISTRY

            Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed as the equivalent of a first year college, general chemistry course.  This type of course differs significantly from the usual high school classes with respect to the textbook used and the emphasis placed on student preparation and study outside of class.  In addition, much emphasis will be placed on helping the student achieve the discipline, study skills, analytic procedures and reasoning techniques needed for success in whatever she/he chooses to do after high school.

            The textbook has 23 chapters. We will cover 19 of these extensively w/ coverage of the rest based on time remaining after the AP test. It is expected that you will have read the first half of a chapter prior to the first discussion on that chapter in class.  (Reading quizzes may be given.)  Extensive outlines and notes on the text will not be given in class.  You are required to outline, or take notes, as you read: the better you know the material in the textbook the better prepared you will be to understand presentations in class.

            When we meet for class we will discuss the textbook sections you have read and go over problem areas.  We will also go over any assigned problems you are having trouble with.

All homework problems should be done by the date assigned  following these guidelines:

            1. Begin each new chapter assignment on a separate page with the chapter number at the top of

                each page.

            2. Number each problem clearly.

            3. When solving problems, show how you arrive at the answer.

            4. Box in or underline each answer. Be sure you have units  and the correct    number of significant

                figures.

            Homework quizzes may be given for which you can use your homework papers. Homework is also periodically collected and assigned points on the basis of their completeness.

            Grades will be based on a point system.  The points are accumulated in a variety of ways depending on the unit being studied.  An example of point distribution might be:

                                     Unit test - 40%                     Quizzes/ HW or Lab  - 25%

                                     Labs       - 25%                     Homework- 10%

Marking Period grades will be determined by calculating the final percentage of points accumulated to the total points possible, using the following scale:

100 -  +%  A+     89 - 88%  B+      79 - 78%  C+      69 - 68%  D+

 99 - 93%  A       87 - 83%  B        77 - 73%  C        67 - 63%  D

 92 - 90%  A-      82 - 80%  B-       72 - 70%  C-       62 - 60%  D-

The final semester grade will be calculated based on this arrangement:  1st nine weeks - 45%, 2nd nine weeks - 45%, and semester exam - 10%.

            Your presence in class is essential to learning chemistry.  If you are absent (and it is an excused absence), it is your responsibility to find out what has been missed.  An absence is when you are not in class for any reason: illness, family trip, or school activity.  Missed quizzes must be made up the day you return to school.  Any unit test has a ‘salvation’ test which can be used as a replacement.  The highest grade possible, however, is a C+.  Any missed unit test can only be replaced by a salvation test.  Daily quizzes cannot be made up, but alternative means for making up points will be available.

            Lab work is essential in this course and all college level science courses. Each student is expected to have a lab folder.  Before doing any experiment, the student must have done the preliminary lab write up.  Lab folders may be collected at any time and lab quizzes both scheduled and unannounced, will be given.  All missed lab work must be made up after school according to a set schedule.

            I believe in students working together cooperatively on assignments.  The key phrase being ‘working together’/  I do not condone copied assignments however, and will not accept any such work.  I also do not allow ‘;cooperative’ tests and quizzes.  Any student found to be cheating will receive a zero on the test or quiz.

            A $5.00 lab breakage fee is assessed each student payable within 3 weeks after school begins.  This fee is to maximize careful lab technique as it is refundable in June as long as no equipment is broken.

Recommendation Letters: I am always happy to write a college, scholarship or summer institute recommendation for deserving students. There is a form you must fill out and return to me at least two weeks before your filing deadline.

                        Please Note: My recommendation will be based on your actual academic performance in class and lab.  My integrity and professional reputation with college admissions and scholarship offices are as important to you as they are to me since they are the very basis of a "recommendation." If you have any concerns about this approach I will be happy to discuss them with you.

| VBPS District  | Media Center Home | IPL | MEL | TLN Public Library Catalog | WCRESA
DISCLAIMER:  The Staff of the BHS Media Center and the Van Buren Public Schools District can in no way be held responsible
 for the connectivity or content of any website. These resources are offered for your evaluation.

Updated on 07/27/2005