Welcome to Ms. Sprunger's Website

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure and reactions of matter.  This course is designed to cover the major topics and concepts of inorganic chemistry.  Coupled with the lecture presentation will be a series of activities and experiments designed to demonstrate principles studied in class, as well as, teach basic skills in the use of equipment, wet chemistry and microscale technique.  

Instructor  Suan Sprunger  e-mail - sprungers@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us

Textbook Chemistry Addison-Wesley, 2002

Supplies folder, pen or pencil,  2 composition book, TI-30 or TI-83+ calculator,

highlighter, paper

Course Outline

First  Semester  Ch 1 thru 5, 13, 14, 15, 16  

Topics include: Matter & energy, Measurement, Atomic structure, the periodic Table, Bonding

Second Semester Ch 6 thrub 9, 12, 18,20,24,10

Topics include: Stoichiometry, Gas properties and Laws, Solutions & Colligative Properties, Acid and

Base Reactions, Titration and Neutralization, Chemical Reactions.

Grading Policy  Homework 10%, Class Notebook 10%, Lab 25%, Tests or Quizzes 55%

Homework assignments are given to develop mastery of topics through practice.  Assignments are graded based upon completion.  To receive full credit, all questions and problems must be completed.  By giving a completion grade, this allows students to attempt difficult material without penalization for wrong answers.  More is learned from correcting one’s own mistakes than copying someone else’s paper!  Class participation is given for doing the activities, section reviews and labs in class.  To receive full credit a student must try to do the work.  Anyone who sleeps or does material other than chemistry will not be given full credit that day because he or she did not participate.  We will do one  or two lab experiments per week.  These are to be kept in the composition notebook called a lab book. Along with the lab book students will be required to keep notes and activities in a separate composition book.  This notebook counts 10% of the students grade.  A formal test is given upon completion of a chapter.  Quizzes or bell work will be given at the beginning of each period and cover the material from the previous day.  A cumulative test over chapters covered in the each semester will comprise the semester exam. 

Late Work Policy  Late work is not accepted.  Students will have an outline of assignments and 

are expected to have assignments done by the due date.

Extra Help  Students can stay after class to get extra help as needed throughout the year.

Extra credit      One extra lab per grading period is designated as the extra credit lab worth 100 points.  Student can elect to write reports on topics pertaining to chemistry instead of doing a lab.  Each reoprt is worth 50 points.  The maximum extra credit allowed is 100 points earned as either 1 lab or 2 reports.

Behavior Policy Class and Lab Rules

1. Always wear goggles and appropriate safety equipment when in lab.

2. Do only authorized experiments, follow directions and safety procedures.

3. Never chew gum, eat or drink in lab.

4. Walk at all times and be courteous of others.

5. Respect school and other students property by not defacing books, equipment or furniture.

6. Ask questions.

7. Do your own work. (Cheating is not allowed.)

8. Be on time and have all supplies.

9. Students may not leave class or lab.  Students will be given 1 pass to leave the room at the beginning of each quarter.  Students will have the opportunity to earn future passes based upon appropriate behavior defined as but not limited to: the ability to work quietly and cooperatively in groups or while doing seat work in class, not talking, cleaning up their lab station and equipment.  For every 20 participation points gained a future pass is issued.  Unused passes can be turned in for extra points addeed to test or quizzes.  Five passes equals 10 points added to a test or 1 homework assignmnet.  The number of passes earned is based upon the students conduct.

Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior

1. For the first infraction, a student conference will be held.  The student is asked to not repeat

the infraction.

2. A second occurrence of the infraction results in a change of seat, loss of privileges and a phone

call to parents informing them of the situation.

3. A third occurrence of the infraction results in being sent to the office and a disciplinary referral

written.

4. Since chemistry involves the use of potentially harmful chemicals and intense heating sources to perform the experiments, it is important all students act appropriately at all times during these activities or labs.  Having the opportunity to do these experiments is a privilege not a right.  Therefore, any serious infraction that results in the compromise of the safety of others in class or lab will result in the removal of the student from lab or a class activity and sent to the office and a disciplinary referral is written for the first serious offense.  Any student who repeatedly demonstrates behavior that compromises the safety of others in class activities or lab will forfeit the privilege of doing class activities or lab and will receive zeros for all subsequent labs or activities.

Conduct Grade Policy

A conduct grade of E is awarded to students who follow all rules and do not require a student conference.  A conduct grade of S is awarded to students who require a single student conference and phone call to parents.  A conduct grade of N is awarded to students who require a two to four student conferences and/or phone calls to parents.  A conduct grade of a U is awarded to students who receive disciplinary referrals to the office or are removed from lab for safety violations.