DOVER HIGH SCHOOL COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE NAME: CP Chemistry INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Seekamp – Room 242

DEPT. PHONE NO.: 516-6970 E-MAIL ADDRESS: p.seekamp@dover.k12.nh.us

WEB ACCESS: Google Classroom. CLASS CODE: _____________. This will be the hub for all information,
assignments, materials and resources. You need a school google account to access.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: College Preparatory Chemistry is designed to provide the student with a general
overview of matter and its chemical nature. The student will complete the course with a better understanding of
the chemical nature of our environs and be better able to exercise this knowledge in future decision making.
Theory studied in class will be investigated through demonstrations, projects and labs with the goals of
increasing your ability to observe and organize data, see patterns and trends in data and make cause/effect
predictions and relationships, and to conduct laboratory work properly and safely.

I. Materials:

● Text: “Chemistry”, Myers, Oldham, Tocci, Holt (2006). (NOTE: NOT issued; we have a class set!)
● Pen AND Pencil.
● Scientific Calculator: if it has EXP (or EE) and LOG, it will do!
● BTCESD (you’ll see!)

II. Formative Work:

[20% of grade; includes practice work, practice quizzes, classwork/homework graded for “completion”]

Assignments will be due as posted in class and on Google Classroom. If you are absent you are
responsible for all class work and assignments missed. Assignments that are done poorly or incomplete
may be resubmitted to receive reduced credit. I am flexible and willing to work with you. My primary
concern is that you practice and learn the material.

III. Summative Work:

[80% of grade; includes quizzes, tests, labs, projects, homework graded for “correctness”]

At irregular intervals quizzes will be given. The material on the quiz will be from the material
previously covered in class or the previous homework assignment. Tests will be administered as
appropriate. As noted above, other assignments will count toward the summative grade. Grades for
any summative work that is not your own original work (other than group projects) will be divided
among all participants.

NOTE: We will discuss the reassessment policy for summative assessments separately.

IV. Extra Help/Makeup:

During school hours, Flex block is your first resort for extra help/makeup work. If you need help at other
times, please email me and I will respond as soon as possible (I have prep 4th block both days!).

NOTE: communication is the key; my goal is to help you prepare to be a confident, capable adult!
V. Laboratory:

Students will work in pairs to learn cooperative skills and will be assessed on their observance of safety,
technique, procedure, and results. All students must pass a SAFETY QUIZ with a grade of 100 in order to
participate in lab (retakes apply!).

A. Safety is the NUMBER ONE priority in the laboratory. Abridged safety rules and a safety pledge for the
chemistry lab follow. Students will work at an assigned lab station. It is expected that each student will
keep the lab equipment and the lab area clean (including the sink and the floor). In case of breakage the
student is required to clean up what was broken according to proper safety technique.

B. Students will receive two grades for labs:

1.) A formative grade for procedure, technique, results, and observance of safety.

2.) A summative grade for the lab report. Lab reports will take a variety of forms (data tables,
calculations, conclusions, questions, etc.) If a lab report is not handed in, the student forfeits
BOTH grades.

C. Late labs will lose 10% each class block they are late, down to 50%. Lab due dates will be posted in
class and in Google classroom.

D. In case of absence, labs must be made up in a timely manner. You must notify me how and when you
intend to make up a missed lab (before I put away materials). As noted above, labs are usually worth 200
points.

There are two options for make up:

1.) 100% credit option: make up the lab during flex, a free period, or after school (by appointment).

2.) 80% credit option: obtain the data from a classmate, then complete the lab from there. NOTE: data
can be shared, but lab reports are to be your own work. As noted above, grades for shared lab
reports will be divided among all participants.
VI. [Abridged] Safety Rules in the Lab: Please read the following safety rules carefully. Observance will help
you avoid the most common causes of accidents. NOTE: Additional safety rules apply!!

1. Come to the laboratory prepared with a carefully written procedure or having carefully read the lab provided. If
you are in doubt about any procedure, ask me to clarify before proceeding. Do not look at other lab groups to
decide what you need to do.
2. Know where your body is and what it is doing at all times. Do not be afraid to announce safety concerns.
ANYONE WHO DISREGARDS THEIR OWN OR OTHER’S SAFETY WILL BE DISMISSED.
3. Do lab work only when teacher is present. NO unauthorized experiments. Do not leave experiments unattended.
4. No eating or drinking in the lab. Never eat or drink out of lab equipment.
5. Proper clothing must be worn at all times (skin covered by clothing (long pants or skirts) and sturdy shoes – NO
OPEN-TOED SHOES). Flammable or bulky clothing must be removed. Aprons on when appropriate.
6. Use care with flammable chemicals – keep away from open flames. If clothing should catch fire, STOP, DROP
AND ROLL. Bystanders use a coat, fire blanket, or quench with water.
7. If you burn or spill a reagent on yourself, wash the area immediately with water, THEN, tell me. Report all
accidents, however minor you may believe them to be. There is no penalty for reporting accidents!
8. Students with long hair need to tie it up; hair catches fire easily. Rubber bands are available.
9. Wear safety goggles at all times to protect your eyes while working in the lab.
NOTE: Goggles must be on when using sinks – they are where most splashing occurs.
10. If you get any chemicals in your eyes, wash them out at the eye wash for fifteen minutes. Wearing contact lenses
during lab exercises is strongly discouraged.
11. Do not breathe any fumes, vapors, or smoke from any reaction; if fumes come your way, MOVE! Never
determine an odor by sticking your nose over the container; WAFT vapors toward your nose with hand.
12. Know the proper sequence for mixing acid and water: acid into water (“do what you oughta; acid into wata”).
13. Know the hazards of each chemical being used. Check all labels twice. Wipe up any drips after dispensing.
14. When heating anything in a test tube, point the mouth of the test tube away from yourself and your neighbors.
NEVER heat a stoppered test tube. Assume all glassware is hot.
15. Be familiar with the location and use of all safety features of the room (fire extinguisher, eye wash, chemical
hazards books, first aid kit, fire blanket, chemical shower, fire escape route, emergency call button, fume hood).
16. Keep aisles clear. Store back packs, coats, etc. under chair or desk; push in chairs every time you get up.
VII. Safety Pledge: Please read, sign, and return to me.

I have read and understand the above safety rules. I agree to abide by them, and will do all I can to avoid
accidents in the lab. I realize that compliance with these rules is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the
school laboratory and to provide a safe environment not only for myself, but for my fellow students and
teachers as well. I will, therefore, cooperate fully with the teacher and other students to maintain the safest
laboratory possible. I will act responsibly to look for possible safety hazards and will immediately relay these
hazards to others. I realize that, as a student, much of the responsibility for safety is in my hands. I understand
that a violation of these rules may result in the loss of laboratory privileges. I also understand that this is and an
abridged list of safety rules – additional rules apply, that goggles and proper clothing must be worn while doing
lab work, and that contact lenses are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED during lab activities.

I have also read and understand the attached course information.

Signed: ____________________________________________________ Date: _________________________

(student signature)

Cut hereè---------------------------------------------------------use scissors!!-----------------------------------------------------------çCut here

I have read the CP CHEM course expectations and safety rules/pledge. I agree to follow them per this contract.

Signed: ___________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________

(student signature – for teacher file)
I have / don’t have a chemical sensitivity/medical condition/special need of which the teacher should be aware:
(please circle one)
Describe sensitivity/condition/need: ____________________________________________________________

I, ___________________________________, parent/guardian of _____________________________________

(parent/guardian name) (student name)
have read the CP CHEM course expectations, safety rules and safety pledge. I give permission for my child/
ward to participate in chemistry laboratory.

Signed: ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________________

(parent/guardian signature)
Home phone: _________________________________ Work phone: _________________________________
Parent/guardian email: _______________________________________________________________________