Welcome to Chemistry!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

My name is Miss Chang, and I am excited to be your child’s chemistry teacher for this year! I would
like to introduce myself and to briefly describe my definition of the philosophy of teaching. I
graduated at Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with emphasis on
Chemistry Education, and Teaching Credential Certificate to teach chemistry. Throughout my
school, I have built years of experiences in working with students. From these experiences, I have
always enjoyed seeing student’s “a-ha!” moments in science. I am excited to have this amazing
opportunity to share my love for science to your child this year.

It is not surprising to hear when students say, “Chemistry is hard!” As a chemistry teacher, I must
say I agree and disagree with this general statement. Yes, chemical equations and structures may
seem intimidating and overwhelming at first glance, but when we dig deeper, you will find that
those are nothing to be afraid of- they are just something that you are surrounded by and
interacting with every single moment of your life! A goal for my class is that I want my students to
break out of that stereotype of chemistry- that it is all about chemical equation and crazy
calculation. Instead, I want them to truly understand the cause and effect of phenomenon they
experience in everyday life through the eyes of chemistry, whether it is from something miniscule
like breathing air to something huge like the human impact in ocean acidification. Not only will they
learn about the how’s and why’s of the world the live in, but chemistry will also develop their
critical thinking skills and life skills that they can easily transfer to different subjects, or to life in
general!

To achieve this goal, I will provide a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all my students to
learn chemistry. Students will constantly be motivated and have opportunities to develop
personally and academically. Although my responsibility will be supporting your child throughout
this journey, I want you to remember that this supportive system will not be 100% effective without
your love and involvement for your child. Therefore, I would like to ask you to encourage your child
as well and give as many positive words and guidance as possible.

I will be within arm’s reach if you would like to ask me any questions or to discuss your child’s
progress! I look forward to guiding your child towards the academic success with your help
throughout this year!

Sincerely,
Ellen Chang
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide a thorough yet positive and fun chemistry experience. Students
will be required to demonstrate their understanding through problem-solving skills in both written
work and laboratory work.

➢ Matter and Change ➢ Stoichiometry

➢ Scientific Measurement ➢ Thermochemistry
➢ State of Matter ➢ Acids and Bases
➢ Atomic Structure ➢ Redox Reactions
➢ The Periodic Table ➢ The Chemistry of Life
➢ Chemical Reactions ➢ The Chemistry in Earth

Grading Policies
Students and parents/guardians will have access to keep track of the students’ progress by logging
into the school’s website.

Letter Grade Percent Letter Grade Percent

A+ 97.0 – 100.0 C 73.0 – 76.9
A 93.0 – 96.9 C- 70.0 – 72.9
A- 90.0 – 92.9 D+ 67.0 – 69.9
B+ 87.0 – 89.9 D 63.0 – 66.9
B 83.0 – 86.9 D- 60.0 – 62.9
B- 80.0 – 82.9 F 0.0 – 59.9
C+ 77.0 – 79.9

Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to…

➢ Get seated and take out necessary items to start class before the bell rings.
➢ Use the bathroom or sharpen pencils before or after the main lecture of the day.
➢ Be engaged in learning, participate in discussions, and work collaboratively with peers.
➢ Ask if more examples or clarifications are needed to understand better.
➢ Respect those around you.
➢ Follow every laboratory rule!
➢ Put away any electronic that will distract you from learning.
➢ Clean up the area you used before leaving the class.
➢ Start packing when there are two minutes left until the bell rings.
Classroom Policies
➢ Late Work: Students may submit three homework assignments late without penalty;
however, projects are not included. They must be submitted within 3 days of the deadline
to be considered. All other assignments submitted after the deadline without approved
excuses will be penalized 15% of their total grade.
➢ Tardy: Students will be allowed to have three unexcused tardies in each semester. The rest
will be recorded as is in the attendance book and it will be notified to parents/guardians.
➢ Absence: Students will be responsible for making up any missed assignments and
submitting them within a week from the day of returning to class. Without approved
excuses, assignments will be penalized 15% of their total grade. Students who will be absent
on the days of exams/quizzes must notify the teacher in advance, if possible. All other
absences must have valid excuses to receive full credit. Without approved excuses, exams
and quizzes will be penalized 25% of their total grade. Absent students will take different
versions of exams/quizzes during lunch or after school within three days from the day of
absence. Students who will be absent on the lab days will receive alternative assignments.
➢ Cell Phone: Students will be asked to put the phones away if they cannot focus on learning.
Students who continue to use it after the warning will turn in their phones to the teacher
and they will be returned at the end of class.
➢ Extra Credit: Points accumulated from extra credit will be added to the grade book at the
end of the semester. Extra credit will be given randomly, so seize the opportunity!

Academic Dishonesties
Academic dishonesty includes behaviors such as cheating, lying to the teacher, inventing false citations,
plagiarism, and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. For the first offense, the
parents/guardians of the student will be notified, and the student will receive zero on the dishonest
assignment. The consequence of the second time will be taken care of by the administration office.

Please tare along the dotted line. Sign below and submit this stub to Miss Chang by ____________.

Student: I, ____________________________, have read the syllabus and understand it. Therefore, I
will always give my fullest effort to be the best student.

Student Signature: X__________________________________________ Date: _________________

Parents/Guardian: I, ____________________________, have read the syllabus and understand it.

Therefore, I will do my best to support my student to succeed academically.

Parent/Guardian Signature: X__________________________________ Date:__________________