Our web site for Big Chem , Mighty Physics, and Natural Philosophers Chemistry/Physics web page.
Here you will find: A letter to parents, course information sheets, assignment sheets, class notes, review sheets, practice problems, drilling of formulas and equations, lesson plans, and a computer program Formula Club for practicing symbols, valences, formulas, and exams. Grades may be checked on our website.
NOTE: If this is your first e-mail to Boom, you will receive a note from SpamArrest.com asking you to verify yourself. After you do this, Boom will receive your letter. So check your e-mail a few minutes after you send your letter to Boom for the verification process.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Big Chem is the study of the great reactions and principles of matter. Topics include: Matter & Energy, Measuring & Calculating, Chemical Symbols & Formulas, The Mole, Chemical Equations, Chemical Problem Solving, Atomic Structure, Electron Theory, The Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Molecular Structure, Kinetic Theory, Phases of Matter, Acids, Bases & Salts, Solutions & Electrolytes, Oxidation-Reduction, Organic Chemistry, Qualitative Analysis.
GOALS: You will write explanations, perform labs, and solve problems on the above.
A NOTEBOOK IS REQUIRED:
It must be BOUND (spiral recommended) and kept in INK! Print your name in large lettering on the front cover and initial each page readable from a distance of ten meters. You may use YOUR notebook on the Exams, not someone else's.
It is your responsibility to check daily The Announcements Page found on the Chemistry/Physics web page. This gives you your assignments, labs to print, and other important information.
Assignments are given for the following reasons:
To teach research, find answers to questions and problems, practice writing skills with scientific explanations, solve mathematical problems, and practice for exams.
Assignments are practice for exams. Like the athlete must practice for games, the student must practice for exams.
The most efficient way to learn is to write while studying! This keeps the brain engaged while you think.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY.
To get full credit, assignments must be turned in within one week of the due date. Assignments may be turned in three weeks late for less credit. After that they will not be accepted unless you make PRIOR arrangements.
Boom keeps your papers for ONE week, then they are recycled. If you want an assignment checked, you must request it in ONE week.
NOTE WELL: Check your grades twice a week on PowerSchool! If there is a problem, you must ask Boom to check it immediately (e-mail). You have ONE week to do so. After that it's tooo late!
LABS MUST BE PERFORMED. You may not "make up" a lab that you missed by copying someone else's and turning it in. If you are absent for a lab, you may submit an Academic Essay on the topic of the exam. See the Academic Essay format. How to write an Academic Essay to get points for a missed lab.
Note: You must PRINT out your labs in advance and bring them to class. Boom will not grade a lab that is copied without printing.
PROBLEM ASSIGNMENTS for Big Chem with Hints and Answers are on our Big Chem Website. The assignments will be found ON-LINE, not in the text book. This way we shall have links to charts, tables, and hints for the problems. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME! This is to prevent the line-up at the beginning of class. Boom will not grade unstapled papers.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS are on our Big Chem Website. The Labs will be found ON-LINE. They will include OBSERVATIONS, QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS, and CRITIQUE. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME! This is to prevent the line-up at the beginning of class. Boom will not grade unstapled papers.
WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTS (screwing around in the lab) are not permitted. You will be removed from labs if you engage in this.
ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be done in INK, using Complete Sentences, and turned in AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. Problems must SHOW THE METHOD, Hup, Two, Three, Four. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME! This will prevent a time consuming lineup at the beginning of the period. You may write on both sides of your papers to save trees.
HEADING OF PAPERS: You must PRINT your FIRST and LAST NAME, and CLASS PERIOD on your papers. PRINT, DO NOT SIGN YOUR PAPERS OR SCRIBBLE YOUR NAME! Boom will not try to guess who you are!
EXAMS missed with excused absences must be made up immediately unless you have previously made arrangements with Mr. Boomer. Any exams or assignments containing "BS" (baloney stuff) will receive a zero grade!
WARNING: Vacations are UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. You will not be allowed to make up work missed during vacations taken on school time! Do not even consider going to Camp, France, Mexico, or any other foreign country!! Field trips must not conflict with classes.
GRADING:
Your grade is determined by percentage: 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D. Boom enters grades DAILY. You must check your grades daily and let Boom know immediately if there is a problem.
You must keep on top of your grades by checking them on PowerSchool daily so that you do not exceed the FIVE day maximum from the date due!
Chemistry is a lab science and students MUST be present to perform labs, see demonstrations, and take video field trips.
CLASS RULES:
NO POTTY CALLS ON CLASS TIME!
You must ATTEND REGULARLY and BE ON TIME! If you are not IN YOUR SEAT when the BELL STARTS TO RING, you will be marked ABSENT!
THE TARDY POLICY: If a student is not in his seat when roll is taken when the bell rings, he's marked absent. Boom will change the Absence to a Tardy at Bunch or Lunch when the student comes in on the same day.
You must BRING TO CLASS each day your NOTEBOOK and TWO PENS and a CALCULATOR.
You will be expected to listen to and read directions, and to follow them.
Science is a discovery process so you will be expected to think and do research.
Mr. Boomer will give extra help or discuss grades with you during after class.