Chemistry Level 1

Chemistry Level 1

Mrs. Jennifer Clarke

Classroom: 610-627-6290

School email (day):

Course Description

 This course is an examination of the basic facts and principles of inorganic chemistry. The topics of atomic theory and structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, equations, stoichiometry (chemical calculations) and ionization are studied, along with theoretical and descriptive material which show the relationships between the structures, properties, and behaviors of everyday materials.

 Student achievement and progress are measured through 3-5 major tests each marking period. Written homework is to be expected most nights, with assignments reviewed during class. Quizzes will be given once or twice per week, and will cover all class information, including laboratory experiments and readings.

 As in all science classes, experimentation in the laboratory is an important factor in examining the basic facts and principles of this course. At minimum, one laboratory investigation per cycle will be completed during this course, with written reports and laboratory quizzes required following many of the labs.

 Students will be expected to be proficient in Algebra I, as it is necessary for the successful completion of this course. It is recommended that students in 1Chemistry course have earned a B or better in level 1 Algebra I, and students in 2Chemistry have earned a B or better in level 2 Algebra I. Students are expected to be enrolled in Algebra II (or beyond) concurrent with this course. This course does not cover all material on the AP chemistry exam, or all information in a college level chemistry course. It is suggested that students wishing to take Advanced Placement Chemistry in the future enroll in Level 1 Chemistry.

Topics Covered:

 Introduction Chemistry: Defining chemistry, the scientific method, laboratory safety and equipment

 Measurement: the metric system and significant digits

 Matter and Energy: energy, states of matter, and calorimetry; atomic structure, history, and theory; radioactivity; electromagnetic radiation; electron configuration

 The Periodic Table: The arrangement of the Periodic table and periodic trends

 Chemical Representation: Recognizing and writing chemical formulas; going between names and formulas, Lewis structures and bonding; molecular geometry; intermolecular forces

 Reactions: basic types of reactions, predicting products, red-ox chemistry, acid-base reactions

 Chemical Calculations: The mole concept: the mole, determining empirical and molecular formulas and percent composition; Stoichiometry (stoichiometry, limiting reagents, predicting yield, percent yield), Gas Laws

 Solutions: measuring concentration, and solution properties

 Acids and bases: Acids, bases and their reactions, including titration

 Thermochemistry: heat in reactions

 *Electrochemistry and kinetics: batteries; rates of reactions; reaction mechanisms

 *Organic and Biochemistry: The chemistry of living organisms

units marked with an * are supplemental and may not be covered

Expectations for Conduct

Classes will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect between teacher and students. It is understood that all rules imposed by the school will be followed and enforced according to guidelines set forth in the student handbook.

 BE RESPECTFUL.

Students are expected to act respectfully towards everyone in the building. It is expected that students will take a serious and responsible approach to their studies. Students should respect school property as well as the property of other students.

No student should interfere with another student’s right to learn. Disruptions to the classroom learning environment will not be permitted. This includes profanity, plagiarism, and the use of electronic devices when explicit permission has not been granted.

 BE SAFE.

Listen for and follow directions. These are important! Chemistry class can be complicated and dangerous, and you need to listen for important information that will make life easier and safer for everyone, yourself included.
Proper safety attire will be worn for laboratory experiments, and is defined at the discretion of your teacher. This generally includes goggles, aprons, closed-toe shoes, and laboratory aprons. Your goggles will be worn for all laboratory investigations that involve heat, glassware, or chemicals. There will be NO exceptions to this rule. Students may not participate in laboratory investigations involving heat, glassware, or chemicals unless they are wearing closed-toe shoes that cover the foot. Students may not be sent to gym lockers during class to retrieve appropriate footwear as per school rules.
Follow all lab rules. Failure to follow any lab rule may cause you to be ineligible to participate in future labs, and may result in a zero for a lab grade.

 BE PREPARED.

Students should be prepared for class everyday with:

Charged iPad
2 pens or pencils
binder with loose-leaf paper
a folder
Chemistry Resource Handbook
current notes packet
current homework packet
a scientific calculator

 BE PRODUCTIVE.

Your active participation is needed in this class. Many activities are designed with a strong interactive component. Your role in the class is to be a contributing member, and a member of the groups that you work in. You cannot be a passive sponge in this class and expect to do well. In addition, listen for and follow directions. Chemistry class can be complicated and dangerous, and you need to listen for important information that will make life easier and safer for everyone, yourself included.

Grading

Marking period grades will be calculated on a weighted basis using the following percentages:
Formatives assessments (supporting work)
10% homework and classwork
10% laboratory experiments
Summative assessments
30% Quizzes, graded WebAssign work, lab and demonstration assessments, minor graded assignments
50% Tests and projects

Extra credit assignments are rarely, if ever, offered. There are numerous official and optional assignments per marking period to earn the grade you wish to receive. Student missing any required assignment are not eligible for extra credit. However, extra credit problems may appear randomly on tests or quizzes so that grades over 100% are possible on many assessments.

Late Work and Absence Policy

Homework is considered “on time” if it has been handed in before the due date or when asked for it in class. Any work completed in class after the assignment has been collected is considered late, and will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to hand in homework in a timely fashion, and to pay attention in class to directions. If you arrive late to class with a pass, the work must be submitted upon arrival.
Late work will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to submit work in a timely fashion. If you believe your circumstances are extenuating, you may speak to your teacher to make up the credit.

Students absent from class for school business (athletics, student government, performances, etc) must inform his/her teacher prior to missing class for these activities. You are responsible for all work missed for school business as if you were in class that day. If an assignment is due, you are expected to submit the assignment to the teacher. Students on school trips for several days must see the teacher in advance of the absence to discuss a work schedule. This will help to catch you up when you return.
You have 2 school days for every day absent to make up any missed work from that day. Students absent the day before an announced test, quiz, or Webassign are responsible for completing the assignment on the scheduled date. If you are absent from class the day work is due, it is due immediately upon your return. If you are absent for more than 3 days, see your teacher to make a schedule to complete all missed work.
It is your responsibility to collect and make up any missed work. Failure to make up missed work will impact your grade. Your teacher will not pursue you to make up work, lab, or tests. After the “make up” time has passed, the grade is a zero. There are many ways to find out what you missed- from the low-tech method of asking a friend, to emailing your teacher, or checking the website. Homework assignments are posted on your teacher’s web page; you are expected to check for work when you are absent or to consult your “study buddy”.
Missed labs must be made up within one week of the absence, or the grade will be a zero. If you are absent, make arrangements to come after school or during a study hall for lab. This policy exists because labs are extensive to set up and clean up after, and they cannot remain set up for weeks.
Make-up work for an unexcused absence or lateness is not permitted, as per school policy.

Miscellaneous

When in doubt, write it down! Anything written on the board or discuss is fair game for quizzes and tests, so be sure you have it. Not all quizzes will be announced, and all work covered in previous topics may appear on a quiz or test.
Use of electronic devices (phone, iPad, tablet, laptop, etc.) is at the discretion of the teacher. When use is permitted, it will be clearly stated. If you are unsure, but feel you need to use a device for a class task, ASK. Use of devices when not approved will result in disciplinary action.
Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated, and will receive a grade of zero for any infraction. Plagiarism is defined by the Penncrest Academic Integrity Policy. Please see this policy for details.
If at any time you are uncomfortable with class material, make sure that you get help immediately. Chemistry by nature is cumulative; information you miss impacts long after the test date. If you fail a test – to either my academic standards or your own standards - you are responsible for making sure that you go back over the material to gain a working knowledge that you can draw upon in the future. Help is available and strongly encouraged. Please make arrangements to stay after school with me, another student, NHS tutoring, or with another Chemistry teacher to get help.