Second Semester Chemistry Core Ideas
SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL
“A Community of Learners”
Chemistry Spring 2017 Mrs. Labo
Course Description: Chemistry is a two-semester course, which involves the study of the composition, structure, properties, and behavior of matter. The class will emphasize the fundamental concepts and methods of chemistry and will include substantial lab work. Chemistry is a college preparatory course normally taken in the 10th or 11th grade. Chemistry fulfills the high school graduation requirement for physical science. It is expected that students enrolled in Chemistry will have passed Algebra I (or an equivalent course) because the material covered in Chemistry requires the mathematical skills learned in Algebra. The goals of this class are defined by Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core Standards.
Grading: Second semester is divided up into 6 units, each ending with an exam called a Common Assessment (CA). These exams are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core Standards. All students are required to earn a minimum of 1400 points in order to pass the class for the spring semester. Students earn points for passing Common Assessment exams and for work done in their notebook. Each CA exam is worth 200 points (60% of the overall grade) and each notebook is worth 50 points (15% of the overall grade). There will also be 2 projects this semester, one group project and one individual research project. These will be worth 100 points each (10% of the overall grade). There are also 10 quizzes that will be given throughout the semester that are worth 10 points each (5% of the overall grade). There is a final exam at the end of the semester worth 200 points (10% of the overall grade). This brings the total points for the semester to 2000. Students will keep track of their points on a score sheet in their notebook. Students are then assigned a letter grade based on the following scale:
Letter Grade / Honors ChemistryA / 1800 Points out of possible 2000 Points
B / 1600 Points out of possible 2000 Points
C / 1400 Points out of possible 2000 Points
The following common assessments will be given:
CA 5 Solutions and Acids and Bases CA 8 Reaction rate and Chemical equilibrium
CA 6 Gas Laws CA 9 Nuclear chemistry
CA 7 Thermodynamics CA 10 Organic chemistry
Grading on exams: Demonstrating what you have learned in this class is extremely important and is the reason that the exams are worth 60% of the overall grade. Students will have 4 opportunities to take each exam to achieve the highest score they can. The first 2 attempts at the test are given in class and the 3rd and 4th attempts are given at lunch. Students will be notified of the dates of these exams ahead of time and it is the responsibility of the student to make sure that they are prepared and present.
Grading Policies
1) No late work will be accepted unless the student has an excused absence. If absent, the student will have as many days to make up the assignments as they were absent
2) If caught cheating on an assignment or exam the student will get a zero for that assignment (this holds whether the student was copying from someone or allowing someone to copy from him/her). Parents will be notified.
Work Habits and Cooperation Grading Policies
Things that will result in a grade of “Unsatisfactory” for a grading period:
1) A referral 5) Consistently using foul language in class
2) Tardy 3 or more times to class 6) Consistently showing disrespect for others or for self
3) 3 or more unexcused absences 7) Consistently refusing to participate in groups or labs
4) Breaking the lab safety rules
Required textbooks: The text for this class is The World of Chemistry publisher McDougal Little
Student Materials: In addition to the textbook, students must bring a composition notebook that is dedicated solely to this class along with a pen and pencil.
I Can Statements for Solutions and Acids and Bases· I can recognize the indicators that exist when dissolving has occurred
· I can identify the parts of a solution
· I can read and interpret solubility tables
· I can identify the factors that affect the rate of dissolving
· I can solve molarity problems
· I can use various definitions to define acids and bases
· I can distinguish acids and bases using their properties
· I can characterize solutions using pH
· I can identify the products of a neutralization reaction
I Can Statements for Gases
· I can use the kinetic-molecular theory of gases to solve problems
· I can use the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature to solve problems
· I can convert between the Kelvin and Celsius scale, and I know what the Kelvin scale is
· I can solve gas law problems using the combined gas law
· I can apply the definition of diffusion
I Can Statements for Thermochemistry
· I can distinguish between exothermic and endothermic reactions and processes
· I can define heat and predict how it will flow
· I can predict how heat and temperature will affect changes of phase
· I can identify a system that shows an increase or decrease in entropy
· I can solve problems involving heat (Q)
I Can Statements for Reaction Rate and Equilibrium
· I can define reaction equilibrium
· I can use Le Chatelier’s principle to predict changes in reaction equilibrium
· I can describe a reaction rate in various ways
· I can predict how various factors will affect a reaction rate
I Can Statements for Nuclear Chemistry
· I can distinguish between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
· I can solve decay equation problems
· I can solve half life problems
· I can distinguish between fission and fusion
· I can identify which kind of reaction will produce the most energy
I Can Statements for Organic Chemistry
· I can identify the structure of various hydrocarbons
· I can identify the monomer for various polymers (and vice versa)
· I can identify the characteristics of carbon that cause it to form many types of bonds
Sylmar Charter High School (818) 833-3700