Prep Chemistry Syllabus
2014-2015
Instructors
/Mrs. Lauren Hacker
/Ms. Ardelia Ford
/Mr. Thomas Dohoney
/Mr. Lawrence Spence
/Mrs. Sonia Rodriguez
Room
/ N217 / N226 / S217 / S116 / N126Phone / 281-920-8000 x 6104 / 281-920-8000 x 6105 / 281-920-8000 x 6163 / 281-920-8000 x 6178 / 281-920-8000 x 6109
Email /
lhacker
@houstonisd.org
/aford2
@houstonisd.org
/tdohoney
@houstonisd.org
/lspence
@houstonisd.org
/srodrig6
@houstonisd.org
Tutorials / Tuesdays and Thursdays during 2nd half of Lunch / Tuesdays and Thursdays during Lunch / Monday – Thursday after school / Tuesdays after school and Wednesdays during the 1st half of lunch / Mondays during Lunch andTuesdays before school
Required Supplies
ü A 3-ring binder
ü Paper
ü Pencils/Pens
ü Scientific Calculator (ex. TI-34II, TI-30Xa, etc.) Students will NOT be allowed to use their cell phones as calculators or borrow calculators from another student during quizzes/tests.
Textbook
HMH Texas Modern Chemistry
Website: www.hmdscience.com
Test Days
Science classes hold exams and tests on Mondays or Wednesday/Thursday block days.
Grades
Major Grades (70%): Tests, selected labs, projects, and other assignments as designated
Minor Grades (30%): Daily grades, quizzes, homework, selected labs, etc.
Retake Policy
Please refer to The Westside Way: Student/Parent Handbook 2014-2015 (Section II: Grades).
· Retakes are to be given approximately one week after the original test grade has been posted on Gradespeed.
· If a student scores higher on his/her retake, the retake grade will replace the original test grade (capped at 80).
· If a student scores lower on his/her retake, the average of the original test and the retake will be recorded as the final average for that assignment.
In addition, retakes will be given only to those students who have completed the post-test data analysis form (to be done in class) and emailed a retake request to the instructor on time by the designated date (as informed by the instructor during class and as posted in the classroom).
Course Policies Q&A
How important is attendance to success in Chemistry? Many of the topics taught in chemistry build upon each other, so it is important that all students attend class regularly. It is your responsibility to check Gradespeed and to ask for your missing assignments if you are absent.
What if I’m absent the day of a lab, quiz, test, or due date? You will take the quiz or test on the day you return. Also, you will turn in any assignment that was due on the day you return. You will need to make arrangements with me for make-up labs. If you have been absent several days prior to a quiz or exam, it is YOUR responsibility to come see me about a new test or quiz date/time on the day of your return.
Do you have tutorials? Feel free to visit any Chemistry Teacher for help. Chemistry Tutorial schedules are available online.
What do you expect in terms of student conduct? Students are expected to follow laboratory safety rules, HISD’s code of student conduct, and any conduct rules established in class. Westside’s discipline management system will be implemented as necessary.
What is the best way to contact Mrs. Hacker? Email is the BEST way to reach me and get a quick reply.
I. Safety and Scientific Measurement
A. Lab safety
B. Materials Safety Data Sheets
C. Scientific measurements
D. Dimensional analysis
E. Density
F. Accuracy and precision
II. Structure of Matter
A. Physical and chemical changes and properties
B. Extensive and intensive properties
C. Solids, liquids and gases
D. Classification of matter
III. Atomic and Nuclear Chemistry
A. Modern atomic theory
B. Electromagnetic spectrum
C. Planck’s equation
D. Average atomic mass
E. Electron configurations
F. Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
G. Radioactive decay
H. Fission and fusion reactions
IV. The Periodic Table
A. History
B. Chemical families
C. Periodic trends
V. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry
A. Naming ionic compounds
B. Writing chemical formulas
C. Lewis structure
D. Metallic bonding and properties
E. Molecular geometry (VSEPR)
VI. Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
A. Mole
B. Percent composition
C. Empirical and Molecular formulas
D. Law of conservation of mass
E. Balance chemical equations
F. Limiting reagents and percent yield
VII. Solutions
A. Properties of water
B. Solubility rules
C. Electrolytes
D. Factors affecting solubility
VIII. Acids and Bases
A. Properties of acids and bases
B. Neutralization reactions
C. Precipitation reactions
D. Redox reactions
E. pH and pOH
F. Strong and weak acids and bases
IX. Gases
A. Boyle’s Law
B. Charles’ Law
C. Avogadro’s Law
D. Dalton’s Law of partial pressures
E. Ideal Gas Law
F. Stoichiometric calculation involving gases
G. Kinetic Molecular Theory
X. Thermochemistry
A. Forms of energy
B. Heat transfer
C. Thermochemical equations
D. Endothermic and exothermic reactions
E. Specific heat calculations
F. Calorimetry