Syllabus for the 2007-2008 Academic Year
Chemistry
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Mr. Robert Ause tel. #: 661-4804 x 330
e-mail: bob.ause@smes.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Welcome to your first course in Chemistry. I intend for this to be an interesting, even an exciting experience for you. I love Chemistry!!! If you have ever wondered about the composition of many of the substances around you such as your clothes, your food, your car, your house you are wondering about chemicals. Yes! Everything you tangibly experience is made of mixtures of elements and compounds. While you may not be convinced of the significance of Chemistry at the beginning of this course, it is one of my goals that you will be by the end.
In spite of my enthusiasm for this science, my excitement is tempered with the knowledge that not everyone shares my interest. I also know from experience that not every student finds this subject as accessible as others do. Therefore, I have designed this course to help you learn about your own style as a student. We will employ a wide variety of activities that will help you learn. Hopefully you will find some of them best for you style of learning. I also recognize that this may be the one and only Chemistry course that you ever take. Therefore, I want you to leave this class with an appreciation for Chemistry in our world. We will only scratch the surface of a fascinating subject this year, but this brief introduction to Chemistry will give you a degree of chemical literacy that may stay with you the rest of your life. I hope that you will find this exploration into the atomic and molecular nature of the universe intriguing and captivating.
Science Department Philosophy
Science is a process rooted in curiosity, awe, understanding and respect for the natural world in which we live. In science courses at St. Margaret’s, students are encouraged to become autonomous learners in a collaborative environment. We teach students to be critical thinkers who use logic, experimental design, and problem solving as vehicles for discovery. Our students are asked to demonstrate scientific literacy and effective communication skills. With this background, we hope students will mature into responsible stewards of the Earth and build a life-long interest in science.
Under these principles, the Science Department seeks to impart to its students through its K-12 curriculum, an enduring understanding of how to approach problems or questions of interest. Our students learn to:
Apply the scientific method.
Build the foundations of scientific literacy and make connections across the curriculum.
Think logically and critically.
Become independent learners while recognizing the value of collaboration and communication.
Make connections to their inner and outer environments.
TOOLS:
Textbook: Prentice Hall Chemistry: A. C. Wilbraham, D. D. Staley, M. S. Matta, E. L. Waterman, 2005 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. at Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, ISBN: 0-13-115262-9. Bring this book to class as needed.
Calculator: Bring one that you know how to use. On tests and quizzes you will be provided a calculator. You may only use this one on tests and quizzes.
Periodic table: You will be given a periodic table later in the course. Until then you may use the one in your binder reminder.
ANGEL Course Platform: All the necessary materials, handouts, labs, course coordination will be available at ANGEL. You must consult this regularly to stay up to date. Web address to access ANGEL: http://angel.smes.org/angel/
COURSE ORGANIZATION
This Chemistry course is taught by a series of individual study units (most of which will contain a couple chapters). Each unit is a self-contained package of instruction which contain a variety of components as explained below.
COURSE GRADING
Your grade will be determined by the weighted average of your performance in a variety of areas. The weighting will be as follows:
Class & Homework - 15%
Quizzes -
20%
Lab Work -
30%
Tests/Essays - 35 %
Total - 100%
Semester Grade: An entire semester’s worth of work is collectively averaged and will contribute 80% of the semester total with the semester exam adding the additional 20%.
0
Getting Started
1
Matter and Change (Chapter 2) Quiz
2
Atomic Theory (Chapters 4-5)
Test
3 Elements and the P.T.
(Chapter 6 and Appendix)
Essay
*** END OF 1ST QUARTER: Nov. 1st ***
4
Names and Formulas of Compounds (Chapters 7-9) Test
5 Calculations and Chemical Quantities (Ch. 3 & 10)
Lab Practical
6 Reactions and Stoichiometry
(Chapters 11-12)
Test
*** END OF 1ST SEMESTER: Jan. 16th, 2008***
Exam Date: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008
SECOND SEMESTER
***END OF 3RD QUARTER: March 23rd.***
10
Acids and Bases (Chapters 18 & 19)
Test
11 The Chemistry of Life (Chapters
22-24)
Essay
***END OF 2ND SEMESTER: June 4th.***
Exam Date: Thursday, June 5th
COMPUTER RESOURCES (Web sites, etc.)
Chemistry Course address: www.smes.org/classes/chemistry/. You can find the units here plus other resources. Check it out!
ANGEL link: http://angel.smes.org/angel/.
CPR: http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/cpr/login.asp
The Chem Team address: http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/ChemTeamIndex.html
