Living+by+Chemistry

Chemistry in the Community: Living by Chemistry (ACP/CP)


 * Announcements: Red: Semester 1 Final: 1/29 + 30/2015 **
 * Blue: Semester 1 Final: 1/29 + 30/2015 **


 * Online Textbook login site: [|Living by Chemistry Textbook login] **

toc =Course Description:=

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to sophomore year and Chemistry! I am looking forward to working with you and to helping you understand chemistry. The Chemistry in the Community course is offered to students who desire a more intuitive, more qualitative, and less abstract treatment of the principles of chemistry. Students are introduced to all areas of chemistry (atomic structure, equations, acid/base, chemical bonding, etc.) by applying these concepts to major societal problems involving water, resources, energy, petroleum, and nuclear chemistry. Experiments and group work are central activities in this course. Nightly homework focuses on reviewing class notes, applying concepts learned in class, and laboratory reports. Assignments and activities are differentiated by level as needed. Students in this course should have completed a year of science and have the recommendation of their grade nine science teacher.

Our curriculum consists of the following six topics, each organized around a specific body of chemistry content.
 * Topic 1: Alchemy: Matter, Atomic Structure, and BondingTopic 2: Smells: Molecular Structure and Properties
 * Unit 1: Defining Matter
 * Unit 2: Basic Building Materials
 * Unit 3: A World of Particles
 * Unit 4: Moving Electrons
 * Unit 5: Building with Matter
 * Topic 3: Weather: Phase Changes and Behavior of Gases
 * Topic 4: Toxins: Stoichiometry, Solution Chemistry, and Acids and Bases
 * Topic 5: Fire: Energy, Thermodynamics, and Oxidation-Reduction
 * Topic 6: Showtime: Reversible REactions and Chemical Equilibrium
 * Topic 6: Showtime: Reversible REactions and Chemical Equilibrium

=Course Materials:=

Three Ring Binder Lab Supplies Textbooks (Living By Chemistry) Scientific Calculator
 *  Handouts and notes should be kept in a binder. All material for the year should be organized. You will need it. Binder Checks will usually occur at the end of each Unit.
 *  All labs completed during lab blocks should be kept in a bound notebook of __graph paper__. Please take note of the recommended types. Labs are often lost if the pages are easily removed. This is the student’s responsibility. Students will also need scissors and __glue sticks__ to complete lab set up.
 *  Students will have access to the Online Text "Living By Chemistry." This text can be accessed through the link shown below. Student will use this source and provided handouts kept in the ChemCom Binder to support course content.
 *  The subject of Chemistry is often very math-based. You should bring a calculator daily. Cell phones or other electronic devices may not always be permitted, especially not during any assessment.

=Grading Policy:=

Exams and Quizzes: Lab Reports and Projects:  Homework: 
 * Exams will be given at the end of each unit and will be worth 100 - 200 points. Quizzes will be worth 5 - 20 points. The format of exams in this course may vary depending on the topic we are covering. Students should expect written exams as well as lab practical exams. Tests are given at the end of each unit and will cover all of the learning goals in that unit. Expect 2 or 3 tests per term.
 * Lab Reports will generally be worth 20 - 30 points. A larger, long term project might be worth more. Completed Lab reports and class activities will be collected on the day of the lab or the next day that the class meets depending on the lab depth. Each lab partner must turn in an individual lab report. Points will be deducted from lab reports turned in late.
 * Homework assignments will be worth 5-15 points depending on the complexity of the assignment. Homework will be assigned most nights and due the following class to receive full credit. Homework will be checked in class or collected. Assignments turned in later will receive a reduction in credit. Homework assignments for a given unit will not be accepted late after the unit test has been completed.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: Graded assignments are posted on the homework calendar and in PowerSchool. Students may access assignments through the PowerSchool Portal. Students are expected to check assignments and grades often.**  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"> Participation: =Course Calendar:=
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">While this portion of the overall grade receives the smallest percentage, it is the most critical in the overall classroom atmosphere. Both the students and I are expected to contribute positively and constructively to the experiences in chemistry class this year. This includes appropriate behavior in the lab. Participation points will be assessed at the end of each term.

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=Documents=

Semester 1: