Why should you take chemistry? Come and learn about the smallest things that really matter! Your semester will surely be jam packed (or dense) with information about so many interesting and relatable concepts that will make you a more informed scientist! First, deep dive with penguins as you figure out why certain objects float or sink! Don’t worry, we’ll prep you on all the safety procedures you need to know just in case something or someone malfunctions. Penguins not doing it for you? No worries! Close your eyes and start to day dream. Yes, day dream! Think about the smallest particles that exist. Are they made up of smaller particles? Can you break them up? Can you force them to bond together!? As your day dream, let your imagination wander to the stars and galaxy! Observe the light they give off! What makes up stars? Are you and stars related? Or even better yet, are you a STAR? You will be after this class. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Make sure you take some sunscreen with you as you wander out to space. You’ll need the protection from all of the radiation that is going to hit you! You don’t want all those particles in space to penetrate your skin and cause damage. You miss earth, so you come back to figure out what bonds you to earth. Are you strongly connected? Doesn’t seem like it since you melted away from reality so quickly. As you traveled back through earth, did you notice some gas molecules doing some funky dance moves as you hit them with your star light? Come and figure out why those gas molecules are making our world hotter. As you find your way back to home, rejoin with your friends that make you happy. Did you ever wonder why you are attracted to similar people? Hmm…me too. They probably keep you balanced in a way that helps you stay whole.
So why should you take chemistry? I think you’ll learn a lot of science, but you may also learn a lot about yourself as well.
Chemistry Course Description
This one-year Chemistry course is designed for students who exhibit interest in science and gives a general overview of the study of atoms and molecules and their interactions. This Chemistry class is an inquiry-based course that examines matter and the changes it undergoes. We will cover the essential topics to give students a firm foundation for classes they may take later and more importantly, to uncover the chemistry they experience in everyday life. This course will attempt to give students a deeper understanding of the scientific processes and the interconnections among the sciences, technology, society, and the environment. This class will also aim to give students reading and studying strategies to help them become more effective readers, learners and thinkers. To aide in learning, students will be expected to complete regular reading and homework assignments as well as participate in class discussions and experiments. Grading will be based on tests, quizzes, labs, participation, projects, and homework assignments.
Course Goals
Welcome to Mr. Avendano’s Chemistry class. The goal of this class is to prepare and equip students with basic Chemistry knowledge that will help them explain some of the natural, scientific phenomena that is happening around them and might help them in their future careers. We will tackle problems that will challenge the students to sharpen their critical and analytical, creative thinking skills, by communicating and collaborating with their peers.
Materials Required Daily
* Composition Notebook (Ruled or Graph) *1" Binder
Black or blue pen and pencil
Glue Stick
Scientific Calculator (Teacher has Classroom set)
Additional Sources and Resources *Textbook: Dingrando, Laurel et al. Glencoe Chemistry: Matter and Change. *http://mrfavendanoschem.weebly.com/topics.html *https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry
Fall Semester
In the fall semester, students will investigate the formation of the first elements and their transformation to heavier elements in the context of stars as “element factories.” They will use this knowledge to explore the structure of an atom and patterns in the periodic table. Students will investigate the forces that hold matter together and how society uses its understanding of elements and molecules to develop useful materials. Students will finish the semester by exploring the interactions of atoms and molecules as illustrated by chemical reactions.
Spring Semester
In the spring semester, students will begin by investigating Earth’s climate and human impact on it. Students will explore energy and the factors that drive chemical and physical changes based on their understanding of elements and materials science. They will follow the flow of energy into and out of chemical systems, extending the concept to the movement of energy through Earth’s systems. Finally, students will investigate greenhouse gases, their effect on the atmosphere, and how the atmosphere affects the ocean and other bodies of water on Earth. The semester will conclude with students synthesizing their knowledge in the study of the carbon cycle.
Student Evaluation and Coaching
Grading rubrics for Chemistry are based on mastery of concepts and desired student outcomes. These are tied directly to the school’s framework for Science and graduate profile, and to the WASC certification requirements. Final grades will be calculated by the following percentages per semester (subject to change with fair notice):
Students are to participate in class reading, discussions and group work where they will explore and try different approaches to help understand and solve the problems posed. This process will help gauge student comprehension of concepts and materials covered. It is crucial for students to not only ask questions for clarification, but to also participate in their group work/discussions to showcase that they have come to class ready to learn. Discussions are usually based on prior knowledge, material from readings, discussions, lectures and/or assignments. Classroom discussions are informal ways to pinpoint any material that may need clarification and review. Students will also be assigned various labs/experiments throughout the year. Labs/experiments involve working alone, with a partner or a group, efficiently taking different approaches to uncover possible solutions.
Explain/Elaborate Verbal and written assessments and exercises will be given to the students after learning new concepts through reading, discussions and collaborations, and experiments to reinforce material covered and for students to elaborate on the concepts learned. It will help them to articulate their reasoning and point out evidence that supports their conclusion. Explaining and elaborating will strengthen their chemistry foundation, acquiring necessary logic skills and understanding to increase their knowledge, abilities, and skills to solve more complex scientific problems. Each student will complete several assignments.
Evaluation Evaluations will encompass any concepts and material discussed within a specific topic or chapter; this may include information brought up in class discussions, readings, labs, and lectures. Evaluations are meant to gauge, as accurately as possible, each student’s mastery of specific concepts. Evaluation will be in the form of quizzes and tests that will be scheduled in advance.
Notebook The Chemistry notebook plays a very big role in this class. The notebook will be where your syllabus, notes, handouts, Do-Now, Explain/Elaborate, and other written responses will be found. It is very important that your notebook remains neat and orderly for you to make the most use out of it. A rubric will be given to each student for how the notebook will be graded. The notebook will be collected.
Finals The Fall Semester Final will be a typical written Final where students will answer questions in forms of multiple choice, short answers, and written responses. The students will also be tasked to transform any of the chapters covered into a formal lab report. The Spring Semester Final will be a project based Final. The Spring Semester Final will involve each student to present a scientific project in class along with the written report on the project that the student has chosen to do.
Class Policies and Expectations
1.Be attentively seated and prepared for class by having the appropriate reading, notebook, assignments, writing instruments out and ready, working on your “Do Now” when the beginning bell rings. Remember to do all your business before the class starts (i.e. bathroom use, water).
2. Follow the class and school rules such as the 10/10 Bathroom usages (No bathroom usage 10 minutes after and before the bell rings), Cell Phone/Electronics usage (No cell phones, earphones, headphones, tablets or computer out/used during class time. Electronic use must be approved by the instructor), Be F.R.E.S.H. (Fair, Respectful, Excellent, Safe, and Hopeful).
3. You are responsible for all the material we cover in class, including lecture notes and material assigned for work outside of class. Visit our Class Webpage for contents covered in class or schedule an appointment with the instructor for more information.
4. Without a valid excuse, assignments not turned in on time are considered “late”. Turn in your work at the beginning of class on the day it is due unless otherwise noted in writing. “Late work” will be docked 30 percent of the total possible points.
5. Students are to listen and follow the instructions set forth before and during lab. Horseplay is strictly prohibited during lab. Any students who choose to disregard this safety precaution will be given a zero for that lab and the administration/principal will be contacted for further discipline.
6. Any students caught cheating will be given a zero for an assignment, quiz or the test. This rule applies to those receiving answers as well as those giving answers. Students will not be allowed to talk during tests or quizzes. Copying, plagiarism, academic theft is not acceptable and will accrue the same consequences for cheating. Students are encouraged to start a study group, but please do not copy each other’s work for that is considered cheating.
I have read and understood what will be covered during the Fall and Spring Semesters, what is expected of me to do in class, and how I will be evaluated and graded based on the grading rubric presented, I also understand that the Final for the Fall will require me to take a written test and turn in a written lab report and the Spring Final will require me to do a project based presentation in class and turn in a written report to my teacher.