Klein ForestHigh School Pre Advanced Placement
Chemistry Pre AP 0481/0483
Syllabus 2012-2013
Instructor: Cynthia Smithphone: 832-484-4770
Email: our: M,T, Th 2:45-4:30 W by appt.
Textbook: Chemistry , Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman; Addison-Wesley
Course Title: Chemistry 1 (Pre-AP) (0481) Grade Placement: 10-12
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and Meet District Guidelines Credit: 1 Unit
This course is designed for the student with a high interest in science and/or who intends to take further science courses. It is designed to acquaint the student with the concepts and processes of chemistry and is a modification and expansion of the regular class.Experimentation, individual student inquiry and mathematical applications are an integral part of the course. (KleinIndependentSchool District, 2008)
Pre AP Chemistry is an introductory class to AP Chemistry. Pre-AP Chemistry moves at a faster pace than regular Chemistry, does additional labs, and has higher expectations for the students. This class expects higher-level thinking and problem solving skills that will challenge students while in high school and second year AP Science courses will provide a sound background for college science classes. They should plan to take a senior level AP class that will give them an advantage in college.
Chemistry is a course that is in every aspect of our lives. This course will require some outside studying. You will be expected to do homework and major projects. Your class work can be done as group work and/or individually. Problem solving will be taught and practiced in class. Your lab may be an inquiry-based lab in which the student must generate their own experimental procedure and perform it in class and draw conclusions based on their data. Test and most major projects will be individual work and will be graded based on the requirements of the assignment. I will have office hours to help you and will try to make it an easier experience.
Suggested Readings From AP Central
Here are some alternative readings for this course.
Ivan Amato, Stuff: The Materials the World Is Made Of (William Morrow, ISBN 0380731533)
P. W. Atkins,The Periodic Kingdom: A Journey into the Land of the Chemical Elements(Basic Books, ISBN 046507266)
Philip Ball
Stories of the Invisible: A Guided Tour of Molecules (OxfordUniversity Press, ISBN 0192803174)
The Ingredients: A Guided Tour of the Elements (OxfordUniversity Press, ISBN 0192841009)
Bright Earth (University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0226036286)
Life's Matrix: A Biography of Water (University of California Press, ISBN 0520230086)
John Emsley, Molecules at an Exhibition: Portraits of Intriguing Materials in Everyday Life (OxfordUniversity Press, ISBN 0192862065)
Nature's Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements (OxfordUniversity Press, ISBN 0198503415)
The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus (John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 047144149X)
Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson, Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History (Tarcher/Putnam, ISBN 1585422207)
Royston Roberts, Serendipity: Accidental Discoveries in Science (John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0471602035).
Joe Schwarcz
Radar, Hula Hoops, and Playful Pigs: 62 Digestible Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life (Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0805074074)
The Genie in the Bottle: 67 All-New Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life (Owl Books, 0805071385)
That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles: 62 All-New Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life (ECW Press, ISBN 1550225200)
A student may choose to read any of the above books as a supplement to this course.
Is a Pre AP course for you?
Pre AP/AP courses are designed to challenge motivated students and prepare them for success in college level course work in high school and in college. These courses typically move at a faster pace, are more academically challenging and require more independent learning and homework than academic courses. A few important factors to keep in mind are:
• Klein ISD’s Academic curriculum is a college-bound curriculum.
• While Pre AP courses are designed to better prepare students for AP, Pre AP courses are not a requirement for enrolling in AP courses.
• Some AP courses have course prerequisites that must be completed.
• Always check the course description for prerequisites.
• Pre AP is not “all or nothing”. Students may take from one to all of their core classes as Pre AP.
• Students develop academic readiness at different rates and may not be ready for Pre AP at the same time as their friends or classmates. (KleinIndependentSchool District, 2008)
Profile of a Successful Pre AP/AP Student:
• Professes interest in subject selected
• Develops and maintains excellent study skills and habits
• Carefully considers time commitments and balances academic load with family life or outside commitments
• Asks questions and participates in class
• Perseveres when faced with challenging material
• Asks for assistance when needed
• Plans and works ahead on long term projects
(KleinIndependentSchool District, 2008)
EXIT GUIDELINES FOR HIGH SCHOOL Pre AP/AP COURSES
1. A student may choose to exit Pre AP or AP courses only during the first six-weeks grading period or at the end of the first semester (regardless of student performance) and must have teacher and parent approval with counselor/administrative input. Students and parents should have the benefit of knowing the six-weeks or semester grade before making an exit decision.
2. Students should consider exiting a course at the end of the first semester if they do not maintain at least a C average for the semester.
3. Course placement for students whose average falls below a C for a six-week grading period will be evaluated through communication which may include: the student, teacher, counselor, parent/guardian, and/or administrator. Placement decisions resulting from this communication require parent and administrator approval.(KleinIndependentSchool District, 2008)
Class Expectations
1. Follow all directions and instructions.
2. Use appropriate behavior for the classroom. Askpermission before you borrowor touch someone else’s personal items. Respect each other’s property and space.
3. Accept correction without debate. We can discuss the issue after class.
4. Accept “No” without debate. Again, we can discuss the issue after class.
5. Your complete attention during lessons is expected and required. You can talk when you work within your group.
6. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings. Attendance is done by seating chart. If you are out of your seat, you will be absent. You need your supplies with you. Asking permission to get up and move prevents problems
7. I will dismiss the class when everyone is in their correct seat and things are put away. You do not want to forget something or accidentally break the equipment.
Lab Safety Rules
1. WEAR ALL AVAILABLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
2. NO FOOD, DRINK, OR MAKEUP.
3. NO HORSEPLAY! Lab conduct is taken very seriously and students misbehaving or horse playing in lab are subject to both a zero for the lab and an office referral.
4. NO UNAUTHORIZED LAB PROCEDURES.
5. CLEAN THE LAB AREA AT THE END OF THE CLASS. You can remove your safety equipment when your area is clean.
Makeup Policy
If you miss a test or lab, you must schedule a time to make it up. There are scheduled days that tests can be made up. You will receive a pass from me for the teacher that is in charge of the room. Labs are made up by appointment AFTER SCHOOL ONLY. If you sign up to make up a lab and cannot attend, please let me or the other teachers know before school ends.
Attendance
Students are expected to be in class for all regularly scheduled class periods. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the instructor all matters related to student absences in advance, whenever possible. An absence is defined as being 15 minutes late, or leaving 15 minutes or more early (this is determine by the attendance office and your administrator).
Grades
Six Weeks Grades
Major Grades = 60%
Test, Projects, and Labs, and Lab Notebook
Daily Grades = 40%
Class work and Quizzes = 30%
Homework Quizzes = 10%
Supplies
Student laptop, Textbook, Pen /Pencil, Scientific Calculator, Notebook (not to be used for other classes)
Major projects and labs will be graded on a rubric that will be handed out with the assignment.
Homework is assigned and sometimes may be picked up or a Homework Quiz may be given in place of turning in the assignment.
Chemistry is a laboratory science – Although most labs will be performed with a lab partner, each person isresponsible for turning in his or her lab individual report or lab journal. Usually, a lab quiz or test will be used to evaluate your understanding of the lab. Your lab report will be used for reference during the quiz or test and will make up a portion of the lab grade. Major Lab reports are an individual assignment. Major Lab reports which are identical between lab partners or other students will be viewed as cheating.
Course Outline
Topic / TimeSafety / 3 days
Classification of Matter Nomenclature / 5 Weeks
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Physical Properties of Matter / 6 weeks
Structure of the Atom
Chemical Bonding / 5 Weeks
Interaction of Matter / 18 weeks
1KFHSPRE AP