George Washington High

George Washington High  School Chemistry  Syllabus                    Teacher= Mr. Karara Muhoro

George Washington High School Chemistry Syllabus                    Teacher= Mr. Karara Muhoro

 Course Description:  Chemistry is designed to prepare students to be college and career-ready. This course scope and sequence has been developed according to the Virginia Standards of Learning [SOL]. The Chemistry Science Standards emphasize an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. Major areas covered by the standards include “The Particle Nature of Matter.”  In addition, to the in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter, there is an emphasis on the organization and use of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Note that a comprehension of the organization of the Periodic Table of the Elements is the bridge between comprehension of atoms and an exploration of the physical and chemical changes; energy transfer and transformations; and properties of chemical reactions. The standards are built on skills of systematic investigation with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials. Validating conclusions with evidence and data becomes increasingly important at this level. Like most science disciplines, Chemistry is connected to mathematics in every means. In this category, mathematics, computer simulations [Example:  J-Laboratory, PHeT Simulations] computational thinking, and experience in the engineering design process gain importance as students advance in their scientific thinking [Building on prior knowledge is an integral perspective on mastery of concepts and related mathematical basis]. 

Instructional Philosophy:  The class will be structured in the form of an opening activity, a main lesson or, and a closing activity. The opening activities will be a review of prior knowledge or an introduction to the day’s main lesson. The main lesson may consist of laboratory experiments, stations, colour note taking or a variety of other learning activities. The closing activity will be pulling everything we learned for the day together to have a structured way of ending class. I engage my students with kinesthetic resources. In this perspective, we learn best by “doing.”   I also believe that learning by doing is imperative in the chemistry classroom. My goal will be to have the students physically participate in their learning as often as possible. 

Major Course Goals:

The Course Goals are for the student to understand the Items indicated in the list-

1. Atoms are composed of subatomic particles, each with their own location and characteristics. Atomic structure and properties are reflected in the periodic table.
2. During a chemical reaction, atoms stay the same, but rearrange to form new molecules or compounds. The new substances that result from the reaction have different physical and chemical properties from the original substances. 
3. The Periodic Table of the Elements is a foundational organizational instrument that outlines knowledge about matter in the discipline of chemistry. Memorizing information is not as important as being able to use the tool to understand the interactions and nature of the elements that make up the natural world. 
4. Referring to Solutions:  The student will investigate and understand that solutions behave in predictable and quantifiable ways.
5. Referring to Gases and Gas Laws:  The student will investigate that the phases of matter are explained by the kinetic molecular theory.
6. Referring to Kinetics and Thermodynamics:  The student will investigate and understand that thermodynamics explains the relationship between matter and energy.
7. The itemized list for the entire course is provided in detail on the next page.

 Scientific and Engineering Practices

CH.1. a Questions and Problems

CH.1. b Investigations

CH.1. c Data

CH.1. d Conclusions

CH.1. e Models

CH.1. f Communication

Elements

CH.2. a Atoms

CH.2. b Nuclear Decay

CH.2. c Periodic Trends

CH.2. d Electrons

CH.2. e Atomic Models

Atoms are conserved.

CH.3. a Chemical Formulas

CH.3. b Naming [Nomenclature]

CH.3. c Balanced Equations

CH.3. d Bonds

CH.3. e Molecular Geometry

CH.3. f Reaction Types

Molar Relationships

CH.4. a Avogadro’s Principle

CH.4. b Stoichiometry

Solutions

CH.5. a Molar Relationships

CH.5. b Temperature and Solubility

CH.5. c Dissociation

CH.5. d Acids and Bases

CH.5. e Colligative Properties

Kinetic Molecular Theory

CH.6. a Pressure and Temperature

CH.6. b Gas Laws

Thermodynamics

CH.7. a Heat Energy

CH.7. b Heating Curves

CH.7. c Endothermic and Exothermic

CH.7. d Energy Changes

CH.7. e Collision Theory

CH.1. f Catalysts

CH.7. g Enthalpy and Entropy

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):   Upon completion of the course, students should be able to perform the tasks indicated:

1. On a written exercise, given the names of chemical compounds, students will be able to write the correct chemical formulae (formulas), states of matter (when required), identify reaction type, predict the formulae of products, and balance the chemical equation.
2. Students will be able to create (via molecular models or drawings) accurate representations of compounds. The representations will contain appropriate bonds, lone pairs, and geometry.
3. Students will adhere to safety protocol in the chemistry classroom regarding eye protection.

Assessment Activities: The activities described will be used to assess the mastery of the course content and follow all George Washington high school attendance guidance.

1.  
1. Formal assessments are on a continuous basis per activity [See the Table of “Grading Scale.”]
2. Examinations: Tests will be administered upon completion of a specific section [On paper or online (Canvas)]
3. Experiments: Students will write experimental procedures in their notebooks during an experiment. Procedures and guided notes plus the analysis of data will determine the grade for that report on a scale of (50% to 100%). Consider the Grading Scale Table Indicated below.

Grading Scale:                        Assessment Schedule Plus Explanation

Late Work Policy:

10 % will be subtracted from the final grade up to 5 days late. Work that is more than 5 days late can be submitted for 50% before the nine-week deadline.

PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Any assignment that is submitted that has been plagiarized will be given a Zero (0). Plagiarism is any work that is not your own work that you turn in saying is your own work. This includes but is not limited to, copying from a friend or getting an answer from Google.

Classroom Expectations:  Students are expected to complete assignments and turn them in on time. Students are expected to follow All Safety rules in the chemistry classroom, classroom rules, policies and procedures. 

Class Schedule:

Chemistry Laboratory Assignments

Here is the list of the Experiments we will perform through the 2023-2024 school year.

Follow All Safety Rules and Guidelines when perform experiments.

1. Density of Water
2. Density of Solid Shapes
3. Density of Materials and Alloys
4. Law of Conservation of Mass
5. Bunsen Burner
6. Viscosity
7. Density of Wood
8. Law of Definite Composition
9. Spectral Lines
10.  Periodic Table
11.  Flame Tests
12.  Half Life
13.  Molecule Models
14.  Percent of Water in a Hydrate
15.  Stoichiometry
16.  Mass-Mass Stoichiometry
17.  Molar Volume of a Gas
18.  Conservation of Heat
19. Thermometry
20.  Specific Heat of a Metal
21.  Boyle’s Law
22.  Charlee’s Law
23. Titration of an Acid
24.  Percent Acetic Acid in Vinegar
25.  Vitamin “C” Titration