Chemistry

Syllabus
2015-2016 School Year
Instructor:

Allison Lee

Credentials:

B. S. in Biology and Education from Mississippi State University; M. Ed. in

Chemistry Education from Western Governors University; M. Ed. in Physics
Education from Western Governors University; 20 years teaching experience.
Parents wanting to know more about the qualifications of individual teachers may
visit Poplarville School District Central Office for that information or go online to
http://elms.mde.k12.ms.us/Public/PublicEducatorSearch.aspx.

Contact Information: My planning period is from 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. I am available to take
phone calls (795-8424) and attend conferences during this time. My email address
is allison_lee@poplarvilleschools.org. You may email me any time if you have
questions.
Course Text:

Chemistry Prentice Hall, 2008 Edition

Class Website:

http://poplarvillehighchemistry.weebly.com/

Course Description: Chemistry provides opportunities for students to develop and communicate an
understanding of structure, physical and chemical properties, and chemical
change. Concepts covered in this course include properties of matter,
measurement and use of the International System of Measurement applied to
mathematical operations, atomic theory, bonding, periodicity, nomenclature,
equations and reactions, stoichiometry of aqueous solutions, thermodynamics,
kinetics, equilibrium, oxidation-reduction and electron chemistry, nuclear chemistry,
and organic chemistry. Laboratory activities, research, the use of technology, and
the effective communication of results through various methods are integral
components of this course.
Materials:

Pencils, a 3-ring binder, dividers, plastic 3-prong folder, loose leaf paper, a
highlighter, composition book, and a scientific calculator. A set of calculators for
class use only will be provided. (Optional: colored pencils, scissors, and glue
stick for personal use.)

Grading System:

Tests
Labs / ACT Tests
Bellwork / Notebooks

Expectations:

Students in this course will be expected to put forth 100% effort. Students are
expected to complete homework assignments daily, to participate during class
instruction, to be punctual, to attend class regularly, to maintain a positive and
cooperative attitude, and to respect others and their right to learn. All policies as
stated in the student handbook will be strictly enforced.

60%
30%
10%

Poplarville School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religions, national origin
or disability and is in compliance with Title IX of the educational amendment of 1972 and section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

CLASSROOM RULES:

1. Respect the people, equipment, and

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furnishings of this room.

Be quiet and remain seated during
instruction.
Raise your hand to ask questions.
No sleeping / laying head down during class.
Do your own work. No cheating!
Do not play with the gas and/or water
nozzles.
Observe all rules in the student handbook.

CONSEQUENCES:
1. Verbal warning, conference with student
2. Break Detention, parent phone call
3. Discipline Slip, parent conference

Severe disruptions or rule infractions will result in the student being given a discipline slip and sent to the
office immediately!
WHAT ARE MS. LEES POLICIES ABOUT . . .
1) ACT PREP?
During the course of the semester, we will prepare for the Science portion of the ACT in several different
ways. Bellwork will be timed ACT Science passages that we will correct and discuss. These will count as
a participation grade. You will view 10 ACT prep videos that are specific to the science section and take
notes. This will also count as a participation grade. You will also be given 5 timed ACT Science
Benchmark Tests. These will be graded and count as a daily grade.
2) BELLWORK?
Bellwork is given in the form of practice ACT Science passages. You will have 5 minutes from the tardy
bell to complete the assigned passage. We will then correct and discuss the answers to the passage.
To correct the answer, fill in the correct bubble with a highlighter. I will take the sheet up for a
participation grade at the end of each practice test. If you do not correct the answers as told, you will
receive no credit. If you are caught answering the questions as we go over them, you will receive no
credit. If you are absent, box in the missed questions and put the date beside the box. They will not
count against you if the absence or tardy is excused. If it is unexcused, it will count against you.
3) DISMISSING CLASS?
I will dismiss the class each period. The class will be dismissed when everyone is seated and all
calculators and other materials are in their proper place. Stools must be pushed under before leaving. All
trash from your table and sink should be thrown away.
4) EMERGENCIES?
You will have four emergency passes per nine weeks. When using a pass, you will complete the pass
and have me sign it to carry with you. Once you run out of passes, you owe me 10 minutes of time
either before school or during break, each time you leave the room.
5) ENTERING THE CLASSROOM?
Enter the classroom quietly. Check the board for the days agenda and what to do first. This will usually
be your bellwork. Pick up any papers if necessary. Get bellwork answer sheet out and a bellwork sheet
out of the table folder. Begin working quietly.
6) EXEMPTIONS?
I strictly follow the schools exemption policy. To be exempt with an A average, you can have 2 excused
absences during the semester; to be exempt with a B average, you can have 1 excused absence
during the semester; and to be exempt with a C average, you cannot have any absences during the
semester. You must be present for an hour of class in order to be counted present. Check outs
resulting in an absence must be excused. Any unexcused absences will eliminate any possibility
of being exempt. DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT!!!! IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN!!!!
7) HOMEWORK?

Homework, most of the time, will be to complete any practice problems not completed in class or study.
Practice problems will always be corrected the next day in class. All work must be completed before
turning in the notebook at the end of the unit.
8) INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOKS?
Interactive notebooks will be set up in the composition notebooks. You will be given instructions on how to
set it up. The activities in the notebook will be completed in class, and used as a hands-on method for
learning the material. I have colored pencils, crayons, glue, and scissors for use in the classroom, but you
are more than welcome to use your personal supplies. Notebooks will be graded according to a rubric
once per unit. The notebooks may be used as a resource in completing daily work and labs.
9) LABS?
Due to the nature of the lab work in chemistry, serious injury may occur if students do not adhere to the
safety rules. If a student is found to be in violation of any safety rule, the student may: have points
deducted from their lab, be given a zero, be removed from the lab, be given a discipline slip, or be
removed from the class completely. If you miss a lab, an online lab will be completed in its place.
10) LATE WORK?
Not completing practice problems on your own or not studying a little nightly will usually result in lower
test grades. If an assignment has to be completed outside of class to be turned in, (i.e. lab sheets) a
colored sheet will be completed if it is not turned in on time. A 10 point deduction per day applies to ALL
LATE WORK! (Notebooks, labs, etc.)
11) MAKEUP WORK?
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your make-up work from the drawer in the student center.
You have ONE day per day absent to complete the missed work. If you miss a test, you must schedule
time to make up the test within TWO days of your return. Makeup tests will be a different format than the
original test. Tests may be made up before school beginning at 7:15 or during tutoring time. You may
only have the same amount of time as allotted for the test. You will receive a zero for any work not made
up within the timeframe. I WILL NOT REMIND YOU OF THIS POLICY!!!
12) NOTEBOOKS?
At the beginning of each unit, you will be given a cover sheet / agenda for the unit. Your handouts will
also be numbered. On test day, you will place the entire unit (including cover sheet) IN ORDER in your
plastic 3-prong folder and turn it in to the basket in the student center. They will not be graded if they
are not in the plastic folder prongs and in order! Each page must be COMPLETE in order to receive
credit for the page. This counts as a participation grade.
13) TARDIES?
I am strict about enforcing the schools tardy policy. You must be inside the room before the bell
finishes ringing, or you are tardy. Your name will be sent to Mr. Will if you are tardy. If you are held by
another teacher, please have them send a note, email, or call me.
14) TESTING?
Students have one class period in which to take tests unless otherwise stated in their IEP. You will have a
reading assignment after each test for the next topic. The room will remain quite until all tests are
complete in order to be fair to all students testing. Any phones confiscated during testing will result in the
student receiving a zero on the test.
15) TUTORING?
Tutoring time is from 9:28 to 9:53 daily and you will be assigned if your average falls below a 65 for the
remainder of the semester. I am also available other times by prior arrangement.
CHEMISTRY COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES:
1.

Apply inquiry-based and problem-solving processes and skills to scientific investigations.

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Use current technologies such as CD-ROM, DVD, Internet, and on-line data search to explore current research
related to a specific topic.
Clarify research questions and design laboratory investigations.
Demonstrate the use of scientific inquiry and methods to formulate, conduct, and evaluate laboratory
investigations (e.g., hypotheses, experimental design, observations, data analyses, interpretations, theory
development).
Organize data to construct graphs (e.g., plotting points, labeling x-and y-axis, creating appropriate titles and
legends for circle, bar, and line graphs), draw conclusions, and make inferences.
Evaluate procedures, data, and conclusions to critique the scientific validity of research.
Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence (data analysis).
Collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from data to create a formal presentation using available technology
(e.g.,computers, calculators, SmartBoard, CBLs, etc.)
Demonstrate an understanding of the atomic model of matter by explaining atomic structure and
chemical bonding.
Describe and classify matter based on physical and chemical properties and interactions between molecules or
atoms.
Physical properties (e.g., melting points, densities, boiling points) of a variety of substances
Substances and mixtures
Three states of matter in terms of internal energy, molecular motion, and the phase transitions between them
Research and explain crucial contributions and critical experiments of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, de
Broglie, and Schrdinger and describe how each discovery contributed to the current model of atomic and nuclear
structure.
Develop a model of atomic and nuclear structure based on theory and knowledge of fundamental particles.
Properties and interactions of the three fundamental particles of the atom
Laws of conservation of mass, constant composition, definite proportions, and multiple proportions
Write appropriate equations for nuclear decay reactions, describe how the nucleus changes during these
reactions, and compare the resulting radiation with regard to penetrating ability.
Three major types of radioactive decay (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma) and the properties of the emissions (e.g.,
composition, mass, charge, penetrating power)
The concept of half-life for a radioactive isotope (e.g., carbon-14 dating) based on the principle that the decay of
any individual atom is a random process
Compare the properties of compounds according to their type of bonding.
Covalent, ionic, and metallic bonding
Polar and non-polar covalent bonding
Valence electrons and bonding atoms
Compare different types of intermolecular forces and explain the relationship between intermolecular forces,
boiling points, and vapor pressure when comparing differences in properties of pure substances.
Develop a three-dimensional model of molecular structure.
Lewis dot structures for simple molecules and ionic compounds
Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR)
Develop an understanding of the periodic table.
Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in individual isotopes using atomic numbers and mass
numbers, write electron configurations of elements and ions following the Aufbau principle, and balance equations
representing nuclear reactions.
Analyze patterns and trends in the organization of elements in the periodic table and compare their relationship to
position in the periodic table.
Atomic number, atomic mass, mass number, and number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in isotopes of
elements
Average atomic mass calculations
Chemical characteristics of each region
Periodic properties (e.g., metal/nonmetal/metalloid behavior, electrical/heat conductivity, electronegativity,
electron affinity, ionization energy, atomic/covalent/ionic radius)

c. Classify chemical reactions by type.

i. Single displacement, double displacement, synthesis (combination), decomposition, disproportionation,
combustion, or precipitation.
ii. Products (given reactants) or reactants (given products) for each reaction type
iii. Solubility rules for precipitation reactions and the activity series for single and double displacement reactions
d. Use stoichiometry to calculate the amount of reactants consumed and products formed.
i. Difference between chemical reactions and chemical equations
ii. Formulas and calculations of the molecular (molar) masses
iii. Empirical formula given the percent composition of elements
iv. Molecular formula given the empirical formula and molar mass
4. Analyze the relationship between microscopic and macroscopic models of matter.
a. Analyze the nature and behavior of gaseous, liquid, and solid substances using the kinetic molecular theory.
b. Use the ideal gas laws to explain the relationships between volume, temperature, pressure, and quantity in moles.
i. Difference between ideal and real gas
ii. Assumptions made about an ideal gas
iii. Conditions that favor an ideal gas
c. Use the gas laws of Boyles, Charles, Gay-Lussac, and Dalton to solve problems based on the laws.
d. Explain the thermodynamics associated with physical and chemical concepts related to temperature, entropy,
enthalpy, and heat energy.
i. Specific heat as it relates to the conservation of energy
ii. Amount of heat absorbed or released in a process, given mass, specific heat, and temperature change
iii. Energy (in calories and joules) required to change the state of a sample of a given substance, using its mass and
its heat of vaporization or heat of fusion.
iv. Endothermic or exothermic changes
e. Describe and identify factors affecting the solution process, rates of reaction, and equilibrium.
i. Concentration of a solution in terms of its molarity, using stoichiometry to perform specified dilutions
ii. Chemical reaction rates affected by temperature, concentration, surface area, pressure, mixing, and the presence
of a catalyst
iii. Relationship of solute character
iv. LeChateliers Principle
5. Compare factors associated with acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions.
a. Analyze and explain acid/base reactions.
i. Properties of acids and bases, including how they affect indicators and the relative pH of the solution
ii. Formation of acidic and basic solutions
iii. Definition of pH in terms of the hydronium ion concentration and the hydroxide ion concentration
iv. The pH or pOH from the hydrogen ion or hydroxide ion concentrations of solution
v. How a buffer works and examples of buffer solutions
b. Classify species in aqueous solutions according to the Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions, respectively and
predict products for aqueous neutralization reactions.
c. Analyze a reduction/oxidation reaction (REDOX) to assign oxidation numbers (states) to reaction species and
identify the species oxidized and reduced, the oxidizing agent, and reducing agent.

SYLLABUS DOCUMENTATION
THIS FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY BOTH THE STUDENT AND A PARENT OR GUARDIAN. THIS
FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO THE TEACHER BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015.
My child and I have read the syllabus and all attachments for Ms. Lees Chemistry class. I understand

that I may contact my childs teacher for clarification if I have concerns or questions regarding the class.

PRINT STUDENTS NAME

STUDENTS SIGNATURE

DATE

PRINT PARENT/GUARDIANS NAME

PARENT/GUARDIANS SIGNATURE

DATE

PARENT OR GUARDIAN, HOW MAY I CONTACT YOU?

Telephone #:_________________________________________________________________________
***E-mail:__________________________________________________________________________

Special notes or comments:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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*** YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL NO LATER THAN MONDAY, AUGUST 10. YOUR REPLY TO THIS
EMAIL WILL COUNT AS A DAILY GRADE FOR YOUR STUDENT. THIS WILL BE MY MAIN LINE OF
COMMUNICATION WITH YOU AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT I HAVE A WORKING EMAIL. YOU WILL
RECEIVE AN EMAIL FOR EACH UNIT WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KEEP YOU UPDATED
AS TO WHAT YOUR STUENT WILL BE DOING IN CLASS.THANKS!