Lopez, Dr. Luis

Course Expectations, Goals & Routines

CHEMISTRY I (L)                                                                                       

Chemistry I is a course based on laboratory investigations of matter, chemical reactions, and the role of energy in those reactions. Students enrolled in Chemistry I compare, contrast, and synthesize useful models of the structure and properties of matter and the mechanisms of its interactions.  In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to: (1) gain an understanding of the history of chemistry, (2) explore the uses of chemistry in various careers, (3) investigate chemical questions and problems related to personal needs and societal issues, and (4) learn and practice laboratory safety.

• Recommended Grade Level:  10
• Prerequisite: Algebra I
• Recommended: Geometry taken concurrently.
• Credits: 2 trimester course for 2 credits
• Fulfills a Chemistry I requirement for the Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, Core 40 with Technical Honors or a Science Course requirement of the General Diploma
• A Career Academic Sequence or Flex Credit course

1. Gain an understanding of the history of chemistry
2. Explore the uses of chemistry in various careers
3. Cope with chemical questions and problems related to personal needs and social issues, and
4. Learn and practice laboratory safety.

For a further description of the curriculum involved go to the curriculum map.

Homework: Work will be given each day and a random number of assignments will be checked for accuracy and completion. The homework slip policy of the school will be enforced for those students that do not complete their homework. As a rule of thumb, homework is placed on the board for the week with due dates. The work is usually checked for completion and a percentage of the answers are checked for accuracy at the start of class. Students that are absent, but know that the assignment is due should have it the day they return. If a student is absent for more than one day he or she has as many days to have the assignment checked. It is the student's responsibility to have the homework checked upon return to class.

Exam will be given at the end of each week and will cover the content of the week as well as content from the previous week. Note that the majority of the grade is based on the exam. One cannot pass the class without passing the exams. Exams vary in difficulty depending your background. So it is important to gauge your ability with the material by completing the homework and asking questions.

Laboratories: A minimum of 6 laboratories will be performed for each marking period. The laboratories are broken down into several parts: lab activities,questions, write up that follows, and a quiz given two days after the lab. The lab itself and the questions that follow the lab are to be used as a study guide and notes on the quiz. (Lab quizzes are open note) The objective of the labs are to require you to be observant, meticulous in performing the lab, and solving problems. Remember that the lab quizzes are given two days after a lab so be sure some sort of help is in place whether it is science clinic, study group, mourning tutoring, etc

A few things to remember before, during and after a lab:

1. ·Be prepared before you enter the lab.
2. ·The instructor will not help you in any way during the lab. The only thing the instructor will do is prevent you from blowing up.
3. ·Complete the lab and questions that follow the lab, and get some help from one of the sources mentioned above if you have problems.
4. Make sure you are not absent; making up a lab is difficult and usually requires that you stay after