AP Chemistry 2015-2016

Overview of AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is a two semester 90 minute block class that is taught over the entire year. The first
semester is labeled as the lab course semester and the second semester is considered the lecture
semester. This is due to the second semester being awarded the only AP credit with the first semester
being taken for waived credit or 4.0 credit only. However, since this is impractical from a grading and
learning sense, lecture and labs are presented equally throughout both semesters. Grades are
continuously taken and are recorded and are averaged equally in both semesters to obtain the final
grade. Both semesters are required of this second year chemistry course.
The AP course guide may be found on the web at AP Central: http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com
AP Chemistry is a college level course. It is a time-consuming and challenging course. To have success
on the AP exam, students will need to spend at least five additional hours per week outside of class studying.
These statements are not meant to discourage, but to point out and state the truth. The course is
designed to provide a college level course/experience which not only prepares the student for one or both of
these end of year exams, but also provide a solid foundation in college chemistry while hopefully nurturing a
love for the subject!
During this course students will be presented with chemistry topics and materials in many different formats.
Students will be expected to perform individual and group work. Presentation of material and information
will be multi-media: lecture, video, internet, laboratory, etc. Students will need to have or develop good notetaking skills and disciplined study habits and routines to be successful in this course. As this is a college level
course, we will move at a brisk pace to provide for multiple opportunities for review and reinforcement
throughout the year. It is strongly encouraged that students form cooperative study groups. Students will
be expected to take an active role in their success in this course by presenting solutions to problems to the
class for group discussion.
Exam Format:
AP Chemistry Exam: The AP Exam is made up of two sections.
Section:
Question Type
Number of
Time Allotted
Questions
I
Multiple Choice
60
90 Minutes
II
Long Free Response
3
105 Minutes
Short Free Response
4
Section I consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, either as discrete questions or question sets.
Question sets are a new type of question: They provide a stimulus or a set of data and a series of
related questions.
Section II contains two types of free-response questions (short and long), and each student will
have a total of 105 minutes to complete all of the questions.
**Students will be allowed to use a scientific calculator on the entire free-response section of the
exam. Additionally, students will be supplied with a periodic table of the elements and a formula
and constants chart to use on both the multiple-choice and free-response sections of the exam.
Classroom Handouts, Internet Websites as appropriate, etc. Examples: http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com
(AP Central Website) www.acs.org (American Chemical Society)
Required Materials:
o Pencils/Pens no colored ink for work turned in to the teacher. Students may take notes
in any color of ink.
o Highlighter(s) for marking up problems
o Calculator. A scientific calculator with a logarithmic function key is needed. A TI-83 or
higher graphing calculator is best. It is recommended that you use the same calculator

AP Chemistry 2015-2016
o
o
o
o
o
o

throughout the year in order to practice with it all year long. The calculator you use for
math class will work for chemistry class you do not need an additional one.
(1) Three ring binder- This will be used for notes and handouts.
(1) Bound composition book Quad ruled/ graphing is preferred. This will be your lab
book.
Expo Markers
Lab Apron
Lab Goggles and Gloves
Webassign access code (for Homework)

Preferred Items:
5 Steps to a 5 AP Chemistry review guide (MUST BE THE 2015-2016 version)
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be prepared to learn this includes being present, on time and prepared daily.
2. Respect all property
3. Respect all ideas
4. Do your very best!
Classroom Policies:
It is the students responsibility to make arrangements to make up missed work and to get class notes. Check for
missed materials. Zeros will be given for work not made up. Missed tests are to be made up as soon as you
return to school or during one of the help sessions.
Do not touch lab equipment unless the class is utilizing this equipment. Safety in the lab is first priority.
Horseplay, not wearing proper safety gear (this also includes coming to lab in improper footwear), and
unsafe practices and behaviors will not be tolerated. Students choosing to make poor choices regarding
lab safety will be asked to have a seat and given a 0 for that particular grade. Parents will be notified. I
recommend keeping a pair of closed toed shoes (sneakers, etc.) at school for lab days in case the footwear they
wear to school on that day is inappropriate for lab. Acceptable lab shoes cover the top of the feet!

Grading Scale, Policies, and Assessment Items

The final course grade will be calculated according to the Pitt County policy with the final exam
counting 25% of the course grade. The final exam will be teacher made for both the Fall and
Spring semester.
What is Standards Based Grading (SBG)?
SBG is a grading system that measures students mastery of clearly defined course objectives. The goal of
SBG is to give students accurate feedback about which skills or concepts they have mastered, and
which still need work. Too often grades can be interpreted as a final judgment but SBG allows students
the opportunity to continue working, without penalty, until they are able to demonstrate mastery of the
standards.

Why is Standards Based Grading (SBG) good for students?

1. SBG gives students a much clearer picture of the standards they have mastered or need to keep working
on than a traditional numeric grade.
2. SBG does not penalize students who do not demonstrate mastery on the first assessment.
3. SBG requires students to reflect on their work in order to improve their mastery of the standards.
4. SBG teaches students to produce quality work.

How exactly will Standards Based Grading work in AP Chemistry class?

Overview: Each unit of study will focus on a single model of the physical world. To help us develop these
models, I have identified key learning goals (standards) for each model. Standards will most often be in
the form of I can do or I know The standards are designed to give students chunks of knowledge
and skills that they can focus on clearly. Students will be given the model standards at the beginning of a
unit. This practice will allow students to focus on the standards or goals for each model.

AP Chemistry 2015-2016
Assessments
Student understanding of chemistry will be shown through demonstration of mastery of the standards.
There will be a test at the end of each model covering all that models standards. On any quiz or test, I will
rate a students mastery on each of the standards being assessed. Note that students will not receive a
traditional grade on their assessments (such as a 75 or an 89), rather they will receive a score (developing
mastery or mastery) for each standard being assessed. The current level of mastery of these standards,
together with the level of mastery on any past standards will determine the course grade at that moment.
NM = No Mastery.
The student is still working on the basic concept, or perhaps they have not even attempted an assessment
on this standard yet.

DM = Developing Mastery.
The student has the basic concept, but still make makes errors in applying it. Most of the time, these are
habitual errors that they make again and again. They most likely need more practice, with attention to
reflection after each exercise.

M = Mastery.
Mastery has been clearly demonstrated.

Re-Assessments
Students will have the opportunity to complete an additional assessment, or re-assessments, on
any standards they have not yet demonstrated mastery. Re-assessments will only cover
standards not yet mastered and must be initiated by the student. Upon completion of the reassessment, if a student demonstrates mastery of standards not previously mastered their grade
will improve without penalty for the delay in mastery. To qualify for a re-assessment, a student
will need to:
o
o
o

Have all required items in their lab notebook for that unit (via notebook check)
Complete the additional practice for the unit with a score of at least 80%
Completed all homework assignments on time.

The six weeks grade will be calculated as follows:

Standards/ Labs (90%)

Major tests will be announced at the beginning of each unit and tentative dates. Testing
will simulate the AP Chemistry exam and will be composed of questions from previous AP
exams or the equivalent. Assessments will include multiple-choice and free response
sections (math problems, reactions, and essays). So that students can become
accustomed to strategizing and working problems in an efficient manner, tests will be
administered under timed conditions and will be graded using the rubrics established for
similar types of questions on these standardized exams. Missed tests should be made up
as soon as you return to school. If a test is missed (due to student absence, assembly,
weather cancellation, etc.) the test will be taken as soon as students return to school!

Lab grades will consist of:

1) Actual lab work (including pre-lab assignment, following lab safety rules and procedures
and cleaning up after yourself) this should be in the composition book
2) Laboratory report (pre-lab assignment, data collection, etc.) The grading rubric and
item(s) to be assessed for each lab will be announced at the time of the lab assignment.
This is the formal write up for each lab.
***Posting of Grades: Student grades are updated at regular intervals. Students are expected
to stay knowledgeable of their grade status and to report any discrepancies between posted
grades and returned work as soon as it is noticed. Students are expected to communicate their

AP Chemistry 2015-2016
grade status to parents throughout the six weeks. Grades are also available through the Power
Parent***
Notebook Check/ Other (10%)
At the beginning of each unit students will receive a list of all the items they are required to have in their lab
notebooks upon completion of the unit. On test days I will collect lab notebooks and conduct a notebook check for
those items. Note that students will not be able to complete reassessments until they have a complete lab
notebook for the unit. Also, students who are absent are required to get any missed work from their lab group.
This is how students will be held accountable for their participation in class and homework. A student who initially
did not receive full credit for a notebook check will receive full credit once they have completed the missing items
for reassessment eligibility.

Progress Reports
Progress reports will be issued according to the PCS schedule or more frequently if the
teacher deems necessary or by parent request.
Cheating and copying will not be tolerated remember, you only cheat yourself in the
end.
Help Sessions
If you want or need any additional help on any subject we cover please seek tutorial. I am
available each morning and on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
Chemistry Help Session Expectations:
Come prepared with specific questions.
Bring all materials calculator, handouts, class notes, homework, etc.
Be prepared to show your effort thus far.
Expect to work together to find a solution.
Communication
A variety of communication vehicles are used to communicate with students and parents. E-mail
is the primary means of communication for students and parents. Regular updates are
sent by e-mail. Please make sure you have submitted a valid e-mail address for students and
parents to be included in these communications. A classroom website is being developed and will
have a calendar of events and assignments. Many classroom handouts are also available for
download from the web, in order to respect our resources here at SCHS, duplicate copies of
assignments will not be handed out, copies can be printed from the website or a flash drive.
Assignments are also posted on a whiteboard in the classroom.
Contact Information:
Name: Jennifer Nester Griffin
Email: griffij1@pitt.k12.nc.us
Website: http://jennifergriffin.weebly.com