Kalamazoo Central High School

2016/2017
Chemistry A Syllabus
Kari Luckett
337-0330 ext. 479
luckettka@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Jen Rudlaf
337-0330 ext. 476
rudlafjl@kalamazoo.k12.mi.us
Course Description from Course Bulletin
Students will go beyond the basics and deeply into principles of and changes in
matter. Topics include states of matter, atomic structure, the periodic table and
dimensional analysis. Laboratory-based activities will emphasize and reinforce
the concepts and principles of chemistry. Working in groups, use of technology
and analysis of experimental results will be emphasized.
Length of course: 1 trimester (12 weeks) = 0.5 Academic Credit
Textbook and Other Materials: Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman. (2008).
Prentice Hall Chemistry. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Classroom Expectations: In order to create a positive learning environment, we
must be PRO.
Be Prepared This means that students will..
Come to class with student id, homework, writing utensil, etc.
Come to class ready to work with others and learn.
Show Respect This means that students will.
Be open and courteous to others ideas, beliefs, and questions.
Use positive, non-ofensive language and gestures.
Take

Ownership This means that students will..

Be present, arrive on time, and participate.
Maintain an organized science notebook.
Help maintain a clean classroom.
Follow school rules and procedures.

Missing Work and Retakes: Students will be allowed to turn in missing work
and take/retake assessments and labs up until two established dates
approximately half way through and at the end of the trimester. Students will be
given these dates and they will be posted with notice. After this date, no late
work from that half of the trimester will be accepted unless notified by Mrs.
Luckett (i.e. a quiz falls right before the deadline).

Make-up policy: Opportunities will be given to students to make-up tests or

quizzes and to resubmit work. It will be the students responsibility to contact
teachers and make arrangements.
Course Objective or Core Concepts: The focus will be on both mastery of
scientific content and the development of essential academic skills.
In terms of scientific content, students will master the following priority
standards.
Describe and attribute the properties of the diferent states of matter in
terms of and to the arrangement and motion of particles.
Relate the properties of substances to the physical and chemical changes
they undergo.
Describe the structure of atoms in terms of the number and properties of
their fundamental particles.
Identify and signify isotopes by name and symbol and calculate their
average atomic mass.
Use the periodic table to identify the type of the elements.
Use the periodic table to identify the physical and chemical properties of
the elements and their ions.
Predict the formula given the name.
Predict the name given the formula.
Use the terms endo- and exo- thermic to correctly place the heat term in an
equation.
In terms of essential academic skills, students will ..
homework in the form of instructed practice and independent research is
turned in on time and completed in a conscientious manner.
organize, reflect and analyze their work and their instruction individually
and in groups, by producing an organized product, and through peer review
and open discussion.
Course Outline: This course includes five measurement topics. These are
intended to develop a students ability to answer essential content area questions
related to Chemistry.
Properties of Substances (Particles in Motion) (chapter 2 and 13)
Structure of Atoms (chapter 4)
Periodic Table (chapter 6)
Nomenclature (chapter 9)
Thermodynamics (chapter 17)
Scientific Organization (embedded throughout each unit)

Each unit of study includes the same core components, including..

Academic and content vocabulary development
John Collins writings (Type One, Type Two and Type Three)
Lecture and note-taking
Scientific Inquiry including labs, projects and other hands on activities
STEM laboratory activities

Regularly scheduled homework (Tuesday and Thursday)

Ongoing assessment in the form of quizzes or tests

Homework: Homework is expected to be completed at home on your own time.

Students should have their homework out and visible at the beginning of class so
it can be checked for completion. Students will receive an A (100%) for
completing the homework on time and with quality. Students will receive a D(60%) for turning in homework late. Incomplete homework will be assessed
based on the level of completion and is up to teacher discretion. Absent students
can still receive full points for their homework. It is the responsibility of the
student when absent to ask for a copy of the homework (and other work) they
missed.
Binders: It is the expectation, since organization is part of the science standards,
that all students will have a three ring binder for this class. The binders are due
on the first Friday of the trimester and will be given a homework grade. If a
student is unable to provide their own binder, that student should see Mrs.
Luckett on their own time to have one provided for them. Binder checks will take
place at the end of each unit and will account for a quiz grade.
Evaluation/Grading Criteria: Student grades will be calculated as a percentage
of total points possible.
Category:
Weight:
Assignments
30%
Tests/Projects/Performance Assessments
30%
Quizzes
20%
Homework
20%
The semester work will account for 80% of the total grade.
Grading Scale:
A= 93-100
B= 83-86
C= 73-76
D= 63-66

A-= 90-92
B-= 80-82
C-= 70-72
D-= 60-62

B+ = 87-89
C+= 77-79
D+ = 67-69
F = 0-59

An X in the grade book means excused.

An M in the grade book means that a student did not turn in an assignment or
complete an activity.
Exams:
Common growth assessments count as 20% of the final grade and measure the
students understanding throughout the entire trimester.