The Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville
3519 S. Giles Ave.
Chicago, IL 60653
773-534-9750
Chemistry 2015-2016 Course Syllabus
Department Chair: Mr. Frontera
Mrs. Rosko, Science Teacher
Room 312
Office Hours – RM 312 Mon. –Fri. 12:30-1:00
Voice Mailbox Number – 29614
CPS Email – l-gregg@cps.edu
The Skills-based Learning and Assessment Curriculum of the Chicago
Military Academy at Bronzeville
The Skills-based Learning and Assessment Curriculum of the Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville is a
standards-based curriculum designed to provide cadets with skills mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards, ACT
WorkKeys® skills and ACT College Readiness Standards. Within these standards frameworks, course objectives
are defined as a compilation of the skills and knowledge identified herein. The Critical Benchmark Skills List at
Paragraph 4 (below) constitutes the learning standards of this course.
Course Description
Chemistry is the study of matter and changes in matter. During this course, we will study the theories and laws of
chemistry through laboratory experiments, the use of models, hands-on activities, research, and content reading. A
working knowledge of the concepts and principles of chemistry will give students the power to make informed
decisions on issues that directly affect them and their world. In order to reach our goal of mastery of the Illinois
State Learning Standards and the College Readiness Standards for science, this course will focus on scientific
inquiry, data representation, and data analysis.
Course Resources
Textbook:
Materials:
Chemistry: Matter and Change Glencoe 2002
student planner, 1-inch 3-ring binder, notebook paper/filler paper, scientific calculator, pen and
pencil
Course Requirements
Students are expected to come to class prepared each day with the required materials and a willingness to learn. In
order to gain the skills necessary to be successful in college, students must complete all assignments thoroughly
and in a timely manner. Mastery of the critical benchmarks for each quarter will be assessed through student
performance on quizzes, tests, written laboratory reports and a student portfolio.
Computation of Grades:
 Summative Assessments
Benchmark Quizzes
Quarterly Exams
Laboratory Reports


Benchmark Assignments
Class participation
70%
20%
10%
Grading Scale:
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= Below 60 (Failure)
Critical Benchmark Skills List
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Introduction, Nature of Science, Safety
1. Identify potential hazards in science activities (13.A.3a)
a. Select a single piece of nonnumerical data from a simple data presentation (ID 13-15)
2. Estimate and suggest ways to reduce the degree of risk involved in science activities (13.A.4a)
a. Find basic information in a brief body of text (ID 16-19)
3. Explain what is similar and different about observational and experimental investigations (13.A.3c)
a. Understand the methods used in a simple experiment (SI 16-19)
b. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
c. Identify a control in an experiment (SI 20-23)
d. Understand a simple experimental design (SI 20-23)
Unit 2: Matter and Its Properties
4. Compare large-scale physical properties of matter (12.C.1b)
a. Translate information into a table (ID 20-23)
5. Describe chemical and physical characteristics of matter (12.C.3b)
a. Find basic information in a brief body of text (ID 16-19)
b. Translate information into a table (ID 20-23)
6. Explain interactions of energy with matter including physical and chemical changes (12.C.3a)
a. Select a simple conclusion that is supported by a data presentation (EMI 20-23)
7. Describe and model chemical and physical characteristics of matter (atoms, molecules, elements,
compounds, and mixtures) (12.C.3b)
a. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
b. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
Unit 3: Atomic Structure
8. Compare different models of the atomic structure of matter (12.C.4b)
a. Identify key issues or assumptions in a model (EMI 20-23)
9. Explain the atomic and nuclear structure of matter (12.C.4b)
a. Select two or more pieces of data from a simple data presentation (ID 16-19)
b. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
Quarter 2
Unit 4: Periodic Law
1. Explain how a quantum of energy is related to energy transformations in matter (12.C.4a)
a. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
b. Find basic information in a brief body of text (ID 16-19)
2. Explain the atomic and nuclear structure of matter using electron configurations (12.C.4b)
a. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
3. Analyze the properties of elements in relation to their position on the periodic table (12.C.5b)
a. Select data from a complex data presentation (ID 20-23)
b. Translate information into a graph (ID 20-23)
c. Select a simple hypothesis that is supported by a data presentation (EMI 20-23)
Unit 5: Bonding
4. Analyze the properties of materials in relation to their atomic and/or molecular bonding (12.C.5b)
a. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
b. Select a simple conclusion that is supported by a data presentation (EMI 20-23)
5. Describe the effects of nuclear forces in ionic bonding (12.D.4b)
a. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
b. Translate information into a table (ID 20-23)
Quarter 3
1. Describe the effects of nuclear forces in covalent bonding (12.D.4b
a. Select data from a complex data presentation (ID 20-23)
b. Translate information into a diagram (ID 20-23)
c. Translate information into a table (ID 20-23)
d. Identify key issues or assumptions in a model (EMI 20-23)
Unit 6: Chemical Reactions
2. Classify types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement,
and combustion) (12.C.5a)
a. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
3. Represent chemical reactions with balanced equations (12.C.5a)
a. Compare data from a simple data presentation (ID 20-23)
4. Predict the products of chemical reactions (12.C.5a)
a. Select a prediction that is supported by a data presentation (ID 20-23)
Unit 7: Mole and Stoichiometry
5. Quantify and compare atoms using various units of measurement (moles, representative particles, and
grams) (12.C.4b)
a. Compare data from a simple data presentation (ID 20-23)
6. Collect, organize and analyze data accurately and precisely using unit conversions (11.A.4c)
a. Translate information into a table (ID 20-23)
b. Combine data from a simple data presentation (ID 20-23)
c. Determine how the value of one variable changes as the value of another variable changes in a simple
data presentation (ID 16-19)
Quarter 4
Unit 8: States of Matter
1. Describe and explain the properties of solids, liquids and gases (12.C.2b)
a. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
2. Formulate hypotheses regarding gas laws referencing prior research and knowledge (11.A.4a)
a. Understand basic scientific terminology (ID 16-19)
b. Translate information into a graph (ID 20-23)
3. Use data manipulation tools to analyze measurements of pressure, volume, number of moles, and
temperature (11.A.3e)
a. Compare or combine data from a simple data presentation (ID 20-23)
b. Translate information into a graph (ID 20-23)
c. Analyze given information when presented with new, simple information (ID 24-27)
4. Model and describe the physical characteristics of matter using phase diagrams (12.C.3b)
a. Select data from a complex data presentation (ID 20-23)
b. Interpolate between data points in a graph (ID 24-27)
5. Model and describe the physical characteristics of matter using solubility curves (12.C.3b)
a. Select data from a complex data presentation (ID 20-23)
b. Interpolate between data points in a graph (ID 24-27)
c. Determine the hypothesis for an experiment (EMI 28-32)
Unit 9: Acids and Bases
6. Identify chemical and physical characteristics of acids and bases (12.C.3b)
a. Compare data from a simple data presentation (ID 20-23)
7. Collect, organize and analyze pH data accurately and precisely (11.A.4c)
a. Identify similarities and differences between experiments (SI 20-23)