Pre-AP Chemistry Syllabus
2014-2015
Instructors
Sonia Rodriguez
Ms. Ardelia Ford
Mrs. Lauren Hacker
Mrs. Jay Phillips Mrs.
Room
N126
N226
N217
S231
Phone
281-920-8000 x 6109
281-920-8000 x 6105
281-920-8000 x 6104
281-920-8000 x 6165
Email
srodrig6@houstonisd.org
aford2@houstonisd.org
Lhacker@houstonisd.org
yphilli1@houstonisd.org
Mondays during Lunch
And Tuesdays before
school
Tuesdays and
Thursdays during Lunch
Tuesdays and Thursdays
during 2nd half of Lunch
During lunch DAILY
Tutorials
Required Supplies




A 3-ring binder
Paper
Pencils/Pens
Scientific Calculator (ex. TI-34II, TI-30Xa, etc.).
Students will NOT be allowed to use their
cell phones as calculators or borrow
calculators from another student during
quizzes/tests.
Textbook
HMH Texas Modern Chemistry
Website: www.hmdscience.com
Test Days
Science classes hold exams and tests on Mondays or
Wednesday/Thursday block days.
Grades
Major Grades (70%): Tests, selected labs,
projects, and other assignments as designated
Minor Grades (30%): Daily grades, quizzes,
homework, selected labs, etc.
Retake Policy
Please refer to The Westside Way: Student/Parent
Handbook 2014-2015 (Section II: Grades).

Retakes are to be given approximately one
week after the original test grade has been
posted on Gradespeed
 If a student scores higher on his/her retake,
the retake grade will replace the original test
grade (capped at 75 for PAP).
 If a student scores lower on his/her retake,
the average of the original test and the
retake will be recorded as the final average
for that assignment.
In addition, retakes will be given only to those
students who have emailed a retake request to the
instructor on time by designated date and time (as
informed by the instructor during class and as posted
in the classroom).
Course Policies Q&A
How important is attendance to success in
Chemistry? Many of the topics taught in chemistry
build upon each other, so it is important that all
students attend class regularly. It is your
responsibility to ask for your missing assignments if
you are absent.
What if I’m absent the day of a lab, quiz, test,
or due date? You will take the quiz or test on the
day you return. Also, you will turn in any
assignment that was due on the day you return. You
will need to make arrangements with me for makeup labs. If you have been absent several days prior
to a quiz or exam, it is YOUR responsibility to come
see me about a new test or quiz date/time on the
day of your return.
What if I don’t finish my work on time? Late
work is not acceptable for Pre-AP students. If
you are absent your work is due the day you return.
Do you have tutorials? Feel free to visit any
Chemistry Teacher for help. Chemistry Tutorial
schedules are available online.
What do you expect in terms of student
conduct? Students are expected to follow
laboratory safety rules, HISD’s code of student
conduct, and any conduct rules established in class.
Westside’s discipline management system will be
implemented as necessary.
What is the best way to contact Mrs.
Rodriguez? Email is the BEST way to reach me and
get a quick reply.
I. Safety and Scientific Measurement
A. Lab safety
B. Materials Safety Data Sheets
C. Scientific measurements
D. Dimensional analysis
E. Density
F. Accuracy and precision
VI. Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
A. Mole
B. Percent composition
C. Empirical and Molecular formulas
D. Law of conservation of mass
E. Balance chemical equations
F. Limiting reagents and percent yield
II. Structure of Matter
A. Physical and chemical changes and properties
B. Extensive and intensive properties
C. Solids, liquids and gases
D. Classification of matter
VII. Solutions
A. Properties of water
B. Solubility rules
C. Electrolytes
D. Factors affecting solubility
III. Atomic and Nuclear Chemistry
A. Modern atomic theory
B. Electromagnetic spectrum
C. Planck’s equation
D. Average atomic mass
E. Electron configurations
F. Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
G. Radioactive decay
H. Fission and fusion reactions
VIII.
IV. The Periodic Table
A. History
B. Chemical families
C. Periodic trends
V. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry
A. Naming ionic compounds
B. Writing chemical formulas
C. Lewis structure
D. Metallic bonding and properties
E. Molecular geometry (VSEPR)
IX.
Acids and Bases
A. Properties of acids and bases
B. Neutralization reactions
C. Precipitation reactions
D. Redox reactions
E. pH and pOH
F. strong and weak acids and bases
Gases
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Boyle’s Law
Charles’ Law
Avogadro’s Law
Dalton’s Law of partial pressures
Ideal Gas Law
Stoichiometric calculation involving gases
Kinetic Molecular Theory
X. Thermochemistry
A. Forms of energy
B. Heat transfer
C. Thermochemical equations
D. Endothermic and exothermic reactions
E. Specific heat calculations
F. Calorimetry