Kentucky School for the Blind
SYLLABUS 2013-14
COURSE:
Teacher:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Time:
Chemistry
Samir Azer
502-897-1583, ext. (7304)
samir.azer@ksb.kyschools.us
www.ksb.k12.ky.us
6th Period
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry is a junior or a senior course. It is designed to be both informative and challenging. There will be a
lot of math and problem solving especially when we deal with the moles, molar mass, morality etc. The
course involves both quantitative lab activities and qualitative ones. This chemistry course covers, but not
limited to, the following disciplines: matter and change, scientific measurement, problem solving, atomic
structure and periodic table, Chemical names and formulas, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, thermal
energy, solutions, acids and bases, Oxidation –reduction, organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry. At times,
the students might not feel comfortable with the quantitative part of the course; however, all of them end up
mastering it.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES
Chemistry is a course that almost every student who plans to pursue higher education will need to fairly
master.
The course focuses on two main goals/objectives. The first is to prepare visually impaired students for higher
education by arming them with the necessary knowledge and skills. The second is to ensure that they become
familiar with all the available resources (tools and techniques) in order to knowledgably advocate for their
needs.
Students, especially those who are blind, need to master the specialized Namath code for chemistry. Because
visually impaired students may not have a Braille/large print version of their higher education chemistry
material available, it is very important to expose them to some alternative methods. For instance, a program
called quantum tutor has been used effectively for the past two years in the chemistry class. This is a very
interactive program that allows the students to writes chemical equations in Namath/large print and read
them using a screen reader or a refreshable Braille display.
TEXT/MATERIALS
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Textbook: “Addison Wesley, Chemistry” Prentice Hall
Braille copies, large prints, and audio versions of the book are also available.
Interactive periodic table.
TEACHING METHODS
This is an inquiry-based class that combines traditional teaching techniques such as lecture with hands-on techniques to
increase student involvement and understanding. Students are encouraged to take notes and get involved in discussions
over many of the controversial subjects involved in the course and are rewarded for that. In addition, there will be a lot
of group lab work. Students should expect from 2 to 4 short (maximum 20 min) homework assignments every week to
help them remember vocabulary and keep track of facts discussed during classes from one day to another.
COURSE POLICIES/RULES
Respect of Property: Keep class and Lab clean, neat and safe environment.
Respect of Authority: Show respect, follow direction and identify yourself and activity when asked.
Respect for Others:
Respect for Self:
Show courtesy and tolerance; respect differences; make others welcome.
Be successful and reach your full potential. Be the best you can be.
COURSE GRADING SCALE
Students will receive 2 grades in this course, a content grade and a Student Effort/Work Skills rating. 100% of the
content grade is based on the student’s performance on summative assessments. Examples of summative assessments
include but are not limited to: tests, quizzes, projects, performances, products, experiments, essays, papers.
Assignment of the semester content grade includes a minimum of 9 summative assessments. Assignment of the
quarter content grade includes a minimum of 4 summative assessments. Course Finals, including state-mandated End
of Course Exams (Biology, Algebra 2, US History, English 10), count at least 20% of the final grade. Course Mid-terms
count at least 20% of the mid-term grade.
Grades are not reflective of student behavior and effort, homework, zeroes or reduced marks for late work, extra credit
or bonus points, attendance*, academic dishonesty, or group work. The only exception may be for students
participating in the regular or CBI work programs may have their grades impacted by attendance due to the
performance-based nature of these work programs.
Students will also receive a Student Effort/Work Skills (SEWS) rating . This rating demonstrates how the student
performs in the following five areas:
 Self-Advocacy – uses assistive technology and/or other devices, establishes and monitors own goals,
communicates wants and needs
 Initiative & Problem Solving – solves problems independently, addresses challenges, initiates own learning
 Interpersonal – adapts and transitions between tasks, demonstrates appropriate boundaries with others,
displays age appropriate
 Work Habits – follows directions independently, utilizes an organization system, contributes to group work,
uses time wisely
 Quality of Work/Homework – completes quality in-class work, completes quality homework
Each of the above areas will be assigned a rating according to the following scale:
 4 – Excellent
 3 – Good
 2 – Needs Improvement
 1 – Unacceptable
A Rubric for the SEWS grade will accompany the quarterly report card. If a student is struggling with grades, informal
interventions will be developed with the classroom teacher. Students will receive an “Incomplete” before ever receiving
an “F.” If a student receives an Incomplete, a Contract for an Incomplete Grade will be developed.
There will be weekly quizzes except for some short weeks or when another summative assessment was given during this
specific week. Chapter/Unit comprehensive tests will be conducted at the end of each chapter/Unit. Lab reports will be
evaluated and graded. One or two projects will also be evaluated and graded. Students with the teacher supervision
will produce rubrics for evaluating lab reports and projects.
KSB GRADING SCALE
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
I = Incomplete
F = <60
ASSESSMENTS
 Lab Safety: All students will take and pass a laboratory safety quiz that will be kept on file.
Lab Safety rules always apply!
 Diagnostic assessment: Students who newly joined the science class in KSB will be assessed prior to instruction to
determine a student's attitude, aptitude, skills or knowledge in order to identify student’s needs.
 Formative assessment: Assessments designed to provide feed back to the teacher to allow him to adjust the
program for individual students. This includes but not limited to exit slips and short after lesson evaluation
handouts.
 Summative assessment: These are designed to evaluate students understanding for the curriculum taught and
student achievement. The following are descriptions of the summative assessment students can expect in this class.
 Chapter/unit tests mostly include both multiple choice and open ended questions.
 Quizzes mostly include the vocabulary and the memorizing of simple facts.
 Mid-terms and finals: include multiple choice questions and open response questions.
 Lab work/reports..
 Projects are designed for students to use their gifts and talents in the world of science. Projects will be graded
by a rubric that will be available before the project is due. There will be periodic due dates throughout the
grading period to assist students in managing their time. Some class time will be provided, but time out of class
is also required. All students will be required to present their project to the class. Major assignments and
projects will be taken late on a drop grade per day scale
MID-TERM/FINAL SCHEDULE
There will be a midterm and a final for every semester. The mid- terms and the finals are cumulative test that assess
the subject taught in each specific semester. Each of these tests may include 15 to 20 MC questions, at least on
Extended Response Question and a few Short Answer Questions.
TECHNOLOGY USED IN CLASS
KSB is proud to claim that its students have access to all top notch vision specific technology available. KSB science lab is
almost 100% accessible to all students who are visually impaired. The teacher promises to continue to seek and use any
and all new and necessary technology available in the VI field.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Students can arrange to meet with the teacher either after school or during my preparation time almost any day of the
week.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
 20/20 pens (if your child uses them)
 Tissue in a container appropriate for backpack
 1 bottle of hand sanitizer
 1 role of paper towels for the lab.
 Planner of some sort (student can keep up with their assignments)
 1 notebook or binder to use for notes
 1 folder
SCHEDULE OF INSTRUCTION
Schedule of Instruction (subject to change)
The following are the units to be covered in this course:
Chapter 1 Introduction to chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry far and wide
Thinking like a scientist
How to study chemistry
Chapter 2 matter and change
Matter, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures,
Chemical reactions
Chapter 3 Scientific measurement
The importance of Measurement
Uncertainty in Measurement
International System of units
Density
Temperature
Chapter 5 Atomic structure and periodic table
Atoms
Structure of Nuclear atom
Distinguishing Between Atoms
The Periodic Table: Organizing the elements
Chapter 6 chemical Names and formulas
Chemical bonding
Ionic and covalent bonds
Chapter 7 Chemical Quantities
The Mole
Mole-mass and mole-volume relationships
Percent composition
Chapter 8Chemical reactions
Types of chemical reactions
Reaction in aqueous solution
Chapter 9 Stoichiometry
The Arithmetic of equations
Chemical calculations
Limited reagent and percent yield
Chapter 10 The Behavior of Gases
The properties of gases
Gas laws, Ideal gas
Chapter 11 Electrons in atoms
Model of the atom
Physics and quantum mechanics model
Chapter 18 Solutions
Chapter 25 organic Chemistry
Chapter28 nuclear chemistry
TEACHER WEBSITE
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