PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: Honors Chemistry
Textbook:
Modern Chemistry: Holt Rinehart and Winston
Teacher:
Evan Shenkler
732-981-0700 ext. 7189 (Prefer email)
eshenkler@pway.org
Extra help available by appointment
Course Description: Honors Chemistry is a 6 credit, full year course for students in grades 10 and 11. It is
recommended for students who plan to major in science or engineering in college. This is a lab and lecture
course that meets six periods per week. This functional Chemistry course that starts with concrete
fundamentals—chemistry in the real world, problem-solving techniques and hands-on lab experiences—and
builds to abstract concepts like atomic structure and bonding. The course is a very fast paced and demanding
course with emphasis on open-ended scientific writing.
Course Schedule: Scope and Sequence
Approximate Time Frame
Marking Period One
September through November
Topic
Topics: Activities of Science, Describing Matter, Chemical Reactions
and Equations, and Molar Relationships
Specific Content:
Safety
Problem solving techniques
Scientific method.
Counting Atoms,
Tools for analysis.
Concentration
Mathematical Calculations
Moles
Mixtures and pure substances
Molar mass
Chemical and physical properties
Quantitative meaning of equations;
Symbols and names of molecular
Mass – mass, mass- mole, mole –
compounds
mole, mole – mass relationships
Formulas and names of ionic
compounds.
Marking Period Two
November through January
Topics: Chemical Equations and Reactions, Composition of the Atom,
Arrangement of Electrons, Oxidation-Reduction, and Nuclear
Chemistry
Specific Content:
Chemical reactions.
Quantum numbers
Regularities in chemical reactions
Oxidation and reduction
Balancing chemical equations
Spontaneous Redox reactions
Subatomic particles
Putting Redox Reactions to work
Rutherford’s model of the atom
Exploring Radioactivity
Atomic number and isotopes
Types of nuclear equations
Waves and energy
Nuclear reactors
The hydrogen atom
Uses of nuclear energy
Electron configuration
Problems of nuclear energy
Semester Two
Course Schedule: Scope and Sequence
Approximate Time Frame
Topic
Marking Period Three
February through April
Topics: Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, and Gases
and Their Properties
Specific Content:
Organization of the elements
States of matter
Patterns in Electron Configuration
Change of state
Periodic trends
Structure and properties of liquids
Representative metals
Structure and properties of solids
Transitional Metals
Physical properties of gases
Relationships among Gas Properties
Metalloids,
Contribution of the gas laws
Nonmetals
Combined gas law
Introduction to bonding
Ideal gas law
Describing Molecular Structure
Gas Stoichiometry
Shapes and properties of molecules
Explaining Gas behavior
Use of gas constant
Marking Period Four
April though June
Topics: Solutions, Thermodynamics, Reaction Rates, Reaction
Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, and Organic Chemistry
Specific Content:
The nature of solutions
Reactions that appear to stop
Ionic equations and precipitation
Quantitative aspects of Equilibrium
reactions
Predicting changes in equilibrium
Colligative properties of solutions
Introduction to acids and bases
Energy and heat
Acid-base reactions
Thermochemistry and enthalpy
PH and acid-base equilibrium
Spontaneous Reactions and Free
Introduction to carbon compounds
Energy
Reaction of organic compounds
Determining rates of reactions
Molecular structure to organic
Factors affecting reaction rates
compounds
Reaction Pathways
Materials Needed:
 A three ring binder or an acceptable notebook with folder for hand outs
 A variety of pencils and pens, textbook, and a scientific calculator.
Grading Distribution:




Tests and Quizzes: 60% of the quarter grade. (Approximately three to four per quarter: various multiple
choice, short answer, problem solving and essays.)
Lab Reports: 20% of the quarter grade. (Approximately 6-8 per quarter)
Projects: 10% of the quarter grade (Projects- Report, Poster & Current Events)
Homework and classroom assessments: 10% of the quarter grade. (Class-work, Lab performance and Do
Nows)
Grade Improvement Instructions
 Get to class on time and stay in class
 Take out your homework, classwork, writing utensil, calculator, and any other necessary materials and be prepared
to work as soon as the bell rings
 Homework is assigned several nights a week. Homework is NOT accepted late.
 Focus on your work, not your neighbor’s/ classmate’s work or comments
 Please do not ask whether you are working in groups. Groups will be assigned when necessary.
You are responsible for your own work and will be taking your OWN test on the material.
 Please do NOT stop the process of teaching and learning to ask to use the bathroom. This should be taken care
before the bell rings or at during last few minutes of class.
 Do NOT interrupt your teacher or classmates when they are speaking!
 If you don’t understand something, ask for the teacher for HELP! Do NOT ask your neighbor unless the teacher is busy.
 In this small classroom, you MUST remain in your seat!
 Electronics are NOT allowed in this classroom unless instructed by your teacher to use them.
Any electronics being used will be confiscated and sent to security!
 Proper school attire is required. No short shorts or skirts, tank tops, hats, etc. should be worn in this class.
 If you are absent, you are required to ask what you missed. This is not the teacher’s responsibility.
If we don’t meet the day of your return, please make every effort to find your teacher and ask what was missed. Take
responsibility for your attendance!
 GET EXTRA HELP if needed! Extra help is offered every morning before school starting at 6:30 A.M. and
afternoons by appointment. The library is open for tutoring several afternoons a week!
 Work can be handed in via email or on paper.
 Respect your classmates at all times.
 Maintain your student responsibilities of punctuality, attentiveness, effort, and inquisitiveness.
 Labs: Lab will be completed in class with your assigned lab group. Lab reports will be completed at home and
turned in by the next lab day or the date posted on the board. Late lab reports are accepted, but will receive
10% less per day late.
Name:____________________________
I have read and understand the syllabus for Chemistry.
___________________________________
Student name printed
___________________________________
Parent/guardian name printed
_________________________________
Student signature
_________________________________
Parent/guardian signature
Parent/Guardian Information
Student Information
Home phone number
Work phone number
Cell phone number
Email address
Current Math Course:___________________________________________________________
Last Year’s math course/grade:____________
Last year’s Biology grade:____________
Do you wear glasses/ contacts? _________________
Does student have access to the internet? Yes _____ No _____
Does student have access to a computer? Yes_____ No_____
Do you have knowledge of:
 Microsoft PowerPoint
 Microsoft Word
 Microsoft Publisher
 Microsoft Excel
Explain any circumstances pertinent to this science class.____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________ __________________