North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
Title Page
LEA Name:
LEA Code:
School:
Course Name:
Course Code:
Teacher’s Name:
Electronic submission of this portfolio certifies that honors level course portfolios for each
teacher within the LEA have been reviewed using the North Carolina Honors Level Course
Implementation Guide and Rubric and that this portfolio has been selected to represent the
level of teaching and learning for this honors course across the LEA.
As part of the NCDPI Honors Course Portfolio Review, if you are submitting copyrighted
material or material that has a user license, ensure that you have obtained the appropriate
permissions to share this information.
North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
I. Curriculum Content
1. Teacher rationale for curriculum content considering vertical alignment for advanced learners
(intentional reflection & philosophy)
The Honors Chemistry curriculum that is outlined (and italicized) below has a number of additional
topics and extensions beyond the current curriculum. These additional topics were selected to help
vertically align the honors curriculum with Advanced Placement Chemistry as well as ACT Science
College Readiness Standards. Not all honors topics listed below are intended to be included in an
individual honors curriculum. They are designed to be implemented and assessed can vary based off
of teacher discretion and time constraints.
2. Standards and objectives - how will the required standards and clarifying objectives be taught
with extensions beyond the standard level for advanced learners?
Honors extensions in italics.
Chm.1.1 Analyze the structure of atoms and ions.
Chm.1.1.1 Analyze the structure of atoms, isotopes, and ions. (include relative abundance calculations)
Chm.1.1.2 Analyze an atom in terms of the location of electrons.
Chm.1.1.3 Explain the emission of electromagnetic radiation in spectral form in terms of the Bohr model.
(Include calculations with the Rydberg equation)
Chm.1.1.4 Explain the process of radioactive decay using nuclear equations and half-life. (Include practice
problems with partial half-life problems and additional research on current events in nuclear chemistry like
Fukushima)
Chm.1.2 Understand the bonding that occurs in simple compounds in terms of bond type, strength, and
properties.
Chm.1.2.1 Compare (qualitatively) the relative strengths of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds.
Chm.1.2.2 Infer the type of bond and chemical formula formed between atoms.
Chm.1.2.3 Compare inter- and intra- particle forces. (Relate Lewis structures and intermolecular forces to
physical properties such as melting and boiling point of compounds.)
Chm.1.2.4 Interpret the name and formula of compounds using IUPAC convention. (Include naming rules for
acids and entry-level organic chemistry)
Chm.1.2.5 Compare the properties of ionic, covalent, metallic, and network compounds. (Include the concept
of hybrid orbitals and exceptions to the octet rule in Lewis structures and VSEPR.)
Chm.1.3 Understand the physical and chemical properties of atoms based on their position on the Periodic
Table.
Chm.1.3.1 Classify the components of a periodic table (period, group, metal, metalloid, nonmetal, transition).
Chm.1.3.2 Infer the physical properties (atomic radius, metallic and nonmetallic characteristics) of an element
based on its position on the Periodic Table.
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North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
Chm.1.3.3 Infer the atomic size, reactivity, electronegativity, and ionization energy of an element from its
position on the Periodic Table. (Include trends for electron affinity and ionization energies beyond 1st ionization
energy)
Chm.2.1 Understand the relationship among pressure, temperature, volume, and phase.
Chm.2.1.1 Explain the energetic nature of phase changes.
Chm.2.1.2 Explain heating and cooling curves (heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, heat, melting point, and
boiling point). (Include multi-step heat calculations as well as heating/cooling curve sketches)
Chm.2.1.3 Interpret the data presented in phase diagrams.
Chm.2.1.4 Infer simple calorimetric calculations based on the concepts of heat lost equals heat gained and
specific heat.
Chm.2.1.5 Explain the relationships among pressure, temperature, volume, and quantity of gas, both
qualitative and quantitative. (Include gas law stoichiometry calculations with volume relationships)
Chm.2.2 Analyze chemical reactions in terms of quantities, product formation, and energy.
Chm.2.2.1 Explain the energy content of a chemical reaction. (Include the concept of enthalpy and include an
appropriate lab. Include concepts of entropy and Gibbs free energy.)
Chm.2.2.2 Analyze the evidence of chemical change.
Chm.2.2.3 Analyze the law of conservation of matter and how it applies to various types of chemical equations
(synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion). (Include balancing
oxidation-reduction reactions.)
Chm.2.2.4 Analyze the stoichiometric relationships inherent in a chemical reaction. (Include limiting reactant
and percent yield calculations.)
Chm.2.2.5 Analyze quantitatively the composition of a substance (empirical formula, molecular formula,
percent composition, and hydrates). (Include topics of significant figures, scientific notation, and dimensional
analysis.)
Chm.3.1 Understand the factors affecting rate of reaction and chemical equilibrium.
Chm.3.1.1 Explain the factors that affect the rate of a reaction (temperature, concentration, particle size and
presence of a catalyst). (Include simple rate laws and calculations.)
Chm.3.1.2 Explain the conditions of a system at equilibrium. (Include simple calculation, ICE tables optional,
with the equilibrium expression Keq including the reaction quotient, Q.)
Chm.3.1.3 Infer the shift in equilibrium when a stress is applied to a chemical system (Le Chatelier’s Principle).
Chm.3.2 Understand solutions and the solution process.
Chm.3.2.1 Classify substances using the hydronium and hydroxide concentrations.
Chm.3.2.2 Summarize the properties of acids and bases.
Chm.3.2.3 Infer the quantitative nature of a solution (molarity, dilution, and titration with a 1:1 molar ratio).
(Include titration curves with polyprotic acids, as well as molality calculations.)
Chm.3.2.4 Summarize the properties of solutions. (Include colligative property calculations.)
Chm.3.2.5 Interpret solubility diagrams.
Chm.3.2.6 Explain the solution process.
3. Curriculum Plan (pacing guides, course syllabus, scope & sequence, curriculum maps, etc.)
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North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
[Insert text here to briefly identify file attachments (i.e. Pacing Guide, Course Syllabus, etc.).]
[Insert the name of a file attachment with the following naming convention:
“LEACode_CourseCode_TeacherLastName_Section#.file#” where the section indicates the component
of the Honors Portfolio.]
Examples:
1. For Mr. Smith’s Biology Portfolio in Pitt County, the course syllabus would be named “740_33205_Smith_I.3.1”
2. Mrs. Mitchell’s English IV Portfolio pacing guide in Buncombe County would be named “110_10245_Mitchell_I.3.1”
II. Instructional Materials and Methods
1. Teacher rationale for instructional materials and methods for advanced learners
[Insert text here.]
2. Instructional materials and methods (instructional resources, methods, strategies, equipment,
and technology)
[Insert text here.]
3. Sample units, lesson(s), and assignments indicating connections to real-world skills, context and
use of higher level critical thinking skills and creativity for advanced learners
[Insert text here to briefly identify file attachments (i.e. Sample Lesson 1, 2, 3, etc.).]
[Insert names of file attachments with the following naming convention:
LEACode_CourseCode_TeacherLastName_Section#.file# where the section indicates the component of
the Honors Portfolio.]
Examples:
1. For Mr. Smith’s Biology Portfolio in Pitt County, Sample lesson #1 the file would be named “740_33205_Smith_II.3.1”
2. Mrs. Mitchell’s English IV Portfolio Sample lesson #2 in Buncombe County would be named “110_10245_Mitchell_II.3.2”
4. Student work samples
[Insert text here to briefly identify file attachments (i.e. Student work samples 1, 2, 3, etc.).]
[Insert names of file attachments with the following naming convention:
“LEACode_CourseCode_TeacherLastName_Section#.file#” where the section indicates the component
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North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
of the Honors Portfolio.]
Examples:
1. For Mr. Smith’s Biology Honors Portfolio in Pitt County, student work sample #1 the file would be named
“740_33205_Smith_II.4.1”
2. Mrs. Mitchell’s English IV Honors Portfolio student work sample #2 in Buncombe County would be named
“110_10245_Mitchell_II.4.2”
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North Carolina Honors Level Course Portfolio
III. Assessment
1. Teacher rationale for assessment practices for advanced learners
[Insert text here.]
2. Assessment practices (grading practices, use of rubrics and/or scoring guides, use of formative
and summative assessment)
[Insert text here.]
3. Assessment samples (pre-assessment, description of formative assessment, and summative
assessment)
[Insert text here to briefly identify file attachments (i.e. Pre-assessment samples 1, Formative
Assessment sample 2, Summative Assessment sample 3, etc.).]
[Insert names of file attachments with the following naming convention:
“LEACode_CourseCode_TeacherLastName_Section#.file#” where the section indicates the component
of the Honors Portfolio.]
Examples:
1. For Mr. Smith’s Biology Honors Portfolio in Pitt County, assessment sample #1 the file would be named
“740_33205_Smith_III.3.1”
2. Mrs. Mitchell’s English IV Honors Portfolio assessment sample #2 in Buncombe County would be named
“110_10245_Mitchell_III.3.2”
4. Student work assessment samples
[Insert text here to briefly identify file attachments (i.e. Pre-assessment work sample 1, Formative
Assessment work sample 2, Summative Assessment work sample 3, etc.).]
[Insert names of file attachments with the following naming convention:
“LEACode_CourseCode_TeacherLastName_Section#.file#” where the section indicates the component
of the Honors Portfolio.]
Examples:
1. For Mr. Smith’s Biology Honors Portfolio in Pitt County, student work assessment sample #1 the file would be named
“740_33205_Smith_III.4.1”
2. Mrs. Mitchell’s English IV Honors Portfolio student work assessment sample #2 in Buncombe County would be named
“110_10245_Mitchell_III.4.2”
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