Chemistry Portfolio
In order to demonstrate the knowledge you will learn during the course of this chemistry class, you will assemble a portfolio of
evidence of your work. This collection of work should reflect your experiences and accomplishments in this course.
The portfolio will be a collected at the end of each semester (December and May) prior to your final exam. The writing assignments
will be completed as homework assignments throughout the year and polished for the final product. The contents of your portfolio should be in
the following order:
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Title page with a title, your name, and your period
Table of Contents
Expectations/Goals Essay
Scientific Method & Measurement
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Matter- Properties & Changes
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Atomic Theory & Structure
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
The Periodic Table
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Chemical Bonding & Compounds
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Chemical Reactions & Equations
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
The Mole & Stoichiometry
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Thermochemistry & Thermodynamics
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Solids, Liquids, & Gases
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Solutions, Acids & Bases
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Kinetics & Equilibrium
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Redox
o Personal Reflection essay
o Pieces of evidence (labs, reports, assignments, notes)
Summative Assessment
o Semester Reflection (see categories below)
o Letter to future Chemistry student
*Each essay should be typed and double spaced. It should be no less than one full page and no more than two full pages. The
rough drafts will be graded as 40 point homework grades throughout the year. The final draft should be turned in with the
portfolio at the end of each semester.
Expectations/goals Essay
This essay should address:
a) why someone should study chemistry (high school graduation requirement is NOT an acceptable reason),
b) what you think you already know about chemistry,
c) what you hope to learn during this class, and
d) why you think chemistry is important to you personally, etc.
**This is due on Friday, August 24.
Personal Reflection Essays
Each reflection should:
a) discuss what you learned (concept &/or skill) during each unit/category,
b) how it can be applied to your everyday life,
c) provide a brief summary of the three pieces of evidence you chose to represent the unit/category, and
d) why you chose those items to represent the unit/category.
**These essays are due on our scheduled review day which is usually the class period before the test for that unit.
Pieces of Evidence
Each piece of evidence should be an item that represents the category you are reflecting on. Each unit/category should include three
items of evidence. The evidence might be a completed homework assignment, lab, project, quiz or anything else that was returned to
you by the teacher. Alternatively, you could include an assignment sheet, a photo of a project or piece of a project if it won’t fit in the
portfolio. If you decide to write about a class discussion, make sure to think of a way to represent that physically, i.e.- notes, image
from the textbook &/or website. The portfolio should be contained in a binder or folder in a neat, easy-to-read manner.
**The final portfolio is due the week of your finals in December and May.
Summative Assessment
1) Semester ReflectionFor each of the following categories, you should provide a physical representation (evidence) AND a written reflection:
A.
Best example of you using experimental evidence to arrive at a new understanding of something.
B.
Best example of you designing an experiment to test a hypothesis.
C.
A lab investigation that did not work well. Include thoughts on how it could have been improved.
D.
A sudden insight; a time during the year when “a light bulb went on” and you suddenly understood
something that you previously did not.
E.
One thing that you studied that you still do not fully understand.
F.
Choose two labs/activities/lessons/topics from different parts of the semester (not the same unit), how
were the chemistry topics in these two things connected/ related?
G.
A lesson/assignment/topic/class discussion that reveals the impact of chemistry on society.
H.
A lab/activity/topic/discussion that reveals the relevance of chemistry to your life.
I.
A major concept/skill that you learned that will help you in your future.
J.
A topic you most enjoyed learning about.
2) Letter to future Chemistry studentThis letter should provide suggestions you might have for future Chemistry students on what to expect in Chemistry class and
tips on how to succeed. Provide some ins-and-outs of class as well as what worked and didn’t work for you in hopes for
future students to enter class feeling excited and welcomed.
**Place this page in front of all your sections as a reference.