Ms. B’s Independent Study Chemistry Class
Hello everyone and welcome to Ms. B’s chemistry class. I am so excited to have you in my class and I
plan on having a lot of fun in here! After reading over the syllabus, if you have any questions or
concerns, please let me know, as I want to be here for you, make chemistry a good experience for you,
and help you to gain an appreciation for sciences as a whole.
Teacher: Ms. Brauer
Contact info: ebrauer@champscharter.org
Suggested Materials:
Calculator, Binder, Lined paper (wide or college ruled is fine), PENCILS!!!!*
Course Purpose
The aim for this class is to provide students with the aptitude for chemistry with the chance to understand
chemistry concepts. This course will attempt to incorporate common core standards as well as California
state standards, using inquiry as a basis for education. Students will gain an understanding about different
chemicals and the ways they interact and react with each other. This course covers the California State
Standards set forth for high school chemistry. Hands-on labs and projects as well as the completion of lab
reports to present their findings through use of the scientific method will help to solidify their
understanding.
Course Outline
Semester 1: Chapters 1-15
Chapter 1: Introduction to Chemistry
Chapter 2: Matter and Change
Chapter 3: Scientific Measurement
Chapter 4: Atomic Structure
Chapter 5: Electrons in Atoms
Chapter 6: The Periodic Table
Chapter 7: Ionic and Metallic Bonding
Chapter 8: Covalent Bonding
Chapter 9: Chemical Names and Formulas
Chapter 10: Chemical Quantities
Chapter 11: Chemical Reactions
Chapter 12: Stoichiometry
Chapter 13: States of Matter
Chapter 14: The Behavior of Gases
Chapter 15: Water and Aqueous Solutions
Semester 2: Chapters 16-25
Chapter 16: Solutions
Chapter 17: Thermochemistry
Chapter 18: Reaction Rates and Equilibrium
Chapter 19: Acids, Bases, and Salts
Chapter 20: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Chapter 21: Electrochemistry
Chapter 22: Hydrocarbon Compounds
Chapter 23: Functional Groups
Chapter 24: The Chemistry of Life
Chapter 25: Nuclear Chemistry
Homework: Students will typically get a packet of worksheets to work through each week. There will
occasionally be a powerpoint in addition to the book, which can be used as a resource. Powerpoints will
be emailed directly to the students as well as on the website. If students lose the packet or miss a day,
PLEASE EMAIL ME SO I CAN EMAIL YOU THE WORKSHEETS.
Class Work: Material will be introduced via power points, worksheets, and videos. Students will be
expected to do in class work or take notes on new ideas.
Labs and Lab Reports: Hands-on activities are important to understand the practical, tangible side of
chemistry. They are designed to further student understanding of course material as well as encourage the
asking of questions and investigation of scientific topics to produce answers. Students perform labs in
groups and are each required to participate. Students will complete lab reports after the majority of lab
assignments. They will be expected to construct lab reports including purpose, hypothesis, methods, data
analysis, errors, and conclusion.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes will be taken sporadically throughout the course, and tests will be taken
every few weeks depending on the chapters being covered.
Projects: Designed to encourage further understanding of material in new ways. These are usually done
in groups, and include research of a given topic with a performing or media based presentation of the
topic. Students may make videos, write songs, make movies, and any other creative outlet they feel can
help them to learn as well as teach others the scientific concept behind the presentation.
Absences/Make-up Policy
If you have missed class with an excused absence, you will have as many days as you missed to make up
the work with no penalty. For example, if you miss two days, when you return to school, you will have
two days to make up those assignments you missed. If you miss a lab, we will have to have special lab
make-up days, which will most likely be on SATURDAYS, so please do your best to attend labs. If you
have unexcused absences, I may not accept the late work you missed for those days.
Late Work
If you turn in an assignment late or do not take the initiative to retake a test you missed, every week that
passes will knock off 10% of your grade. For example, one week after an assignment was due, the highest
score you can get is a 90%, two weeks after an assignment is due, the highest score you can get is an 80%,
etc.
Extra Credit
I will offer extra credit at my own discretion, but you will not be allowed any extra credit if you have any
missing assignments.
Grading
1.
2.
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4.
Homework/Assignments
Quizzes
Tests
Lab reports/Projects
25%
25%
25%
25%