HONORS CHEMISTRY
Fall 2013
Mr. Fitch
Office: A207
Available: Before school, 2nd and 5th hours, Access, after school
Phone: Voice mail (303) 982-3541
Website: www.fitchcsh.weebly.com
Welcome back! I hope you had a fantastic summer and are ready for a great class. Honors Chemistry is a course that covers the science of what everything is made from and how these substances interact. We’ll be learning about the substance of everything in the universe. We’ll be busy. Honors Chemistry is also a course designed to meet the needs of students planning to go to college and major in a science. Students taking this course should have a strong science and math background. A large emphasis is placed on problem solving. Honors Chem is a yearlong course, and an elective. You have chosen to take this class. If you happen to earn less than a grade of a C during first semester, you will be dropped from the class. The final exam in the spring is cumulative for the entire year. Therefore, what you learn on the first day of class, you are expected to know on the last day. What follows is some information on how things will work in here.
GRADING Your grade in here is based on the following items:
Homework 5%
Lab notebook 20%
Quizzes 15%
Exams 25%
Final lab exam 10%
Final written exam 25%
At the end of the semester, grades will be calculated on a percentage basis using the scale of 90 – 100% = A, 80 – 89% = B, 70 – 79% = C, 65 – 69% = D and less than 65% does not meet the Chemistry standard.
ATTENDANCE An important aspect of any class is you being there, on time. School attendance policies will be followed. Students will have 4 free unexcused tardies per semester. Any additional tardies will lower your overall grade. Students need to use the restroom during passing periods. After any absence, it is your responsibility to obtain assignments completed on the day missed. This can be done by checking the calendar on the website.
SAFETY Another important aspect of a Chemistry class is being safe in here. There will be many opportunities for labs that have hazardous chemicals or fragile equipment involved. During all labs, proper safety procedures will be followed. These procedures are described in the safety contract you will sign. A safety contract needs to be on file before any participation occurs.
MISCELLANEOUS - Late work will receive no credit. However, you will be given two “bail-out” coupons, which will allow you to turn in your assignment up to one week late for full credit. After that week, all assignments will receive zero credit, with or without coupon. These coupons may have value in calculating final grade. If you don’t use them on late work, they could be extra credit.
- Labs must be made up within a week of the completion of the lab. We’ll put the equipment away after that, eliminating your opportunity to make up the lab. Even if you miss the lab, you’ll be responsible for understanding the content.
- Homework is a learning tool. Getting it correct the first time is not the goal, understanding the material is. You will grade your own homework. On the day before each exam, a homework grade will be given based on the completeness of your work, not the correctness. If you are doing the homework but not understanding the content, it is your responsibility to change that.
- You can expect numerous quizzes. Most quizzes are 5 – 8 questions that cover material presented during the week. No notes are allowed on quizzes. If you score below standard (C) you may retake a similar version of the quiz the following week. Your scores will be averaged. Exams are given every few weeks. You will receive a 3X5-notecard to use on exams. You may write anything on the card, but it must be hand written. At the end of each semester, your lowest quiz and exam will be dropped from your grade if all tests are completed on time, and you have NO missing assignments.
- No cell phones. iPods may be used only during work time, not during lecture or labs. I’ll take the violating equipment away for the day.
- Show respect for all people and property in this room.
HINTS
Communicate with others about what is going on in here. Science is a social undertaking. You understand better if you talk with someone.
If you are having trouble with anything, talk with me. It is the best part of my job, and could help you.
This is a college prep course. You will have more responsibility and more freedom than in other courses. See the description of Homework above, as one example. Another example is note taking. You will be expected to take notes and to use those notes as a reference tool. If you’ve taken notes and tried to use them to help you (i.e. shown responsibility for your learning), but still don’t understand, any teacher on the planet would help you. If not………
Monitor your own learning. A person’s understanding of his or her learning is called metacognition, and everybody learns differently. Figure out what works for you.
Show your work. One of the goals of the class is to develop problem-solving skills. You’ll need to communicate these skills in writing. With your work showing, I may be able to see where you made a mistake and award partial credit. If no work is showing…….
A word of caution: You are in a “HONORS” class. With that designation comes responsibility on your part. You will have to read, write prelabs, work problems, and actually study to pass this class. If that is offensive to you, then this is not the class for you. EVERYONE is expected to have “academic integrity”. Presenting work that is not yours it not acceptable. It is called academic fraud. You are in an elective “HONORS” class, I expect you to act like a responsible and honest individual.
Have fun. Success makes people happy. If you stay on top of things, this can be a fantastically rewarding class.
Rule #1 – It’s Chemistry. I can make it clearer, but I can’t make it any simpler.
Rule #2 – I can only answer the question you asked. Saying “I don’t get it” is a statement. It is NOT a question.
The 3rd and final rule is the most important. It is a question you must ask yourself, Rule #3 - Who is in charge of your learning and growth?
Below are some links to places I've found helpful:
Atomic Structure - http://atomictimeline.net/index.php
- http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/3-atoms.htm
- http://www.chemtutor.com/struct.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP57gEWcisY
- http://www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/basics_5_the_periodic_table.html
Periodic Table - http://www.chemtutor.com/perich.htm
- http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/97456-Trends-in-Periodic-Table
- http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/97455-Trends-in-Periodic-Table-Ionisation-Energy
- http://chemistry.about.com/od/periodictableelements/a/periodictrends.htm
- http://chemistry.about.com/library/blperiodictable.htm
Naming and Formula Writing: - http://science.widener.edu/svb/pset/nomen_b.html
- http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/naming/formulawriting.htm
- http://www.miracosta.edu/home/dlr/naming.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_nomenclature_frames.htm
Balancing Equations - http://education.jlab.org/elementbalancing/index.html
- http://www.webqc.org/balance.php
- http://www.sky-web.net/science/balancing_chemical_equations.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Balancing_Equations_help.htm
- http://www.preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_bal_eq_Flash1.htm
Stoichiometry - http://www.learnchem.net/tutorials/stoich.shtml
- http://www.chemcollective.org/stoich/reaction_stoi.php
- http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/limiting.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HEXnBBQmc
Thermochemistry - http://eppe.tripod.com/thermchm.htm
- http://chemistry.about.com/od/physicalchemistrythermo/a/thermochemlaws.htm
Fall 2013
Mr. Fitch
Office: A207
Available: Before school, 2nd and 5th hours, Access, after school
Phone: Voice mail (303) 982-3541
Website: www.fitchcsh.weebly.com
Welcome back! I hope you had a fantastic summer and are ready for a great class. Honors Chemistry is a course that covers the science of what everything is made from and how these substances interact. We’ll be learning about the substance of everything in the universe. We’ll be busy. Honors Chemistry is also a course designed to meet the needs of students planning to go to college and major in a science. Students taking this course should have a strong science and math background. A large emphasis is placed on problem solving. Honors Chem is a yearlong course, and an elective. You have chosen to take this class. If you happen to earn less than a grade of a C during first semester, you will be dropped from the class. The final exam in the spring is cumulative for the entire year. Therefore, what you learn on the first day of class, you are expected to know on the last day. What follows is some information on how things will work in here.
GRADING Your grade in here is based on the following items:
Homework 5%
Lab notebook 20%
Quizzes 15%
Exams 25%
Final lab exam 10%
Final written exam 25%
At the end of the semester, grades will be calculated on a percentage basis using the scale of 90 – 100% = A, 80 – 89% = B, 70 – 79% = C, 65 – 69% = D and less than 65% does not meet the Chemistry standard.
ATTENDANCE An important aspect of any class is you being there, on time. School attendance policies will be followed. Students will have 4 free unexcused tardies per semester. Any additional tardies will lower your overall grade. Students need to use the restroom during passing periods. After any absence, it is your responsibility to obtain assignments completed on the day missed. This can be done by checking the calendar on the website.
SAFETY Another important aspect of a Chemistry class is being safe in here. There will be many opportunities for labs that have hazardous chemicals or fragile equipment involved. During all labs, proper safety procedures will be followed. These procedures are described in the safety contract you will sign. A safety contract needs to be on file before any participation occurs.
MISCELLANEOUS - Late work will receive no credit. However, you will be given two “bail-out” coupons, which will allow you to turn in your assignment up to one week late for full credit. After that week, all assignments will receive zero credit, with or without coupon. These coupons may have value in calculating final grade. If you don’t use them on late work, they could be extra credit.
- Labs must be made up within a week of the completion of the lab. We’ll put the equipment away after that, eliminating your opportunity to make up the lab. Even if you miss the lab, you’ll be responsible for understanding the content.
- Homework is a learning tool. Getting it correct the first time is not the goal, understanding the material is. You will grade your own homework. On the day before each exam, a homework grade will be given based on the completeness of your work, not the correctness. If you are doing the homework but not understanding the content, it is your responsibility to change that.
- You can expect numerous quizzes. Most quizzes are 5 – 8 questions that cover material presented during the week. No notes are allowed on quizzes. If you score below standard (C) you may retake a similar version of the quiz the following week. Your scores will be averaged. Exams are given every few weeks. You will receive a 3X5-notecard to use on exams. You may write anything on the card, but it must be hand written. At the end of each semester, your lowest quiz and exam will be dropped from your grade if all tests are completed on time, and you have NO missing assignments.
- No cell phones. iPods may be used only during work time, not during lecture or labs. I’ll take the violating equipment away for the day.
- Show respect for all people and property in this room.
HINTS
Communicate with others about what is going on in here. Science is a social undertaking. You understand better if you talk with someone.
If you are having trouble with anything, talk with me. It is the best part of my job, and could help you.
This is a college prep course. You will have more responsibility and more freedom than in other courses. See the description of Homework above, as one example. Another example is note taking. You will be expected to take notes and to use those notes as a reference tool. If you’ve taken notes and tried to use them to help you (i.e. shown responsibility for your learning), but still don’t understand, any teacher on the planet would help you. If not………
Monitor your own learning. A person’s understanding of his or her learning is called metacognition, and everybody learns differently. Figure out what works for you.
Show your work. One of the goals of the class is to develop problem-solving skills. You’ll need to communicate these skills in writing. With your work showing, I may be able to see where you made a mistake and award partial credit. If no work is showing…….
A word of caution: You are in a “HONORS” class. With that designation comes responsibility on your part. You will have to read, write prelabs, work problems, and actually study to pass this class. If that is offensive to you, then this is not the class for you. EVERYONE is expected to have “academic integrity”. Presenting work that is not yours it not acceptable. It is called academic fraud. You are in an elective “HONORS” class, I expect you to act like a responsible and honest individual.
Have fun. Success makes people happy. If you stay on top of things, this can be a fantastically rewarding class.
Rule #1 – It’s Chemistry. I can make it clearer, but I can’t make it any simpler.
Rule #2 – I can only answer the question you asked. Saying “I don’t get it” is a statement. It is NOT a question.
The 3rd and final rule is the most important. It is a question you must ask yourself, Rule #3 - Who is in charge of your learning and growth?
Below are some links to places I've found helpful:
Atomic Structure - http://atomictimeline.net/index.php
- http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/3-atoms.htm
- http://www.chemtutor.com/struct.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP57gEWcisY
- http://www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/basics_5_the_periodic_table.html
Periodic Table - http://www.chemtutor.com/perich.htm
- http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/97456-Trends-in-Periodic-Table
- http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/97455-Trends-in-Periodic-Table-Ionisation-Energy
- http://chemistry.about.com/od/periodictableelements/a/periodictrends.htm
- http://chemistry.about.com/library/blperiodictable.htm
Naming and Formula Writing: - http://science.widener.edu/svb/pset/nomen_b.html
- http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/naming/formulawriting.htm
- http://www.miracosta.edu/home/dlr/naming.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_nomenclature_frames.htm
Balancing Equations - http://education.jlab.org/elementbalancing/index.html
- http://www.webqc.org/balance.php
- http://www.sky-web.net/science/balancing_chemical_equations.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Balancing_Equations_help.htm
- http://www.preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_bal_eq_Flash1.htm
Stoichiometry - http://www.learnchem.net/tutorials/stoich.shtml
- http://www.chemcollective.org/stoich/reaction_stoi.php
- http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/limiting.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HEXnBBQmc
Thermochemistry - http://eppe.tripod.com/thermchm.htm
- http://chemistry.about.com/od/physicalchemistrythermo/a/thermochemlaws.htm
Limiting Reactants - http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/limiting.htm
- http://pages.towson.edu/ladon/limreas.html
- http://www.chemcollective.org/stoich/limiting-reagents.php
Gases - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gas-properties
- http://legacyweb.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/betha/nealGasLaw/
- http://www.chemtutor.com/gases.htm
- http://moodle.esasd.net/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=19836
Phollies and Chaos - http://chatphys.weebly.com/
Solutions - http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ru-Sp/Solution-Chemistry.html
- http://www.chem.ucla.edu/~gchemlab/soln_conc_web.htm
- http://www.chemprofessor.com/conc.htm
- http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/Gretchen-Potts/chemistryhelp/ionic.htm
- http://www.brightstorm.com/science/chemistry/chemical-reactions/net-ionic-equation/
- http://www.sophia.org/factors-affecting-solubility/factors-affecting-solubility-tutorial
- http://www.chemistrytutorials.org/content/solutions/34-solubility-and-factors-affecting- solubility
Acids and Bases - http://www.chemtutor.com/acid.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_acid_base_frames.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Titration.htm
- http://www.ausetute.com.au/titrcalc.html
- https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/logarithms-tutorial
- http://pages.towson.edu/ladon/limreas.html
- http://www.chemcollective.org/stoich/limiting-reagents.php
Gases - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gas-properties
- http://legacyweb.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/betha/nealGasLaw/
- http://www.chemtutor.com/gases.htm
- http://moodle.esasd.net/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=19836
Phollies and Chaos - http://chatphys.weebly.com/
Solutions - http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ru-Sp/Solution-Chemistry.html
- http://www.chem.ucla.edu/~gchemlab/soln_conc_web.htm
- http://www.chemprofessor.com/conc.htm
- http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/Gretchen-Potts/chemistryhelp/ionic.htm
- http://www.brightstorm.com/science/chemistry/chemical-reactions/net-ionic-equation/
- http://www.sophia.org/factors-affecting-solubility/factors-affecting-solubility-tutorial
- http://www.chemistrytutorials.org/content/solutions/34-solubility-and-factors-affecting- solubility
Acids and Bases - http://www.chemtutor.com/acid.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_acid_base_frames.htm
- http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Titration.htm
- http://www.ausetute.com.au/titrcalc.html
- https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/logarithms-tutorial