Honors Chemistry Deborah Yager, PhD

Course Objective

Honors Chemistry is a one year high-intensity chemistry course which meets the science admission requirements for UC and CSU.

It is intended for students who may wish to major in science at the college level.

Course Outline

• 1st Semester: Matter, Atomic Structure, Nuclear Chemistry, Electrons in Atoms, The Periodic Table, Ionic/Covalent Bonding, Chemical Formulas and Quantities, Chemical Reactions

• 2nd Semester: Stoichiometry, Gas Laws, Water & Solutions, Thermochemistry, Reaction Rates and Equilibrium, Acids & Bases (Redox Reactions, Electrochemistry, Introduction to Organic Chemistry)

My Philosophy• Keep them interested and they work hard!• Learn study skills to last a lifetime.• Communication with parents is key:

– AERIES online grades• Grades generally updated weekly• Formal lab reports can take 2-3 weeks to grade

– Website• www.TeacherWeb.com

– E-mail is best • dyager@cv.k12.ca.us

My Availability to Help

• Lunch (T, W, Th, F)• After school (M, W, Th)• Chemistry Crams

before big tests

$5 for pizza• Learning Lounge – Castro Valley

Grading Policy• Quarter

– 20% Notebook (homework & class work)– 30% Formal Labs (two per quarter)– 50% Tests and Quizzes

Make up tests for scores below 70%

• Semester– 40% Q’1 Grade– 40% Q’2 Grade– 20% Final Exam (comprehensive)

Formal Lab Reports• 2 Formal Lab Reports per Quarter

– Students work in groups of 4 for all but first– 30% of quarter grade– Must be typed and follow specific format– Use Excel to analyze data & make graphs– 8 formal labs satisfy 8 of the required labs

for AP Chemistry

• Challenges– Students procrastinate– Lab group dynamics (just like Real World!)– Takes time to grade – please be patient!

SAT Chemistry Subject Test

• Honors Chemistry prepares your student for this test

• Dates for Chemistry SAT II tests:

May 7, 2016 (April 8th registration deadline)

* June 4, 2016 (May 5th registration deadline) * Chemistry Cram for June test!

How to Contact Me

• E-mail is best!– dyager@cv.k12.ca.us– response usually within 24 hours

• Voice mail only when necessary (checked infrequently)– (510) 537-5910 x 3766

Donations

• Always looking for:– Kleenex– Purell– Paper towels– Duplo blocks!!!– New(er) computers

Thanks for being

involved

parents!