Fall: The Fall semester began with the history of chemistry leading to how chemists study the natural world through the process of inquiry utilizing the scientific method. Students learned about the history of the atom in the atomic theory unit and got to “Indirectly Measure the Atom” as Rutherford did in his historic experiment to determine that the atom is mostly empty space. The students have been working on the metric system, conversions, significant figures, and scientific notation in order to prepare them for more advanced equations and problem solving in up-coming chemistry units (moles, molarity). The last semester topic covered was the trends in the periodic table in which students connected the introductory lessons on atoms, and why they react with each other based on their molecular characteristics.
Spring: This semester, the students continued to explore chemical interactions with molecules through the various types of bonding. The topics covered in bonding included: Lewis Structures, Polar Covalent Bonds, Nonpolar Covalent Bonds, Ionic Bonds, Metallic Bonds, and Intermolecular Forces. Next, the last unit exposed the students to utilizing both the qualitative and quantitative nature of moles in chemical reactions.
Key Objectives
Fall: Lab Safety, Scientific Method, Atomic Theory, Metric System, Conversions, Significant Figures, Scientific Notation, Periodic Table, and Introduction to Moles
Spring: Types of Bonding, Lewis Structures, Polar Covalent Bonds, Nonpolar Covalent Bonds, Ionic Bonds, Metallic Bonds, Intermolecular Forces, Moles, and Molarity.
Students will work on executive functioning skills of planning, organization and time management through projects, and presentations. Teacher will work with students 1:1, along with supplying rubrics, and checklists.
