Name: Introduction to Chemistry
SKU: SCICMPHYSEM2
Availability: InStock

Course Description

See Reviews of Instructor Susan Habacivch

Have you wanted to give your student a solid introduction to the high school sciences? In this one-semester course, we will be learning the fundamentals of chemistry, “the central science.” The two priorities of this course are to prepare the student to successfully complete a future high school Chemistry course and to expand the student’s appreciation for the amazing complexity and wonder of our physical world. We will be learning the inquiry process by asking questions that stimulate students to think critically and to formulate their own questions. Observing, classifying, using numbers, plotting graphs, measuring, inferring, predicting, formulating models, interpreting data, hypothesizing, and experimenting will all help students to build knowledge and communicate what they have learned. We will be supporting our inquiry with hands-on labs, virtual labs, and a creative project. The experiments can be completed at home (adult supervision is advised) and most use simple household materials. A complete list of materials will be provided before classes start.

Course Structure

This course is a “flipped” classroom, which starts each week with a teacher provided pre-recorded video and textbook and web-based reading assignments. Students then take homework “quizzes” on each lesson in the textbook to check their understanding of the material that they have studied. The live class time is used to answer questions and reinforce concepts with lots of student interaction on the microphone. Attendance is encouraged, but not required as the live class is recorded and posted for student availability for about a month afterward. There is one creative project and four additional labs during the semester. Occasional worksheets are assigned for students to do by hand, scan and submit and a comprehensive test is given every 2-3 chapters in the textbook.

Who should enroll?

Students should be in 8th or 9th grade (advanced 7th grades will be considered.) 8th grade math is a prerequisite (some pre-algebra is helpful but not required).

Technology Requirements:

High speed, broadband Internet

Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)

Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

Students will be graded on homework, labs and exams which will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions done on the course website and handouts to be completed, scanned, and uploaded. All student work will be graded and returned within one week of submission.

Communication

Grades are perpetually available for students and parents to view. Parent teacher conferences will be available in October. Parents may contact me at other times also via the Canvas website.

Sample Class

View a sample live class in this video.

Required Texts

Physical Science: Concepts in Action by Wysession, Frank & Yancopoulos; published by Pearson Prentice Hall (2004). ISBN: 0-13-069988-8 (available at www.abebooks.com or amazon)

Additional Materials:

scientific calculator
kitchen scale
scanner or Smartphone
various household materials

1 review for Introduction to Chemistry

Linsey P. – May 19, 2020

This course introduces chemistry and physics in an interesting and engaging way- leading one into the sciences and leaving them thirsting for more knowledge. Alongside the book, there are in depth lectures, labs, data analises, lectures and extra resources provided for a maximized learning experience. The structure of the lesson plan each week proved different than I’m used to, but all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this course.