Chemistry Syllabus
Welcome to Chemistry! This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamental principles of chemistry and help you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and laboratory skills. Over the year, we will explore the structure of matter, the nature of chemical reactions, and the role of chemistry in our everyday lives.
This curriculum aligns with the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, which emphasize scientific inquiry, engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts. We will focus on developing your ability to ask questions, plan investigations, and analyze data to construct explanations for the phenomena you observe.
● Three-ring binder or notebook specifically for chemistry
● Lined paper
● Pens (blue or black) and pencils
● Scientific calculator (graphing calculator is recommended but not required)
● Safety goggles (will be provided for lab use)
Your grade will be based on the following weighted categories:
● Labs & Homework (20%): Regular practice assignments and labs to obtain hands-on learning of the concepts.
● Quizzes & Projects (30%): Long-term projects designed to apply concepts and develop scientific skills and quizzes to reinforce daily concepts. Quizzes can be retaken 1 time within a week of the original quiz. I will take the best score for final grade on that quiz.
● Tests (50%): Unit exams to assess your mastery of key concepts and problem-solving abilities.
Grades are updated on Fridays and published. You will have an MI (missing included) as a score if your assignment is missing. You have until the end of the chapter or unit to turn in your missing work, once you take the chapter or unit test the missing assignments will turn into a zero and you will no longer be able to make up those assignments. So please turn in your work on-time!
A+ 98-100 A 94-97 A- 90-93
B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72
D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62
F 59
This is a general outline and may be adjusted.
Unit 1: The Foundations of Chemistry
● Introduction to the Scientific Method and Lab Safety
● The Nature of Matter (States, Properties, and Changes)
● Measurements and Calculations (Significant Figures, Density)
Unit 2: Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
● History of the Atom & Atomic Models
● The Periodic Table and Periodic Trends
● Electrons and Electron Configuration
Unit 3: Chemical Bonding & Nomenclature
● Ionic and Covalent Bonding
● Naming and Writing Chemical Formulas (IUPAC Nomenclature)
Unit 4: Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
● Balancing Chemical Equations
● Types of Chemical Reactions
● Stoichiometry, Limiting Reactants, and Percent Yield
Unit 5: Gases & Solutions
● Gas Laws (Boyle's Law, Charles's Law, Combined Gas Law)
● The Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases
● Properties of Solutions (Molarity, Solubility)
1. Be respectful: Treat your classmates and instructor with respect.
2. Be prepared: Come to class on time with all your materials.
3. Be safe: Follow all lab safety rules at all times. Failure to do so may result in removal from the lab.
For minor disruptive behaviors in class, the student will have one verbal warning, one written warning, and lastly an office referral will be sent and punishment will be dealt with by the school principal. If a major behavior happens in class where the person, property, or mental health of an individual is harmed, the student will be sent directly to the office.
Safety is our top priority! All students are required to follow these rules to ensure a safe learning environment.
● Eye Protection: Goggles must be worn at all times when a lab is in progress. This is required by state law.
● Attire: You must wear closed-toe shoes and have long hair tied back on lab days.
● Chemicals: Do not touch or taste any chemicals.
● Supervision: Never perform an experiment without direct supervision from the teacher.
● Emergencies: Know the location of the eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and first-aid kit.
● Teacher: Amy Rubin
● Email: rubina@tracy.k12.mn.us
● Phone: 507-629-5500 (ext 2152)
Please contact me between the hours of 8 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Life Science Syllabus
Welcome to Life Science! This year, we'll become scientists, exploring the amazing world of living things, from tiny cells to entire ecosystems. We'll learn how organisms grow and reproduce, how they interact with their environment, and how life on Earth has changed over time.
Our class will follow the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, which means we will focus on hands-on activities, projects, and discussions. You'll learn to ask great questions, work with data, and build models to explain the world around you.
● A dedicated notebook for science
● Folder or binder to keep handouts organized
● Pencils and colored pencils
● Scissors and glue stick
● A positive attitude!
Your final grade will be based on the following:
● Daily Work & Class Participation (25%): Completing classwork, homework, and being an active participant in discussions.
● Labs & Projects (35%): Hands-on experiments, research projects, and building models.
● Quizzes & Tests (40%): Demonstrating your understanding of key concepts.
Grades are updated on Fridays and published. You will have an MI (missing included) as a score if your assignment is missing. You have until the end of the chapter or unit to turn in your missing work, once you take the chapter or unit test the missing assignments will turn into a zero and you will no longer be able to make up those assignments. So please turn in your work on-time!
A+ 98-100 A 94-97 A- 90-93
B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72
D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62
F 59
This is a general outline and may be adjusted based on our progress.
Unit 1: Cells: The Building Blocks of Life
● What is a cell? (Cell Theory)
● Parts of a cell (organelles)
● Comparing plant and animal cells
Unit 2: Ecosystems: Interactions & Energy Flow
● The flow of energy (Food chains and food webs)
● How organisms depend on each environment
● The cycling of matter (Carbon cycle, water cycle)
Unit 3: Heredity & Genetics
● How traits are inherited from parents to offspring
● Using Punnett squares to predict traits
● The role of genes and the environment in growth
Unit 4: Evolution & the Fossil Record
● How populations of organisms change over time
● Evidence for evolution (fossils, anatomy)
● How fossils tell the story of life on Earth
Unit 5: Human Body Systems
● An introduction to the major systems of the body
● How systems work together to keep us healthy
1. Be safe: Follow all lab rules, listen to instructions, and always ask for help if you need it.
2. Be respectful: Treat yourself, your classmates, and our classroom with kindness.
3. Be prepared: Come to class with your notebook, pencils, and an open mind!
For minor disruptive behaviors in class, the student will have one verbal warning, one written warning, and lastly an office referral will be sent and punishment will be dealt with by the school principal. If a major behavior happens in class where the person, property, or mental health of an individual is harmed, the student will be sent directly to the office.
Working in a lab is fun, but it's important to be safe. We will review these rules before every lab.
● Eye Protection: Goggles must be worn over your eyes during all lab activities.
● Handle with Care: Never touch or taste chemicals unless instructed to do so by the teacher.
● Supervision: Always wait for the teacher's instructions before starting any lab.
● Tidy Up: Clean up your lab station and wash your hands after every lab.
● Teacher: Amy Rubin
● Email: rubina@tracy.k12.mn.us
● Phone: 507-629-5500 (ext 2152)
Please contact me between the hours of 8 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.