chemistry handbook 2018-19 · 8 carbonyl chemistry 9 nitrogen compounds and polymers ... if you are...
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Chemistry
Handbook
2018-19
www.holycrosschemistry.weebly.com
Page 2
Holy Cross
Chemistry Department
2018-19
Welcome to the chemistry department here at Holy Cross College. By
joining the department, you are becoming a member of one of the largest
departments in the college with nearly 400 students studying the subject
in either the lower or upper sixth form.
Our primary purpose is to enable you to achieve the best possible results
in the chemical sciences for yourself, to enable you to grow personally and
academically within a Catholic Sixth Form environment so that you can
progress onwards to your chosen destinations.
You have chosen what is arguably one of the most demanding A level
subjects, highly regarded by all higher education institutes but equally
one in which the highest grades are only achieved with hard work and
determination over the next two years.
This handbook is both an introduction to the department but also a
summary of the resources and support available to you and an outline of
the attitude to learning that we believe you will need to adopt in order to
fulfil your chemical goals.
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Contents The Chemistry Department .................................................................................... 4
The Chemistry Course ............................................................................................. 5
Chemistry Assessments and Key Assignments .................................................. 7
Chemistry Expectations .......................................................................................... 8
Independent Learning ............................................................................................. 10
Chemistry Department Intervention .................................................................. 12
Departmental / College Intervention Policy: ..................................................... 12
How to log onto Kerboodle ..................................................................................... 13
How to log onto Boomer Chemistry ..................................................................... 13
How to log onto MyMaths ...................................................................................... 13
Other Excellent Resources ................................................................................... 14
Textbooks .................................................................................................................. 14
Revision Guides ......................................................................................................... 14
Websites .................................................................................................................... 15
Finally advice from previous students…… ........................................................... 16
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The Chemistry Department
The Chemistry Department is staffed by a team of 6 chemistry teachers
and one laboratory technician.
Mr I. McGeough (Head of Department)
Mr M. Greavy
Dr R. Mughal
Mr R. Balinski
Mrs Andrea Schofield
We are accommodated in two teaching laboratories, (Chemistry 1 & 2),
two theory rooms (Science Theory 2 & 4) and one chemistry preparation
room.
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The Chemistry Course
We follow the OCR linear two-year chemistry course Chemistry A.
This leads after two years of study and three examinations to the award
of an A level in Chemistry with the opportunity to gain an additional
practical endorsement certificate
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The specification is delivered over five chemistry lessons each week (two
doubles and a single lesson – 260 minutes)
On average once every two weeks you will have a double practical lesson.
Each of the practical lessons are compulsory if you are to be awarded the
practical endorsement certificate.
A summary of the topics covered in each year is given below.
Year 1 Topics
1 Atoms ions and Compounds
2 Quantitative Chemistry
3 Acids & Redox
4 Bonding
5 Enthaply Changes
6 Rates & Equilibria
7 Periodicity
8 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
9 Alkanes
10 Alkenes
11 Alcohols
12 Haloalkanes
13 Synthesis
14 Analytical techniques
Year 2 Topics
1 Rates
2 Equilibria
3 Acids Bases Buffers
4 Enthalpy, Entropy Free Energy
5 Redox and Electrochemical cells
6 Transition Elements and Tests
7 Benzene and Phenol
8 Carbonyl chemistry
9 Nitrogen compounds and polymers
10 Carbon-carbon bond formation and synthesis
11 Chromatography Spectroscopy and Tests
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Chemistry Assessments and Key Assignments
Two years is a long time to wait to see how well you have understood your
chemistry!! The chemistry department is therefore committed to
ensuring that you know how well you are doing in the subject and how
close to your target grades you are.
In order to achieve this, your work in lessons, your independent study,
your organisation, your homeworks and your learning and will be closely
monitored throughout the year by both your chemistry teachers and the
head of department.
Most academic work will be marked and graded and can be compared with
your predicted grades. For non-academic work we will also monitor how
much effort we think you are putting into your work using a scale from
Excellent, Good, Average, Poor to Fail. We will let you know the criteria
we will use to make these judgements before each exercise or task.
You will be sat a series of key assignments (tests) throughout your two
years’ study of chemistry. The judgment of your progress in the subject
will be heavily weighted towards these key assignments and for the most
part will be considered a greatest reflection of your chemistry success.
These regular key assignments will occur once every half term and will
quickly help you identify the areas you need to improve or consolidate. For
a small number of students they may also indicate that chemistry is not
the best subject for you and will allow us, together with your senior tutor
to look at other options for you
The mock examination at the end of your first year in particular will be
indicative in deciding whether it is in your best interests to pursue
chemistry into year 2 and indeed will be the basis for your UCAS
predicted grades.
Target Key Assignment Dates w/c 10th September 2018 (L6 only)
w/c 8th October 2018 KA1
w/c 26th November 2018 KA2
w/c 21st January 2019 KA3
w/c 11th March 2019 KA4 (Mock Week)
w/c 3rd June 2019 (L6 only)
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Chemistry Expectations
None of the Chemistry Assessments or Key Assignments should worry you
if you are giving chemistry your best efforts which should be equal to
those given to any other subject.
We do have some straightforward and common sense expectation of all
our students
Work Ethic: Only by consistent, sustained effort over the two years will
you achieve your goals. You are expected to spend more time working at
chemistry outside of lessons than within.
Behaviour: It should go without saying that all students should be
courteous and respectful to all other members of staff and other
students. Any student who displays disrespectful behaviour will be asked
to leave the classroom and will be required to attend another session
and placed on intervention.
Punctuality: You must arrive to lessons on time. If you are late to a lesson
you will be asked to complete a yellow slip detailing the reasons for your
lateness. Your teacher will then discuss this with you at the end of the
lesson. If you have a poor punctuality record, in addition to being
placed on intervention, you may be asked to work in the atrium area.
Missed Lessons: If you are aware you are going to miss a lesson you must
speak to your teacher and collect the work before the lesson. If you have
an unplanned absence you must speak to or e-mail your teacher on the day
you return (this can be done in the lesson if you have one timetabled for
that day) to collect missed work. If you receive permission from your
Senior Tutor to be absent from college due to a personal holiday then you
must speak to your teacher in advance, collect work and make sure it is
completed.
Cancelled Lessons: In the unlikely event that lessons are cancelled you
must check the classroom door and college e-mails, personally, for the
work that has been set.
Homework: Homework will be set on a regular basis and you will be
provided sufficient time to complete. If you make the decision not to
complete homework you will be placed on intervention and your teacher
may ask you to stay behind after the lesson or come back at lunch to
complete.
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College E-mails: You must have access to your college e-mail account
both in and outside of college. This platform may be used for the setting
of homework, cancelled lessons and unforeseen college closures e.g.
weather. If you are having problems gaining access to your e-mail account,
please speak to a member of the IT Help Desk Team. If you cannot
access your e-mail account outside of college, please notify your teacher
as alternative arrangements can be made.
ID Badges: ID badges should be worn at all times. Not only is this college
policy but you will require your badge if you want to use a departmental
computer.
Mobile Phone: Mobile phones should be on silent and not be visible in
lessons unless authorised by your teacher. If you take the decision to
consistently use your mobile phone in lessons your mobile phone will be
confiscated and you may be asked to leave the classroom and return
for a lunchtime session and be placed on intervention.
Equipment: It is your responsibility to ensure that you bring all equipment
to lessons. This includes: file (ring binder), paper, pen, pencil, ruler,
rubber and calculator. Regular file checks will take place throughout the
year. If you need to purchase any of this equipment, please purchase
from the library.
Support: The Department offers support throughout the year to help
ensure that all students reach their potential. A timetable detailing the
support sessions offered by all members of staff will be displayed on
the main chemistry corridor. It is important that if you feel you would
benefit from extra support that you speak to your subject teacher. We
can also refer you to learning support for general study skills support. For
some students attendance at support will be compulsory and failure to
attend will result in you being placed on intervention.
These measures have been put in place to support you and to provide you
with the best opportunity to be successful on the course. We understand
that some of you may be facing personal issues that may result in you not
being able to meet the expectations above and if this relates to you, it is
crucial that you speak to your teacher so that special consideration can
be arranged.
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Independent Learning
The secret of chemical success at A level is the ability for students to
work outside of lessons and become “independent learners”. The five
hours spent in lessons each week is not enough!
Experience has taught us that 5 - 7 hours per week of independent study
of chemistry is necessary for you to fulfil your true potential.
To help you achieve this we have put together a guide as to how to spend
these 7 hours wisely.
Two important resources available to you this year are:
1. An online revision / tutor package of tutorials, videos, past paper
questions and quizzes called Boomer Chemistry. This is a fantastic
resource for preparing before you attend lessons. You will need to
use Boomer Chemistry for Pre Class Preparation (PCP).
2. A dedicated online interactive text book and assessment website
called Kerboodle. This is great to test and consolidate your
understanding after attending lessons. You will be expected to
complete Post Class Consolidate (PCC) work using Kerboodle topic
summary questions, quizzes, exam style questions and for making
summary / revision notes.
3. Other resources
It is essential that you login and use these resources regularly as part of
your seven hours work each week.
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Chemistry Independent Learning – 7 Hours
There are seven days in a week- simply spend 1 hour per day as outlined
below. This will ensure that you achieve your full potential.
Time
Spent
Key Activity/Skill Student Actions
1 hr Going over lesson notes completing work
in course and white booklets Review of
current topic
Make summary notes or a power
point or mind maps in Orange
books
1 hr
Homework
Act upon feedback from hwk or test.
Use electronic textbook and the
homework or test mark scheme
to correct mistakes in green and
eradicate errors. Attend
advertised support sessions.
1 hr Boomer and notes and other online
resources Improve factual knowledge
View online videos and resources via
“Other weblinks” on the Chemistry
website.
Memorise definitions, equations,
reagents & conditions,
mechanisms, diagrams & graphs.
Use summary cards and peer
testing (study buddy).
1 hr Kerboodle summary questions and end of
chapter questions
Complete in Orange book, Check
answers and self correct.
3 hrs
Past paper practice
from
Maths and Physics Tutor link from
Chemistry website
OCR Website
Themed Past Paper Question
Booklets
Do extra questions to master
each topic. Use mark schemes to
help you master question analysis
and precise answering.
Other Activities
Key skills improvement e.g. Mathematical/calculation
skills, question analysis, use of
precise language and correct
chemical terms.
Utilise the website materials,
MyMaths questions & mark
schemes from Examquest,
electronic textbook Q&A.
Peer teaching and learning ‘If you can’t explain it, then you
do not understand it’.
Challenge your study buddy to
teach a topic to you.
Revisiting previous topics/modules Revisit notes, past paper
questions (Examquest), revisit
homework and tests
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Chemistry Department Intervention
We are all human and there will be times either accidently or deliberately
we let ourselves down and fail to meet the departmental expectations.
When this happens the chemistry department, as all departments within
the college in a supportive role will follow the college intervention policy.
A reminder of the college policy is given below.
Departmental / College Intervention Policy:
We expect students within the department to:
Attend all lessons on time.
Submit all homework on time.
Bring all the necessary equipment to your lesson.
Attend support if directed to by your teacher.
Failure to adhere to the above will result in you being placed on the
college’s intervention system.
Green Stage:
If attendance falls below 95%, poor behaviour in class, non-completion
of work and/or poor punctuality.
A meeting will take place between student and subject teacher and
SMART targets will be set.
Will be reviewed after 2 weeks. If targets have been met you will be
removed from intervention.
Yellow Stage:
Failure to improve on green stage.
A meeting to take place between student and Head of Chemistry and
SMART targets will be set. A letter will be sent home. Senior tutor will
contact parents if student is on yellow stage in more than one subject.
Will be reviewed after 3 weeks. If targets have been met you will be
removed from intervention. If only slight progress has been made the
Head of Chemistry may decide to extend your yellow stage.
Orange
Stage:
Failure to improve on yellow stage.
Letter sent home by senior tutor, weekly meetings with senior tutor to
discuss progress.
Will be reviewed after 3 weeks. If targets have been met you will
return to green stage. If only slight progress has been made your
senior tutor may decide to extend your orange stage.
Red Stage:
Failure to improve on orange stage.
Assistant Principal (AP) to hold meeting with student, letter sent home
asking them to attend a meeting with ASM and senior tutor. Continue
weekly meetings with senior tutor.
Will be reviewed by AP after 3 weeks. Failure to meet targets could
result in permanent exclusion from the college.
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How to log onto Kerboodle
1 Go to the following website:
http://www.kerboodle.com/users/login
2 Enter your username and password which will be given to you by
your chemistry teacher
Username: first initial and surname (one word, lowercase)
Password is the same as your username
3 Enter the institution code which is kgp9
How to log onto Boomer Chemistry
1 Go to the Linear Chemistry course on the college Moodle system or
direct to the chemistry webpage.
2 Go to the “Boomer Chemistry” links on the chemistry webpage.
3 Click the links to access all the features of Boomer Chemistry.
How to log onto MyMaths
1 Go to http://www.mymaths.co.uk/secondary.html
2 Once on the website page enter the Initial login: hocr and
password: surds
3 On the next page look for the “My portal” login and enter your
personal portal username and password given to you by your
chemistry teacher.
This will then give you access to your homework exercises. Please
complete them by the due date.
You will also have access to any of the MyMaths exercises and tutorials.
Feel free to complete as many as you wish!
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Other Excellent Resources
Textbooks
A Level Chemistry a for OCR Student Book
Published:23 Jul 2015
ISBN13:9780198351979
ISBN10:0198351976
Or the two individual Year 1 and Year 2 book versions
Revision Guides
Mike Smith Revision Guides published by Philip Allan
Several in a series covering the whole of the
specifcation
CGP Revision guides
During the year we will be selling these revision
guides at a reduced price
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Websites
OCR For all course information including specifications
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-chemistry-a-h032-
h432-from-2015/
Chemrevise
https://chemrevise.org/ocr-revision-guides/
Knockhardy
http://alevelchemistry.co.uk/OCR%20Chemistry%20A/OCR%20Chemistr
y%20A%20home.html
Chemguide
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/
Royal Society of Chemistry RSC
http://www.rsc.org/Learn-Chemistry
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Finally advice from previous students……