Standard Grade Chemistry
Topics Taught
This course contributes to pupils’ general education by helping them become aware of the applications of chemistry in everyday life. In addition it will provide a suitable base for study training and for work. The essence of scientific enquiry is problem solving, based on a sound framework of knowledge and understanding. The Chemistry Department aims to develop the skills necessary to achieve success in these enquiries. Topics covered: chemical reactions and their speed, formulae and equation writing, atomic structure and the periodic table, fuels - their structure and chemical reactions bonding and properties of chemicals, acids and alkalis and their reactions, metals corrosion and making electricity, plastics, carbohydrates and fertilisers.
Skills:
- Knowledge and understanding. Pupils should demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of some chemical facts, ideas and techniques and some applications of chemistry in society.
- Problem solving. Pupils should demonstrate their abilities in five aspects of problem solving: Selecting information, presenting information, selecting procedures, concluding and explaining, and predicting and generalising.
- Practical abilities; Within Standard Grade Chemistry there are two categories of practical abilities, techniques and investigations, both of which will be assessed internally.
The techniques involved are Basic Skills - Observation recording, measuring, manipulating apparatus, following instructions and procedural skills. Process Skills - Inference and selecting procedures. Pupils will also have to attempt a minimum of two investigations which will develop and assess the following; Generative skills, experimentation skills, evaluation skills, recording and reporting skills. Marks are allocated to each technique and investigation according to achievement of the criteria and then grades are awarded.
Methodology:
The classes will be mixed ability and pupils will have an opportunity of working on their own and in groups. A range of teaching approaches ensures that pupils achieve to the best of their ability and enjoy the subject. In addition to prepared notes and text references, molecular models, videos, slides, audio tapes and a number of computer packages will be used to enhance this course.
Pupil Notes:
In some areas pupils make their own notes from the topic notes provided, the course textbook and other resource references while others are more teacher directed. Guidance will be given at the beginning of the course on the methods of note making. Notes will be checked regularly by the class teacher and brief topic summaries and learning outcomes are issued to guide and encourage revision
Homework
Homework will consist of completing notes begun in class, answering questions on the current topic and for revision, writing summaries and revising for topic tests/ examinations. Homework will be issued by the teacher as appropriate to the pupils’ position in the topic.
Assessments (Internal and External)
Assessment in standard grade chemistry Topic tests will be given either at the end of every topic or second topic (covering both topics), with at least one week’s notice. There will also be class examinations and a prelim examination. All tests/examinations will assess achievement of knowledge and understanding and problem solving skills and the results will be used in pupil reports. Since awards to pupils in Standard Grades are based on both internal and external assessments these tests and examinations are very important. Grades Attainable in Standard Grade Chemistry - Grade 1, 2: Credit award, Grade 3, 4: General award, Grade 7: Course completed.
Next Steps
Pupils can then choose to move onto Higher Chemistry.
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