Chemistry

Handbook

2017-18

www.holycrosschemistry.weebly.com

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Holy Cross

Chemistry Department

2017/8

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 500 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 .................................................................. 11

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 ................................................................................... 13

Textbooks .................................................................................................................. 14

Revision Guides ......................................................................................................... 14

Websites .................................................................................................................... 14

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

Miss A. Smith / Mr V. Hahn

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 11th September 2017 (L6 only)

w/c 25th September 2017

w/c 9th October 2017 KA1

w/c 28th November 2017 KA2

w/c 5th February 2018 KA3

w/c 23rd April 2018 KA4 (Mock Week)

w/c 11th June 2018 (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.

Hour Key Activity/Skill Student Actions

1 Act upon feedback from

h/wk or test

Use electronic textbook and the

homework or test mark scheme to

correct mistakes and eradicate

errors.Attend Support sessions.

2** Improve factual

knowledge

Memorise definitions, equations,

reagents & conditions, mechanisms,

diagrams & graphs. Use summary

cards and peer testing (study

buddy).

3 Past paper practice

Do at least 3 extra questions to

master the topic. Use mark

schemes to help you master

question analysis and precise

answering.

4 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.

5** Review of current topic Make summary notes or power

point or mind maps.

6 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.

7** Revisiting previous

topics/modules

Revisit notes, past paper questions

(Examquest), revisit homework and

tests

**Use the electronic text book along with the topic list provided.

Do exercises in your independent learning orange book.

Chemistry Department Intervention

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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:

If attendance falls below 90% and/or 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, parents will be invited in for meeting,

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 Senior Manager (ASM) 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 ASM 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: minus

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!

Other Excellent Resources

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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

Websites

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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……