This is a great course.  I have taught it three times now, always at the Canadian College Italy.  It is laid out by the Ontario curriculum and units include:

 

• Structure and Properties of Matter,

• Organic Chemistry,

• Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction,

• Chemical Systems and Equilibrium, and

• Electrochemistry.

 

Chemistry is often intimidating for students, so I make it my personal challenge to make it seem as accessible as possible.  I do this by breaking down concepts as simply as possible, incorporating videos into my lessons to bring more abstract concepts to life, and by assigning fun and interesting lab activities and projects.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music Video: It was in this course that I first merged my love of music with my love of science by writing and teaching the students a song about organic chemistry and making it into a pop music video. The results have been fantastic and it's a project that other students always ask about. The project has evolved to the students mainly creating the song and directing the video themselves. I am consistently surprised that even though some students seem hesitant at first to be silly, everyone is always on board at the end and are proud of the result. I've even had students who are new to the school tell me they had seen the videos before coming and were excited about my classes.

 

Calorimetry Lab: This is a simple lab that is done in the thermochemistry unit.  A variety of reactions can be monitored using just styrofoam cups, a balance, water, and a thermometre. I do this simple lab activity twice - once as a teaching tool and once as a form of hands-on assessment. I believe it is important to assess students in their lab work as it forces them to be confident in their knowledge and skills and not rely on asking me or others for help.  

 

Ksp Virtual Lab: It is not always possible to do wet labs, so I try to find good online options whenever I can.  This activity is used to teach students about the solubility product constant during the Equilibrium unit by assessing different salts and their saturation points.  

 

Chemical Ornament: I like having a fun Christmas lab activity to do at the end of the semester, and making a chemical ornament is a popular option. Students use tape to cover the metal and leave areas exposed to create a design.  By submerging the ornament in the proper solution, the exposed area becomes plated with copper.