Zeina Koolivand
Engaging AP Chemistry lessons with problem solving focus
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Private tutor - Zeina Koolivand
Masters degree
/ 30 min
Zeina - About your AP tutor
Hello! I’m Zeina Koolivand, an enthusiastic AP Chemistry tutor with a Master’s in Analytical Chemistry. My passion for teaching stems from a desire to demystify complex concepts and connect them to real-world applications. I believe that chemistry is not just a subject but a lens through which we can better understand the world around us. My teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment where students feel empowered to ask questions and explore their curiosities. Every student is unique, so I tailor my approach to meet individual learning needs and styles. By utilizing a mix of hands-on experiments, visual aids, and relatable examples, I strive to make the learning experience both engaging and memorable. I am committed to building my students’ confidence and fostering critical thinking skills. My goal is to help you grasp the material and develop a deeper appreciation for chemistry as a subject. Whether you’re in high school, college, or navigating your professional career, I’m here to guide you on your journey to success in AP Chemistry. Let’s embark on this exciting learning adventure together, and unlock your potential in the fascinating world of chemistry!
Rated 5 stars for test prep
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Rated 4.9/5 for effective test prep
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Teaching methodology
As an AP Chemistry tutor, I tailor my teaching approach to cater to students of all backgrounds, whether they are in high school, college, or adult learners returning to education. My teaching methodology is designed to be inclusive and adaptable, ensuring that every student can engage with the material at their level. Problem-Solving Focus: I emphasize problem-solving as a critical skill in chemistry. Through targeted practice, I guide students in tackling complex questions and breaking them down into manageable steps. This not only builds their confidence but also equips them with the tools to approach future challenges independently. Engagement and Interactivity: To foster a dynamic learning environment, I incorporate interactive discussions that encourage students to express their thoughts and ask questions. This dialogue helps students connect with the material on a deeper level and promotes a collaborative atmosphere where ideas can be shared and explored. Hands-On Practical Sessions: Understanding chemistry often requires a tactile approach, so I integrate hands-on experiments into my sessions whenever possible. These practical experiences not only reinforce theoretical concepts but also spark curiosity and excitement about the subject. Concept-Focused Explanations: I believe that a strong foundation in fundamental concepts is essential for success in chemistry. My detailed explanations focus on core ideas, ensuring that students understand not just how to solve problems but also the reasoning behind the methods. This depth of understanding is crucial for mastering complex topics.
AP tutor test prep specialities
A-Levels (UK)
Australian Curriculum (AU)
Concepts learning
GCSE (UK)
Advanced Placement (AP) Program (USA)
Homework help
Assignment help

AP concept taught by Zeina
The Tutor and Student reviewed atomic structure, Bohr's theory, wavelength, frequency, and electron configurations. The Student practiced writing electron configurations and learned about exceptions to the filling order. The next session will cover periodic trends, and the Student will share lesson notes for focused teaching.
Wavelength and Frequency
Noble Gas Configuration
Electron Configuration
Quantum Mechanical Model (Schrödinger Model)
Absorption and Emission
Bohr's Atomic Theory
Energy and Electromagnetic Radiation
The Student reviewed electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions and their mechanisms, including halogenation, nitration, sulfonation, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation/acylation. They also covered hybridization, focusing on predicting molecular shapes based on the number of bonding and non-bonding domains. The next session will cover halogen alkanes and alcohols.
Predicting Hybridization using Steric Number
Hybridization: Atomic Orbital Mixing
Directing Effects of Substituents on Benzene Rings
Reaction Mechanisms in Electrophilic Substitution
Benzene Reactions: Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
The Tutor and Student discussed atomic theory, including Dalton's postulates, subatomic particles (electrons, protons, neutrons), and radioactivity. They covered the experiments of Thomson, Millikan, Rutherford, and Chadwick and their respective contributions to understanding atomic structure. The Tutor assigned reviewing the topics covered in preparation for discussing isotopes and atomic mass in the next session.
Atomic Number (Z) and Mass Number (A)
Chadwick and the Discovery of Neutrons
Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment and the Nucleus
Radioactivity: Alpha
Beta
and Gamma Rays
Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment and Electron Charge
Subatomic Particles: Electrons and the Cathode Ray Tube
Zeinab and Ahmed discussed acid-base titrations, including strong acid-strong base and weak acid-strong base titrations, focusing on calculations of pH at different points in the titration and the interpretation of titration curves. They worked through examples from the textbook, including calculating pH before, during, and after the equivalence point. Zeinab assigned electrochemistry as the topic for the next session.
Titration
Neutralization Reaction
Equivalence Point
Buffer Solution
Half-Equivalence Point
Zeinab tutored Rishita on the history of atomic theory, covering Dalton's postulates, Thomson's discovery of the electron, Millikan's oil drop experiment, Becquerel's discovery of radioactivity, and Rutherford's gold foil experiment. They reviewed the key experiments and models associated with each scientist. The next session will cover the Bohr model, Schrodinger, and isotopes.
Dalton's Atomic Theory
Cathode Ray Tube Experiment
Plum Pudding Model
Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment
Radioactivity
Zeinab and Ahmed discussed the properties of salts, including how to determine if a salt is acidic, basic, or neutral. They worked through examples of pH calculations for salts and buffers, and Zeinab introduced the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Zeinab assigned practice problems on buffers and mentioned that the next session would cover titrations.
Effect of Structure on Acidity (Oxyacids)
Salt Classification
Buffer Solutions
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
Effect of Structure on Acidity (HX)
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