what can I expect

So you’re taking Chemistry…
What Can I Expect question mark
Some information you should know

Chemistry is unlike any other class you’ve taken in high school. You cannot memorize information and do well, although you might have been able to do so in previous science classes.You need to approach chemistry like a combination math and English class. Not only do you need to know the definition of something but also how to apply its meaning, give examples of how it is used or why it is important, and explain its meaning in your own words.

What should I expect?

Classes will always work steadily from bell to bell. There will be no down time. Any time that you think that there is you should be finishing any outstanding work.
We will begin multiple activities in one class period, what is unfinished that day will be your homework.
Your binder, calculator and lab book will be needed in class everyday.
Organization is your friend. Lack of it will be your enemy and downfall. Use a system and stick with it.
You will have homework every night. Plan on spending 30 minutes on chemistry homework for every time you have class.(See #2)
All work must be completed, corrected and in the correct binder or lab book. (NEW!!)

Study Tips

Since this class is different from others, you may have to rethink your study habits. Here are some suggestions for how to study effectively for this class. Work smarter! not longer.

When you are doing an assignment in class, make sure that you work to understand the assignment while you are doing it. Make sure an show all work with units so you will understand what you are studying for math calculations. ASK questions for clarification while you are working. That way when you go back to study, you already understand the information, you are just refreshing your memory.

The quizzes are given to ensure you understand the concepts being taught. You will be told when these are given. Study the worksheet and or lab for the topic to be checked.

Take the pre-test just like a test. Quiet, without the use of notes at first and see how many you already know. When you think you’ve answered and explained all of the ones you can, then take out your unit sheet and assignments for the unit. Find sample problems in the text or on a worksheet (Check the study and practice of the unit sheet for text pages). By doing this, you know what information you need to study, possible questions for class when reviewing for test and what information you are confident that you know.

When studying refer to your class work, homework and pre-test. Cover the answers and explanations and try to answer and explain the questions again. If you can answer and explain your class work and pre-test questions, you should do well on the multiple choice section of the test. If you are struggling with a certain topic, go back to the notes on that topic or the assignment that practiced that topic.

Do not just memorize the unit sheet. Read it and understand and what you are supposed to know from each topic. Reading over the worksheets and Lab are also helpful.

Retakes are available in case you had trouble with a part of the test. You should be studying for the exam the first time so that you do not have to do retakes since there is only one retake per nine weeks. If you have to do more than 2-3 benchmarks in a unit then you are not studying enough for the initial test.