Why Study Chemistry?

化学 Chemistry in Japanese Literally means “change study.” Chemistry is the study of matter: the composition of matter and the changes matter undergoes.

Quimica That’s Chemistry in Spanish From Google Translate… La química es el estudio de la materia: la composición de la materia y la materia sufre cambios.

Mr. Duarte. (Majored in Chem at South Carolina) Chemistry… Chemistry is one of the first classes you take in high school that really makes you think. Mr. Duarte. (Majored in Chem at South Carolina)

Chemistry… Chemistry is one of the first classes you take where even the smart kids have to study. Mr. Hine

Mrs. Radolinski Chemistry… Chemistry is an advanced class. And Advanced Chemistry is even more advanced. Mrs. Radolinski

The Easy Way to Pass Chemistry Study Hard! Turn in your homework and lab reports on time. Pay attention in class. The more you learn in class, the less you have to learn (by yourself) at home. Ask for help when needed, even if that means coming after school or during Jayem AM.

The SOL The SOL is no longer totally multiple choice! My goal is that YOU will pass this test. If that is your goal TOO, we have LOTS of work to do. But the good news is: over 90% of all my students always pass the SOL. You will too IF you work with me. I cannot do it for you though.

500 on the SOL? What’s in it for ME? An “A” on your final! For Chemistry, 500 or above = 100 for final exam. 499 = 90 or A-. For Adv Chem, 500 or above = 90 or higher for final exam. 499 = 89 or B+

Chem IS Try You will get the grade you EARN in my class, even if you don’t like it. Everyone who tries, and does their work consistently ends up with at least a C. Maybe B or A (and passed the SOL).

The Best Thing to Do if you want an A Come to get HELP after school when you don’t understand something. Sometimes 2 minutes with me can save you 2 hours of frustration at home later. Don’t give up. I don’t know is not an acceptable answer in science. Think! Figure it out! Even a wrong answer is better than no answer at all.

AND STUDY HARD!! 20-30 minutes every night! After you do all your reading and homework, etc. for the night. If you do, you won’t end up looking like this poor kitty the night when I hand you the test.

It takes Time and EFFORT! Cramming doesn’t work well in this class. You can’t study once a week and catch up either. You will be completely confused. You’ll want to give up. And you probably will. It took over 250 years of hard work by thousands of brilliant scientists to “figure out” Chemistry! How are you going to learn it in 5 minutes?

It’s not relevant to my life. Am I ever going to use THIS? How should I know? But since Chemistry is all around you, I’m going to guess YES. Do you like to cook?

Chemistry (or Schwartz) is too Hard! It’s not. I’m not. I am demanding and I have high expectations. I have a life too, and I still prepare for this class, so I expect you to do the SAME THING! It’s UNSOLVABLE!!

There’s Math in Chemistry! Yeah, there is. Algebra 1. Lots of it. And word problems! This will seem like your second math class. But you get good at what you practice. If you are good at Algebra, you can do all the math you need to pass almost every course in high school AND college. It’s UNSOLVABLE!!

Helpful Hints Take it one step at a time. You can’t do Chapter 19 in your book until you have completed most of the first 18 chapters. Break down complicated words and sentences into terms that you understand better. Don’t just copy what the book says into your notes. Rewrite it in your words, so you understand what you wrote. Know the VOCAB. I know it, and I’m going to use it. If you don’t understand the words, you won’t know what I am talking about. We will have vocab and spelling quizzes in Chemistry! Scientists love big words. They think it makes them sound really smart. But learn these words, and you’ll sound just as smart as they do.

Chemistry Builds on Itself If you don’t understand what we are doing today, you aren’t going to get it tomorrow, because what we learn tomorrow will depend on what we learned today. Google if you don’t understand something! Ask questions! Work with each other! That’s what you do naturally when YOU WANT TO LEARN something. You look it up. You ask someone. You figure it out! It works for Chemistry too (and other stuff you really don’t care about).

Notes are not optional! Take notes in the MAIN part of the page. Do last! Summary Section…one or two sentences about this page of notes CUES 1-2 words Main part for Notes . . Use bullet points .. Abbreviate . Draw pictures to . help you. . You do not have . to write in . complete . sentences. Main Part for Notes Take notes in the MAIN part of the page. The CUES are hints. Cover up the main part and see if the cues help you to recall that information when you study. The SUMMARY is what the page is all about. Or you can add something later in this part. Use loose leaf paper and a binder. Do 2nd Do this part first.

Backpacks on the FLOOR! There’s too many people in this class to put all of your personal belongings on the desks. Ladies, that includes your purse. Put them on the floor, please! This is a rule. Do not make me say this every day.

Cell Phones OFF AND AWAY! I know you can text now before and after class out in the hall. Please keep them off and away in here though.

Passes out of Class I do not give passes to locker for any reason. Bring your stuff to class! No bathroom passes at all Unless written in YOUR agenda During first and last 10 minutes of each class. You get 2 passes each week.

Tardies… I do mark tardies! When the bell rings, you should be In your seat Ready to work Quit talking If you are outside in the hall after the bell rings, you are tardy.

Remember… What you actually learned is… What you have left after you forgot all the other stuff I told you. Learning requires real effort on your part. Teaching just requires you to sit there and act like you are paying attention. I am here to help you learn! But I can’t “learn you.”

Rest of the Week: Weds Lab Safety and Equipment A little demo or two A safety video You don’t need to bring anything but your notebook and something to write with.

Rest of the Week: Thurs Pretest. Bring your calculator and a pencil. You have 60 minutes. It will not count as a test grade, but I will give you a classwork grade for doing your best. After the pretest…we will talk about the lab on Friday. Get a composition notebook for lab reports and data and bring it on Friday.

Rest of the Week: Friday Lab Safety and Equipment Quiz Proper Use of Electronic Balances Diaper Lab You don’t need to bring anything but your lab notebook, your lab handout and something to write with.

Rest of the Week: Monday Chapter 1 & 2 powerpoint. Bring your book every day starting on Monday, unless I say otherwise. Remember, I do not write passes to go to lockers

Homework Get a composition notebook (I have a limited supply for sale for $1 each) by Friday. Notes for Chapter 2 2 pages (front + back = 1 page) for chem. 3 pages for Adv Chem. Due Monday, September 9th.

Homework Notes for Chapter 3 2 pages (front + back = 1 page) for chem. 3 pages for Adv Chem. Due Weds, September 11th.

Homework Notes for Chapter 4 2 pages (front + back = 1 page) for chem. 3 pages for Adv Chem. Due Weds, September 18th.

Homework Due Tomorrow: must be handwritten 1 page (front of a sheet of paper) essay on the following question: Why are you taking Chemistry (or Adv Chem) and what are you willing to do to earn the grade YOU want in Chem (or Adv Chem) this semester?

sschwartz@cityschools.com