How can you help your child succeed in chemistry? Below are some frequently asked questions:
- Has your child completed all of his or her assignments?
- Is your child attending class regularly?
- Does your child understand the material we learn in class?
- Is your child prepared for class? Is your child participating?
- Is your child especially interested in chemistry or other sciences?
- My child did not do well on a recent test. What can he/she do?
Has your child completed all of his or her assignments?
Research has shown that students who complete homework have a more positive
attitude toward attending classes. At-home work makes up 30-40% of a
student�s grade. Is your child writing down all assignments, noting their due
date? Is he or she turning in assignments on time? Checking for missing
assignments? Does your child understand the homework? I am available after
school or by e-mail.
Is your child attending class regularly?
It is the student�s responsibility to come at an appropriate time
(before/after class or school) to find out what he or she might have missed
after an absence. Typically, a student who misses class can obtain that
day�s notes from a classmate. Students who choose to miss class for a field
trip and other extracurricular events are also expected to make up all
missed work. Coming late, even with a pass, cuts away at our valuable class
time. In addition to receiving detention for tardies, students arriving
late miss work.
Does your child understand the material we learn in class?
Chemistry is difficult! Everybody has struggled in chemistry one time or
another � even Albert Einstein! I encourage your child to come seek after-
school help. I can usually get to the bottom of why he or she is struggling
with a challenging concept. Although I list Wednesday afternoons as my
office hours in A-28, I am usually available 1st period and after school in
the Media Center on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays too! In addition, I
have commons duty 2nd period every day.
Is your child prepared for class? Is your child participating?
Students are required to bring a pen or pencil, their chemistry notebook,
and a scientific calculator to class every day. On days when lab dress is
required, students are not permitted to participate without proper clothing
(no open-toed shoes, no short shorts/skirts, no sleeveless tops, hair tied
back).
I give pop quizzes based on classwork. To succeed, students need to stay
current, reviewing material at home after we cover it. This also allows a
student to come up with questions about ideas he or she did not understand.
Participation in class discussions is key to active learning and part of each
marking period's grade.
Is your child especially interested in chemistry or other sciences?
The job market is in desperate need of people with healthcare training.
Doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, and healthcare personnel are in
high demand. I can talk to your child about how to pursue his or her goals
beyond high school. If students are interested in a particular topic, I
encourage them to bring in something they have learned. We�d all like to
know more about how science affects our world.
My child did not do well on a recent test. What can he/she do?
I do not offer extra credit projects as it is not an appropriate substitute
for the core ideas we try to instill. Completing one's homework and
participating in class are a good start. Reviewing the concepts right after
we learn them is much better than waiting until the night before the quiz or
test. Another helpful study technique is to test yourself: create your own
quiz or flash cards from your notes and ask someone to help!