Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Why do we have a math assessment at the beginning of the year?
- Should I have successfully passed Algebra II before enrolling in Chemistry?
- My math skill are not strong, but I would like to be successful...
- Are you available for tutoring?
- Can I turn in late work?
- Is make up work considered late work?
- When do I make up a quiz or test?
- How do I get my missing work?
- Are there retests available?
- Do I have to take the Chemistry SOL?
- I have all of my SOL credits to graduate, do I have to take the Chemistry SOL?
- What is my grade?
- What happens if I refuse to copy a paper from the book of consequence?
- Why is it important that I keep an interactive notebook?
- Is it possible to change my grade after the nine weeks is over?
- WAIT! I can not do my homework because I don't have a computer at home!
- May I simply print the notes of the website and paste them in my notebook?
- What is extra credit?
- Is Chemistry hard?
- Have you ever heard,
Why do we have a math assessment at the beginning of the year?
To be successful in Chemistry, you must acquire a strong
background in certain math skills. Many Chemistry concepts are
taught with the understanding that such foundation has been
established. Because of the rigorous curriculum, time does not
allow these math skills to be taught in the class.
Should I have successfully passed Algebra II before enrolling in Chemistry?
General Chemistry...No. However, for Honors Chemistry, students
are strongly encouraged to have successfully completed Algebra II
due to the nature of its curriculum. ALL students must at least
be enrolled in Algebra II and currently in the 10th, 11th, or
12th grade.
My math skill are not strong, but I would like to be successful...
You could still be successful in Chemistry. We can discuss your
math test results and set up a math tutorial while the year is
new. This can help you prepare for the course curriculum. I
would encourage you to enroll in General Chemistry because of the
slower pace.
Are you available for tutoring?
Yes, I am. I am available everyday after school until at least
2:45. We normally have faculty meetings on Wednesdays, so I do
not encourage you to come then. My scheduled tutoring days are
Tuesdays, I will be available until 4:00. Any other time is by
appointment only.
Can I turn in late work?
Late homework is not accepted. Your homework consists of simply
copying notes to prepare yourself for the following lecture. You
will be given an open notebook quiz on these notes. It is not
fair to others that you turn in "copied" notes late and receive
the same easy quiz grade that they did.
Classwork is considered late after the end of the next class
day. You must
turn in an alternate assignment and can only get half credit
after this
point. No classwork is accepted after papers have been graded
and
redistributed.
Is make up work considered late work?
According to school policy, make up work is to be turned in 5
consecutive days (not class periods) after an excused absence.
After the 5th day, make up work is considered late work.
When do I make up a quiz or test?
If you have an excused absence on the scheduled day of a quiz or
test, you will make it up on the day of your return.
How do I get my missing work?
You will receive a 9 week calander with specific lessons,
classwork, homework, labs, quiz dates and test dates. You should
refer to your calander for the missing session. EVERYTHING is
posted online.
Are there retests available?
For every test given, the student does have an opportunity to
retest. This retest is usually scheduled 2-3 days from the
original test and is to be completed after school. THE FIRST
TEST MUST BE SIGNED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN. You will not be
able to retake a test after the alloted time.
Do I have to take the Chemistry SOL?
Yes. One of the course objectives (a required fulfillment) is to
successfully pass the VA EOC Chemistry SOL. This is a mandatory
objective in order to pass the class with a satisfactory grade.
I have all of my SOL credits to graduate, do I have to take the Chemistry SOL?
Yes. You are enrolled in a SOL core course and you are required
to take the Chemistry SOL.
What is my grade?
You may log onto gradespeed to find out your grade at any time.
Please do not ask me.
What happens if I refuse to copy a paper from the book of consequence?
If you choose not to copy a paper from the book of consequence,
you will be disciplined according to school regulations. These
actions may include after-school detention, a referral, and any
recommendation made by the principal or assistant principal.
Why is it important that I keep an interactive notebook?
Besides the fact that it improves your notetaking, organization
skills and deepens your understanding, it is worth a major grade
(test)after each grading period.
Is it possible to change my grade after the nine weeks is over?
Believe it or not, this a commonly asked question. However the
answer remains the same. Your nine weeks grade is a result of
work received throughout that grading period. After the grading
period is over, you receive your average. You can not make up
work or redo work to better your nine weeks grade.
WAIT! I can not do my homework because I don't have a computer at home!
That sounds like a big issue. In the event that you do not have
a computer at home, there are a number of ways to retrieve your
notes. If you have a myspace account, use the computer that you
go on myspace (or youtube). I will supply copies of the whole
unit at the beginning of each unit. It is your responsibility to
retreive a copy on lab or test day of the preceeding Unit. The
notes are for the WHOLE UNIT, so if you only have limited access,
you may get the whole unit (about 2 weeks worth of homework) at a
time. If you have a computer class, you may access my website, or
go into my teacher folder to retrieve the notes (I can give you
step-by-step instructions on how to do so). If there is anytime
in class after the lecture is complete, I will post the notes for
THE NEXT LECTURE DAY. It will be your responsibility to use
your time wisely and copy the notes. You may also come back
after school to get the notes for the upcoming lectures.
May I simply print the notes of the website and paste them in my notebook?
Sure...but it will only be worth half the point value. So
instead of homework counting 10% of your final grade, it will
only be 5%. If you do this, you are no longer eligible to receive
EXTRA credit.
What is extra credit?
Assignments that may be done IN ADDITION TO mandatory assignments
to get more credit. For example, if your nine weeks grade is a
93/B with all your assignments completed, you may obtain extra
credit to receive that A. However, if your average is a 77/D
with missing assignments, you can not obtain EXTRA points
because you did not do the assignments the were mandatory.
Is Chemistry hard?
Chemistry is quite challenging if you do not put forth the effort
of studying. You will need to remember everything from the
beginning of the year because the information builds on itself
(cumunlative). I have ways of teaching that allows you to
remember the information quite easily, but you must do you part
and come prepared.
Have you ever heard,
EVERY YEAR! I love my job as a teacher, and I love my students,
however, that has nothing to do with your grade. It is possible
to fail a cool teacher, just ask...;o)