Dear Parent or Guardian,
Welcome to Castle High School's Chemistry program. To help both parents and students ensure success, we would like to provide some information about the program. Most of this information has already been given to students. Please discuss it with your son or daughter.
First year chemistry is taught by two teachers: Mr. Lockyear and Mrs Collins. Both teachers cover the same material daily, and a student can ask for help from any one of us at any time. This approach insures a consistent program for all students.
This is a rigorous course for most students. We deal with abstract concepts and mathematical problem solving. Some students may struggle---oftentimes, very good students. Perhaps for the first time, your son or daughter may need to rely on good study skills rather than innate ability. Many excellent students have not found it necessary to do this before, and may need your help in organizing their time and developing a plan of action.
You should expect to see students working on chemistry material every day. Each day's notes should be reviewed--each definition should be memorized and stated in the student's own words. Each example should be reviewed and every problem or question answered. The goal is not simply to complete the assignment, but to understand the assignment and its concepts. We will have four test grades each grading period. Studying for these tests must occur nightly in order to understand the material. It is impossible to "cram" for a chemistry test. Please help your student prepare adequately.
We are available on a daily basis for additional help before and after school. At least one of us, and often both of us, will stay at the end of the school day to work with students as long as necessary. This is an excellent way to work on chemistry homework, with answers to problems and help from instructors readily available. Questions from the day's class session can be cleared up before they are forgotten. Please encourage your student to come in early in the year, get comfortable with our after school sessions, and take advantage of this opportunity. We want your student to succeed.
If a student is having a difficult time with a homework assignment, we would be glad to help over the phone in the evening. In the front cover of the textbook, each student has the home phone numbers for both teachers. We would rather spend five minutes on the phone with students than have them close the book and give up for the night.
The students have received a list of ions in class that must be memorized. In approximately two weeks, there will be a memory test consisting of eighty symbols, charges and names. Every student should do well on this test. Students should be studying the ions nightly. We strongly suggest flash cards, or student made practice quizzes to prepare for this test. Too many students put this off until it is too late, and jeopardize their grade by their procrastination. Again, we want your student to succeed.
Our grading policy is explained on the student handout. Please ask your student to share this with you. We hold all students test in our files. If you would like to review a particular test with your student, you are welcome to check a test out. We ask that it be returned promptly.
Receiving an "A" grade is difficult to do and requires hard work and determination on the student's part, but it is not impossible. Students in the past who have maintained a C average in chemistry at Castle have gone on to college and done quite well in chemistry courses. While we realize that this is a difficult course, we feel it is an excellent preparation for college level science courses.
Please help us to make this a positive experience for your student. Feel free to contact us at any time. You are welcome to leave a message at school (853-3331). During the school day we are available as follows:
Mrs. Collins----------1st Period--------7:30-8:30AM
Mr. Lockyear--------7th Period------1:45-2:40PM
Thank you for your assistance. We wish you a good school year.
Sincerely,
Nicole Collins and Patrick Lockyear
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