Students who take chemistry must pass Algebra I. If you did not pass Algebra I with at least a "C", you will have to work extra hard in chemistry.  Chemistry has lots and lots of algebra in it.  If you can't do algebra, you can't do chemistry.  Often times chemistry might seem more like a math class than a science class.

You will need to purchase a scienctifica calculator, a three-ring binder, and pencils.  You need pencils!  Chemistry is much harder if you use a pen.  You need to bring these supplies with you everyday even if you don't think you are going to need them along with you PERIODIC TABLE (aka your best friend).  Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!  If students choose to complete their assignment with something other than a blue/balck pen or graphite pencil, they will be down graded 10% for not following directions.

Basically, most students who take chemistry will find no practical application for the vast majority of the subject matter of chemistry.  But chemistry is like doing jumping jacks before a football game.  Does anyone ever do jumping jacks during a football game? Of course not...so why do you do them?  To get ready for the game.  You take chemistry for the same reason.  You are stretching your brain to get ready for whatever you might do in the future.

Chemistry is like a pyramid.  We start out by laying the ground work for what is to come.  We begin by learning many things like the names and symbols of the elements, how to read the periodic table, what is mole, how do you calculate molecular weight, balancing equations, how do you convert from one unit to another, etc.  Indivdually none of these parts are difficult to learn. Many students miss a bit here and a bit there, and pretty soon they have no idea what is going on.  The base of the pyramid is incomplete and the rest of the pyramid collapses due to poor planning by the chemistry student.  This student will not pass chemistry. 

Nothing is more important in your everyday school life than coming to chemistry class on time and prepared to learn.  Coming to chemistry class takes priority over field trips, shopping trips, class meetings, etc.


 What  will be covered in chemsitry....

• Significant Figures, Scientific Notation, and Measurement
  
• The Metric System and Converting from unit to unit
• Introduction to Chemistry
• Elements
• Nomenclature
• 
  
• Bonding
  
• VSPER
  
• The Mole
• Balancing Chemical Equations and Types of REactions
• Stoichiometry
  
• Gas  Laws
• Molarity
  

chemtutor

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/ChemTeamIndex.html