COMMUNICATION:
Remind 101: I post everything on Remind101, including homework assignments, quiz and test dates, lab dates and pictures of Bell Ringers. Remind101 is a free app that students and parents can use to keep up to date. Remind101 also allows safe chatting. Students can get help without us ever having to exchange personal phone numbers. You do not have to have the app; you just need to be able to text.
WikiPage: This is the place where you will find files for each chapter, online lectures and links to important information. I will not post dates on Fusion, as I have found Remind101 much more efficient, no logging in required.
(ophs-ap-chemistry.wikispaces.com)
LECTURES: This year you will find that for some chapters you will watch a recorded lecture through a link on the wiki page, complete the appropriate PowerPoint and then come class to do your homework. You may find that you need to answer questions on a blog or come to class with prepared answers in response to the lecture. It is a must that you check wiki page regularly.
PRINTING: I will occasionally ask you to print documents or have access to these documents through your phone. These will typically be your notes for the chapter. I will teach you how to minimize what needs to be printed. Please know that if you ever need a copy of anything just send me an email or a message through
Remind101.
GRADING FOR AP CHEMISTRY:
All work must be completed in PENCIL. Red pens will be used to make corrections to your homework assignments.
Your grade will be calculated by dividing the points earned by the points possible. With the exception of 4 th quarter where everything counts in both classes because of the time lost in review.
A. Standard Based Summative Assessments – (aka tests or quizzes)
 Each assessment will cover 3-4 standards of material and will be broken down by these standards
 Each assessment will have 3-4 grades assigned to it based on the standards
 At the end of each Big Idea, we will have an assessment that covers all of the standards for from the previous smaller assessments. We may also have quarter tests which will cover all of the material covered in the quarters.
B. Bell Ringers – (small daily formative assessments)
 This will be 1-2 problem done daily covering the current material.
 Students will receive immediate feedback from me and will be able to work on the problem(s) until it is correct.
 This will be a small 20-25 point grade for each unit of study.
C. Summaries – These will be a part of your review for your test and would be an excellent study tool.
 This should be completed once you have completed all the work for the chapter.
 Complete in your bell ringer book.
 Should include important theories and all formulas.
 Include any information you struggled with.
 Make up a couple of problems and solve.
 If I have given you an essay to pre-write here would be a great place to practice it.
ATTENDANCE: It is critical to be in class each day. It’s really hard for me to teach you Chemistry when you are not in the room. I’m good, but not that good. We work from bell to bell. You will always be missing something if you are not in attendance. If you are absent please check the wiki page or email me for information.

EXTRA HELP: Don’t wait to come in for help; a little help can go along way to aid in your success. I am here to help and with single blocking the class after school help will be even more important. Mrs. Gill will be available Tues, Weds and Thurs in 3101 after school. I can be reached via Remind101 until 8pm each evening.
RETESTING: This is available for summative assessments, only.
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Retesting will be available for students scoring below a 70% on any standard on a summative assessment.
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The higher of the two scores will be recorded
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If necessary additional re-test opportunities may be given, re-testing opportunities may be extended to all students and the re-testing may be rescinded completely. This is the sole discretion of Mrs. Gill.
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Students must have completed all homework assignments in order to be eligible for the re-test; these must be submitted to Mrs. Gill prior to the retest being given.
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Students must stay after school to make corrections to the original assessment.
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Students will be given a review assignment specific to the deficient standard that must be completed correctly before the re-test can occur.
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Students will be given the opportunity to be re-assessed through a quarter or Big Idea Quiz at the culmination of the Big Idea.
TEXTBOOK: You need to bring your textbook to class, EVERYDAY!!! It is assumed that in this chemistry class you will actually read, re-read and study the textbook. Your textbook is well written with easy to follow examples, learn how to use your book. They are only one year old and need to be covered in order to keep them nice. We will be using them until I retire. I have a bookshelf designated for book storage, but you must have a cover with your name written distinctly on the spine in order to keep your book in my room during the school day.
FORMATIVE ASSIGNMENTS: (AKA HOMEWORK) Michael Phelps didn’t win a truckload of gold medals without hitting the pool everyday, did you think Mark Zuckerburg just lucked into Facebook, and I pretty sure JayZ had to practice his hits once or twice. So you shouldn’t be shocked with the necessity of practicing a little bit every night.
How can you possibly do well on the summative assessments without practice and remember you can’t retest until all the work is complete. You might as well get on board with the practice schedule just like you would for any extracurricular.
NEW THINGS FOR 2015-2016
LEARNERATOR: We will be using Learnerator to for supplemental practice. I will set up a classroom on the site and will ask you to join. Learnerator is free, but you can upgrade your membership and it will give you access to additional questions and will give you explanations for incorrect answer selections. Current price is $25 and comes with a score guarantee of a 4 or 5 or your money back. They also offer a discount if you like them on Facebook.
SOME NEW THINGS FOR HW:
Since we are single blocked this year homework is going to change a bit. I do not want to waste time reading answers off in class.
The following will be your responsibilities:
1) Complete homework when it is due.
2) Go onto Fusion, access the proper chapter folder and check your homework answers prior to coming to class. Check them in marker, ink, and highlighter, just not pencil.
3) Make sure to mark the problems you would like to ask questions about the next class period.
4) Once you come to class you need to go to the homework binder and honestly report what you completed.
Falsifying this information will impact your grade, you won’t do as well on the summative assessments if you haven’t practiced and received help when necessary. If you don’t complete the problems, you won’t know what you are struggling with.
5) I will check this binder at the end of each day and respond appropriately. Basically if you are not doing your homework you and your parents will here from ASAP.

BINDER – You will need a binder for AP Chemistry, in which you will keep your homework, current chapter materials, etc. You will need to bring this notebook with you every day. I would suggest organizing it by chapters, since we will be relying heavily on the textbook. (You will want to purchase or make approximately 20 dividers, numbered with the chapter number.) This will be an excellent resource that we will use for review for the AP exam.
BELL RINGER BOOK – Please purchase a bound composition notebook to complete your bell ringers. You may store this in the classroom.
AP EXAM: AP Chemistry is a weighted course. In order to earn credit for this course you must take the AP exam scheduled in May. In order to earn college credit for AP Chemistry you will need to earn a 3 or better on that exam, depending on the college. Students who maintain an A or B average all year usually score a 3 or better on the exam.
Most colleges will accept a 3 or better and give you college credits, freeing your college schedule and saving you money. I expect that every student will score a 3 or better on this exam. Purchase an AP Chemistry review book
ASAP; I recommend The Princeton Review Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam (2015 or 2016). Do not buy any year
prior to 2015; the curriculum and structure of the test have changed completely.
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