Strategies to improve performance in my Chemistry class (this list will continue to grow):

·  I am on time to my classes EVERY day.

·  I come to class prepared EVERY day. (Notebook, pen/pencil, calculator)

·  I have good attendance and always make up work within 1 day of my absence when I am absent.

·  If I am absent or struggling in class, I make an appointment with my teacher for tutoring.

·  I use the class website to access and read my assignments/projects to help me better understand class assignments and class expectations and look at examples for big projects.

·  I check the class calendar every day to make sure I am staying on top of my homework assignments.

·  I do not have any missing assignments.

·  If I am confused, I email Miss Scott and ask for clarity about the assignment.

·  I use Aeries to check my grades and missing assignments weekly.

·  I review a Chemistry concept in our current unit each day.

·  I rewrite my notes (from class website) on a concept I am struggling with.

·  I go to afterschool tutoring in the HELP (after school homework help) in C111

·  I go on the class website and use the online quizzes and extra worksheets for practice. I make an appointment and I review the worksheets with Miss Scott.

·  I make flashcards for new vocabulary.

·  If I’m struggling to complete homework, I come in at lunch to work on it with Miss Scott

·  I review the study guide key and then rewrite the study guide.

·  I ask myself, “why was my answer incorrect? Why does the correct answer make more sense?”

·  If you are struggling in the course, you should be making an appointment to meet with Miss Scott at least once a week.

·  I review my quizzes that I didn’t do well on with Miss Scott – Tests usually have some similarities to the quizzes. In some units, I am allowed to replace my test score with my quiz score, so I want to make sure I’m improving.

·  Develop techniques for memorizing – rhymes? Acronyms? Songs?

·  Draw a diagram as a “hint” for hard concepts.

·  Form a study group.

·  Google “quiz and test questions” for our unit à a lot of great resources are online! Practice tests, ready-made flashcards, etc.

·  I make an appointment with Miss Scott to go over quizzes, tests, labs, homework assignments that I did not score as well on so I can learn from my mistakes and figure out what I need to review more to improve.

General Test Taking Strategies and Hints:

o  Mark an answer for every question.

o  When answering short-answer questions, remember that the objective is to demonstrate how well you can explain and support an idea, not just what you know. Keep the following in mind:

§  Read over all the questions before you start to write. Underline key words likedefine,compare,explain,etc.

§  Think before you write. Remember, a good answer:

1.  Starts with a direct response to the question.

2.  Mentions the topics or areas described in the question.

3.  Provides specific as well as general information.

4.  Uses the technical vocabulary of the course.

§  Then map or outline the main points you want to make, determine the order in which you want to write your points, determine the support you want to add, then write.

§  Write legibly. Leave some space so you can add to your answer, later.

§  Proofread your essay. Check for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. This often adds points!

o  When problem solving, ask yourself:

§  What am I being asked to find?

§  What do I need to know in order to find the answer?

§  What information has been provided that will help me to find the answer?

§  How can I break the problem down into parts? What steps should I follow to solve the problem?

§  Does the answer make sense? Does it cover the whole problem?