So things are different this year.  Each Friday, Chemistry I students will be quizzed on a new set of items that will be assigned each week.  Memory quizzes are just that... a chance to develop our memories!  Our first few weeks will be spent memorizing the names and symbols of the elements on the periodic table.  Kind of important, as those are the elements we will be using and studying the rest of the year! 

Here are my tips for successful memorization:
1.  Build a master list, adding each weeks items to the list so it grows as the year goes on!  You'll need to study up on the old stuff because it will show up again on future quizzes.
2.  Make flashcards!  Flashcards are a great, portable way to study and memorize.  Make a flashcard for each memory item of the week, and carry them around with you everywhere you go.  When you find a free minute, pull them out and go through them once!  At the end of the week, put the old flashcards in a pile and make sure you keep them to review!
3.  Practice writing each item!  By writing the list over and over again, you are practicing for the quiz, and your brain is making a much stronger memory of each item!  Make it a goal to write the list of items each week at least 20 times, and watch your scores improve!!!
4.  Practice, practice, practice!  Memorization takes time and it takes practice.  Realize that 3 or 5 times is not enough to create a memory.  It may take 30, or 50, or even 100 times before you feel confident!  Don't stop studying until you are confident that you will get an A+!
 
Good luck and study hard!

Whilst the Juniors have been busy testing, the rest of us have been learning the Greek Alphabet!  Everything will culminate on Monday when we all show up to school wearing TOGAS and ready to take our Greek Alphabet test!  Just bring a bed sheet and Mr. Smith will show you how to wrap yourself up in your "toga".  It's a fun time, with some singing involved, so study, practice, and let's wear togas!!!!

Well, exams are finally here!  Chemistry I will be taking an exam that covers all the information on the first five tests taken this semester.  All students will have time on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to prepare for exams during class.  Here are a few tips on how to study for your exams.

1.  Study your old tests - Much of the information on the exams is covered on your old tests.  Questions may not be exactly the same, so avoid memorizing specific answers.  Rather, review the questions and answers as a way of remembering concepts.  Many of the multiple choice questions will be similar to those on previous tests.  All students should have corrected versions of their tests that contain the correct answers to study from!  If not, see me or someone else who does to get those answers! 

2.  Correct your old tests - Questions missed on previous tests are clues about topics that you may need help on.  Correcting those questions is most important so that they are not missed again.  Think about each question and why you selected the incorrect answer, and try to understand why a different answer is correct. 

3.  Study your Chapter Reviews - Before each test, students were given a chapter review assignment.  These reviews are vital preparation for tests because they provide practice of problems and concepts that appear on the test.  All students are provided answers and expected to correct their own, so answers on the review should be complete and correct.

4.  Complete the Exam Review - Each student will be given a separate Exam Review to be completed, checked, and turned in the day of the exam.  This review will provide additional practice problems dealing with topics covered on the exam. 

5.  Study Exam Objectives - Objectives are traditionally handed out before all tests and exams that list topics covered on that particular test or exam.  Thorough students will take time to write out those objectives as a form of study and review. 

6.  Be at your physical best!  Research has shown that students who are physically prepared for tests achieve higher performance on tests or exams.  A good night's sleep and nutritious breakfast can help students to have improved mental focus and concentration.  Drinking plenty of water and being well hydrated is also advised, as energy drinks or other sugary beverages can often leave students more jittery or provide only temporary energy that leads to a physical (and mental) crash.  Wear comfortable clothes (but not too comfortable that you just want to sleep) and get rid of any distractions you can. 

These tips will hopefully help students prepare and perform better on their exams!  Good luck!  Study, study, study!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!  There is no school today (and with some luck from Lady Winter there may not be any tomorrow if this freezing rain shows up!)  We are about to complete Chapter 4 on Atomic Structure and the History of Atomic Theory.  On Friday we handed out our chapter review and started working (some students more than others...)  Tomorrow we will be finishing up the review in class to prepare for Wednesday's test over Chapter 4.  Everyone is responsible for checking their own review.  Remember, CHECKING is not simply COPYING, which would be considered CHEATING!  It is not cheating if you are doing the work yourself and using the answer key to self-check and ask questions. 

CHAPTER 4 STUDY SESSION - AFTER SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011
*All students are invited to stay after school the night before the test for a brief study session.  Session will take place from 2:45pm - 3:30pm and will cover most of the major topics on the upcoming test.  Students who attend the session will be rewarded with 3% extra credit on the test.

Reminders:
*Chapter 4 Review will be collected on Friday before the Chapter 4 Test is taken.  Review should be completed and self-checked.  Points are awarded for completion.  Remember, if you didn't actually do it on the review, you won't be able to do it on the test.