This document provides an overview of the topics that will be covered in a chemistry class, including: 1) An introduction to the teacher and a review of the agenda, classroom policies, and syllabus. 2) A definition of chemistry as the science concerned with the structure, composition, and properties of matter, as well as changes during chemical reactions. 3) A discussion of important skills for success in chemistry like math, thinking, reading, and study skills.

1. Welcome to Chemistry!
Mrs. Mawhiney

2. Agenda
Student / Parent Information Sheets
Classroom Policies
Safety Contracts
Syllabus
Calendar
What is chemistry?

3. What is chemistry?
Chemistry is a science.
– Science comes from the Latin word
meaning “knowledge”.
– The goal of science is to methodically
study the physical world in order to
learn about it.
– The study of Matter

4. What is chemistry?
Chemistry is a science concerned with the
structure, composition, and properties of matter,
as well as the changes it undergoes during
chemical reactions.
Chemistry began with the discovery of fire.

5. Chemistry Survival Skills
Math – Algebra 1 or better.
– If math is not your strong point, get help now!
– Don’t wait!
Thinking
– You need to be able to think independently and make simple
logical deductions.
Reading
– You should be able to get meaning from what you read.
– If you read without retaining, you’re not really reading.
Study Skills
– Yes, you do need to study, regardless of how many A’s
you’ve gotten in past classes.

6. Chemistry Preconceptions
“If I passed biology, I should do well in
chemistry.”
– The Reality: Chemistry and biology are different
subjects. Passing one doesn’t indicate that you’ll do
well in the other. Failing one also doesn’t mean that
you’ll fail the other.
“We’re going to have to memorize the entire
periodic table.”
– The Reality: I will ask you to know the names and
symbols of the most commonly used element, but
memorizing the entire table is pointless.

7. Chemistry Preconceptions
“We get to blow things up in chemistry.”
– The Reality: Chemistry isn’t about blowing things up.
Chemistry is the study of the nature of matter. If you
constantly ask “When do we get to blow something up,” that
makes me very nervous about letting you go into lab.
“I don’t plan to become a scientist, so I don’t really need
to know chemistry.”
– The Reality: Even if a science career is not in your future,
chemistry teaches you about more than just atoms and
molecules. Chemistry also teaches you valuable science
thinking skills, and that will help you out in real life.

8. Chemistry Preconceptions
“Chemistry is hard!”
– The Reality: Chemistry does require attention to
detail, the ability to think in the abstract, and good
study habits. If you lack any of those skills (and you
aren’t willing to develop them), then you might find
chemistry very difficult. Otherwise, chemistry is no
more difficult than any other science.
“Chemicals and fire are dangerous!”
– The Reality: Chemicals and fire can be dangerous if
they are misused. If you follow lab safety rules, then
the probability of you getting hurt is extremely small.

9. Chemistry Preconceptions
“I’m not good at taking tests.”
– The Reality: It’s a sad fact of life that your
performance in this and other classes will be judged
largely based on your test grades. If you have poor
test-taking skills, now is the time to improve. When
you go to college, you will have a lot more riding on
your test grades than you do now, and it might be
too late by then. I strongly suggest you use a search
engine to locate online resources aimed at helping
you improve your test-taking skills.