Mr. D's Website Directions
Please note: This website is no longer being held up-to-date. I am transitioning to Google Classroom as the up-to-date resource for my courses. I will leave this site as is so it can still be used as a resource, but see the Google Classroom for your course for up-to-date and newer resources.
This website is a companion site for all of my courses. Use the menu on the left to navigate to the separate pages for each of the courses with sub pages for each of the units. On each unit course page you will find course resources and descriptions for quizzes and tests. At the top of the menu on the left is a link to the weekly planner on Common Curriculum. Use the weekly planner to find the daily assignments and schedule for tests, quizzes, and projects.
How to Use this Website
I maintain this website to provide you with extra tools to help you study and stay on top of things. There is a link to each of the units in my courses to the left. On each page, look for the following:
For Chemistry, there is a specific description of each quiz for the unit. The quizzes are based upon very specific knowledge or skills. Make sure you are studying the proper material. The descriptions are specific enough that you should have a good idea about how you will do on the quiz before you enter the classroom. There are no 'surprises' on quizzes.
The PowerPoint notes that I use in class are provided as attachments at the bottom of the page. It is a good idea to use them if you miss class or need them to shore up some of your notes. They are not designed to fully replace the time spent in the classroom, but are useful.
There may be other links or useful items on the web page. It is a good idea to scout out the unit web page at the beginning of each unit to prepare yourself for what is to come.
The daily plans and assignments are part of my Common Curriculum site. Clock on 'Weekly Planner' in the menu to get there.
How to Succeed in My Courses
1. Read your textbook when it is assigned in class. The reason for these reading assignments is to get you to be somewhat familiar with content before we go through it in class. If you neglect to do this portion faithfully, you may limit the amount of learning that can be made during each of the following steps.
2. Take Good Notes. For the most part your notes are planned out for you already. I do it this way so you are kept on task and are providing yourself with good study materials. Take especially good notes on items that are diagrammed on the white board.
3. Pay special attention to demonstrations and labs. Your understanding of the labs and demonstrations will be assessed on the unit tests. It is a good idea to read through the lab directions as an assignment the day before you do them. This helps you to better focus on the application and reason for the lab, rather than just what you are supposed to do. If you are absent for a lab or demonstration, it is your responsibility to make sure you make up for it. This can mean setting up a time with the instructor to do a lab on your own if possible, or getting good notes from another reliable student. You are expected to fill out the labs in your unit portfolio whether you are present or absent.
4. Take charge of your personal education. You are in this course to learn something, not just fill out random pieces of paper. When you are doing your homework, make it yours. There is nothing wrong with asking others (especially your instructor) for help, but it is you alone that will be taking the unit assessments. Be faithful. Regularly analyze what you know and what you might need to know better. Use your gifts and ask questions when you need more understanding.
5. Actually study. There is a large gap between real knowledge and familiarity. Just being familiar with a topic is not good enough. I've set up a purposeful plan for my classes to have you read through the content, take notes, and practice understanding with labs, demonstrations, and written reviews. If you are faithful on a daily basis, it will likely not take much effort to prepare for a test or quiz. (Each of the unit quizzes have specific descriptions at the bottom of the unit web pages on this site. Read through them to make sure you are studying the proper content/skills.)