AP Chem II Classes Start Early Morning Optional Classes

The Chemistry II class has started optional classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 am. Although the the classes are optional, the material covered will be on the final and the AP test according to Cole Ogdon, the Chemistry II teacher. The idea to meet before school for learning originated after the last two snow days.

“In the past we have normally done it like we’ve one mega session on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday evening or something like that just to review for the test before the test.” said Ogdon “But, we kind of got the triple whammy this year because all the snow days, five days of school that we missed.”

In addition to the loss of time with the snow days this year, the block schedule in April, due to state assessment testing, has also cut class time.

“On block we lose about two weeks of class time…so it’s been increasingly difficult to cover all of the content just on regular days even without the snow days,” said Ogdon.

In addition to the material covered, the optional classes will also provide necessary study time for the  AP exam which is scheduled May 6th. For students who are not able to participate in these classes will have to learn the material on their own.

“What some AP teachers do in other disciplines, not in chemistry, they’ll just give students packets or resources to learn the material on their own, but I feel that it’s my job as a teacher to provide them with some insight and some personal knowledge of what that material is rather than expecting them to learn it on their own.” said Ogdon

There is some speculation that IB Chemistry may also have to schedule optional meeting time.

“IB has done it in the past…but they’re not under as much pressure any more because they don’t test higher level in chemistry, they only test at the standard level now so they don’t have to cover as much content as they used to,” Ogdon said.