[neact] Re: AP Chemistry
- From: Jerusha Vogel <jj@xxxxxxxx>
- To: neact@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:11:18 -0500
Hi Mel,
What a great question for this listserve. As a teacher in one of those schools
which offers AP chem in lieu of honors (and does not have a second year option)
I would also like to address the question. We still get a VERY high number of
students who sign up for the AP class. (Last year we had 6 sections - our
school size is about 1900). Certainly there are students who are not served by
this system. There are many kids who are not ready to take AP the first time
they see Chemistry, yet find that they really enjoy it and are not given the
opportunity to take a second year. Those that take the AP are required to work
very hard - they are given summer assignments, and chapters to learn on their
own over each break. Since the AP comes in May, we only have 8 months to teach
what is basically two years worth of chemistry. It can be quite overwhelming
for some kids. However, most do well in class and do well on the AP. It does
give them the opportunity to take AP levels in three different sciences which
would not be possible otherwise (They take AP bio in 10th grade, and AP physics
in 12th).
This system certainly has its faults and the stress placed on the kids (often
which they put on themselves) is probably the biggest. The second biggest is
the question of retention - but I wonder about that at every level. There is a
lot of lecturing involved and not as much discovery learning... But - I will
say that even with this, there is always time to fit things in. The kids each
do an independent science fair project, (which truthfully also adds to the
stress) and I find that I can usually find time to fit in a fun lab, or make
connections that are not part of the AP curriculum. The time period after the
AP exam is actually really fun. We have more than a month of school and we
have already "covered" everything, so that is when we do some really involved
labs, or try to make connections in more non-traditional ways.
I have never taught AP chemistry as a second year course, so I can't compare,
but I imagine it has many advantages. Many students in my school however, feel
that the opportunity to take so many science classes at such an advanced level
is worth the stress and many go on to major in science.
Jerusha Vogel
----- Original Message -----
From: Meledath Govindan
To: neact@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:18 PM
Subject: [neact] AP Chemistry
Dear Colleagues,
Perhaps you can enlighten me regarding my question about AP Chemistry. I was
of the impression that AP chemistry is generally taught after the students have
taken a year of chemistry. Is this true? I know at least one school system
where AP Chemistry is taught in lieu of an Honors Chemistry and students have
been struggling. As a result, not many are signing up for that course and
dropping down to the next level, where they (otherwise honors students) are not
being challenged. I would appreciate receiving some feedback from my HS
chemistry colleagues. Thanks.
Mel
Meledath Govindan, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
Fitchburg State College
160 Pearl St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978)-665-3628 (Office)
(978)-665-3578 (FAX)
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