Welcome to chemistry! We will have a full year of learning the language of this foundational science. We will start off the year understanding the structure of an atom the characteristics of elements by investigating atomic theories and periodic law. This is the foundation for the whole course, like learning the alphabet of a new language. From there come the topics of bonding and compounds which result in new physical and chemical properties. This will be like us using our alphabet to form words. From there, we will move on to using the Law of Conservation of Matter to understand chemical reactions. This is like combining our words to form sentences. By the end of the semester, we will be able to form “chemical sentences” and have a good foundation to apply for the rest of the year. For second semester, we will understand the concept of a mole and use stoichiometry to further understand chemical reactions. We will then learn about thermochemistry, mixtures and solutions, gas laws, and reaction rates- understanding what is happening on a molecular level and how that affects physical and chemical properties. We will then explore the properties of acids, bases, and solutions, followed by exploring redox reactions. Throughout our course, we will learn in a variety of ways- labs, group work, writing, etc. I am looking forward to a great year!

Chemistry Week 1 (August 12)

We started off chemistry this week by receiving our textbooks and taking a look at expectations, procedures, and safety guidelines for class. We found out a bit about what we already know about chemistry and started to investigate a mystery of a burned towel. In doing so, we reviewed some science terms like parts of the scientific method, variables, quantitative and qualitative data, and observations. We talked about different ways that we can take notes as we do our homework reading and how to rank our own understanding. We then had a preview of some of the concepts you would encounter in homework this week. I am looking forward to Week 2 as we will continue to investigate our burned towel mystery and incorporate some new information about measurements from Chapter 2. Here is a link to the slides we used today, which has helpful videos and links to even more videos that could help in homework this week: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eVWtbUZC9D_YAxe6ZcCKH45O8dL21nbNhPiMXeT-Hrw/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 2 (August 19)

This week we started by reading an article on flammable items and considered which ones might have contributed to our mystery of the burned towel. We went over the homework and filled out an organizer on Chapter 2 as well. After this we went through a series of stations related to the burned towel. At station 1, we used graduated cylinders and scales to measure the density of the bathroom tile affected by the burn. At station 2, we took data about the towel itself, measuring the area and practicing using the correct number of significant figures. At station 3, we practiced designing an experiment to try to determine what might have caused the fire. At station 4, we considered 4 different clear liquids that may have been involved and measured their density. Then at station 5, we watched a few videos about flammability, physical and chemical properties, and physical and chemical change. We will finish these stations next week. Here is link to the slides we used today: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xDGBKIurxeMFt_fgPF07uj6sdI2CtYK0roY45kF9L-Y/edit?usp=share_link

Chemistry Week 3 (August 26)

This week in Chemistry we began class by setting up a model of the separation technique chromatography using filter paper, a cup of water, and a marker.  We went over the content from Chapter 3 using organizers and highlighting important points.  Students shared and checked their answers from homework as well.  After this, we revisited our Mystery of the Burned Towel stations and went over what we discovered from each station.  We received some more clues about what happened, including a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of the compound found at the scene of the crime that was identified as acetone, or fingernail polish remover!  We went over how to do a CER Essay (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning), which students will complete this week as they defend what they think caused the fire.  Here is the link to the slides we used today: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lVfjZzxAyq4QFJMqLGRAg1CHCkqXBOo7ZFf92bszgiU/edit?usp=share_link

Chemistry Week 4 (September 9)

This week in Chemistry we started by reviewing our homework and reviewing for the test.  Then we took the test over chapters 1-3.  Students had an opportunity to explore what might be inside of a tube by using what they could see and manipulate on the outside of the tube.  This is similar to what scientists had to do when discovering what matter is made of- they manipulated it and made observations to draw conclusions about what they could not see!  We discussed questions and beliefs that people had when trying to understand what makes up matter, which we will investigate in our homework this week! Here is the link to the slides we used today: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JzOdkQjMsgS3byQWFiGMbCzsM8SuydBHOJvyo3kBJnk/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 5 (September 16)

This week in chemistry we began by taking notes on Chapter 4, covering the discovery of the atom and subatomic particles. Then we worked on an activity about isotopes where we used mass and relative abundance to try to find the atomic mass of “snacking” (Chex mix). As students did this activity I checked off homework and went over the test individually with students. We ran out of time on this, but these slides guided our time and students can check their homework with the slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11h5tfNpSJcum9iks4GlEzcbP53NRcGT3avPTiq-djLE/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 6 (September 23)

In class yesterday we practiced, reviewed, went over notes, explained, and practiced some more!  Hopefully we are all feeling a bit better about electron configurations, but feel free to email me if you have more questions.  We will continue to practice this and other concepts we have covered so far in the next few weeks.  The slides that guided our class are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IspYmBbMPloDgvls8aUXesREK1p6eSUcNfwGEGT-ALM/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 7 (September 30)

In class yesterday we started with a warm up on different topics from chapters 4 and 5 as I checked homework. We moved on to go over the information from chapter 6 with some notes to guide us and went over homework as well. We moved on to doing a stations activity about elements. Each group received one element. At one station they made observations about the element and tested how malleable or brittle it was. At another, we tested whether the element conducted electricity. At another station, we recorded information about the element using the periodic table. And at the final station, we answered questions regarding the element and periodic trends. We will finish this up next week. For homework this week, you will choose an element and do a project on it telling us all about that element! These are the slides that guided our class today: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KtTzATyVfWaZyyYnXzQoJYzWf75UkH2ETrU-vySHzXc/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 8 (October 7)

Today in chemistry we continued our element stations that we began last week. Each group had an element that we observed properties in, tested conductivity in, identified on the periodic table, and compared to others in terms of atomic radius and ionization energy. Then we did a demonstration of the atomic emission spectra by burning different compounds (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and strontium chloride) to compare the colors that they emitted. Finally we had some time to work on a study guide and some presented their element projects. Homework is to work on the study guide to study for the test in two weeks (because next week is fall break). These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Yhy75o739DDN8pFN0ghtV1hlW5O6OP3h223Y3rCzi3o/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 9 (October 21)

Today in chemistry we reviewed a bit and then took our test on chapters 4-6. When finished, we read about radioactivity and also observed a real life gecko! This led to a discussion of gecko feet and how they stick. We asked questions and brainstormed ideas about how gecko feet stick and had a small introduction to our next unit: ionic bonding. These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17E5IpjBtx4rUB_DM_nIPAxPasPvZfEtb45D9JJYd4PY/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 10 (October 28)

This week in chemistry we took a short quiz on the symbols of the first 15 elements of the periodic table. We took notes and used beads to model diagrams of ionic bonds. We continued to take a look at the properties of gecko feet to try to determine if the reason why they were sticking was due to ionic bonding. We continued with a lab on ionic bonds where we mixed various cations and anions to see if they reacted and then attempted to name the resulting compounds. We went over some of our homework, but will finish this and the lab next week! Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_N46HWPZXeOFV3b6CpdgsS2j4lkcUZ1MzMNxabW5oMw/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 11 (November 4)

This week in chemistry we started with an article on the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide, only to discover that this is in fact just a fancy term for water. It’s helpful to see an example of how scientific information can be technically true and factual, but misleading. We saw a couple of video clips on how electrolytes are used in the body as part of our study of ions. We took a short quiz on the symbols of elements 16-30, and then went on to finish reviewing our homework from the previous week on ionic compounds. We revisited our lab on ionic compounds and practiced writing the chemical formula and written out name of the compounds we had formed. We took some notes on this past week’s work on metallic bonding and covalent bonding, using some beads to help us model what this looks like in atoms. And finally, we went over our homework on these topics. We are all caught up now, and homework for this week will be to practice what we have learned on identifying and naming ionic and covalent compounds. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1P18oxCIikfD5lbPX2VsEUzzrBwciUFgp8_jzfTHKcMM/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 12 (November 11)

This week in chemistry we began with our element quiz on the symbols of elements 31-45. We took some time to go over our homework on ionic and covalent bonding. We quickly revisited the topic of bonds and energy from our last class period and further discussed what types of forces outside of covalent and ionic bonds might be responsible for the gecko’s sticky feet. We went on to do some stations. At station 1 we compared melting points of different substances using our hot plate and timer. At station 2 we practice naming different types of acids. At station 3 we played an ionic bond card game. At station 4 we worked on a compound naming puzzle. And at station 5 we watched a couple of videos on what is actually happening with the gecko feet! We will finish up these stations next week, in addition to looking at some new information of how to model chemical bonds. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M7tq7iztECPVS9mxhPEjIDVtCliDpJEPsnl_gD5nEBY/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 13 (November 18)

This week in chemistry we did a warm up practicing naming ionic compounds, covalent compounds, and acids. Students received a flow chart and polyatomic ion chart to help with this process! Then we took our elements quiz over elements 46-60. We finished our stations from last week and shared data from the melting point lab station. Then we took notes on an organizer from this past week’s homework and went over the homework questions as we did. We will finish this next week! Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fuzb9exZtpODwmsa4KyaC4nSQMg75RqKucQVhrlvV5A/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 14 (December 2)

This week we practiced, practiced, practiced! We finished going over and practicing drawing Lewis structures and identifying whether a compound is polar. And then we took some notes on writing, balancing, and classifying chemical equations and practiced that together as well! We will have more practice on that for the homework this week which is attached below. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1j5ZUSNS87TIfMHRoElc7vc7VXZVqo10tP2X44WtUMCs/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 15 (December 9)

Today we started our class by reviewing the different types of chemical reactions and practiced writing and balancing several examples of them. We did an experiment by modeling a chemical reaction between sodium hydroxide and magnesium sulfate. We discovered that combining these reactants formed a precipitate. We learned how to write this equation as a balanced equation, a complete ionic equation, and as a net ionic equation. Students received their study guides and an optional “Chemistry of Baking” activity. We also reviewed over our homework answers with answer keys on the tables. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XzPBYWK8s1ro-IuGS3NoCmvwRDJDVQMkEr_TJ_9arBI/edit?usp=sharing

Chemistry Week 16 (December 16)

This week we took our last test and enjoyed some baked treats that the class brought in. Have a great Christmas!