Measuring accurately and precisely - August 30

A very hard concept to grasp for our students is the difference between a number and a measurement.  Questions abounded today when we introduced significant figures for the first time.  It is amazing the passion that can be exhibited when trying to understand whether or not a zero is a place holder or a significant figure.   We need to be reminded that we are in science where we use measurements which have accuracy and precision.  Please review these definitions!  We also were in lab today practicing using instruments such as rulers, graduated cylinders, and balances to take accurate measurements.  The good news is that we do not have homework this evening other than reviewing the rules for significant figures.  Be prepared to do practice problems next class involving significant figures.  Bring calculators to class.  See you soon!
Mrs. E

Colors, heat, and gas - Oh my!

We were very busy chemists today as we finished our final lab,"observation and experimentation".  This allowed us to gain an understanding of the need for controlled experiments and the impact of variables on our experiments.  I loved hearing the students' responses to the reactions occurring in the ziploc bags.  Remember to answer all the post lab questions for the lab for Tuesday's class.  Also for Tuesday, we will be in lab again to practice taking accurate and precise measurements.  Please have close-toe shoes for Monday and also complete pre-lab questions 1-3.  In order to prepare for class discussion, read sections 3.1 and 3.2 in your textbook.  Being prepared for class discussion is vital to your success in honors chemistry.  Have a great weekend!  Remember to represent your school with pride in all that you do.
Until next time,
Mrs. E

A favorite Safari picture

August 24 in Room 328

Day 4 of chemistry began with a discussion of the scientific method using our "agree, disagree, it depends on, and not sure" statements.  As a class, we definitely had some strong opinions regarding these statements.  It was also good to see students assert opinions even if it seems they were in a minority and not a majority.  We also used m&m bags  for data collection. Observing, generating questions and turning these questions into a testable hypothesis are the first steps of the scientific method.  We will be using this method throughout the year.  Next students gathered data, shared data, and will graph their data using proper methods.  The color change lab was due today.  Next class, the m&m lab is due.  Students must have a hypothesis, data table, graph, and conclusion for the mini lab report.  Please make sure units, labels, and titles exist in all the right places. On Friday, we will also be in lab.  Please remember close toe shoes again! Also, please read through the lab procedures for Friday's lab so you are prepared to do the lab.
Until next time,
Mrs. E

August 22 in Room 328

Today in class we began to look critically at our EPAS scores.  Our goal and challenge as a class is to master score band 24-27 by April's testing.  We also reviewed safety and took our safety assessment.  Finally,  we began to think about the scientific method by applying trial and error to a lab situation.  It was great to enter the "lab zone" of the classroom and begin working with actual chemicals.  Post-lab questions and  Agree/Disagree statements are due next class.  Please also remember to wear close-toe shoes as we will be in lab again.  Don't forget to invite your parents to Open House Thursday night to meet me!
Until next time,
Mrs. E

August 18th - And so it begins

My friends in Tanzania wearing their MCHS football shirts - Go Indians!

Whew!  It was a filled day in honors.  First, a recap of the day's events.  We began the day with creating our emotion index cards and  creating a graph of our previous assessment scores.  Please remember to bring the index cards to class each day.  If you didn't finish graphing your previous assessment scores, please finish that up as you will be adding today's score to your graph.  I'm really excited to scan our tests after school today and I will post our average score soon.  We also began our safety inventory and our discussion of the most important safety guidelines for a chemistry classroom.  We used a method called chalkboard splash.  Don't forget to study the safety rules ( found on the orange safety contract) over the weekend for Monday's assessment.  We will review on Monday prior to the safety assessment.  Speaking of Monday, it is really important to wear close-toe shoes!  We will be in lab and flip-flops or sandals are not allowed.  Monday's homework assignment is the pre-lab questions from the "color change" lab.  Please disregard "working with a partner" for question #3.  I want you to do this individually.  I would like you to write the answers to the three questions on a separate sheet of paper as this is a collected and graded assignment. Have a great day tomorrow and enjoy your weekend.

First day of class

Welcome students!  You are now reading your synopsis of our very first class.  Today was a day for introductions and some housekeeping tasks.  Don't forget to have your parent/guardian sign the white copy of the safety contract and bring it to class tomorrow.  Today's assignment is to create a timeline of where you will be in ten years and work back to where you are today.  Where do you want to be?  Where are you now?  What do you need to do to get to where you want to be?  How does honors chemistry fit into this?  Please share this with your parents and have them sign it.  I can't wait to read about your future self.  Don't forget your number 2 pencils for tomorrow's practice Pre-ACT.
Kwaheri,
Mrs. E.

Welcome to Honors Chemistry

Dear Students,
Currently I am a name on your schedule and you are a name on a list to me.  Beginning August 17th, that will all change as we enter the world of honors chemistry together.  This blog will be an important aspect of our class.  I will post daily assignments and class activities to this site.  Just in case you are absent, you will be able to find out what we did in class by visiting this site.  You will also be able to publish comments to me and to the rest of the class regarding what we are learning in class.  Let's remember that by posting to a blog, you are leaving a digital footprint behind.  Please remember to be courteous and respectful at all times to each other. A blog can be a really great learning tool if we all participate in an open dialogue for learning.   I'm really looking forward to meeting you  and having you in my class this year.  I'm also looking forward to seeing the work you have accomplished this summer.  Hopefully you have learned through your scrapbook project about the different fields of chemistry.
See you soon,
Mrs. E