Week of 12/10/12 - 12/14/12

CHEMICAL REACTIONS
We are beginning a new unit this week on chemical properties and chemical changes. This unit will last three weeks and will continue after winter break. During the unit, we will create and observe several chemical reactions in class labs and demonstrations. Students will learn about chemical equations, evidence of chemical change, the law of conservation of mass, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and balanced equations.

HOMEWORK
Monday (12/10): Retake unit test this week at lunch; Enrichment (extra credit)
Tuesday (12/11): Finish and review class notes
Wednesday (12/12): Workbook pg. 79-82
Thursday (12/13): Finish glue lab report
Friday (12/14): Review class notes from this week

MIDTERM EXAM

Students will have a science midterm exam next week on Thursday, December 20th. Students should study using their study guides from each unit we have covered this semester.  The main topics on the test will include: parts of the atom, periodic table of elements, states of matter, physical and chemical properties, and chemical reactions. More information will be given in class this week. 

Week of 12/3/12 - 12/7/12

COMBINING ATOMS & MOLECULES
During class this week, students will construct molecular models and draw dot diagrams to demonstrate covalent bonding between nonmetals.  We will also learn about monomers, polymers, and NaCl.  

UNIT TEST
The final test for this unit will be this Friday, December 7. We will spend Wednesday reviewing and playing a vocabulary game as a class. Students may use these review notes on their test. Students who did not reach the big goal on last Thursday's quiz are encouraged to stop in during lunch this week for extra review.

       *Mrs. Kenner will be at Homework Center after school on Thursday

HOMEWORK
Monday (12/3): Begin studying for Friday's unit test; retake quiz at lunch
Tuesday (12/4): Content Vocabulary WS pg. 19 & 20
Wednesday (12/5): Enhance Vocabulary Bingo for your study guide
Thursday (12/6): Enhance Vocabulary Bingo and study for test!
Friday (12/7): Test today! Enrichment (extra credit) for HW

Week of 11/16/12 - 11/30/12

IONIC & COVALENT BONDS
Students will be learning about ionic and covalent bonding this week in class.  To reinforce ionic bonds, students will complete a project that illustrates the ionic bonding of the compound sodium chloride.  The project includes a poster and an essay.  All details for the project are explained on a handout given out on Tuesday.  The assignment is due on Friday, Nov. 30 and will be worked on during class this Tuesday and Wednesday. 

HOMEWORK
Monday (11/26): Review covalent bond notes
Tuesday (11/27): NaCl poster and essay due Friday; Quiz on Thursday
Wednesday (11/28): NaCl poster and essay due Friday; Study for quiz tomorrow!
Thursday (11/29): NaCl poster and essay due tomorrow! Workbook pg. 50-54 due Monday
Friday (11/30): Unit test next week Friday

Week of 11/19/12 - 11/21/12

COMBINING ATOMS & MOLECULES
During class this week, students will be using a paper atom set they created to organize atoms on the periodic table based on their bonding abilities.  Students will then use the placement of the atoms to create ionic compounds and diatomic molecules. 

HOMEWORK
Monday (11/19): None
Tuesday (11/20): Finish ionic molecules - parts 1 & 2
Wednesday (11/21): Happy Thanksgiving!

Week of 11/13/12 - 11/16/12

CONGRATULATIONS!
We recently finished the unit on States of Matter.  Below are the results of the unit test. Great work everyone!

CLASS                         BIG GOAL                TEST AVERAGE
Astronomers                       85%                                  89%
Chemists                            85%                                  83%
Engineers                           80%                                  86%
Inventors                            85%                                  79%
Physicists                          82%                                  83%
                                             
COMBINING ATOMS & MOLECULES
Our classes are starting a new unit called Combining Atoms & Molecules.  Students will learn to identify and count elements in a compound, compare positive and negative ions, draw ionic and covalent bonds, and construct molecular models.  Several labs and class activities will be included in this unit.

ATOM MODEL PROJECT
Just a reminder - all atom model projects are due this Wednesday, November 14th.  Atom models must include a key for that element.  All projects need to have the students' names and class already on it before it is turned in.  Students may drop off the project in Mrs. Kenner's room before school on Wednesday.  Projects may also be turned in after school on Tuesday.  Students who are completing the PowerPoint portion of the project may either print it out and turn it in with the project grading sheet or email it to Mrs. Kenner by Wednesday evening.

HOMEWORK
Tuesday (11/13): Finish atom model, key, and PowerPoint!
Wednesday (11/14): Project due today! Review ion notes

Thursday (11/15): Review bond notes
Friday (11/16): Review bond notes

Week of 11/5/12 - 11/9/12

HOMEWORK
Monday (11/5): Exit Ticket - 3 questions; Study for test tomorrow!
Tuesday (11/6): Enrichment (extra credit)
Wednesday (11/7): Finish coloring and cutting paper atom set
Thursday (11/8): Number of Atoms in a Formula WS
Friday (11/9): Atom Model Project (due Wed.)

* Computer Lab - Monday, Nov. 5 after school
Mrs. Kenner will be in the computer lab after school on Monday to assist students with their atom project.  Students will be able to research their element and begin creating the PowerPoint/KeyNote portion of the project. 
           webelements.com
         periodictable.com
         chemicool.com
         chem4kids.com

* Unit Test - States of Matter & Physical Changes - Tuesday, Nov. 6
  (Can use two note sheets during test)

* Atom Model Project - due Wednesday, Nov. 14 
  (Atom Model, Atom Key, and PowerPoint printed or emailed)

Week of 10/29/12 - 11/2/12

STATES OF MATTER & PHYSICAL CHANGES
We are continuing our new unit this week on states of matter and physical changes. It is a short unit and will conclude with a unit test the following week.

HOMEWORK
Monday (10/29): Finish today's WS, Finish workbook pages 59-62 (from Friday)
Tuesday (10/30): Review class notes
Wednesday (10/31): Unit Test next week Tuesday, Nov. 6
Thursday (11/1): Chapter Review WS (front & back)
Friday (11/2): Finish Freeze Lab Report

• Unit Test on Tuesday 11/6
• Atom Model Project due Wednesday 11/14

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all students for their hard work during our unit on atoms and the periodic table of elements. Each class reached their big goal on the unit test last week! Great job - keep it up! 

CLASS                   BIG GOAL          TEST AVERAGE

Astronomers                85%                        90%

Chemists                     85%                        87%

Engineers                    80%                        88%

Inventors                     85%                        86%

Physicists                   82%                        84%