Chapter 2 Vocabulary Words for your Notebook (updated)

The following 9 vocabulary terms should be in your notebook entry #6.  This is homework due Tues 9/27 (5th period) or Wed 9/28 (2nd Period). You can get the definitions and examples from your textbook.

pure substance
element
compound
mixture
heterogeneous mixture
homogeneous mixture
solution
suspension
colloid

Chapter 1 Test Coming Up

On Friday 9/23 (5th Period) or Monday 9/26 (2nd Period), you will be taking a short test.  Here is a list of the topics to be included in the test:

1. Measuring Tools
2. Counting Significant Figures
3. Computing with significant figures
4. Conversions (both metric-metric and English-metric).  I will provide conversion factors
5. Scientific Notation, going into it and out of it
6. Scientific Theory vs. Scientific Law
7. Reasons for using the metric system
8. You will be asked to measure something in the lab using the correct precision

If you would like to pick up your corrected Measurement Lab or Sig. Fig. Worksheet, come in the day before the test.  Otherwise you will get those before the test and have time to ask questions.

Also, the Thickness of Aluminum Foil data has been added in the documents section.  2nd period will be added Thursday after class.

September 19-30

You've made it through the first 2 weeks of school!  If you haven't already turned in your signed Safety Contract and Academic Honesty Contract, please do so ASAP.  Those will be the first 2 "assignments" on your Points Sheet and on Edbox.  I am starting to enter grades, but as far as I know, Edbox is not yet available to students.   Keep an updated Points Sheet and you will know your grade.

• Mon/Tues 9/19-9/20:  Turn in completed Measurement Lab.  Check off Cornell Notes on first 3 entries.  Hand out Points Sheet and get those started.  Notes on Significant Figures and Scientific Notation.  Work time on Sig Fig/Sci Not. worksheet.  Worksheet due on 9/21-9/22.
• Wed/Thurs 9/21-9/22:  Check off Sig. fig/Sci Not and go over.   Notes on data charts and graphs.  Thickness of Aluminum Foil Lab.  Complete worksheet and graph for Fri/Mon.  Short Chapter 1 Test on Fri/Mon.
• Fri/Mon 9/23-9/26:  Turn in Aluminum Foil Lab and Graph.  Review for Chapter 1 Test.  Take test.  Introduce Critical Reader (CR).  First CR due 10/3-10/4.  Notes on Chapter 2 vocabulary and how to solve problems in science.  Get started on Density Problems, due 9/29-9/30.  Read 2.1 and 2.2.
• Tues/Wed 9/27-9/28:  Work on Density Problems.  Introduce Carrot Lab, take data, and start posters. 
• Thurs/Fri 9/29-9/30:  Turn in Density Problems.  Finish Carrot Posters and do Walk Around evaluation.  Liquid Density + Hydrometer Lab.   Remember that your first Critical Reader is due 10/3-10/4.  Read 2.3.

Opening Weeks of School

Every week or two, I will be writing a post on this blog that details the current activities and homework.  Sometimes we will not get to all that was planned or there will be slight changes, but for the most part, this is a very good place to look to see what we did in class.  In addition, you will find that most class documents will be available on the side using Google Docs.  Occasionally the formatting for documents suffers in the translation to Googledocs.  If you have questions (students or parents), feel free to e-mail me at mkenny@pps.net

• Tuesday 9/6:  Short classes.  Take roll.  Fill out student information sheet.  Demonstrate Early Work.  Hand out class expectations.  Read class expectations and bring questions this week or next.
• Wed/Thurs 9/7-9/8:  First Early Work.  Go over basic classroom rules and routines.  Small group brainstorm:   What are some elements of a good scientific test?  Share out.  Group activity:  Testing advertisement claims.  Pick an ad, write a focused questions, identify the important variables, and write a detailed procedure.  All of this should be put neatly on a poster to share with the class.  Bring spiral notebook by next class.  Read 1.1 and 1.2.
• Fri/Mon 9/9-9/12:  Finish posters (25 minutes).  In the back of the classroom, individual students will read 4 of the posters and offer written feedback on what is good and what could be better.  Turn in your evaluations into the class inbox.  First notebook entry on Cornell Notes and Scientific Theory vs. Law.  Hand out Safety Contract and Academic Honesty Contract.  Both are due back signed by student and parent by Thurs 9/15 (Period 5) and Fri 9/16 (Period 2).  Bring calculator by next class.  Read 1.3.
• Tues/Wed 9/13-9/14:  Notes on the metric system and metric conversions.  Work on Conversion Worksheet, due next class period.  Introduction to measuring tools + precision.  Measuring tools and precision activity.  Remember to bring signed Safety Contract and Academic Honesty Contract by next class. 
• Thurs/Fri 9/15-9/16:  Measurement Lab.  Do in groups and turn in by 9/19-9/20.  Check off Conversion Worksheet and go over in class.  Notes on Significant Figures.

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year!

As the school year gets into full swing, I strongly recommend that you check this website regularly for information.  I will keep it updated with class assignments, links to documents, links to helpful websites, and anything else that might be useful for students taking this class.  If you are sick or miss class for some reason, it is essential that you get caught up as soon as possible, especially now that we only have class every other day.

2nd and 4th Period Final Grades Updated

Believe it or not, I got 2nd and 4th Period grades done way earlier than I thought.  To access them, you can go to Edbox.  Remember that I cannot put in your Final Exam score due to people weighting it differently.  What I have done is adjusted grades where students either went up or down because of the final exam.  Make sure that you are looking at the correct grade.  On my end of Edbox, I have 2 windows, Sem2 and Semester2.  The final grades are adjusted in the Semester2 window.  If you have any questions, just e-mail me and I will get back to you when I am back home.  You can also stop in and talk to me sometime on Monday or Tuesday.

Have a great summer!  It was a pleasure teaching all of you this year!

3rd Period, I'll see you on Tuesday.  Prepare well for your test.  I want to see you all do your best!

The Week of 6/6-6/10 NEW SCHEDULE!!

Lincoln has a unique opportunity to have a special speaker this week, and as a result, the schedule has been switched around.  Block Days will be Tuesday and Thursday of this week and Wednesday will be a Special Assembly Schedule.  The Deadline for Late Work and Extra Credit is still Tuesday by the end of lunch.  Finals begin on Friday!!  As of 3:30 pm on Sunday, grades have been updated.  Check yours out and e-mail me if you have any questions.

• Monday 6/6:  Turn in Isobar Activity.  In-class Volcano Reading activity.  Complete the reading packet as best you can and turn it in for 6 points (last assignment).  When done, work on your review packet.
• Tuesday 6/7:  (Even Block and FLEX!!).  Turn in all late work and/or extra credit by the end of lunch today (yes, even people who have 3rd period!!!!).  Jeopardy Review.  Go over Final Grades and how to weight your final exam.
• Wednesday 6/8:  Special Schedule.  Shorter Classes.  Go over math problems for Final Review.
• Thursday 6/9:  Odd Block.  Jeopardy Review.  Go over Final Grades and how to weight your final exam.
• Friday 6/10:  2nd Period Final from 8:15-10:15 am.  4th Period Final from 10:25-12:25.