Just a quick Foundations of Science update as we get back in to the swing of things this week and finish up the first semester!
2nd Marking Period Grades
I updated grades yesterday afternoon with our Section 4.1 and 4.2 Quiz and the classwork that led up to it. I will be (hopefully) finishing up grading Adopt an Element Smores this weekend (those were due Tuesday by midnight on Schoology). Any missing (NS) assignments or quiz retakes for the 2nd marking period must be in my hands by 4 p.m. next Friday, January 15th. As always, I will be here today after school as well as Tuesday through Friday of next week after school until at least 4 or 4:30 p.m. for students who owe me work, are finishing up quiz corrections, or have tests or quizzes to make up or retake.
Unit 3 Exam Friday, January 15
On Wednesday, I gave students a yellow schedule that takes us up through the end of next week. Today we did electron configurations. We will review and continue practicing them on Monday, then have three in-class review days for Unit 3. Our Unit 3 (which is Chapter 4 – Atomic Theory and Atomic Structure) exam will be next Friday, but I will be putting the grade on the 3rd Marking Period. This will allow time for make-ups and retakes. With the day off on Monday, January 18, I know that Friday might be a popular test day. At the same time, I would feel more comfortable giving the students an additional in-class review day, rather than rushing just to take the test on Thursday.
Weekend Homework
The students have a sheet of electron configurations to finish before class on Monday. Electron configurations are a challenging and confusing and abstract idea at first, which is why this practice is so important – and I’m not accepting free homework coupons on this assignment. They will be writing electron configurations only (no orbital diagrams yet – we didn’t get to them today) for the first 25 elements on the Periodic Table. We did 6 examples to get them started today in class. I have MANY resources available to them on Schoology and strongly, strongly recommend that they watch my “Electron Configurations Reexplained” screencast on Schoology if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Bohr Model Project Update
I have extended the deadline for the kids’ Bohr Models (the second part of the Adopt an Element Project) to give them extra time to plan, design, and build their themed, 3D, hanging models of their elements. Students will meet individually with me on Wednesday, January 13th, in class to discuss their Bohr Model Plan. I gave them this yellow sheet on Wednesday in class. This will give me an opportunity to check in with them and ensure that their protons, neutrons, electrons, and electron configurations are correct before they submit their models. I also built my own Bohr Models (Hydrogen and Thulium) and talked them through my designing and building process.
The due date for Bohr Models is now the week of January 19th – which means students can bring them in ANY day that week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. I made this change and provided this flexibility in case your child needs a ride to school with his or her model. I have warned them repeatedly to communicate with you about gathering supplies, completing the building, and transporting their model to school. Please do not let them procrastinate – I gave them extra time because I think they will need it!
As always, please contact me if you have any concerns! I hope your 2016 is off to a great start!
2nd Marking Period Grades
I updated grades yesterday afternoon with our Section 4.1 and 4.2 Quiz and the classwork that led up to it. I will be (hopefully) finishing up grading Adopt an Element Smores this weekend (those were due Tuesday by midnight on Schoology). Any missing (NS) assignments or quiz retakes for the 2nd marking period must be in my hands by 4 p.m. next Friday, January 15th. As always, I will be here today after school as well as Tuesday through Friday of next week after school until at least 4 or 4:30 p.m. for students who owe me work, are finishing up quiz corrections, or have tests or quizzes to make up or retake.
Unit 3 Exam Friday, January 15
On Wednesday, I gave students a yellow schedule that takes us up through the end of next week. Today we did electron configurations. We will review and continue practicing them on Monday, then have three in-class review days for Unit 3. Our Unit 3 (which is Chapter 4 – Atomic Theory and Atomic Structure) exam will be next Friday, but I will be putting the grade on the 3rd Marking Period. This will allow time for make-ups and retakes. With the day off on Monday, January 18, I know that Friday might be a popular test day. At the same time, I would feel more comfortable giving the students an additional in-class review day, rather than rushing just to take the test on Thursday.
Weekend Homework
The students have a sheet of electron configurations to finish before class on Monday. Electron configurations are a challenging and confusing and abstract idea at first, which is why this practice is so important – and I’m not accepting free homework coupons on this assignment. They will be writing electron configurations only (no orbital diagrams yet – we didn’t get to them today) for the first 25 elements on the Periodic Table. We did 6 examples to get them started today in class. I have MANY resources available to them on Schoology and strongly, strongly recommend that they watch my “Electron Configurations Reexplained” screencast on Schoology if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Bohr Model Project Update
I have extended the deadline for the kids’ Bohr Models (the second part of the Adopt an Element Project) to give them extra time to plan, design, and build their themed, 3D, hanging models of their elements. Students will meet individually with me on Wednesday, January 13th, in class to discuss their Bohr Model Plan. I gave them this yellow sheet on Wednesday in class. This will give me an opportunity to check in with them and ensure that their protons, neutrons, electrons, and electron configurations are correct before they submit their models. I also built my own Bohr Models (Hydrogen and Thulium) and talked them through my designing and building process.
The due date for Bohr Models is now the week of January 19th – which means students can bring them in ANY day that week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. I made this change and provided this flexibility in case your child needs a ride to school with his or her model. I have warned them repeatedly to communicate with you about gathering supplies, completing the building, and transporting their model to school. Please do not let them procrastinate – I gave them extra time because I think they will need it!
As always, please contact me if you have any concerns! I hope your 2016 is off to a great start!