Week 4: Chemical Reactions, Substances, and the Law

They're Here!

My incentive cards are in and will be passed out this week. If you can get nine punches during the quarter you will qualify for upcoming surprises and celebrations.  Please make sure you get one from me this week. They look like this:

First Exam is Around the Corner

August 28th we will have our first unit exam.  It will cover the states of matter, properties and changes.

Week 8: Chemical Bonding and The Law

As we come to the end of our learning on the periodic table, we will now look at the relationship between the elements, chemical bonding, and the Law of Conservation of Matter. We spent the first two days of the previous week discussing the Law of Conservation of Matter, but this week we will get into more of the math behind it. Review these videos in preparation for class this week.


Here is the link for the Element Square project internet research as we reviewed in class:
Periodic Table Research Search Engine. Use this video to review the expectations for your Element Square research handout. 

1st Period - Periodic Table Basics Assignment (Advance)
2nd - 4th Periods - Periodic Table Basics Assignment (Regular) (ANSWER KEY)

Vocabulary of the Week (VOTW) - elements, reactivity, periodic table, conservation, bond, coefficient, subscript, energy level, valence electrons, reactants, products

The Periodic Table and Valence Electrons



Video Questions
How many elements can each energy level hold?
What is the name of the electron in the outermost energy level? [7:57]
What is the purpose of the electron dot diagram or the Lewis Diagram? [9:02]
How many valence electrons do the elements in Group 2 contain? [10:44]
Where do you place the valence electron dots for elements in Group 13? [12:15]
What is the unique nature of the valence electrons for elements in Group 18? [15:30]
What can be implied when observing an element with a full energy level? [15:59]

Chemical Bonds




Video Questions
What type of bond is sodium chloride (NaCl)?  
Why does sodium and chlorine join together? [2:53]
How many atoms does Na give to Cl? [3:40]
What do you call an atom that has a charge? [4:32]
How many steps take place in forming ionic bonds? [6:01]

Law of Conservation of Mass and Balancing Equations





Balancing Chemical Equations by Brightstorm (video with more practice problems)

Video Questions
What is the purpose of the coefficient?

Click to Run

Our Agenda this Week:

(The schedule changes to match the needs of my students.)

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
GIFTED	Bonding Notes	Academy Lab; Element Project	Drawing Molecules; Periodic Table Basics Activity	Work on Element Project	Work on Element Project (Due today); Bonding
REGULAR	Finish PT Tables; Bonding Notes	Academy Lab; Element Project	Drawing Molecules; Periodic Table Basics Activity	Work on Element Project	Work on Element Project (Due today); Bonding
Next Week:  Video Projects Due (Gifted); Matter Part !! Test, Standards Project

Week 7: The Periodic Table

There is a new hit song on the radio waves now...well...maybe not on your local radio station, but definitely a cool song to listen to if I say so myself.

How cool was that?

So probably by now you have figured out that we are finally going to talk about that big poster on the classroom wall.  Well if that was your thought, you are most certainly correct. We already know the story of Dmitri Mendeleev and how the periodic table came about, but if you need a refresher click here. 

Before we get into the heart of the matter, we will start this week with three discovery learning stations. 

Learning Station 1: The Periodic Table
This learning station is all about figuring out how to organize the missing elements from the periodic table and then hypothesizing about five elements with regard to their chemical properties. Check out this video before class on Monday. 

Learning Station 2: Atomic Structure Models
This learning stations requires that you choose an atom and build it according to the information provided on the periodic table. You will be assigned one element to study at this station. You will want to review your notes on the structure of the atom to help you out on this activity. Please watch this video before class on Monday.

Learning Station 3: The Law of Conservation of Matter
The Law of Conservation of Matter states that in the formation of new substances matter can neither be created nor destroyed.  You will be busy providing evidence to support this law. Be careful though, things can get pretty messy if you don't follow the directions! Here's the last video you need to watch before Monday.

After we have completed the learning stations, we will share our findings as a class. Be prepared to discuss what you've learned, in addition to asking any questions that will help you clear up any areas of confusion. 

Our focus for the remainder of the week will be the periodic table. Are you ready?

Additional resources for this week include:
Hunting the Elements Periodic Table [PDF]
Periodic Table Games
Element Flash Cards
Periodic Table Name Game
Nova's Elemental Quiz
Periodic Table Quiz
Printable Periodic Table Test (Don't do 28-29 and 43-46; answer key available in classroom)

 

The Matter Saga Continues...

Last week, we looked at the properties and changes of matter.  Students chimed in with their own examples demonstrating that they were gaining a better understanding of these new concepts.  For students who are still struggling with last week's content, please visit MsPrinceScience YouTube Channel for newly uploaded videos on the topics.

Here's a preview of one of our topics this week:


This week we will look at the different types of matter (pure substances and mixtures).  Once this material is covered we will wrap up the week learning about the element squares on the periodic table.  Understanding the information in an element square is critical to understanding the organization of the periodic table.

Learning Targets this week:

• I can explain the law of conservation of matter.
• I can tell the difference between pure substances and mixtures.
• I can interpret what the information on an element square means for each element.
• I can distinguish between an atom, element, compound, molecule, and mixture.

Students of the Month (AUGUST)
Congratulations to the following students in science class!
1st period: Hunter and Mikayla
2nd period: Adam and Claire
5th period: Chris and Sabrina
6th period: Ryan and Graci

***IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS***
Quiz grades reflect the amount of studying students are doing on a daily basis.  Let us try to improve our study habits so that we can increase our level of preparedness on formative assessments.

"I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore!"

We have completed our lessons and activities on the history of the atomic model, particle movement during all four states of matter, and the different changes of states.  Now, it's time to talk about the matter PROPERTIES, CHANGES, and the LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MATTER.

Our Learning Targets This Week:
1. I can describe the difference between physical properties and chemical properties.

2. I can describe the difference between physical changes and chemical changes.
3. I can explain  and demonstrate an understanding of the Law of the Conservation of Matter.


The best way to understand these topics is to immerse ourselves in discussions, visual imagery, and interactive activities.  So we have whipped up a number of interesting things for students this week.  We are also going to connect many of the things we are talking about this week to the mini-labs we have been doing for the last couple of weeks.  Students will need to reflect back on those activities to help make new connections.

This week we will also work on organizing our Interactive Science Notebooks.  I have put together some pictures of what the first several pages should look like.

Our Interactive Science Notebook on PhotoPeach 

You've Got Mail!
The parents of two lucky students will receive a very special delivery this week.  I am keeping my eyes open for students who stand out among the crowd and SHOW WHAT THEY KNOW! Who will be the first two to receive this recognition? I guess we will have to wait and see!