Update

All my class information can now be found on edmodo.com.  You can ask your student to share their edmodo username and password and keep up to date on the latest readings, assignments, and notes I share with the class.  A lot of important information is shared with them, and you might find it interesting to read a chapter with your son or daughter and have a discussion.  Enjoy.

Time to get working

I have finished grading the Cambridge pre-test and boy do we have a lot of work to do!  Please be sure to continue reviewing physics concepts this semester in addition to learning biology.  Co-ordinated science is a two year class and to do well on the test you need to constantly study.  Expect to spend a minimum of 15 minutes EVERY day on science.  If you want to do really well you should spend 15 minutes on biology and 15 minutes on review of physics/chemistry.  I will hand out a sign up sheet for students that want copies of the freshmen level science information.  Remember, I have new books and new information, so it won't just be a repeat of what you learned last year.
I would also recommend you form study groups now and try to meet once a week to study some sort of subject for Cambridge.

In class, I will continue to hand out chapters for you to read at home.  I will have worksheets that will be handed out in class.  Expect the worksheets to be collected for points.  The chapters have questions and vocab associated with them.  This is on your own work.  I will not grade it (unless I think I need to).  There are tons of Cambridge style questions in the chapters, I would still do them.  You can probably expect any quizzes and tests to come directly from these questions.
Additionally, I will be compiling my own powerpoint presentations in addition to finding some online.  My goal is to make sure you are familiar with the objectives of the 2013 Coordinated Science Syllabus.
We are going to move fast this year, so let me know when I need to slow down.
All right?  SO lets get moving!  Looking forward to a great year.

Welcome to Year Two!

Welcome back Science Explorers!  I hope you didn't forget all the physics and chemistry you learned last year.  Remember to keep studying those topics as we move through the biology unit.  The physicsclassroom.com is an excellent resources for physics.  The Khan Academy is also useful for chemistry.  If you would like to check out the "Balanced Science" textbooks to help you review, please let me know.

So, first things first.  In reviewing the topics still to cover, there is still quite a bit of chemistry that will be useful to know as we delve into biology.  We will spend the first quarter in picking up chemistry topics, such as: Air and Water, Sulfur, Carbonates, and Organic Chemistry. These topics are very closely linked to all life on Earth.  It is all about cycles, and how elements move through the cycles...remember elements????  We have a new book this year, hopefully with this additional resource we can answer all your inquiring questions.

For a little fun, please post a comment indicating your favourite subject in science, either present or past.

Looking forward to a great year!

Ionic and Covalent and Metal Bonding, Oh My!

We have been learning about different types of bonding that can occur via chemical interactions of different elements.  The basic idea:  electrons matter.  Electrons drive reactions.  The ability to predict these reactions can serve a purpose for us in a variety of ways.  Chapter 4 is a key chapter in further understanding chemistry and the real world applications of chemistry.  An example of this is electrolysis, which is just using an electrical charge to drive a chemical reaction. For more reading check here: http://www.docbrown.info/page01/ExIndChem/ExtraElectrochem.htm and
http://ibchem.com/IB/ibnotes/full/red_htm/19.3.htm
Read the attached link.  Post questions in the comments section.

Finishing the Quarter

Hello Science Explorers,

I began grading the Ch. 3 questions and realised that many of you could do with a whiteboarding session to help answer any questions you might have.  I am not unreasonable and would rather you pass the test than fail the test.  SOOOOOOO.....The test is postponed until next week.  Instead of doing the "Identify Your Element" Assignment we will take the test.  The test will not be graded in time to go on this quarter's grade but that is OK.

The schedule will be as follows:

1. Finish periodic table powerpoint
2. work on Ionic and Covalent bond worksheet
3. Watch Khan Academy video on balancing equations
4. Whiteboard Ch 3 questions and vocab terms
5. Take test
6. Work on "Identify Element" assignment over spring break.  It is fun, so do it.  It will be due on the Mon/Tues. when you return from spring break.  

Good luck.  Do not forget to study this weekend! ! ! ! ! !

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

We are moving right along through the chemistry highways.  There is a lot to see and do.  In the coming two weeks we will be working on atomic structure and the trends in the periodic table.  This includes understanding the atomic structure of the atom, the charges and relative masses of the particles within the atom, and interpreting what this information means to the elements as a whole.  We will then look at the periodic table and start to pick up the trends in the groups and periods of the table.  You may have experienced a bit of this already with the periodic table activity that we conducted in class, now we will add depth to your understanding.
After we conclude the periodic table we are going to start to apply some of this knowledge to understanding bonding, types of bonds, and structures.  This will lead to that sudoku like activity called Stoichiometry, remember the balancing equations worksheet?  Well now it is going to be even more fun with the practising of 'stoich'.  Keep coming to tutoring and interacting with your notes.  I can see that this is already making a difference in your understanding!  

Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

The next two weeks we will spend time learning about the differences between an element, a compound, and a mixture.  The basic definition of an element is that it is the small unit of something that still retains the characteristics of what it is.  It is made of only one kind of atom.  The basic definition of a compound is that it contains two or more atoms of different elements that are BONDED together and can be broken down into smaller elements.  The basic definition of a mixture is that it contains two or more elements that are mixed together but are not bonded together.  You can physically pull apart the two types.  That is it in a nutshell, but of course there are more details to be learned about them.  Expect quite a few powerpoints to help explain the concepts.
Additionally, we are going to learn about methods of separating and purifying substances, including why it is important to purify a substance for everyday life.  Exciting!!!!
I think we can expect the quiz on Feb 9/10 so we can do the s'mores lab on Valentine's.  Who does not want chocolate on Valentine's day!  Keep checking the blog for updates and links to useful websites.