Tuesday, September 26, 2017

POWER POINT: PROPERTIES OF MATTER


Students: here are the Power Point Notes that covers material from Chapters 2 and 6.   You should use them along with the Study Guide 'Properties of Matter' (given in class on Monday, 9/25) to make sure that the notes in your Composition Book are complete. 

A second Power Point, with a separate set of notes based on chapters 5 and 7, will be provided later in the Unit. 


Monday, September 18, 2017

VIDEO: THE BUNSEN BURNER

Mr. Hatfield has made a video to demonstrate the correct way to use the Bunsen burner.  Make sure you review this before you come to class on Tuesday, as we will be using the Bunsen burners in Mr. Diaz's classroom to perform the flame test lab.


"COPING" WITH MR. HATFIELD'S TESTS

On Monday,  September 11th, Mr. Hatfield's students took their first test in Chemistry.  The first test can be thought of as a 'lesson' on what to do, and what not to do.  Until students see the test for themselves, and know what it is like, it's difficult to prepare for.  

So, many students will be disappointed and discouraged by their first exam.  But know this: if you learn from the experience, you will improve, and you will even get opportunities to improve your original grade.    

Students who earn a percentage score higher than that earned on the first test can not only expect to earn a higher grade, but they are eligible for grade change on their previous test.

To achieve that, students need to consider the following, using the anagram 'COPE'.

C....(ontent)

Students need to know what's on the test. 

To make sure that students know what content will be covered on the exam, they need to obtain and complete a copy of the Study Guide, which becomes available the weekend before the test.   At the same approximate time, Mr. Hatfield will make the notes and practice questions available on the class blog. The sooner the students develop the habit of comparing their Composition Book with these materials, the sooner they will improve!

O....(rganization)

Students need to plan their time. 

Students should consider forming Study Groups with fellow students, perhaps after school on the day before the exam. They earn points by attending, and get valuable feedback about what is likely to be covered.  Students need to consider using time on lunch or after-school on the day of their exam as needed to complete their test. Plan ahead, students!

P...(reparation)

Students need to provide evidence that they have prepared for the test. 

One way to do this is to attend Study Hall during lunch, before the next test. Another, powerful way is to make sure that they bring their COMPOSITION BOOKS  to class on the day of the exam. This should not only contain their completed notes, but their Lab Reports with examples of how to solve certain kinds of chemistry problems. Students who have these items completed will be allowed to use them throughout the exam. Bring evidence that you have prepared for the test, students, and you will be rewarded!

E...(ffort)

Students need to finish what they start

There is nothing more important than giving our best effort, all of the time. On an exam day, a good effort means that students attempt everything, even if that means they need to come back at lunch or after school. Show a work ethic, students, and you will not only do better on the test....you will do better in every aspect of your life.

PARENTS, ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO USE THESE STRATEGIES TO EXCEL!


One way to improve O(rganization) and P(reparation)  is to use the SYLLABUS for each Unit.   With that in mind, here is the SYLLABUS (the schedule of major events) for Unit 2:



Tuesday, September 12, 2017

VIDEO: FIREWORKS!

Students who were in Mr. Hatfield's classes on Tuesday, Sept. 12th, watched a PBS video entitled 'Fireworks!'  Students who need to watch it again, or who were not present on Tuesday, will find the video embedded below in this post.

The worksheet for this video can be obtained HERE.

Students should pay careful attention to items from Chapter 5 (electron configuration) and Chapter 7 (ionic compounds):


Tuesday, September 5, 2017

HIDDEN FIGURES: SCORING THE ESSAYS

Most students have, at this point, submitted an electronic document containing an essay based on the film 'Hidden Figures'. 

 If you have not done this yet, students, make sure that you do so before the end of the current unit (this Friday, September 8th).

Since most of these items are electronic, they will be scored on-line.   Mr. Hatfield will use the following Rubric to score the essays:

Please note the importance of students doing their own work.   There is nothing wrong with using sources other than the film or the materials shown in class.   However, if such sources are used they must be acknowledged in a bibliography, even if they are not quoted word-for-word;  sources which are quoted, word-for-word, must be clearly shown with quotation marks.

As failing to do these things is commonly recognized as plagiarism, lacking in integrity, students who plagiarize not only lose points, but may be subject to discipline.

Friday, September 1, 2017

VIDEO: THE LIVES OF THE STARS

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The following episode of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, 'The Lives of the Stars', forms the basis of a student homework assignment given in class on Friday, September 1st.  






 This can be viewed on-line at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDD8TLU9J6c

FIRST LAB REPORTS DUE TUESDAY, SEPT. 5th

Chemistry KNIGHTS (that's YOU, students!):

Your first Lab Reports are due on Tuesday, the first day after the three-day weekend.

TWO Labs ("The Obscern-Tainer" and "More Flavor Or Less") will be graded.   They should be completely set up, next, completed with all required data, observations and questions based on the lab experience: