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 Monday, as we will be using the Bunsen burners in class to perform the flame test lab.

VIDEO: FIREWORKS!

Students who were in Mr. Hatfield's classes on Friday, Sept. 28th, watched a PBS video entitled 'Fireworks!'  Students who need to watch it again, or who were not present on Fruday, 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):

POWER POINT NOTES: 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. 

SYLLABUS: UNIT 2, PROPERTIES OF MATTER

Students:  Please find attached the new Syllabus for our current Unit, which is identical to the three-hole punched handout you should receive in class on Friday, September 21st.  We are currently finishing the fifth week of instruction.   If you have not done so, please read Chapters 5-7 in your textbook.

'COPING' WITH MR. HATFIELD'S TESTS

On Tuesday,  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, when it is returned in class TODAY.  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 COMPLETED NOTES  to class on the day of the exam. To aid Students in completing their Notes, Mr. Hatfield makes them available on-line through this blog and gives a Study Guide for Students to complete to demonstrate that they have the Notes, and know what to do with them.  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:

POWER POINT: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

The first set of Notes in Mr. Hatfield's 2018-19 classes were made available on-line in September of 2018.  They have since been superseded by revised notes and are no longer available.

The topics of the notes include the relation of chemistry to mathematics and other sciences, what makes chemistry distinctive in terms of its content and practice, the nature of science, scientific method ("O.H.E.C.K."), atomic theory and the periodic table.

Students should download the Power Point Notes to make sure that their notes are complete, as from time to time their composition books containing their notes will be inspected and graded.

You can find that set of notes HERE.