Welcome back! I hop everyone is enjoying this beautiful weekend!
9/10/12-9/14/12
9/10/12:
According to James F. in 6th hour...
Mr. Winter was our substitute teacher on Monday. We started off by taking our prefix quiz #2. After everyone was done, we split into our lab tables. At each lab table, there was a different water experiment, like the Detergent Propelled Boat, the Detergent Fearing Powder, the Floating Cork, and the Capillary Tubes. Through these activities we learned about some properties of water, such as cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, capillarity, and hydrogen bonds. All of the experiments were really cool. One of the ones I thought was really interesting was the Detergent Fearing Powder and the effects of surface tension. For homework we had we had a subatomic particles worksheet.
Thanks James! This is a wonderful recap of the day. Unfortunately I was in a day long meeting on Monday and not able to be in class but Mr. Winter said that everyone was great and that the students had fun with the stations. Have your student show you their favorite one - most are easy to reproduce at home :)
9/11/12:
The morning started with a somber reminder of the tragic events 11 years ago, but the great thing about this country is how far we have come.
Joaquin G. in 5th hour says...
Today we did a lab on finding the most effective buffer in maintaining a pH. Then we finished the lab worksheet with it. In our lab we learned that egg whites can be used a buffer and we class was cool because we got to wear GOGGLES!! We also had fun trying to crack the egg and separate the yolk from the egg white. The homework tonight was to finish the lab questions.
Thanks Joaquin - you boiled down our class to the essentials very well. Buffers are important to living organisms because they prevent large changes in pH levels. For example, our blood has to remain at a pH of 7.4 (slightly basic). If the pH level drops to 7 or rises to 7.8 we will die. Buffers help keeps us alive by preventing this. In our lab we saw (using indicators) that it took an egg white a lot more acid to actually change the pH than the simple slightly basic solution. The reason? Egg whites have buffers trying to prevent these changes!
9/12/12:
We used this day to recap our unit thus far. We spent some time going over the subatomic particles worksheet (determining the number of protons, neutrons and electrons) went over the acid base lab and finished up our notes/reviewed our notes on water. One of the major things we learned was that water has a high specific heat which means it needs to absorb a lot of heat before it can change temperature. This is why it takes so long to boil a pot of water. It also plays a role in moderating the temperature around the world (yay for oceans!) and moderating our body temperature (yay for sweat!). The homework for tonight was to simply study for our quiz the next day!
9/13/12:
According to Lauren G. from 5th hour...
Today in class, we took a quiz on chapter 2, our chemistry of life unit. We began to discuss what we would be learning in the next. We also taked about how to start drawing, or forming, our carbon bonds. Mrs.Giegler gave us examples of how to form carbon bonds up on the board. We talked about how to form single, double, and triple carbon bonds. We were given a worksheet for the lab we would start on Friday, also dealing with carbon bonds. We were assigned to do section 3.2, #23-43 in our packets.
According to James F. in 6th hour...
Mr. Winter was our substitute teacher on Monday. We started off by taking our prefix quiz #2. After everyone was done, we split into our lab tables. At each lab table, there was a different water experiment, like the Detergent Propelled Boat, the Detergent Fearing Powder, the Floating Cork, and the Capillary Tubes. Through these activities we learned about some properties of water, such as cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, capillarity, and hydrogen bonds. All of the experiments were really cool. One of the ones I thought was really interesting was the Detergent Fearing Powder and the effects of surface tension. For homework we had we had a subatomic particles worksheet.
Thanks James! This is a wonderful recap of the day. Unfortunately I was in a day long meeting on Monday and not able to be in class but Mr. Winter said that everyone was great and that the students had fun with the stations. Have your student show you their favorite one - most are easy to reproduce at home :)
9/11/12:
The morning started with a somber reminder of the tragic events 11 years ago, but the great thing about this country is how far we have come.
Joaquin G. in 5th hour says...
Today we did a lab on finding the most effective buffer in maintaining a pH. Then we finished the lab worksheet with it. In our lab we learned that egg whites can be used a buffer and we class was cool because we got to wear GOGGLES!! We also had fun trying to crack the egg and separate the yolk from the egg white. The homework tonight was to finish the lab questions.
Thanks Joaquin - you boiled down our class to the essentials very well. Buffers are important to living organisms because they prevent large changes in pH levels. For example, our blood has to remain at a pH of 7.4 (slightly basic). If the pH level drops to 7 or rises to 7.8 we will die. Buffers help keeps us alive by preventing this. In our lab we saw (using indicators) that it took an egg white a lot more acid to actually change the pH than the simple slightly basic solution. The reason? Egg whites have buffers trying to prevent these changes!
9/12/12:
We used this day to recap our unit thus far. We spent some time going over the subatomic particles worksheet (determining the number of protons, neutrons and electrons) went over the acid base lab and finished up our notes/reviewed our notes on water. One of the major things we learned was that water has a high specific heat which means it needs to absorb a lot of heat before it can change temperature. This is why it takes so long to boil a pot of water. It also plays a role in moderating the temperature around the world (yay for oceans!) and moderating our body temperature (yay for sweat!). The homework for tonight was to simply study for our quiz the next day!
9/13/12:
According to Lauren G. from 5th hour...
Today in class, we took a quiz on chapter 2, our chemistry of life unit. We began to discuss what we would be learning in the next. We also taked about how to start drawing, or forming, our carbon bonds. Mrs.Giegler gave us examples of how to form carbon bonds up on the board. We talked about how to form single, double, and triple carbon bonds. We were given a worksheet for the lab we would start on Friday, also dealing with carbon bonds. We were assigned to do section 3.2, #23-43 in our packets.
Bridget H. from 6th hour says...
Today we took a quiz on basic atoms, bonding, water properties and acids & bases. The homework was in the biochemistry packet. We had to do 23-43.
Thanks ladies! You guys covered it all!
9/14/12:
According to Emily H. in 5th hour...
On Friday, 9/14 we did several things in class. First, we checked in the Biochemistry worksheet packet #'s 23-43 and went over any questions. Then we got back our Chapter 2 quiz and went over answers. We also got the prefix/suffix quiz back. Mrs. Giegler said our next one will probably be on Thursday. We talked a little about how an oxygen atom shares electrons. Our main activity in class was building molecules. That was probably the coolest part of class. We used polystyrene balls (balls with holes to attach other atoms to make molecules) to create compounds using given molecular formulas. Once we properly built the molecule, Mrs. Giegler signed off on our sheet for the problem #. My group got though problems 1-4 by the time class ended. One of the most important things I learned is that the placement of the atoms needs to be structurally cohesive with the other atoms. Our homework for the weekend is doing #'s 44-54 in the biochemistry worksheet on carbohydrates.
Today we took a quiz on basic atoms, bonding, water properties and acids & bases. The homework was in the biochemistry packet. We had to do 23-43.
Thanks ladies! You guys covered it all!
9/14/12:
According to Emily H. in 5th hour...
On Friday, 9/14 we did several things in class. First, we checked in the Biochemistry worksheet packet #'s 23-43 and went over any questions. Then we got back our Chapter 2 quiz and went over answers. We also got the prefix/suffix quiz back. Mrs. Giegler said our next one will probably be on Thursday. We talked a little about how an oxygen atom shares electrons. Our main activity in class was building molecules. That was probably the coolest part of class. We used polystyrene balls (balls with holes to attach other atoms to make molecules) to create compounds using given molecular formulas. Once we properly built the molecule, Mrs. Giegler signed off on our sheet for the problem #. My group got though problems 1-4 by the time class ended. One of the most important things I learned is that the placement of the atoms needs to be structurally cohesive with the other atoms. Our homework for the weekend is doing #'s 44-54 in the biochemistry worksheet on carbohydrates.
Christine from 5th hour says...
On Friday, we created our own replicas of molecules. The topic of the lesson was Molecules of Biological Importance. We used little colored balls and connectors to created three-dimensional models for each of the nine compounds we were given. The most important things I learned that within each molecule bond, there is something called functional groups. The chemical properties of an organic molecule is determined by the functional group, like alcohol or carboxylic acid. I think the coolest part of class was actually seeing how molecules bond together and seeing it in a three-dimensional form. At the end of the day, Mrs. Giegler assigned us questions 44-54 in our packets.
Thanks ladies! You have provided a fantastic recap of our day!
On Friday, we created our own replicas of molecules. The topic of the lesson was Molecules of Biological Importance. We used little colored balls and connectors to created three-dimensional models for each of the nine compounds we were given. The most important things I learned that within each molecule bond, there is something called functional groups. The chemical properties of an organic molecule is determined by the functional group, like alcohol or carboxylic acid. I think the coolest part of class was actually seeing how molecules bond together and seeing it in a three-dimensional form. At the end of the day, Mrs. Giegler assigned us questions 44-54 in our packets.
Thanks ladies! You have provided a fantastic recap of our day!
Upcoming Week! - HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS!
This week is homecoming and a lot of other crazy days...use this as a guide to get you through! :)
Monday 9/17/12: Pajama Day! - let's get comfy!
While chilling in our PJ's we are going to finish up the last of our molecules to build and then start into a discussion about macromolecules important for life. The first type we are going to talk about is the carbohydrates. After our notes, your student should be able to tell you why they are so important and how to identify them based on their structure and which chemical test will provide a positive test. If we have time we will construct a really big paper version of a starch! The homework will be to complete the questions on proteins in the biochem packet and finish up any questions on the molecules of biological importance that they did not get to in class.
Tuesday 9/18/12: Cowboy Day! - YEEHAW! (also our first late start day)
Boots on and ready to go we actually won't start the school day until 9:10 am. Teachers have meetings all morning to align our curriculum and discuss best practice methods. This means that every class period is shortened to about 37 minutes or so. Please see the Fremd website fhs.d211.org for more information! In class we will use this time to talk about our next macromolecule - proteins! These are incredibly important and have major roles. Again your student should be able to answer the same questions like why are they important, what chemical test do we use and how can you structurally identify a protein. Again if we have time we will construct different paper models of proteins. The homework will be to answer the questions about lipids.
Wednesday 9/19/12: Class Color Day! (Freshmen - blue, Sophomores - red, Juniors - green, Seniors - gold)
As we represent our class, we will talk about lipids or fats. Again we hope to build a paper model and students should be able to answer all of the same questions. The homework will be to study for prefix/suffix quiz 3 tomorrow!
Thursday 9/20/12: Blast from the Past (pick your favorite decade!) Half Day! Open House!
Wow - there is a lot going on today! We will see which decade is best represented and enjoy a few laughs at some of the styles of the past as we make through a half day of school. Every period is shortened to be 28 minutes and students will be released from school at 11:50 am. During our time together, we will take the 3rd prefix/suffix quiz and then take some time working on wrapping up our knowledge of the macromolecules. Then the students get to go home so that we can prepare for you! The homework will be to read a prelab.
Open house is for all parents to attend. It begins at 7 pm. As a parent you will have the opportunity to walk through your student's schedule and meet all of his or her teachers. You will have 10 mins per class and 5 minute passing periods - don't worry there are many students around to help direct you in the hallways! Since you have such a short time in each class, you won't really have a chance to get information about your specific student but you do get a great feel for what their day is like and what happens in all of their classes. I really hope that I have an opportunity to meet you on Thursday evening!
Friday 9/21/12: Light it up Day! Homecoming Pep Assembly!
The Friday of homecoming week always ends with a pep assembly. All classes will be shortened slightly to leave time in the afternoon for an assembly where the school gets together and celebrate. The theme of homecoming this year is light up the night so on Friday everyone is encouraged to wear bright neon (Ne - it is an element!) colors to be fluorescent. Today in class we are going to start some chemical identification tests in a big macromolecule lab.
That wraps it up - as you can see this week will be a little crazy but hopefully a lot of fun!
Monday 9/17/12: Pajama Day! - let's get comfy!
While chilling in our PJ's we are going to finish up the last of our molecules to build and then start into a discussion about macromolecules important for life. The first type we are going to talk about is the carbohydrates. After our notes, your student should be able to tell you why they are so important and how to identify them based on their structure and which chemical test will provide a positive test. If we have time we will construct a really big paper version of a starch! The homework will be to complete the questions on proteins in the biochem packet and finish up any questions on the molecules of biological importance that they did not get to in class.
Tuesday 9/18/12: Cowboy Day! - YEEHAW! (also our first late start day)
Boots on and ready to go we actually won't start the school day until 9:10 am. Teachers have meetings all morning to align our curriculum and discuss best practice methods. This means that every class period is shortened to about 37 minutes or so. Please see the Fremd website fhs.d211.org for more information! In class we will use this time to talk about our next macromolecule - proteins! These are incredibly important and have major roles. Again your student should be able to answer the same questions like why are they important, what chemical test do we use and how can you structurally identify a protein. Again if we have time we will construct different paper models of proteins. The homework will be to answer the questions about lipids.
Wednesday 9/19/12: Class Color Day! (Freshmen - blue, Sophomores - red, Juniors - green, Seniors - gold)
As we represent our class, we will talk about lipids or fats. Again we hope to build a paper model and students should be able to answer all of the same questions. The homework will be to study for prefix/suffix quiz 3 tomorrow!
Thursday 9/20/12: Blast from the Past (pick your favorite decade!) Half Day! Open House!
Wow - there is a lot going on today! We will see which decade is best represented and enjoy a few laughs at some of the styles of the past as we make through a half day of school. Every period is shortened to be 28 minutes and students will be released from school at 11:50 am. During our time together, we will take the 3rd prefix/suffix quiz and then take some time working on wrapping up our knowledge of the macromolecules. Then the students get to go home so that we can prepare for you! The homework will be to read a prelab.
Open house is for all parents to attend. It begins at 7 pm. As a parent you will have the opportunity to walk through your student's schedule and meet all of his or her teachers. You will have 10 mins per class and 5 minute passing periods - don't worry there are many students around to help direct you in the hallways! Since you have such a short time in each class, you won't really have a chance to get information about your specific student but you do get a great feel for what their day is like and what happens in all of their classes. I really hope that I have an opportunity to meet you on Thursday evening!
Friday 9/21/12: Light it up Day! Homecoming Pep Assembly!
The Friday of homecoming week always ends with a pep assembly. All classes will be shortened slightly to leave time in the afternoon for an assembly where the school gets together and celebrate. The theme of homecoming this year is light up the night so on Friday everyone is encouraged to wear bright neon (Ne - it is an element!) colors to be fluorescent. Today in class we are going to start some chemical identification tests in a big macromolecule lab.
That wraps it up - as you can see this week will be a little crazy but hopefully a lot of fun!