Lesson 1 - Monday, Nov 4
Today in science: After announcing that Fall Semester midterm grades will be issued next Monday, 11 Nov., Dr. M asked students to find, organize, and submit the assignments completed with the Guest/Substitute Teachers during his recent absence(s). We also outlined a rough plan for this week’s remaining lessons, which will include analyzing the solid, gummy-but-crumbly final product obtained from the leftover bath bomb water after evaporation (INV#3).
Homework: As discussed during Monday’s lesson, some students have been asked to finish answering the questions assigned in the Exploring Science 7 textbook (7Ha, 1-7, pp. 120-21 and 7Hb, 1-9 pp. 122-23) by the start of class on Wednesday, 06 Nov. (C period) or Thursday, 07 Nov. (B period).
H period students have been asked to complete the 7Hb4 and 7Hb7 worksheets, which are due on Wednesday, 06 Nov. This is work that was supposed to be completed with the Guest/Substitute teachers during Dr. Merritt’s absences. More assignment details can be found in Veracross. H period students have also been asked to finish preparing their science notebooks for INV#3 (this assignment is described in greater detail in Veracross).
Lesson 2 - Tue, Nov 5 (B, C) & Wed, Nov 6 (H)
Today in science: Students had time on the microscopes to describe four known (pure) substances we know to be included in most bath bombs: baking soda, citric acid, salt, and cornstarch. For each of these known substances, students were asked to record observations obtained by sight, touch, smell, feel, and (even) taste. Students were also encouraged to make quick drawings and/or take photos of the magnified samples. We then observed a sample of the leftover bath bomb solid substance we obtained from INV#3 (i.e., the evaporation investigation).
Homework: As discussed in Lesson 1 (Monday), if they haven’t already done so, students have been asked to finish answering the questions assigned in the Exploring Science 7 textbook (7Ha, 1-7, pp. 120-21 and 7Hb, 1-9 pp. 122-23) by the start of class on Wednesday, 06 Nov. (C period) or Thursday, 07 Nov. (B period).
H period students have been asked to complete the 7Hb4 and 7Hb7 worksheets, which are due on Wednesday, 06 Nov. This is work that was supposed to be completed with the Guest/Substitute teachers during Dr. Merritt’s absences. More assignment details can be found in Veracross.
Lesson 3 - Wed, Nov 6 (B, C) & Thu, Nov 7 (H)
Today in science: We wrote a “Conclusions” section for INV#3 today, which involved comparing and making sense of our (microscopic) sensory observations of the four pure substances (baking soda, citric acid, salt and cornstarch) and the remaining (leftover) bath bomb powder.
In B period, our work suggested a new investigation, INV#4: Identifying Sodium Citrate, in which we will attempt to dissolve the remaining bath bomb powder in two different liquids: water and alcohol (as Fede discovered with his internet research skills, if we have created sodium citrate, it should dissolve in water but not in alcohol!).
In C period, our work led us to create a new investigation we completed during the lesson (thanks Ryan!). As a result of this impromptu investigation, we think there still may be a small amount of citric acid–and a larger quantity of baking soda–still remaining in the leftover bath bomb powder.
In H period, C period’s work inspired us to repeat their investigation (again, thanks Ryan!). As a result of this impromptu investigation, we think there still may be a small amount of citric acid–and a larger quantity of baking soda–still remaining in the leftover bath bomb powder.
Homework: —
Lesson 4 - Thu, Nov 7 (B) & Fri, Nov 8 (C, H)
Today in science: B period performed INV#4: Identifying Sodium Citrate. Their investigation was incredibly successful and their findings were incredibly useful. Because of this, the results of their investigation were shared with H period.
In Dr. M’s absence, C period worked with a Guest Teacher to deepen their knowledge and understanding of chemical reactions. They did this by watching Science Max’s “Chemical Wonders – Exploring Extreme Chemical Reactions” video. At multiple times during the video, students were asked to record information they saw/heard in the video that helps them better understand the bath bomb reaction we’ve been studying during this unit.
H period began putting together their Final Model(!) on a pre-formatted A3-sized piece of paper. Supplemented by a new sheet of molecule cutouts provided by Dr. M., students began visually assembling the results of all of their investigations and book work. This Final Model work will be completed Monday, at which point students will be nearly ready–after completing just one final writing exercise–to take their final Chemical Reactions unit test.
Homework: —
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: How can we make something new that was not there before?
B period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
C period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
H period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
Fall Semester Midterm science grades are due for teachers on Monday, 11 Nov. Students can expect to see them soon after that.