Blog Archives - Button's Place

Day 13

8/31/2018

Pay Day!! Actually, I save my money so I have plenty. But check out how happy the teachers are today.
The Chemistry students did a couple of things today. First, they saw that, yes, it is possible to turn copper into gold. Not really, but it sure looks like you can. Another cool Friday chemistry demo. The students also looked at another physical property and a chemical property of different elements. We determined which of those 8 different materials were metals and which were nonmetals.
The AP Biology students discussed the real short Chapter 4 material which is just a quick look at isomers, especially enantiomers and their biological connection. We also began a discussion on the lengthy Chapter 5 material. We will continue that next week.

Day 12

8/30/2018

Today is probably the most poor teachers are in this district. Most haven't been paid since June and they are really looking forward to tomorrow which is pay day. Check out how happy they are tomorrow.
The Chemistry students began a lab exercise where they have to determine the identity of 8 different substances. They made a lot of observations and submitted their guesses. 6th period did the best scoring 33.3% correct on their guesses. Not so good. We will wrap up that lab tomorrow.
The AP Biology students discussed the vital role water plays for all living things. Yeah, it's pretty important. It cools us down, warms us up, quenches our thirst.........you know what? I'm gonna start a new religion where water is worshipped. Can't believe it hasn't already been done.

Day 11

8/29/2018

Know what happened on this day in history? Me neither.
The Chemistry students took the first quiz of the year today. Boy, there were some sad faces after that. But not to worry. If the students complete everything I ask them to, they will have almost unlimited chances to improve their grade by taking an assessment on a particular objective anytime they wish. Sounds great, doesn't it? And yet so few take advantage of this.
The AP Biology students went to the library today and put the finishing touches on the Chemistry of Life online assignment. I also handed out the Chapter 3 Reading Guide and that thing is due this Friday.

Day 10

8/28/2018

So......no one commented on the blog entry from yesterday. Am I writing this just for my own pleasure? Perhaps. Maybe I should keep doubling the prize until someone comments.
The Chemistry students did stuff today. What did they do? Well, Dan, you should know since you were there and you're the only one reading this so what's the point? OK, relax.....just in case someone is reading this because they missed school the Chemistry students went over 6 topics today - physical changes, chemical changes, pure substances, mixtures, elements and compounds. We defined each and checked some examples.
The AP Biology students looked at examples from the Free Response section of the AP Biology Exam. We will continue to do this throughout the year as we prepare for the second Monday in May.

Day 9

8/27/2018

First person to leave a comment about this blog entry gets a prize!!! And that means anyone!
The Chemistry students did a couple of things today. First, we talked about how easy it is to calculate the volume of the Earth and how long it would take to fill up the Earth with water, 1.0 liter at a time. It would take a real long time even if you filled the Earth at a rate of 1.0 liter per second. Like around 300 quadrillion years. We checked out the Periodic Table for the first time, too. And then we took a little time to make sure the Measurement Lab was completed.
The AP Biology students had their first look at the venerable Advanced Placement Biology Exam. The students attempted 25 multiple choice questions including 3 "grid-in" questions. Don't worry; the students understand what I'm talking about. We will check out the Free Response Questions tomorrow.
I said 'first' 4 times in this entry.

Day 8

8/24/2018

Another Friday! Friday's are great, don't you think? Of course, I think all days are good. Except Tuesdays. Tuesdays have a super bad attitude.
The Chemistry students witnessed an explosion in class today which usually happens during Fridays during Chemistry. We mixed hydrogen and oxygen and lit those gases on fire which is real cool. Hannah, Autumn, Billie, Nico, Sky, Athena and Wyatt provided assistance during this demonstration.
The AP Biology students went to the library today to work on the next online assignment which is called the Chemistry of Life. A lot of review and some new stuff too. Next week, we'll talk about enantiomers, carbohydrates, polarity, lipids and other stuff like that.

Day 7

8/23/2018

Here is what happened today in Room 1204:
The Chemistry students continued with Part 3 of the Measurement Lab today. That involves density and temperature. Density, as you are well aware, is the measure of the mathematical relationship between the mass and volume of an object. That sounds a little wordy but I'm pretty it's true. We also checked out this:

That's a density problem if I ever saw one!
The AP Biology students completed the data analysis section of Part C of the Osmosis and Diffusion Lab today. That means were about done with it. The lab is due tomorrow at the beginning of class which is plenty of time to finish the intricate questioning contained therein.

Day 6

8/22/2018

Wow! Now the school year is 1/30th of the way done! Only 29/30ths of the way to go!
The Chemistry students continued with the Measurement Lab today. They mainly concerned themselves with measuring the mass and volume of a variety of objects including a rock, wooden block and the earth itself. Yeah, good luck with that.
The AP Biology students did a couple of things today. We had our first little lecture on the Chemistry of Living Things. It was real short and to the point. We also began Part C of the Osmosis and Diffusion Lab. We're gonna find out the solute concentration inside a potato and, by extension, its water potential.

chemistry_day_2-1.pptx
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Day 5

8/21/2018

Day 5?!?!? That means the school year is 1/36th of the way done! Only 35/36ths of the way to go! It'll go in no time!
The Chemistry students continued working on the Measurement Lab. Most groups got to Part 2 of the lab which focuses on Mass and Volume. The students learned that we have electronic scales to measure mass, that beakers are not for measuring volume accurately and math can get you out of a jam.
The AP Biology completed the data analysis section of Activity B of the Osmosis and Diffusion Lab. We compiled class data, averaging the percent change in mass of the dialysis tubing that was immersed in different sucrose solutions of varying concentrations. Yup, that's what we did.

Day 4

8/20/2018

The jungle is closing in on all sides. I can hear the beast as it circles our camp. I can see......oh wait, I'm not on an expedition in the Brazilian rain forest - I'm a teacher at West Valley! I keep forgetting.
The Chemistry students began the Measurement Lab today. We discussed length and time, as one does, before starting Part 1 of the lab activity. We will measure length, time, mass, volume, density and temperature. It's a rather lengthy endeavor. Just like an expedition in the Amazonian jungle.
The AP Biology students completed the data gathering section of Activity B of the Osmosis and Diffusion Lab which means that the data analysis section of this lab activity will happen tomorrow. Those students were also reminded that the Chapter 1 Reading Guide is due tomorrow.