Test Score Posting

Parents and students, by tomorrow afternoon I hope to have the test scores posted. The score will be the corrected test grade, NOT the original grade which was pretty much a train wreck for all involved. I understand that everyone (well, almost everyone) got in a couple of hours studying last night which was good. The objective is to know the material, not just pass the test, so I believe that objective is accomplished.

About 20 minutes per night reading and reviewing the notes is a good way to keep from having to cram. In the meantime, I'm going to get back to grading the corrected test.

Be ready for a pop ____ tomorrow. :)

Posting in text speak is prohibited

When you post on the blog, please do not post in text messaging language (i.e. SA for essay). Show your parents, peers and me that you can write properly.

Thanks!

Today's Assignment

Since you are finished with the test, please do the following assignment.

1. Choose a partner.
2. Go to this link using Safari web browser.
3. If the computer asks to install Flash, you may do so.
4. Click on at least 5 of the elements in the periodic table and see what each element is all about (they are represented pictures) so you'll have to click around a bit. You may click on either link on the bottom left side where it says "Chemical Data" or "pdf". PDF will give you an easier time reading.
5. You and your partner will choose an element for which you will do a report and a model.
6. Take down the following information today in your notes.
   - Name of Element
   - Atomic Symbol
   - Atomic Number
   - Atomic Mass
   - Who Discovered It
   - Appearance

I will have a complete description of your project on Monday along with a rubric and the due date. Have a good weekend

Get the PPT here

You can click here to get the powerpoint for the test review.

Hey if you want to see a CRT in action, go here. The video at the bottom rocks.

Interactive Periodic Table

Students, click this link for an interactive periodic table in which you may click on any element to discover more about it. You may need to enable pop-up windows in your browser to use it. This will help you in the upcoming chapters.

Test on Friday

Alright, the first test of the year is coming up on Friday, August 20.

The following material will possibly be covered on the test:

1) Unit conversions
2) Atomic Theory
- Describe or label a cathode ray tube (not a TV, but the tube which Crookes used for his experiments).
- State how and why Thomson proved the existance of negatively charged particles (essay)
- List the three subatomic particles and describe the location and charge of each.
- Describe Thomson's model
- State why Rutherford was able to prove that positively charged particles were not scattered throughout an atom.
- Define
* nucleus
* Bohr model
* atomic number
* radioactive decay

My tests will have a few multiple choice questions but are mostly short answer, labeling and essay. Please comment if you have any questions. I will post in the comment section anything that I think will help you in your review. Blessings, and honor God.

Grade Updates

Grades will be updated starting Monday.

Unit Conversion Problems

Unit conversion problems are due Friday, Aug 12, at class time.

Posting in the Blog

Please make sure you are responding using the comment button under the appropriate post. I have had a few responses under an unrelated post, and that makes it difficult to know how to respond. We are having a solid first week. Keep up the hard work.

Open Office Software

This one is for parents, so if you are a student ask them before installing.

What if I told you there was a program that would both open, edit and save word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases and presentations in almost any format you can think of? What if I told you that program was FREE? Allow me to introduce you to OpenOffice.org, a free program that does all of the above and more. It can be installed on either Mac or Windows operating systems. It is about 350 mb in size which is similar to MS Office or Corel Suites but much more powerful. You can even create .pdf documents directly. OpenOffice is very similar in functionality to older versions of MS Office (XP, 2003). Since we use OpenOffice on our school computers, you may wish to install it on your home computer, so your child may use it to work on their projects at school and at home. Download from www.openoffice.org.

An Assignment

Alright kids, here's an assignment. Click on this link for some interesting reading. Now write a paragraph in your Science notebook telling how you may have used the scientific method to solve a common problem. A paragraph is 6 to 8 complete sentences. Good luck!

Smooth Opening

I could not have asked for a smoother beginning to the school year. I've been around education for over 13 years, and that was surreal. Hey, I'm not a Pollyanna, but the multiple prayers of those associated with our school have availed much. For them I thank God.

Welcome!

Alright, here's the first post for all students and parents. I'm looking forward to a great first year at PCA. Make sure to keep up with this blog as I will be posting regularly. A reminder to parents and students. Keep your posts respectful. If there is any question regarding school policy or a disagreement, please send an email directly to me so we can keep the blog an informational tool rather than a discussion board.

Here are a few things you'll need to have for this class.

• You'll need a green, pocketed, 3-ring binder for this class. No spiral notebooks allowed as they are messy. Please put your name and SCIENCE (yes, all caps) on the front. That way we can ID it if it is lost.
• A pen or mechanical pencil. Don't use regular pencils in the classroom, as the computers don't like the dust from the sharpener.
• A 1-2 GB USB thumb drive. Make sure it has your initials etched on it.
• A calculator will be required later. You may bring your calculator from math class.

My rules for class are very simple and few. If you do these things, I guarantee you'll pass.

• Respect people and property
• Show up on time
• Show up prepared
• Work hard

Your syllabus should be kept in your binder at all times. This is a handy reference. I will send an electronic copy with my first newsletter to parents.

I know this is a long blog post, but there's a lot of info that must be digested. I hope all of you have a great year. Keep in touch.